Page 98 of Forever Fascinating

Matthew dug out a ten from his wallet as Jace was already dialing.

“Hey Dad? Yeah, it’s me. Hey, you are not going to believe who I have with me… wanting to talk to you, buddy! No, I’m fine. No, I’m not…really? Are you really asking me that? Sheesh, Dad,” Jace laughed openly, glancing at Matthew.

“I thought you’d be happy I called…wait a second…did Jana beat me to it? That twerp! Probably blabbed to you all about how sweet and mushy her boyfriend is… oh, she did, did she? Ugh, vomit.”

Matthew was staring at the other man, unsure what to say. He never pictured talking with his own family like that. They usually talked about the weather, whatever they were having for dinner, bills, or gossip with friends… it wasn’t chatty like they were the best of friends.

It was very… adult.

“Yeah, yeah,” Jace smiled. “No, Vapor is right here. Yep, waiting to talk to you – so give him a hard time. Yeah, for me? Please? Okay – I love you too and tell Ma I said ‘hey’….”

Jace handed Matthew the phone.

“You’re up, Buttercup.”

Matthew swallowed nervously.

“Mr. Sorensen?” he choked out, and heard several of the men laugh as his voice cracked like a hormonal teenager.

“Out with it, son. If I know my boy, you’ve probably got a minute or two left on the calling card. What’s this about?”

“Sir, I don’t know if you remember me or not, but…”

“I saw the photos to Greece – and I expect you to call me or email me to tell me if you are taking my daughter out of the country, next time.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Just so we are clear, because if something had happened to you kiddos…”

“I know. We were very careful everywhere we went.”

“She’s barely twenty-seven you know.”

“Yes, sir.”

Matthew ignored Jace’s wild laughter behind him, as someone slapped him on the shoulder a few times, and someone ruffled his hair while he was sitting there concentrating on the conversation.

“What’s on your mind… son,” Jana’s father said pointedly.

“Sir, I love your daughter and would really like your permission to ask her to marry me,” Matthew said openly, flinching as he felt a wet finger stuck in his ear, causing him to rear back. “I want to marry Jana and…”

“She already told me… and call me Jim, son.”

“Yes, sir.”

Her father chuckled as Matthew grunted slightly, feeling another wet finger entering his ear canal annoyingly, while another man made kissy noises behind him; another was grunting and moaning mockingly, causing Matthew to blush.

“Are they harassing you?”

“Oh yes,” Matthew laughed, “but I’m fine and going to knock a few guys upside the head when I get off the phone.”

“He’s gonnatry, Dad…” Jace hollered loudly.

“Welcome to the family, Matthew,” Jim said gently. “They do this every time they are home on the holidays, too. He acts the same way here. Just keep making my daughter happy and you’ll always be welcome on my doorstep, young man.”

“I plan on it… Jim.”

“Good. It was nice to meet you in Texas, young man. I expect you’ll be coming here soon enough?”

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