Guilt twists in my chest, but I shove it down. I let out a slow breath, trying to find the right words before he spirals further. “I got caught up in something last-minute, that’s all. I meant to text you beforehand but I lost track of time. I was fine. I am fine.”

Orion doesn’t even blink. “It’s been almost a week, Selene. You don’t just forget that long to check in.”

I press my lips together, irritation flaring hot. “But I did! You don’t have to make such a big deal about it.”

His expression doesn’t change, but the weight of his silence is suffocating.

I sigh, lowering my voice. “Look, I was on a date, okay? It was last minute and I got really excited and lost track of what day it was. I wasn’t thinking about my phone, I was just—enjoying myself.” Which I now realize is a foreign concept to my overly serious, and way overly protective, brother. “By the time you called, we were already at his place and my phone was in my purse. I saw I missed the call when I got home. We had been drinking, and by the time I read all your texts I remembered what day it was I planned to text you but I ended up falling asleep and forgetting about it.”

His expression barely shifts, but I know him well enough to see the flicker of emotion behind his eyes. “You missed the call because of a date?” His tone is deceptively calm, but I can already see the judgment forming.

Here we go.

I cross my arms. “Yes. A date. You remember what those are, right?”

His jaw twitches. “And this guy—he’s the reason you missed check-in?”

I hesitate, thinking of Theo, of the way he smiles at me, the way he makes me feel lighter even when I don’t want to. The way his presence sneaks into my thoughts when I least expect it. “It’s… complicated.”

Orion scoffs. “It always is with you.”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, Dad.”

His expression hardens, and a familiar pang of regret twists in my chest. Orion has always felt responsible for me, ever since—

Nope. Not going there.

I shake the thought away. “Look, I get why you’re worried. But I promise you, there’s nothing to freak out about.”

Orion watches me for a long moment, his gaze sharp, assessing. Then, finally, he exhales, raking a hand through his hair. “I don’t freak out, Selene.”

I snort. “You could’ve fooled me.”

His glare sharpens, but then his shoulders loosen slightly. “I’m staying for a few days.”

My stomach drops. Oh, hell no.

“Orion—”

“It’s not up for debate.” His tone leaves no room for argument. “You want me to believe everything’s fine? Prove it.”

I groan, throwing my head back. “You are so annoying.”