Page 46 of Thinking It Over

“I’d never up and leave you, Mom.”

Kind eyes landed on me, and she patted my cheek. “Iknow, honey, but I think that frightens me as much as makes me happy.”

Easing back so I could read her better, I wondered what she meant.

“I just mean,” she clarified, no doubt reading my confusion, “the last thing I ever want is to hold you back. If you need to jet off or explore, then I’d miss you something fierce, but if what’s stopping you is your worry for me, honestly, Jasper, I’d be pissed off at you.”

Surprise widened my eyes, but it was Austin’s question that redirected my gaze.

“You want to leave town and go elsewhere? Travel?” His face was carefully neutral.

“Huh?” My gaze traveled from him to Mom, then back again. “I have no idea what either of you are talking about?” The two of them threatened to confuse me more as they didn’t answer. “You know, you’d get fired if the powers that be found out you were high,” I said to Austin. “And you,” I said to Mom, “what on earth have you been baking?”

“Really, Jasper?” Mom said, rolling her eyes at me.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “When have I ever said anything about wanting to leave or go off traveling?”

Gaze on the tomatoes she was slicing, Mom said, “You only came here to look after me.” A shrug that was a little too carefree followed. “I know you weren’t exactlyexcited about small-town life, and with me now being more settled and working, I just assumed it was a possibility.”

Nonplussed, I stared at her for a beat, concerned this had been playing on her mind. I risked a quick look at Austin to see him still with the same controlled expression on his face, and my stomach clenched in worry. Neither of them should be thinking so ridiculously, as that was exactly what this random conversation was.

Feeling the need to reassure Austin as well as my mom, I went and sat beside him, tugging my chair really close so his heat pressed against me. Once settled, I took his hand in mine and squeezed. My eyes remained on my mom.

“I’m worried you two are a bad influence on each other,” I started, causing both of them to jerk their heads in my direction. “I’m serious,” I said with a small laugh. “I have no idea how you”—I made eye contact with Austin briefly—“talking about your brother has resulted in this weirdness.”

Mom appeared to want to speak, but I continued, preventing her.

“I’m settled and happy here,” I clarified. “Even more so now than I ever have been. I have a great job, good friends, you’re so much happier than I’ve seen in a long time, Mom, and you, Austin….” I had no idea how to finish that with my mom in the room. I chose “I have no plan to put what we have at risk. What we have is great. It’s all so much and… great.” I furrowed my brows, completely aware I was rambling and making not a lick of sense. “And nothing in my life is even in the vicinity of me ‘simply’ settling and wishing my lot was different.”

Mom blushed, and her watery eyes focused on me. A gentle smile curved her mouth. “Okay,” she said.

I nodded, shifting my attention to the man at my side.

“Okay,” he said, mimicking my mom, his lips curling upward.

“Thank goodness for that. I really think I need a shot or something now. You two have destroyed my nerves with your bizarreness.” Humor caressed each word, but I wasn’t joking. My heart rate had spiked, and my head was a messy whirlwind. I just hoped that they both believed me. As far as I was concerned, I wasn’t going anywhere.

FOURTEEN

AUSTIN

With Frankiestill at my place, Billy took the week off to go do whatever the guy did. When I’d asked what his plans were, he’d simply shrugged and said he wanted to get away.

Frankie was surprisingly helpful and great with Penny. Despite my brother never seeming to pause, since he was always on the move, it didn’t mean he wasn’t hardworking or without skills. While I wasn’t aware of him putting his degree to good use, he still worked his way around the world. It was true I gave him a hard time about his life choices every now and then, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t proud of him.

For him to make his own mark in the world and live life his way was impressive in its own right. But none ofthat eased my worry, especially when communication fizzled out.

And I still didn’t know the reason this time.

He’d never held back for this long before, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“I can always head out if you want me to?” Frankie said as he put away Penny’s lead after the walk we’d just taken together.

“Why on earth wouldn’t I want you here?” This was part of the difference I’d noted about my brother. He was usually cocksure, witty, and never appeared to give a damn about what anyone else thought about him.

I caught his shrug as he headed to the refrigerator.

“Jasper and Ian will be here in about thirty minutes. Ian’s a nice guy, friendly and genuine. You’ll get along well.”

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