Page 6 of Fated Surrender

Ma laughed. “Connor, be nice,” she admonished.

“Harvey should have known better than to mess with my friends and my little brother,” Connor said, reasonably.

“Man, I haven’t heard that name in years. Is that asshole dead yet?” Gavin asked, walking in.

“No clue. What’s up, littlest bro?” Connor asked.

“Hungry,” Gavin said shortly and sat at the counter next to Pa.

“Hungry, man-food hungry? Or need-to-pick-at-my-food-while-I-think hungry?” Connor asked.

Gavin thought about it for a second before answering. “Man-food hungry, though I reserve the right to pick at dessert.”

“Okay, one pot roast meal coming up,” Connor said, making up a plate.

“What has you picking at your dessert, baby boy?” Ma asked.

“Magic,” Gavin snarled.

Everyone turned to look at Gavin.

“What about it?” Caleb asked.

“It doesn’t make sense. It’s never consistent or measurable. It varies from user to user. It defies all documented forms of science.” He exhaled loudly. “Actually, can I get that to-go, Connor? I want to head back to my studies,” Gavin asked, sounding frustrated.

“Sure thing.” Connor easily transferred the food from the plate to a to-go box and added a large slice of pie.

“Thanks.” Gavin picked up the bag and, muttering to himself, walked out of the diner.

“I know that Rebecca has been going nuts trying to understand how it all works, too,” Kate admitted.

“Lord help us all if she starts dabbling in magic,” Connor said out loud. Nearly everyone in the diner swallowed hard.

“Spectacles, testicles, wallet, watch,” Rian said, crossing himself.

“Since when are you Catholic, Rian?” Damian asked.

Rian looked at his friend, surprised. “I’m not, but sometimes you need all the help you can get,” Rian said, unfazed.

Connor couldn’t help laughing. “Yup, Rian, if I were to ever switch teams, you’re my first stop.” He grinned at Rian, who blew him kisses.

“Hey, family,” Emmett said, walking in the diner.

“Hey, Em,” Connor said, bumping fists with his brother.

“It’s slow at the hardware store, so I left Duncan there to close up and decided to come here to help out with the dinner rush.” Emmett hung up his coat and walked behind the counter.

“Good. Connor, why don’t you head home? You’ve been here since before dawn prepping for breakfast. You should relax and turn in early. Get some sleep,” Ma said.

“Subtle, Ma. Real subtle,” Connor said, kissing her cheek.

“I don’t have to be subtle. Now, go home and rest. And don’t show up back here till after breakfast that’s an order,” she said, kissing him on both cheeks.

“Yes, Ma.”

Emmett looked at him, a worried expression on his face.

“You okay?” he asked.

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