Page 19 of Pack Down Bad

“We try to choke everything down so we don’t hurt his feelings. You can also spit some things into your napkin if you get desperate. We can sneak you something more edible later. Whatever you do... just please don’t tell him the truth.”

A shiver works its way up my spine. I’m so distracted by the intimacy of Knox whispering in my ear that I’m on a delay processing his actual words.

Understanding dawns on me once he pulls away. Rhys must be a terrible cook.

That explains the dense, slightly burnt muffins and the rock-hard scrambled eggs. I also understand now why Percy is so excited about the fruit. No one can mess up a bowl of fruit.

It’s incredibly endearing that they suffer through meals just to keep Rhys happy. Disappointing him isn’t even a possibility for them; instead, letting their pack mate contribute in a way that makes him feel valuable.

“This looks delicious,” I announce to Rhys as he places the bowl of fruit in the center of the table.

Rhys beams proudly. “I also made bacon, and there’s coffee. Do you like coffee?”

I nod even as my tummy turns nervously. If his cooking is bad, I can only imagine what his coffee might taste like.

“Percy makes the best coffee,” Knox says, meeting my eyes with a meaningful look. “We have milk, sugar, or syrups if you want him to add anything like that.”

Percy stands, already looking at me expectantly.

“I’m not picky,” I tell him. “Surprise me?”

He looks pleased by the request and leaps right into action.

A few moments later, Rhys returns with unevenly cooked bacon. Percy isn’t far behind, sliding a steaming mug across the table to me.

“Thank you,” I whisper discreetly to Knox while Rhys and Percy are distracted putting fruit on their plates. I’m sure he only gave me the heads up to spare Rhys’s feelings since he clearly isn’t a fan of mine. Still, I appreciate being spared from hurting the feelings of a man who basically saved my life yesterday. If I have to choke down some questionable cooking, that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

And how bad can the foodreallybe?

Awful... as it turns out. My first bite of muffin tastes like ash in my mouth. I chew slowly and deliberately to make sure I break the muffin down enough to swallow before making the attempt. As soon as the first bite is sliding down my throat, I reach desperately for my coffee to wash it down with.

My first sip of coffee is incredible, the complete opposite of the food. The drink is sweet, without being overly so, and so smooth that my eyes flutter shut for a moment while I savor the taste.

Percy meets my eyes when I open them again, a pleased smile on his lips.

“This is amazing.” I flick my gaze to Rhys. “Everything tastes so good.”

“You really like it?” His chest puffs out proudly.

I nod with genuine enthusiasm. The food might not taste good, but I love how proud he is about impressing me with his cooking. No wonder the guys don’t dare crush him by admitting his cooking is lackluster.

“Wait until you taste my spaghetti!”

Based on the face Percy briefly reacts with, I have a feeling the spaghetti must be even worse than this morning’s breakfast. And you know what? I would agree to eat Rhys’s awful spaghetti every day if that’s what it takes to secure my spot at this table for more than just the next couple of days.

As I watch the guys around the table in between bites of my barely edible breakfast, I marvel at how natural I feel sitting among them.

I can’t remember where I’msupposedto be right now; I only know there’s no place I would rather be.

ChapterEleven

Belle

My head tips back as I full-belly laugh at the sight of myself in the full-length mirror that Rhys has on the back of his bedroom door.

“I look silly,” I tell him, a giggle escaping me.

He grins and shrugs. “You look cute.”

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