Page 25 of Dean

“Had a mishap with my roommates,” I add.

“Oh. Okay.” Ben shifts on his feet, looking unsure.

“Want some dinner? Avery made some salmon,” Dean says.

Ben eyes me, and I manage an odd smile. Half my mouth turns up and the other frowns. It’s impressive actually. Must be all the champagne. I can’t function.

“Sure. I could eat.”

“I’ll grab you some,” Dean says and stands, giving me a nice view of his butt. I try not to look. Really, I do, but fuck. I look. His butt is an eye magnet. “Pull up a chair.”

Ben does and settles next to me.

He peers over at me, and I sigh loudly.

“I should have told you about the moving-in thing. Or your dad should have,” I begin, but Ben waves it off.

“No. It’s fine. I’m glad he has someone here with him. I know I’m not around much. I’ve been so…busy.”

Maybe it’s the smoke or the alcohol, but he almost looks guilty. Hm. I’ll have to dissect that later when I’m of sound mind. Right now is not the time to investigate. And really, I need to make sure I don’t make Ben uncomfortable with my wayward glances at his father.

I really don’t want Ben to hate me.

“Here you go,” Dean says, pulling my gaze from his son. He hands Ben the bowl of rice and salmon, and Ben fiddles with the fork.

“This looks great, Avery. Are you going to be cooking for my dad for a while?”

“I will. Since he’s been so kind as to let me stay here until I find another place to live.”

“I’m so glad. My dad eats like shit.”

“I do not,” Dean grumbles, but he’s smirking. That man knows what he’s doing. He knows he lives off Costco rotisserie chicken and canned soup.

“I’ll make sure he’s eating well.”

“Good, this old man needs to make sure he keeps his cholesterol down.”

Dean raises his eyebrows. “Since when do you know about my cholesterol?”

“I mean, you’re in your forties. I think you probably have some elevated labs.”

I snort a laugh. “Should I be checking your labs too?”

“Fuck no. Ben, I don’t have high cholesterol.”

Ben grins at me, and I waggle my eyebrows. He takes a bite of his food and swallows it daintily. Guess he got his eating habits from his dad.

I may have to reassess how I shove food into my face when I’m with them.

Oh, who am I kidding? I can’t help it. I’m a foodie and everyone knows it.

“I’d offer you some champagne, but Avery drank it all.”

I roll my eyes. “It was delicious.”

“Straight from the bottle.”

“You know it.”

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