Page 107 of The Prodigal Son

Isaac

I’m sitting alone in my living room when the doorbell chimes, alerting me that someone is at the gate. I nearly leap out of my seat and run to the security panel.

Luke is in his car with the window rolled down, and I quickly buzz him through. He has dark tint on his windows, which is good because the last time I checked, there was a small crowd of paparazzi on the street, waiting to see me slip and, I don’t know, accidentally make out with someone on the sidewalk or something.

If I want to come and go, I have to take a chauffeur, and I’ve beenadvisednot to have any guests other than bandmates and family members. I’m only home for three days until I leave again. I’m supposed to be on some fucking late-night show next week, and I’m too busy stressing about public rumors to be excited about it.

It’s not just a musical performance on the show. They want to talk to me. Apparently, fans eat up my interviews as much as mymusic, so I’m hoping I can shove all of this aside and pull out my winning personality for one night.

There’s a lot riding on tonight first.

I got back to Austin the day before yesterday, and I’ve been completely alone since. Thankfully, most of the media attention has had a chance to simmer down a bit since that night in Nashville.

Luke pulls his car around and parks it in my garage for added privacy. I’m waiting by the door when I hear their car doors slam. Then, the door opens and Jensen walks through first.

A breath of relief pours out of me as I rush over to where he’s standing and throw my arms around him. He holds me impossibly tight, breathing into my neck.

Pulling away, I hold his face as I bring his lips to mine. We don’t bother sayingI miss youanymore. It’s redundant and unnecessary. I miss him even when he’s standing right in front of me. So it’s pointless to say it when he’s states away.

Luke and Sadie walk in with Henry in a car seat carrier. Reluctantly, Jensen and I break up our kiss since it can’t really get any hotter with my brother and his family around.

I hug Luke and Sadie next. “Thanks for bringing him. We couldn’t risk him driving to my house.”

“I understand,” Luke replies. “And we’re happy to help.”

My brother checks on me with a hand on my shoulder. “You ready for this?”

“Are you?” I reply.

He tilts his head. “Stop deflecting and answer the question. Besides, I feed off people being angry at me. I’m not worried about our brothers.”

“Yes, I’m ready,” I snap with irritation. My hand is clutched in Jensen’s as he squeezes it.

Sadie walks up and throws her arm over my shoulder. “If you want to bail at any second, just give me a wink and we are out of there, okay?”

I rest my head on her shoulder. “Okay.”

Out of everyone here, it feels like Sadie gets it the most. We don’t like heavy emotions, and more than likely, tonight, people will be crying, which means I am going to want to get as far away as I can.

But I need to do this like a Band-Aid. Just rip it off and be done with it.

“Okay, let’s get this over with,” I mutter, nodding toward the car.

After locking up the house, I climb into the back seat of Luke’s car with Jensen. Baby Henry is in the rear-facing car seat, smiling up at the two of us on either side as we pull out onto the road.

Watching Henry smile up at Jensen calms my nerves. Jensen gently tickles under his chin and Henry giggles, drool hanging from his pudgy little baby lip.

I glance up at Jensen, noticing how enamored he seems with my nephew. He has a way with him that seems natural. Is this something he would want someday?

Hell, is this somethingIwould want someday? To be honest, I haven’t given much thought past my career. That was always the only goal. Relationships, family, future thoughts were never on my mind.

Just for fun, I try on the idea. Having a little kid in my life. A kid who would be mine. Who would call me Dad. A kid who would count on me.

Will Jensen still be in the picture? Is it too soon to think stuff like that? Probably, but I can’t help it. I mean…look at him. He’s a natural. Who wouldn’t want to start a family with him?

Suddenly, all thatdaddyenergy makes sense. He is legitdad material.

Then I think about the long term. A chance to do things right. To raise a kid in the right environment. To give our kids the chance we never had.

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