Page 108 of Love It or List It
Austin snorted a small laugh and kissed his forehead.“Your kids love you.They trust you.And they don’t want to disappoint you.But they’re still kids.They’re not ready to be parents.And sometimes that means they’re not ready to talk about the possibility withtheirparents.”
Joe reached for Austin’s hand, still wrapped around his waist, and brought it to his lips instead.“Neither were you, but you seem to be doing okay.”
Something warm and soft curled in Austin’s chest.“I’m flattered, but I don’t think that’s exactly the same thing.I definitely would’ve run the other way if you were expecting quadruplets.”
Joe scrunched his face.“I’m trying to be upset about that, butIwould’ve run if I were expecting quadruplets.I’m pretty sure I’m eligible for Mexican citizenship.”
Austin wasn’t clear on how that would’ve helped.“Which means you can’t blame Alex for not wanting to talk about it, especially before they had the guts to take a test.They didn’t even tell Gavin.”
Joe’s eyes went soft.“But they told you.”
“Yeah, well.”Warmth spread across Austin’s cheeks.“Apparently none of them are afraid of me despite my tough-guy exterior.”
Joe cackled.“Oh no, Will definitely is, but in the ‘scared and horny’ way.”
Awful.Austin was trying to forget about that.
“Anyway.”Joe shook his head.“Did I miss anything else important while I was on my deathbed?”
Austin should tell him, but he didn’t know how.It would change things if Joe knew how Austin had paid Starling’s bill.Austin didn’t want Joe’s apology or his pity.He didn’t even want his money.He just wanted to keep living this small, quiet life in their quilting project of a house, with their pets and their horde of children and the love Austin never dared to even hope for.
“No,” he said.The lie slipped out easily, uncomplicated.“I mean, unless you missed my dick.”
“Of course I missed your dick,” Joe said instantly.Then after a beat, “Well, I did when I was away.I wasn’t really conscious enough to miss your dick while sick.”
The creak of stairs told Austin that Alex was headed back to bed.
“Well… since you missed my dick and we’re both awake at this ungodly hour….”
Joe barked a laugh.“I think I’m well enough to lie back and think of England.”
AUSTIN WOKEup again before eight to the feel of being watched.Pepa wagged her tail once their gazes locked, and he gave in to the inevitable and rolled out of bed with a grunt.Joe slept on, thank goodness.
He’d passed out almost immediately after coming and barely stirred when Austin cleaned him up.Clearly, he still needed extra sleep.
It was almost ten by the time he surfaced, first to use the bathroom, and then to join everyone in the kitchen.By that time, the kids had decimated Austin’s pancakes—the only dish he’d acquired any skill at in months—except those he’d stashed away for Joe, and were giggling over the remains.
Naturally, once Joe was conscious, the marathon continued.
Starling found them on the couch mid-episode, the TV paused so they could argue over which character was the most annoying.
“I’d say this wasn’t how I expected to find you, but… let’s be real.”Starling stood at the end of the couch, having divested herself of boots and coat without anyone noticing her arrival.
“Starling!”Joe said with delight and no move to stand up.Apparently even he knew better than to play good host right now.“You’re just in time for our debate.”
“Sounds like it.What are we arguing about?”
“Maybe,” Austin broke in before the debate could resume, “before we continue to badger Starling for her opinions, we should ask her if she’d like to have a seat?”
“As if you need to ask,” Starling said with a wave of her hand.“Though I should probably get to the point since I was actually on my way home.”She shrugged and lifted up the reusable bag hung at her side.“I bring gifts from Linda—homemade muffins from her now more reliable oven.”She winked at Austin.
Naturally, the kids stopped listening aftermuffins, and Gavin tore into the Tupperware inside the bag and exclaimed, “Chocolate!Ooh, blueberries!Sweet!”
“Stop.”They all looked at Joe.“At least pretend to have manners.It’s almost lunchtime.Can we serve them up properly?”
Gavin pouted, but he replaced the lid and carried his prize into the kitchen, trailing after Meg and Alex, who were already musing over menu options, and denying Will a view into the tin, despite his best efforts.
“You didn’t just stop by to feed my children,” Joe prompted.
