Page 15 of Throuple Next Door

“I’m not sure. But it’s my guess that he would have to learn something new,” Randy said, and Austin nodded. “He would need to update his skills and teach material that he’s never covered before.”

“And that scares him half to death,” Austin interjected.

Randy smiled. “Maybe I should take you to the meeting as a political advisor so you could tell me when I’m about to put my foot in my mouth.”

“Just do what you think is right,” Weaver told him. “Politics is all part of the job, and the best thing you can do is make sure the students are being exposed to the best materials and latest thinking. That’s what colleges and universities are for.”

“I know. But I have to work with this guy all year long, and he’s such a….” Randy growled under his breath. “An old codger set in his ways.”

“Then you have two choices. Either commence battle and make sure you win, or do your best to win him over to your side,” Weaver advised. “And the best way to do that is to meet with him and explain the changes that you and the committee are proposing and reassure him that there will still be a place for him. After all, you don’t want to toss him out on his ear, just update some things… right?” Leave it to the lawyer of the family to be the one to show him the possible path. Randy hoped he wasn’t going to have to use the all-out battle approach, but he’d fought for what he believed in before, and he was willing to do it again.

“It’s okay,” Austin told him, putting a hand on Randy’s leg this time. “You’ll see your way through it.”

He was about to return to eating when his phone chimed. He pulled it out, groaning as he took the call. “Hello, Mother,” he said tensely. “How are you?” His conversations always started out the exact same way, and he listened as she recited the current list of her ailments and aches. His father had passed away six years ago, and since then, she had become more and more dependent on him. The move was in part a way to put some distance between them so she would stop interfering in his life… and that of his family. “What’s up?”

“I bought a train ticket to Harrisburg for next week. I wanted to see your house, and I was getting tired of being here alone.”

Randy groaned and lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “Did you get a hotel too? We’re still getting the house set up, and we don’t have a guest room that’s ready.”

“A hotel? You expect me to stay in a hotel when I visit?” She always assumed that everyone would rearrange their lives to fit her expectations. Randy looked at the others, briefly explaining what was going on.

Austin held out his hand, and Randy handed him the phone. “Louise, it’s good to hear from you.” Damn, that charm of his was impressive. “When are you coming?” He continued smiling. “Then we can get you a reservation for the weekend at the Comfort Suites. They have nice rooms, and you’ll be so much more comfortable. We are still getting the house together. We have two extra rooms, but right now they’re set up as offices because of Randy’s and Weaver’s new jobs. Weaver got a position at the law school, and I’m doing some charity work for the local theater.” He barely took a break to breathe. “We’re looking forward to seeing you.” He handed the phone back, and Randy wasn’t quite sure what to say.

“Send the time your train gets in from the city, and we’ll pick you up.” The server came to their table to check on them, and Randy used that excuse to end the call. “I’m having lunch with the guys, but we’ll see you next weekend.” Relieved that she didn’t press him, he disconnected the call and jammed his phone into his pocket. “What is wrong with her? She didn’t ask about visiting, just announced that she was coming.”

“At least she didn’t just show up,” Weaver said. “Remember last October when we were leaving for the Christopher Street Halloween festival? I opened the door and there she was.”

“And we were dressed as the Village People… or barely dressed.” Austin chuckled. “With her darling son wearing nothing but a loincloth.” Austin’s eyes widened, and he leaned closer. “Do you still have the loincloth? Because that was sexy as hell.”

Randy rolled his eyes. “It was October in New York. I was cold all evening, and I swear my junk shriveled to the size of a pea.” That had been the worst costume Austin and Weaver had ever talked him into.

“Oh, come on. It was in the sixties, and you were hot. Everyone at the parade spent all night watching you.” Austin tore off a bite of his flatbread with his teeth. “And you were an animal. Grrrrrr.”

“If you remember, that was also the night she found out about you, and I had to explain our relationship to her once we got home.” And it hadn’t been pretty. His mother had not understood the fact that the three of them were together. She thought that it was some giant ploy for Randy to cheat on Weaver, whom she adored. There were weeks of phone calls and even tears on her part until Austin and Weaver went to see her, and she got the full dose of Austin’s charm. The problem with her visiting was that she still didn’t understand and kept asking when he was going to make a choice between Austin or Weaver. It was simply upsetting.

“It will be okay. You don’t have to deal with her alone,” Weaver said.

Randy pushed his plate away. “That’s just it. I want her to myself.”

Austin lowered his gaze. “You don’t want us to see your mother?” He knew the way Austin bit his lower lip.

“No, I don’t mean that. You shouldn’t have to be around her. Every time I see her, she asks me when I’m going to choose one of you.” He got so tired of hearing it.

“Duh,” Austin said. “Do you think your mother can keep anything quiet? She’s from Brooklyn, and she has no filter. The last time I saw your mother, she asked me when I was going on the road with my modeling and if I thought I’d find someone else when I was away.” Austin smirked. “I considered telling her that I left for Paris the following week and that I was going to be on the lookout for a handsome, sexy Frenchman to bring home so we could be a foursome… but I held back.” Damn, Randy had been worried for a second.

“Your mother has always been like that since she met Austin. She asked me if I felt like I was being replaced,” Weaver said. “Don’t worry about it. I understand our relationship, and I’m happy. So does Austin.” Suddenly, Randy found a comforting hand on each leg under the table. “Your mother is the person she is… but she’s your mom, and we’ll deal. Your mom’s worry stems from her concern for you.”

“But I don’t want her stirring things up. We’ve just moved to a new town, we’re starting new jobs and endeavors… it’s a lot to take on all at once. And….” He nearly growled.

Austin leaned closer. “Go ahead and finish your lunch. Everything is fine. I know you’re trying to protect us, and we appreciate it. But you don’t need to stand between us and your mother. When she comes to visit, we’ll be our normal selves. She’s going to be here a few days and then she can see how much we care for each other. Besides, your mother has never been able to resist me.”

Randy shook his head. “Okay… fine.” He sighed and pulled his plate back. “Let’s just have a nice lunch and hopefully a quiet day. We could walk to the park to see the ducks,” he offered.

Austin leaned close to his ear. “Or we could just go home and you could duck me… duck me hard.”

Suddenly, Randy’s appetite for food flew out the window.

Chapter Seven

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