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She twisted her lips to the side. “Compliments go a long way with me.”
“I—”
“Lighten up.” She smiled. “You’ll come to realize I love joking around.”
“She really does,” Bran said. When Orion looked at him, he saw that the guy had piled his plate high with more food.
“I love Milly,” Santee said. “She’s a hoot.”
Orion wanted to make a hasty exit, but he didn’t want to seem like he was running away from her.
“I hear your mates calling you,” Milly said.
“You do?”
“No, but you look like you need an excuse to run from me.” She grinned. “Go while I clean up in here.”
Orion didn’t need to be told twice. He hurried from the kitchen, still uncertain if Milly was telling the truth about not being intimidated by his mom’s cooking.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for Orion’s good genes, he would weigh a lot more by now. His mom thought he didn’t eat much, but Orion ate plenty of her cooking. She just thought he should eat until all the food was gone.
When Orion passed through the living room, he saw Cormac on the couch, his plate balanced on his lap, his expression saying that he was savoring every bite.
Crap. Orion’s guilt wasn’t going to let him simply go upstairs. No. His guilt had him heading toward the couch, where he would probably get lectured for the next five hours.
Cormac looked up at Orion’s approach. “Your mom really is an excellent cook.”
“Thanks.” Orion took a deep breath before he sat next to the guy. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
Cormac set his juice aside but kept the plate on his lap. “Is it going to piss me off?”
Orion plastered on a smile. “Possibly. Probably. Okay, yeah.”
Now Cormac set aside his plate. “I’m listening.”
Why did Orion feel as though he was in the principal’s office about to get suspended or expelled? “Sometimes my mom can be unreasonable.”
Cormac frowned. “Is that what you needed to tell me?”
“No.” Orion blew out another breath. There was still time for him to back out of this. He could tell the guy it was nothing and walk away. Fuck. He wasn’t going to do that.
“I’m not sure how much you know about what’s going on with me, Duncan, and Izel.”
Cormac sank into the cushions, tossing an arm over the back of the couch. He looked like a straight-up dad who might ground him. “Duncan has filled me in.”
“So you know we have to stick to each other, right?”
The guy nodded. “Is there a point to this, Orion? I’m not trying to be rude to you, but the delicious food you shared with me is getting cold.”
Orion bit the bullet. “I needed a reason to stay here until things are sorted out because my mom is obsessed with my safety after my attack. I couldn’t tell her why I had to be here, not the real reason, so I kind of used you as a cover story.”
He braced himself, ready for the fallout.
“What lie did you tell about me?” Cormac asked, his expression unreadable.
Orion closed his eyes. “That you suffered from migraines and Duncan needed me to help him take care of you until you’re better.”
When Cormac didn’t say anything, Orion opened his eyes. He still couldn’t read the guy’s expression, so he couldn’t tell if Cormac was furious or not.
