Page 22 of Orange Spell
Chapter Six
Curran stared at hisreflection in the mirror.What the fuck was he supposed to do?
He was showing.Maybe he was the only one who noticed because he knew his body better than anyone, but to him, his pregnancy was obvious.He wasn’t sure how no one else had noticed yet, but it wouldn’t be long before he had to give his mothers and everyone else an explanation.
The thought of doing that made him want to scream.The thought of Marlin finding out about the pregnancy made him want to puke.
Or maybe that was the hormones.He wasn’t sure.
It was his fault.He should have talked to Marlin weeks ago, but instead, he’d waited.He’d told himself that he was waiting for the right moment, but he’d never found one, probably because therewasno right moment to tell someone that their one-night stand had resulted in a pregnancy.It meant he’d gotten out of talking to Marlin, but also that he was freaking out now.
Only two people knew he was pregnant.Deryn kept telling him to talk to Marlin, and Curran kept pushing back the moment until he absolutely had to.
He was pretty sure that moment was now.
Yet, instead of going to find Marlin after he left the rooms where he lived with his mothers, he headed to the dining hall.If he got there early, he’d be able to avoid everyone he was trying to avoid.It had worked until now, but he had to be quick.
He went to grab a tray as soon as he walked in, ignoring the few glances he got from other dragons, including the cooks.He filled a plate, wincing when his stomach rumbled, and chose a table close to the door.He slid onto the bench and started eating, glancing around a few times before he allowed himself to relax.If Deryn could see him, he’d be disappointed and would try to convince him to choose a different path, but Curran wasn’t ready.
He didn’t think he ever would be.If he continued wasting time, the decision would be taken out of his hands.He wouldn’t have a choice because Marlin would know just by looking at him.He’d been doing what he could, avoiding Marlin, Birch, and his mothers, but he was starting to feel guilty about that.There were only so many times he could spend the night at Deryn’s before his moms asked him what the fuck he was doing.
“There you are,” Birch said as he slipped onto the bench in front of Curran.
Curran had to resist the urge to reach for his stomach.It was hidden under the table, so hopefully, Birch wouldn’t notice it.Curran wasn’t sure what he’d do if his brother did.Probably scream and run away.
“You’re not at work,” Curran said.
“I asked Killian if I could take a break.I wanted to talk to you, and you’ve been avoiding me.”
“I haven’t,” Curran answered without thinking.It was pretty obvious that hewasavoiding everyone, so telling his brother that he wasn’t wouldn’t help.
Birch arched a brow.“Really?When’s the last time we had lunch together?”
“You’re busy with work and Aaron.I don’t want to take you away from that.”
Birch looked at him like he was an idiot.“You’re my brother.Spending time with you isn’t taking time away from my job, my friends, or my boyfriend.You’re as important as all those other people.”
Curran needed to run, but he couldn’t.If he got up, Birch would see.“I’m fine.”
