Page 69 of Thinking It Over

“You too. Love you, Austin.”

His loving gaze connected with mine. “I love you, Jasper.”

Ending the call, I peered over at the end of the bed, where Penny was already perched. “Sorry, princess, but it looks like it’s the last night for snuggling.”

Her warm brown eyes focused on me as she lifted her head. Apparently not impressed, she angled over, lay on her back with her legs comically high in the air, and asoft pfft seeped out of her, making me gag and go cross-eyed.

I clamped my hand over my mouth and nose. “Now that’s just mean,” I said, dry heaving as I pushed off the bed and raced out of the toxic-smelling room.

EIGHTEEN

AUSTIN

Nine days away from home,and I was about ready to tear my hair out. Just Dad and I remained in Chicago, as my sisters had returned home to their families, and I still hadn’t received an answer about the “emergency” meeting. It was apparently the last.

They’d turned the very word into a mockery, though, with how much their feet were dragging, but my lawyer was fiercely driving our case, and I hoped to finally hear from her this afternoon.

“How’s your pain today?” I asked my brother. He looked so much better than the first time I’d seen him. No longer in ICU, he’d since been relocated, needing the small private room to prevent infection. It was also the reason why I was kitted out in protective wrappings over my clothes to make sure my brother was safe during his healing.

His skin graft was just yesterday, and the surgeon had said it had gone well and he didn’t foresee any problems. It was unusual for someone to remain in the hospital for so long too, but with the range of his other injuries, he was deemed a special case.

While my brother was tearing his hair out, desperate to be released, I was grateful. Caring for my brother while dealing with social services to be granted custody was as much as I could handle right now.

“Manageable,” Frankie said. “Did she say what time she’d call?” Anxiety wove through his voice, something rare for my brother. Usually relaxed to the point he was almost horizontal, the worry now gnawing at him, tightening his eyes, clouding his face was disturbing. It made me edgier.

“No. Just this afternoon.”

“I’m sorry I’m asking you to do this for me.” Genuine guilt poured off him, and I exhaled.

“It’s okay. I just wish things had been different.” When Frankie’s sorrow beat at me from across the room, I internally scolded myself. I needed to shut up and get this dealt with.

He cleared his throat. “Thank you. I mean it.”

My gaze softened, and I reached out and squeezed his uninjured hand. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

The grin spreading across his mouth pushed the shadow of hurt away. “He’s amazing. Smart as hell.” He exhaled. “I know this is all levels of screwed, but I’ll be the best dad I can be. As soon as I saw him, I loved him.” A small laugh followed. “How’s that even possible?” He shook his head, ever so lightly, and I imagined the movement hurt.

“I think you’ll be a great dad,” I said.

Wetness filled his gaze. “You think?” He didn’t shy away from the doubt. “I know since forever I’ve been a pain in the ass for everyone in our family, but it’s not like I’ve been a bum, right?” I smiled at that. “I’ve paid my own way, worked my way around the world.”

“And just think of all the adventures you’ll be able to tell Tyler as he’s growing up,” I added. It was the right thing to say. His gaze cleared. And while I didn’t want to ruin the moment, I had to ask again, “You sure you want me to take him home with me?”

“Yes.” Certainty bled through the one word. “I know everyone else thinks I’m crazy, but the thought of settling back at home, near Dad, Robin, and Debbie….”

The horror on his face left me laughing. “They’re not that bad.”

“They’ll interfere too much and drive me to distraction.I’ll lose my shit and make everything worse. I just need to do this my way.”

I did understand, I admitted reluctantly. He clashed a little with Debbie, especially. And Dad was known to worry. But…. “You know I’m a pain in the ass, too, right?”

“Ha. I do, but you now have Jasper and are so in love you’re all sappy and mellow and shit.” He quirked his brow, no doubt waiting for me to argue, but there was no point in doing that, as he was absolutely right. “See. Proof and point right there in your silent agreement. Plus, a small town might be kind of cool. I thought it’s a much better place to raise a kid.”

“I agree. I do. But what about work, a place to live?”

“I’ll be out of your hair soon enough, and I’ll figure something out. I always do. I may even start to use that degree of mine. You know, the one everyone is always reminding me was a waste unless I use it.”

I smirked at him, believing if anyone could pull this off, it would be him. “Okay. I’ll take Tyler, get him settled, and then wait until you’re well enough for the flight to move.” There was so much to organize, but all that mattered at the moment was getting Tyler out of the foster system and back with me, to my brother, where I had no doubt he belonged.

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