Straightening his hair took a little longer than he'd thought. One stray curl in the back had refused to cooperate. Shaving was definitely looking like a good option.

He pulled on a shirt as he passed his room and made his way downstairs. He was going to get lectured later about showing up late, again. As if he did it on purpose to make his new stepmother insecure. He sighed.

As he'd suspected everyone was almost finished by the time he arrived. He winced before they looked his way.

"Sorry I'm late," he said. "Work ran late tonight and I barely finished my shower."

He slid into a chair next to Tory, avoiding his father's look. He knew what it would be. He'd been looking at that disappointment one way or another most of his life.