Page 74 of Where It All Began
Beckett nodded, his expression dreamy. “I think I love her, Dad.”
Jax made barfing sounds. Given his track record of binging on sugary snacks until his body rejected everything, Phoebe looked to make sure he was just joking and not spewing fruity-o’s on the porch she’d swept off just that morning.
Beckett in love with Moon Beam? If that was love, then Phoebe would shave her head and change her name to Mrs. Clean. He didn’t know what love was yet. And she bet money that Moon Beam would not be Mrs. Beckett Pierce in however many years it took her son to finish that law degree he was already talking about.
John cleared his throat. “Well, son, I’m glad to hear that you have strong feelings for her,” he said diplomatically. “Sex is this great thing—”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Beckett grinned, happy to finally be part of the club.
Phoebe rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Shut up,” John sighed. “Sex between two people who care about each other is the best sex there is. Don’t waste your time when you don’t have feelings because it’ll never compare.”
Phoebe nodded, approving his point.
“So, it’s better with someone you like?” Jax asked, frowning.
“Okay, it’s like this,” John said, swiping a hand over his mouth.
Phoebe felt a sliver of guilt. She should have at least let him have some coffee before pushing him intoThe Talk.
“You know how peanut butter brownie explosion is your favorite ice cream?”
Jax nodded enthusiastically, his expression now close to Beckett’s post-virginity-loss awe. “Oh, yeah.”
“Well, imagine instead of going for peanut butter brownie explosion you go for mint chocolate chip.”
“Why would I do that?” Jax asked, clearly confounded.
“Well, that’s my point. When you know what’s best, don’t waste your time fooling around with women or ice cream that you don’t really like.”
“Very sage, Dad,” Beckett snorted.
“So, you did two things right,” John said, shifting the conversation back to Beckett. “You used protection, and you care about the girl.”
Beckett preened.
“But that’s like saying, you’re ready to drive a car just because you know which pedal’s the brake and which is the gas. There’s a lot more to it. Consent.”
Beckett’s face lost every ounce of color. “Jesus, Dad! You don’t think I’d—”
“Relax, son. No, I don’t think you’d ever do that. You’re a good man. But it still deserves discussing.”
“Do what?” Jax demanded, confused.
Beckett turned to his brother. “Never, ever, ever, coerce a woman into sex. Or I will show up on your doorstep and kick your ass before murdering you.”
John nodded approvingly.
“Jeez!” Jax winced. “Why would anyone do that? Coerce, I mean.”
“Some people are assholes,” Beckett said. “That’s what Carter told me, Dad. The condoms were from his stash, but he made me promise to be respectful—as if I wouldn’t be,” Beckett scoffed.
Phoebe hugged a pillow into her chest. Carter, eighteen and preparing for the Army after graduation, had absorbed enough of those lessons to pass them on to his brother. They were doing something right.
“Now, Beckett. I know you, and I know your brothers. I know none of you would ever force a woman to do anything she’s not one hundred percent excited about.”
Jackson snickered. “Sorry. I was just picturing you trying to coerce Mom into anything.”
