Page 13 of Masked Sins
I go still at his words. They’ve had conversations about kids? I never would’ve guessed that Orion wanted any. For so long, he could barely hold down a job. He was the epitome of a party animal, never even coming close to settling down. In fact, I recently ran into him with a leggy blonde while I was out with Zoe.
“Orion wants kids?” My dad nods and begins to whistle, quickly rinsing our plates off and loading them into the dishwasher. “Leave those. I’ll do them when I’m done with my ice cream.”
“Nah, I have nothing else to do. It makes me happy to feed and care for you again.”
I smile warmly and pick the two bowls up. “Okay. I still wish you’d accept Orion’s offer to pay for a house cleaner.”
Orion and I hardly ever talk unless we have to, but trying to get some help around the house for my dad is one thing we agree on.
He guffaws. “And what would I do while they’re here? Sit on my goddamn ass and watch them vacuum? I don’t think so. I promise, I’m fine.”
As we walk back into the dining room, I see Orion texting someone on his phone. He quickly locks and pockets it, and I set his bowl down a little too hard.
I swear I hear him chuckle under his breath.
He and my dad talk some more about motorcycles, and then somehow, they get on the subject of a family vacation we’d taken to Yellowstone when Felicity was still alive. It was a tradition. Every year, the four of us would pick a place somewhere in the continental US and go for a week around Easter. He arguedthat most places were warm enough to visit then, but not summertime hot. We’d trek to places like the Grand Canyon, Boston, New Orleans, Sedona, or Montana.
Those trips were some of my favorite memories growing up.
I remember feeling like arealfamily when Orion and Felicity joined my dad and me. And having four bonus siblings by marriage who no longer lived at home? Even better. Being young without a mother figure was hard on me, and I envied all my friends who had a traditional two-parent household. Not that gender mattered—one of my best friends growing up had two moms. I felt like I was missing out on many things growing up. My dad worked long hours at the bar with his best friend, Gary, and I craved a parent picking me up from school instead of going to after-school care. I craved someone to sing me lullabies and braid my hair. My dad tried both, and though it was a valiant effort, he never quite succeeded.
And then he met Felicity, and a few short months later, I was suddenly a part of this wonderful nuclear family.
I loved Felicity like a mother—it was hard not to. She was beautiful, devoted, and kind. I don’t exactly know what happened between her and Charles Ravage, Orion’s father. I just know it was a bad situation. After having five sons, she was grateful to raise me.
I finally had someone to sing me lullabies and braid my hair.
That is, until we all lost her when I was eighteen.
But I had her for ten lovely years.
I swallow as I look over at my dad, who is talking animatedly about how I’d gotten stung by a bee when it flew into the car when I was sixteen.
Turns out, I’m allergic to bees.
“Oh, you should’ve seen Orion’s face. I swear, he was white as a sheet the entire ambulance ride to the hospital. I thought he was going to pass out.”
I look over at Orion, and he’s running a finger over the rim of his glass.
“I don’t remember that,” I say slowly.
“Sweetheart, he was worried sick—quite literally, if I remember correctly.”
“Yes, well, it’s not every day that you see your step—” He swallows. “You were struggling to breathe.”
Mixed feelings surge through me. He was always attentive growing up, but I guess I only remember the drinking and the way we push each other’s buttons now.
He looks away pointedly, and my pulse begins to spin when the hand resting on the table curls once.
“Aw, it was sweet,” my dad says, oblivious.
He has no idea what happened between us. I’ve never told him—never told anyone, in fact. Zoe and Remy have an idea of what occurred, but no one knows what actually happened at that audition.
It’s for the best.
After my dad and I chat a bit more, I head home early. It’s been a long day, and my whole body aches from the repetitive movements I had to do for the students today. I’ve also been slacking on keeping myself in shape, so starting tomorrow, I’ll have to wake up early to get my practice in. If I don’t, I won’t be able to play Princess Odette inSwan Lake—a coveted role I worked my ass off for.
As I say goodbye to Dad and grab my purse and coat, I see Orion whisper something to him and follow me to the foyer.
