Page 50 of Unknowingly Being his Brat

“I like you, Milo. Not so much your cooking, but I can always teach you.”

Milo and I laughed at that and I secretly hoped he would learn some of her recipes, especially the ones I’d grown up eating the most. One day Givanna wouldn’t be here anymore and it would comfort me if her recipes continued on. I was a good cook myself, but somehow I believed the magic of Givanna’s food would disappear if I was the one cooking it.

“Now,” she declared, standing. “Let’s eat some delicious food. Then I’ll show Milo my leftover seeds from this season.”

I smiled. This was just what I needed. My mate and aunt finally meeting as family members.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Milo

Dad eyed Jeremy and me with confusion as Loren came with our food. The diner had been my idea for this talk, since we had no idea how Dad would react to it.

“Is everything okay?” Dad asked, once again eyeing us both with worry.

“Sort of,” Jeremy began, likely trying to find the correct words. “Milo and I talked through some things, and we ended up feeling confused. We figured you could help us understand better.”

“Of course, son. What troubles you?” Dad asked, seeming to think this was a father/son talk.

“Why did you keep me away from the pack as soon as Jeremy moved out?” I asked, getting right into it.

Dad frowned. “I didn’t keep you away. You chose to stay at home.”

“I wasn’t given a choice, Dad,” I reminded him, keeping my anger at bay.

“And I was told he didn’t want to come with you,” Jeremy continued. “But Milo said that wasn’t true at all.”

Dad sighed. “Boys, this was years ago. I can’t recall the exact words we exchanged.”

“Okay,” Jeremy shrugged. “Then let’s talk about how you’ve spoken to Milo lately.”

“I haven’t spoken to him any differently than before,” Dad argued, looking at me with confusion.

“You have,” Jeremy said, holding firm. “Even Darius has noticed it.”

“Then enlighten me,” Dad sighed, cutting into his steak. At least we could have this conversation somewhere he was clothed.

“You asked me why I couldn’t be more like Jeremy,” I said, proud of my even tone. “And you blamed me for things I hadn’t even done.”

Dad waved that off. “Youshouldbe more like Jeremy. I never have to worry about him like I do you.”

I bristled while Jeremy growled.

“You can’t talk to him like that!”

Dad sighed and put his cutlery back on the table. “If I don’t, Milo could end up hurt, Jeremy. I don’t want that.”

“Why on earth would I be hurt?” I questioned.

“Because Riley was!” Dad snapped.

His outburst had Jeremy and I sitting up straight and alert. He rarely raised his voice like that.

“Who’s Riley?” I dared ask.

“Wasn’t he your little brother?” Jeremy questioned.

Dad slumped back into his seat, looking dejected. “He was my youngest brother and he was determined to becomealpha.”