Page 151 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

Jesus. The problem with giving a shit about people was the constant worry about their well-being. Ben felt a wave of nausea hit him as they turned another bend on the path. “You said there was a place to sit down around here?”

Tina nodded and led the way. They took a seat on an uncomfortable bench under a leafy tree. The breeze felt good as Tina pulled out her water bottle and took a long sip. “You okay?” she asked with a sideways glance at Ben.

“Yeah, fine. Just… don’t do shit like that, okay?”

“Like what?”

“Walk off on your own and…” He couldn’t even let himself think the rest, let alone say it.

With a small smile, Tina said, “Gavin always says you’re protective.”

“He usually says it like it’s a bad thing.”

Laughing, Tina actually leaned against him. “Only when you’re around.” They sat quietly for a moment, and then Tina shocked the hell out of him. “Do you think it’s dumb? I mean, having the baby and keeping it and all…”

Why the hell would she even ask that? God. Truth was, on paper it was a terrible idea. “I can’t answer that for ya.”

“I know, and, I mean, it doesn’t really matter at this point, but… what do you actually think about it?”

Ben took a deep breath, knowing he was about to tread into some seriously dangerous waters. “I think… I think kids having kids always sounds like a bad idea. I think being a single parent is gonna be hard, harder than you realize.” He chanced a glance at Tina’s face. To his surprise, she wasn’t looking sad or hurt, only thoughtful. “But… who the hell am I to say, right? I think me and Gavin probably sound like a terrible idea to people—he’s too young for me, I’m too… whatever the hell I am for him. We’re a bad bet all the way around, but I think we’ll be okay. I think you will too.” He’d finally managed to say the right thing in the right moment. Bonus point for actually meaning it.

Tina nodded again. “I think so too.” After another moment, she said, “Thanks, Ben. For, ya know, letting me stay and all.”

“You’re Gavin’s family. That’s what ya do with family.” Ben remembered too late that not all families were alike. She and Gavin had gotten a raw deal from theirs. Suddenly, Ben was glad he could be there to help make up for it.

When they stood again, Tina laced her fingers through Ben’s. She seemed like such a little girl, with such a big burden, it hurt him somewhere deep inside. He managed a smile for her, but his dislike for the people who raised her doubled.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gavin

Gavin met Nora at the luggage pickup. He practically launched himself at her as soon as he saw her. She seemed surprised by the tight hug, but who could blame her? He nearly knocked her over. “It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, sweetie, but I can’t breathe.” She laughed and pulled back, took a long look at Gavin. “Everything all right?”

“Been a rough morning. I’m just glad to see a friendly face.”

Nora arched her brow and narrowed her eyes. “I hope Ben isn’t being an asshole again.”

Gavin laughed and shook his head. “Always, but we’re fine.”

“Okay, you can tell me all about it on the way home.”

He appreciated the offer, but Gavin wasn’t even sure where to begin. He felt like getting to the clinic and saving Ben from the birthing class was a bigger issue at the moment. If they made him watch one of those nightmare videos they’d showed Tina the previous week, he didn’t think Ben would ever get it up again.

As Gavin pulled onto the freeway, Nora asked, “How’s Tina doing?”

She hadn’t even met Tina. The sharp difference between Nora and his own parents cut right through him. “She’s doing okay,” he said. “Great, actually.”

Nora smiled at him when he glanced her. “Ben speaks highly of her,” she said thoughtfully. “He doesn’t say it, but I think he really likes her.”

“I hope so.” Gavin had wondered the same thing, more often lately. “I think he’s more freaked-out about the baby coming than she is. Every time she so much as sighs, he jumps like the kid’ll just pop out of her with no warning.”

With a laugh, Nora said, “He was the same way with his sister. You know how he is.”

Yeah, Gavin knew. There were only so many people Ben gave a shit about, but he could see Tina had made the list. Or was close to it anyway. “How was your flight?”

“Who gives a shit? I landed.” Gavin could feel Nora’s eyes on him, as if she were trying to see under his skin, see into his soul, maybe even read his mind. Then she asked, “What’s really going on with you?”

---