Page 64 of Joey

“Me either.”

“Madam, Sire, dinner is ready,” Percy said from the doorway, proving he had impeccable timing.

“Wonderful,” Hazel said, standing. “Let’s eat.”

When they were settled at the dining table, their conversation continued, and Ethan felt as comfortable with Joey’s parents as he was with his own. They covered so many topics, including Hazel’s knitting and Jonah’s garden, and they gave them advice about how to live with someone, which was cute. He wouldn’t turn down any advice, though, the same as he wouldn’t when he spoke with his mum. That thought reminded him of her fall and everything that was going on with Kole. Despite having to leave Joey for a few days, he was looking forward to being able to check in with everyone and ease his worries.

“It was so lovely to meet you, Ethan,” Hazel said as they got ready to leave. “I know you’ll miss having your parents close by, so I want you to know that you are always welcome here. With or without Joey.”

Ethan’s throat closed, but he smiled. “Thank you,” he rasped.

Hazel pulled him in for a hug and then patted his face before turning to Joey. “And you, mister, don’t be a stranger. We’re not far enough away to warrant months between visits.” She wagged her finger at him, and Joey chuckled.

“Sorry.”

Ethan nudged him. “I’ll start adding you to his calendar, so he has no excuse.”

Joey gasped. “So cruel.”

They waved and climbed into the car. Ethan exhaled. “Your parents are lovely.”

“They are. Their money didn’t change them in any way. Our original house was a place they had hoped to fill with more children, but Mum developed endometriosis, and she struggled to conceive. After several years, they stopped trying, as the emotional toll was too great. She’s now got her eyes set on grandchildren.” He glanced at Ethan. “I should’ve warned you about that.”

Ethan laughed. “Throwing kids at me already, huh?”

“You don’t want kids?”

Joey’s neutral tone made it difficult to determine his opinion on the matter, but Ethan would be honest. “I do. At least two so they can grow up together, but I’d be happy for more.”

Joey exhaled. “I’m glad. I was worried for a moment.”

“Would it have been a deal breaker?” Ethan peered at him, the sun sending shimmers of gold through his hair.

“Nope, but I’m glad you do.”

Ethan inhaled, gathering his courage. “I can’t seem to find a good time to ask this, so I’m just going to ask. What did the reporters mean when they asked if I’d forgiven you for your past?”

Joey sighed, and his knuckles went white on the wheel. “When I was a teenager, I was a passenger in a car that was involved in a hit-and-run. The driver, a friend at the time, didn’t stop, even when I tried to make him. As soon as he dropped me off, I called the police. The person we hit survived but not without injuries. They bring it up every chance they get.”

Ethan shook his head. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Doesn’t matter to them. Or anyone, really.”

“It matters to me. It wasn’t your fault,” he said again. He changed the subject back to where they had been. “We wouldn’t be able to take a child on the road as much as your schedule does now.” He pulled out his phone. “Ani gave me access to your calendar.” He checked his emails while he spoke. “Do you always make your journeys more difficult by scheduling each side of the country the day after each other? It would be easier to streamline…” He trailed off as he read an email from an address he didn’t recognise.

Ethan,

You really shouldn’t have brought Meredith into this. Or anyone else, for that matter. Now, I don’t have a job, and that isyourfault. Good luck trying to dampen this down.

David.

Attached were several pictures of Joey and some of them both doing various things, including the pictures of them in the kitchen at his house when that reporter got into the back garden.

“How the fuck did he get those photos?” he murmured.

****

Chapter 18

---