"You're bossy today," Thomas said, amused. He picked up a few pieces of fruit with his fork and, just before he ate them, said, "I'm not doing this because of you. I was gonna eat them anyway."

He doubted he'd clear his plate in the same way Derek did but he knew from past experience that he couldn't just eat sugar and sweets and junk. He needed things like fruit and vegetables to make sure he was healthy and in as peak condition as possible. If he slipped, he'd be slow and being slow here or back home could cost him dearly.