Page 74 of Learning to Run

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Well, it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been but it certainlywas awkward.

The silence was stretching out and not even the foodarriving had helped. With everyone being on their best behavior, and only aminor number of frowns, I had a feeling it was more about not rocking the boatand less about being frustrated to be there.

Hopefully.

Because as we finished up the Mexican food, which wasabsolutely fabulous, I decided to throw a rock into a very still pond and seewhat would happen.

“I couldn’t help hearing your conversation about toys andlooking for a spare room to use as a playroom.” Pausing, I waited to see if itwould get an unexpected reaction.

It did.

Jude frowned at Brady who sighed and tried to look innocentas he figured out how to apologize. “We’re both sorry if we made Gareth andCashel feel uncomfortable. That wasn’t anyone’s intention.”

Laughing seemed like it would’ve been the wrong response, soI did my best to take the whole thing seriously. “I’m pretty sure I can speakfor all of us when I say we weren’t offended. It was a very practicaldiscussion to have with someone who has lots of collections.”

That had Brady beaming and nodding, so I had a feeling I’dphrased it fairly well. “Yes, collections are important.”

Jude looked like he was trying not to laugh and encourageBrady, but he nodded. “They are.”

“I might have a way around that issue, though.” Here we go.“I was talking to the staff in Housing the other day about my own lease andyours came up.”

The silence around the table was deafening and the famousJude glare was starting to return.

“I had no idea it wasn’t public knowledge. They thought itwas sweet and were bragging about Brady’s mother.” That had everyone goingcompletely still.

Was I supposed to keep going?

Finally, the life came back into everyone and Brady cockedhis head and looked at his Daddy. Jude just gave a very Daddy shrug and lookedlike he was trying not to sigh. “What did you discover?”

Well, he hadn’t exploded.

“Brady’s mother paid the single supplement for this semesterso you wouldn’t be given another roommate.” That had eyes going wide around thetable. “I don’t know if it was supposed to be a surprise or if the explanationjust got lost in translation, but from what they were saying, you aren’t goingto be given another roommate this year.”

“People tell you all kinds of weird stuff.” Gareth’sdelightful commentary had laughter circling the table.

“They do, but this one was your fault.” I couldn’t resistteasing him even though I was pretty sure he’d been cheeky to break thetension. “I was telling them about my wonderful boyfriends and they connectedyou with Brady and Jude.”

Because they were just as nosy as I was.

“They’ve been trying to behave and not chat too much, butonce they knew I already knew you guys, it seemed like they couldn’t helpthemselves…and well, it didn’t seem bad nosy?” Now I wasn’t so sure, but whenBrady and Jude both shrugged, I realized it was probably going to be fine.

“So my mother made sure Jude wouldn’t have a roommate?”Brady might’ve been asking me the question but he was looking at Jude. “Maybethat was what she meant by her ‘fun secret’?”

Probably.

“She probably thought housing was going to tell us?” Judewas glancing back and forth between me and Brady. “It sounds like there was adisconnect somewhere.”

“I agree.” Thinking about it, I couldn’t help shrugging.“That’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“There’s a reason why everyone says communication is soimportant.” Brady shook his head like he thought the whole thing was crazy.“I’m not going to question that any longer.”

He shouldn’t have questioned it before.

“So what are you going to do about the room?” Cashel finallyseemed at ease enough to jump into the conversation and I was glad to see it.“Do you want help moving some of the toys downstairs or are you picturingsomething else?”

It was a very good question that neither man seemed to havea quick answer for.

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