"I'll help," said Russ, the suck-up. "Hello, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."
He shook Dad's hand and maintained eye contact, something I always found difficult. Dad shook his hand and smiled back, taking his measure in that secret human way that doesn't involve scent.
"Likewise," said Dad.
I huffed softly and moved around them to help Rosa, since Russ was a big fat liar anyway. Mom pitched in as well, and pretty soon all of us were working together. Dad was super curious about Russ, and Russ was definitely trying to charm them all. Soon, everything was ready, and we sat down to eat. The dogs had been locked out of the kitchen because they definitely didn't have the self-control yet not to beg. That was an important thing for them to learn, but it took time.
Everything was delicious. I'd missed Rosa's cooking. At first, I didn't think there'd be enough food for all of us, but I noticed Russ was holding back (to be polite, no doubt), and Dad was too busy talking to him to eat much, either. Anyway, there was still a little food left at the end of the meal. I debated finishing it, but I knew that wasn't polite. I'd have the leftovers later, when nobody was looking. Rosa wouldn't mind, and nobody else had to know.
It had always been hard for me to eat "the right amount" in polite company. I got super hungry and had to eat a lot, but, apparently, hogging down all the food you can get isn't actually polite around humans. I still remember to be self-conscious sometimes, but mostly, I eat alone or with my team, or Sahil. Sahil understands, of course. He'd never hold me to petty human standards for something like that. And, of course, if my family is expecting me, they always have a lot of food for me, too.
"Are you boys staying long?" I could hear the hope in Dad's voice.
"I don't know," I admitted.
Russ looked at me like he was trying to tell me something silently. I ignored whatever it was.
"Will you stay in your room, or are you planning to sleep in the garage?" asked Dad.
"You did that here, too?" Russ's voice dripped with disbelief.
I narrowed my eyes at him.Shut up, Russ.He had no business doing a running commentary on all my flaws and perceived shortcomings.
"I'll stay in my room," I growled, not taking my glare off him.
For the first time, Mom and Dad seemed to notice (finally!) that I wasn't actually a fan of Russ's. They looked startled.
"We'll fix a room up for you, too," Mom said, hesitating for only a moment, as if she was trying to decide whether she should ask if he was staying with me, then remembering I'd specifically called him someone I worked with, not a friend or boyfriend.
Definitelynota boyfriend.
"Thank you. I appreciate it a lot," said Russ, being his charming self again. The asshole.
#
There was a knock at my bedroom door while I was getting changed out of my suit and into some comfortable clothes. There was no point anymore in trying to act like this was an impressive mansion and my parents were intimidating.
Grumbling, I tugged on my sweatpants and said, "Come in!"
It was Russ. Of course it was fuckingRuss.
"Hey." He stopped, surveying me in sweatpants and nothing else. His eyes showed appreciation, interest.
"It's a bare chest, asshole," I told him, flinging a sock at him. "It's not that special."
"Hey." He raised his hands in mock surrender, ducking aside in time not to get hit in the face. "Don't throw your dirty socks at me."
"Why not? You deserve it." I advanced on him, hands on my hips, glaring at him.
"What did I do now? I thought I was—"
"Charming the pants off them. Yeah,thanks."
He stared at me. "You didn't want them to like me."
"Of course I didn't." I gave him a sneer. "They were supposed to hate you, like I do."
He couldn't hide the flash of hurt, although he tried. He crossed his arms and gave me a smug smirk almost immediately, though. "You should've warned them, then. I'm just too charming for my own good."
