Page 4 of Midnight Rain

“Thanks. It used to be bright pink, but I’m always switching it up. My mom wasn’t too crazy about me coloring my hair. She said it’s going to end up falling out.”

Paloma gave him a look that said she didn’t care for his mom. Since Austin was little the two had never cozied up to each other. From what Orion had told him, Paloma thought her brother could do better than Beth Pierce, an opinionated busybody of a woman who didn’t know how to treat a Latino man right.

His mom did have a lot of faults, but Austin still loved her, because she was his mother. It just hurt that she couldn’t accept him for who he was.

“I think it looks amazing on you.” She squeezed his upper arm one more time. “Rest. I’ll check on Lila in a bit. Does she need to go to the bathroom?”

“No, she relieved herself at the café.” He was too tired to tell his aunt what happened. Besides, he didn’t want Paloma to think that Lila would go potty in her house and have his aunt insist the dog stay outside.

“Okay. I’ll still check on the two of you in a bit.” Paloma walked out, closing the door behind her.

Austin sat on the bed, thankful for the cool interior of the house on such a hot day.

He set Lila on the comforter, where she sniffed around for a bit before lying down. He rubbed his hand down her back and over her small head, thankful she was in his life.

Austin never thought he would need an emotional support pet, but he was thankful he had her. Not just because of his stalker, either. It took a lot for him to deal with his mom. Beth hadn’t been a terrible mother to him, but she also hadn’t been supportive either. Hugs were nonexistent, and he couldn’t recall the last time she told him that she loved him.

A part of Austin hated his father for leaving, and another part understood why he’d done it. His mom and dad used to argue constantly before he’d left. Austin couldn’t count how many times he’d lain in bed, listening to the two go at each other.

And people wondered why every relationship he’d ever been in ended badly. Look at his role models.

With a sigh, Austin kicked his shoes off and got under the covers, pulling Lila under them, too. She licked his face a few times before she curled up close to his neck.

As Austin’s eyes slowly closed, he really hoped that this was a fresh start and his troubles were behind him. Aside from Mr. Grump, Midnight Falls seemed like the perfect little town to live in.

Come tomorrow, he would find out if there was a hair salon and if they were hiring. Austin had gotten his license about six years ago, and it was the only thing he knew how to do.

“Worry about that later.” He yawned, forcing himself not to think of anything else so he could get to sleep, but as he drifted off, Mr. Grump came to mind and followed Austin into his dreams.

Chapter Two

Cormac stood in the backyard, watching the grill as the meat simmered, delicious smells filling the air. Right now, he was outside by himself, soaking up the heat of the day.

Another brother had found his mate, or in Duncan’s case, mates. Now Cormac was the last single Lovato, and fuck if that wasn’t depressing as shit. He was happy for his brothers, he truly was, but seeing the love shining in their eyes whenever they looked at their mates, only reminded Cormac that he had no one to share those kinds of moments with.

“I love the smell of meat cooking on the grill,” Milly said as she walked outside, bringing Cormac a bottle of beer. Preternatural couldn’t get drunk off human alcohol, but he still enjoyed the taste.

“It does smell good,” he said.

“I have all the side dishes prepared.” She handed him the bottle. “Orion is swinging by his mom’s house to see if his cousin wants to come.”

“I’m glad he made it.” Cormac cracked the lid and took a drink, appreciating the coldness on his parched throat. Orion had mentioned his cousin coming, but Cormac didn’t know why the guy needed to stay with them.

“Paloma texted Orion and said he made it early this morning, but he was exhausted and needed some sleep. Hopefully he is awake by now.”

“There’s plenty of food to go around.” Milly always cooked large portions, and Cormac had grilled enough hamburgers, chicken, and ribs for everyone. Beckett usually grilled, but he and Santee had a late night and wanted to sleep in today.

Cormac didn’t mind cooking. He didn’t really have anything going on in his life right now, and the danger with Orion was over. It had been Milly’s idea to throw a barbeque to get everyone’s mind off of the battle they’d just had yesterday.

Had it really only been yesterday when Cormac had seen Orion disappear right off the steps that led upstairs? Why did it feel like a lifetime ago?

“I filled two chests with ice,” Milly said. “There’s plenty of drinks in there. Soda, bottled water, and beer. I don’t want to bring them outside just yet. With this heat, the ice will melt too soon.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Milly had been the housekeeper for the Lovato family for over two hundred years, but in their eyes, she was just as much a part of the family as the rest of them. Cormac wasn’t sure what he would do without her.

She patted his arms. “Your time is coming, Cormac.”

He frowned. “What’re you talking about?”

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