Page 45 of Thinking It Over

“Shall we head straight home?” I asked, eager to get back and relax, maybe down a bottle of wine. It didn’t matter that Mom’s smile was genuine. I still expected her to give him the third degree at some point. I needed liquid courage to fortify me for that.

“Definitely,” she said, then called out goodbye to Davis.

We piled into Austin’s truck, having already dropped mine at home before coming to collect Mom.

“Nice wheels,” Mom praised. Mom was the reason I had crushes on certain vehicles. I’d been sure Austin’s choice would impress her.

“Thanks,” he answered. “It’s been a labor of love to restore.”

“I can only imagine.” Mom side-eyed me, an impressed brow peaking in my direction, and I swallowed my amusement. “And how’s work been for the two of you?” she asked as Austin took a turn.

“All good for me. No dramas. No tantrums about studying poetry. I’d call that a win.”

Austin laughed at my words. He then said, “Pretty much okay for me too. No dramas. No tantrums from students, parents, or staff. So I’d call that a win.”

“That’s only because you don’t hear what the kids are saying behind your back,” I teased, having never heard anything of the kind from staff or students.

Austin cast a quick glance at me, squinting slightly.

“I jest,” I said quickly, laughing. “Nobody’s prepared to give me any dirt on you. It’s all highly disappointing.”

He shook his head at me as he pulled up at my house. I was impressed he’d remembered the way back. “You won’t get any dirt on me, Mr. Taylor.”

I sighed dramatically, sure he was right. As I unbuckled my seat belt, a grin spread across my face.

“What’s that smile for?” he asked warily.

Mom huffed out an amused breath. “That’s his ‘I’ve had the best idea’ face. Maybe just drop us off and drive away while you can, Austin.”

“Hey.” I followed up with a tut. Then my grin was back. “She’s totally right, though.”

He quirked his brow as he unbuckled and reached for the door handle.

“Not about the running.ButI did remember I have Frankie, who I know is super willing to dish all the good stuff.” I chuckled, pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, and followed Mom out of his truck.

“You know,” Austin said, once he’d closed the door and walked toward the house with Mom and me, “I’m sure Frankie mentioned having to leave first thing in the morning.”

“I don’t think so.” I reached out and took his hand, loving the familiarity of his touch.

“Frankie’s your brother, right?” Mom asked, unlocking the door and leading the way.

“Yes. He’s been away traveling and working for a while. He plans to stay for a couple of weeks before heading to visit my dad.”

Once in the eat-in kitchen, which was where wespent most of our time, Mom asked, “A bit of an adventurer, is he, your brother?”

“You could say that, yes.”

Mom glanced over her shoulder at him as she started pulling ingredients from the refrigerator to make a salad. “It must be hard for your brother to be away all the time.”

I indicated for Austin to take a seat. He did so with a smile before answering my mom. “It is. We’re ten years apart, though, so while we’re not as close as he is with my sisters, I like the idea of him being on US soil and safe.”

Mom nodded her understanding. “Jasper, can you heat the oven, please?”

“All over it.” I set the temperature and asked who wanted a drink, then went about making them.

Mom picked up where Austin had left off. “It must be difficult. I’m not sure how I’d feel if Jasper went overseas for an extended period of time.”

I placed Mom’s bottle of beer down in front of her, not bothering with a glass. She’d regularly shared a beer with Dad when they’d both got home from work. It had become something of a tradition. It was clear her own thoughts were similar to mine as she smiled her thanks with soft eyes. As I dropped a kiss on her cheek, I considered what she said.

---