HotGuy and Canary 2: What It Takes To Be A Hero

Chapter 5

"And what do we tell Pix?"

"That I went with you to the store after leaving Greg's house."

"Good." Oli grinned down at Maxine, who tried to smile back but couldn't given her current situation. "Act natural."

Yeah, natural, she thought, wanting to roll her eyes. Because everything that's happened today is totally, a hundred percent natural. Maxine sighed. "Yes, Dad."

Oli turned to unlock the door to their home, welcomed with a horrified Pix. "Hey, ba-" The blonde was pushed to the side by his husband, who rushed to Maxine, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her a bit.

"Where were you?!" he shouted, making her wince. "I have called everyone trying to find you!" He sobbed. "Why did you lie to me?"

Maxine blinked. "I didn't lie-"

"You told me you were at Gregory's," Pix said. "You were not. You lied to me!"

"I- I'm sorry-"

Pix huffed. "You're grounded for a month," he said, wiping at his eyes. "Maybe I'll make it three and a half weeks if you tell me where you actually were."

Maxine looked at Oli, who quirked a brow at her. "I... I was embarrassed because Dad took me to the store for underwear," she blurted, and Oli visibly had to restrain himself from laughing. "I'm sorry."

Pix looked confused. "You..." He turned to Oli. "You took her underwear shopping?"

"Yeah, she needed some," Oli said with a shrug. "But we didn't get any because she was insistent that she didn't need it."

"And it was really embarrassing, so I lied," Maxine admitted, and Pixl nodded. "I'm really sorry."

"Well, as long as you were safe... I guess." Pix sighed. "Oli, come help with dinner. Maxine, go clean your room."

Maxine whined. "I hate cleaning."

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Solis stepped out of the way to reveal Jamie, and Canary glared at Shubble.

"Jamie, what are you doing here?" Shubble asked with a nervous laugh, rushing over and trying to hide her son from the other heroes. "You're not supposed to be here," she whispered to him through gritted teeth.

"I just wanted to say hi," Jamie said innocently. He turned around. "Oh, Beth..."

Shubble gasped. "You brought your girlfriend here?" she asked, swatting lightly at Jamie's arm. "Jamie, you shouldn't be here, much less Macbeth!"

"I thought it would be a nice surprise," Jamie said, looking guilty. "I'm sorry, Mom."

Shubble sighed and glanced back at the other heroes, who had gone back to their conversations. "Can you please go back home?" she asked softly. "You know I love you, but I'm already looked down upon by the other heroes because I accidentally revealed our identities. We can have some mother-son time later."

Jamie nodded sadly. "Okay," he said, then jumped when his found began to ring. He answered it when he saw it was Macbeth. "Hello?"

"James, I got Grian," she shouted into the phone, and he assumed Shubble heard because her eyes widened. "Let's get out of here!"

Shubble stared in shock at her son. "Jamie, I-"

"Gotta go, Mom," he said, then pecked a kiss on her cheek before running down the hallway.