Page 111 of The Science of Attraction

“And if you don’t open your eyes, Jules will walk,” Zach said bluntly. “He’ll be snapped up by some other station and leadthemto success, not you. And what will you have to show for a lifetime of effort? Growing old on a station you can’t work anymore, with no one to leave it to, no sons talking to you, and no grandchildren to enjoy in your retirement.”

Paddy’s gaze jerked up.

“What?” Zach opened his hands. “Do you think just because we’re gay, Luke and I won’t have a family? Or Jules and Liam, if that’s what they decide?”

I almost choked as he continued.

“Do you think there won’t be a line of Lane’s coming up behind us, none of whom you’ll get a chance to know or see the station passed on to?” Zach continued to talk as he paced but I was still stuck on his earlier words.

Children? With Jules?The longer I thought about it, the more I realised the idea wasn’t exactly... terrible.

I glanced at Norma to find her positively beaming at her youngest son. Paddy, on the other hand, was less easy to read, his jaw working like a machine as he listened to Zach’s words. He was cornered and he knew it, pretty much what he’d done to both his sons. But there was something different in his eyes, a change from the Paddy who’d asked me to leave that morning in the kitchen. If I had to name it, I’d say it was... uncertainty, an emotion I knew Paddy was decidedly unfamiliar with.

When Zach was done, Luke snagged his boyfriend’s hand as he passed and pulled him down onto his lap, pressing a kiss to the side of his head. “So proud of you.”

Zach blushed but made no attempt to move.

It was Norma who broke the quiet. “As you know, Paddy and I have already talked some, and I’ve been clear this can’t continue.” She turned to her husband. “I want a home where our sons can bring their partners and families and feel welcome. I’d rather that home was with you, and I won’t deny I’ve seen glimpses of it these last few weeks. But I want more than glimpses and wasted time, and I’m not prepared to wait and hope. Iwillbuild that home with or without you, Paddy. You almost lost me one son, and today you nearly cost me the other. There isn’t a choice for me to make, Paddy. It’s been made for a while now.”

They exchanged a look I couldn’t truly read but the depth ignited a spark of hope in my chest. Paddy’s eyes glistened on his wife’s, his stoic expression crumbling, but just when he looked about to say something, the door to the waiting room cracked open and Bradley stepped inside.

My focus instantly changed, the conversation forgotten as my heart leaped into my throat and I sprang to my feet. “How is he? Is he okay?”

“He’s good.” Bradley rested a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “He’s resting comfortably.”

“Oh, thank God.” My knees buckled and next thing I knew, Bradley was easing me down into a chair.

“You okay there?” he checked on me with a smile.

I nodded, unable to speak, wiping at the tears that seemed to keep falling regardless. Norma’s hand slid into mine and I gripped it tight.

Bradley smiled in understanding and pulled up a chair. His summary didn’t take long. The bleeding was under control. Jules’ wounds were sutured and dressed. He’d likely suffered a small concussion and had a broken collarbone, which was now splinted. He’d been given pain relief, making him a bit groggy, and although he’d need to overnight in the centre, there was a good chance he could go home the next day.

Home.

The word fell like a grenade into the quiet room. Gazes met and cheeks flushed. Where the hell would home be, considering everything that had happened?

I slid my hand free of Norma’s and without looking at Paddy, I said what needed to be said. “Jules will decide where he wants to go. And where he goes, I go.” Case closed.

Bradley’s eyebrows did a small dance upward and he looked around the room.

“You’re welcome to take our guest bedroom,” Zach offered.

“Just let us know what he decides,” Norma added in a quiet voice. “I’ll come to you.”

I shot them both a grateful look. “Thank you.”

“He’s going to need looking after, at least to start with,” Bradley added. “His arm will be out of commission, and he’ll have to avoid any heavy lifting until those blood vessels heal properly.”

“I’ll be staying with him,” I stated emphatically.Just try to fucking stop me.

Bradley smiled. “That’s a great idea. Spencer mentioned you’re a rehab specialist. Lucky for Jules. He’s gonna need one of those.”

I returned his smile. “You might want to check back with him after I start cracking the whip.”

Bradley chuckled. “I might just do that. In the meantime, he’s ready for visitors. Two at a time. Who’s first?”

Norma turned to her husband. “Paddy?”

---