Page 18 of Midnight Rain

“While I love how protective Duncan is of Orion, brothers fight,” she said. “I don’t think any less of you two. Though I did have a long talk with Orion about better choices in words. Even if he was concerned, he had no right accusing you of taking advantage of Austin.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Austin said. “I don’t want to cause any problems between you two.”

“You’re family, too, Austin. I’m just as fierce about you as I am about him. Wrong is wrong, and Orion should have known better.”

Austin groaned. It hadn’t been twenty-four hours yet, and already he’d put a strain on two relationships. Maybe tomorrow he would go for broke and turn the entire town against each other.

“Why are you so muddy?” Paloma asked.

“He was attacked by a killer dog,” Cormac replied. “We barely escaped with our lives.”

Paloma’s brow arched as she looked between them. “I would hardly call Lila a killer.”

“I need to talk to you.” If Austin didn’t do it now, he would lose his nerve. It was better to get this over with so he knew if he had a place to stay or if he should grab his bag and leave.

“Come into the kitchen. Milly insisted I take some food home, but it’s more than I know what to do with. You two can eat while you tell me what’s on your mind.”

Austin’s stomach was in too many knots to eat, but he followed her and sat at the table, Cormac sitting right next to him. The guy squeezed Austin’s knee, giving him a reassuring smile. It was hard not to admire the guy’s good looks. Austin had fought not to ask for a kiss the entire time on their walk.

He couldn’t recall the last time he’d had so much fun. And being with Cormac just felt so right.

Paloma set two heaping plates in front of them, as well as forks. Austin picked up his fork, but he just pushed his food around. “I wanted to tell you why I needed to stay here.”

“Go ahead.” She nodded.

Cormac ate like he was starving as Austin told her about Jaycee. Whenever he stopped to compose himself, Paloma waited patiently, and Cormac rubbed his knee.

Austin was glad the guy had come inside with him. Cormac’s support helped him a great deal. By now, Austin would have had Lila in his lap, hugging her. But she lay on the floor, tuckered out from running almost the entire time on their walk.

When Lila began to curse in Spanish, Austin braced himself. Sadly, even though his father was Latino and had spoken fluent Spanish, he’d never taught Austin.

Because his mom had forbidden it. She was paranoid that her husband and son would talk about her and she wouldn’t know it. But she’d denied a lot of her husband’s heritage. The sad truth was, his father had gotten his mother pregnant on their second date and had done the right thing by marrying her.

And his father had regretted it ever since.

At least, that was what his dad had told him weeks before he’d walked out.

“I don’t know what you’re saying,” Austin said.

“She’s cursing Jaycee, not you,” Cormac replied. “Although don’t ask me to repeat what she’s saying. Even though the words are coming from her, I’m too much of a gentleman to say them while she’s standing there.”

“I can’t believe your mother!” Paloma got up and paced. “She brushed off your safety, just like she pretends you aren’t gay. That woman!”

Cormac ate a churro while Paloma continued to rant. Thankfully she stuck to English this time so Austin could understand her.

“If that piece of dog shit comes near you, I’ll gut him like a pig!” She slapped the table with her palm. “Why do my boys keep getting targeted by lunatics!”

Austin looked at Cormac in confusion. “What boys is she talking about?”

“About a month ago Orion was kidnapped and attacked. He ended up in the hospital,” Cormac said.

Austin’s jaw dropped. He hadn’t known that. “Was the guy caught?”

“Yes,” Cormac said.

“Who’s the other boy?”

“You!” Paloma said. “I wasn’t there to save Orion from being hurt, but this time, I will be. I want you to stay inside, Austin.”

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