Joe
My feet pound the asphalt of the track at my high school as I run lap after lap. I got home a little after six last night, and I was so exhausted that I just shot Chloe a quick text and then crashed.
This morning, I woke up hard as a rock and had to jerk off. I called her after I was done, and she was still lying in bed, which made my dick hard again. I love hearing Chloe’s voice all sleepy, sexy, and hoarse.
“How was your ride home?”
“It was good but long. I was tired and crashed as soon as I texted you. I just got up and just really fucking missed you. Is Ragnar glad I’m gone?” Her sleepy giggle was really adorable.
“Of course. He’s been doing cartwheels since you left. If I say your name, he hisses and sticks his claws out like Wolverine.”
I started laughing and shook my head because she’s so fucking cute. “What’s on your agenda today?”
“I’m going to work on some pieces that need to be finished then have dinner at my parents’ house.” Her voice got quiet. “They’ve been kind of worried about me.”
“They love you. Of course they’re going to be worried. We didn’t talk about it much.”
“I know, and actually I’m kind of grateful that we didn’t. We said what needed to be said, and I’m just thankful that you forgive me for what I said.”
“Of course I forgive you. You forgave me too, you know.”
Her sigh echoed through the phone. “We really screwed things up in the beginning, didn’t we?”
“Yeah, but now we have the chance to start fresh.” Fuck, I hoped that was what she wanted too.
“Really? How can this work? We live too far away.”
I obviously hadn’t thought about the logistics yet. “We’ll take it a week at a time. Chloe, I feel like there’s something here worth exploring. Please tell me that you feel it too.”
“I do. It’s just going to be different. Joe, if we do this, please don’t sleep with anyone else. I know I don’t have the right—”
“Of course you have the right. I know you’ve heard unflattering things about me from my aunt and uncle, and maybe some of it’s true, but I’m not a cheater. Every relationship I’ve had—it hasn’t been many—I’ve been faithful…always.”
“It wasn’t from Tay Tay or Dustin. It was your sister and cousins. They used to make comments here and there, but they were never terrible. Just that you liked the ladies and the ladies liked you.” She sighed into the phone. “I haven’t had the best luck in relationships. When I was younger, it was because I had two dads so I must’ve been molested or abused.
“Then it was curiosity, and they just wanted to see if they…I don’t know…dressed like women, listened to show tunes all of the time, and whatever other misconception they could come up with. As I got older and being gay didn’t have the same stigma attached to it, it got easier, but when you choose the wrong person, it makes a difference, and I just haven’t been able to pick the right ones.”
“Chloe, I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I can’t guarantee that we won’t hurt each other, but I will not cheat on you. And if I don’t feel it’s working anymore, I’ll tell you. I just expect the same.”
I hung up shortly after that with plans to talk the next night, which brings me to now.
After several laps around the track, I stop by the benches and grab my bottle of water, taking a huge swig. I pick up my phone and see I have a voicemail. After punching in my security code, my messages start playing.
“It’s Mom. Just want to check if you’re coming for dinner tonight. Your sister and the kids are coming. Call me back. I love you.”
I hit her number and put it back to my ear. “Hi, honey,” she says. “How was your weekend?”
Oh what to tell, what not to tell. “It was good. I…I saw Chloe.”
“You did? How—how is she? I’ve wanted to call her, but I didn’t know if it was appropriate or not. I mean, that was my grandbaby, and I just hurt for her, you know?” My mom is by far the sweetest woman in the world.
“She’s doing better. I think she’d like it if you called her. I’ll text you her number. What time should I be over?”
“Six. Your brother will be here. It’ll be so nice to have all my babies and grandbabies under one roof.” My mom loves the chaos, and my niece and nephews eat up the attention they get from their gigi. “We’re going to do burgers and hot dogs.”
“Do you need me to bring anything?”
“Just yourself.” We hang up a moment later. I grab my water bottle and start making my way toward my car.
Once I get home, I shower then throw on some basketball shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. In the living room, I lie down on the couch to take a quick nap. It was a long but phenomenal weekend.
***
I step inside my childhood home and hear screaming coming from the back. Moving through the house, I see everyone is outside, and I step out of the back door. Parker has Natalie on his back, and he’s chasing the boys.
“Hey, guys.” Abby comes over with her cute belly, and a wave of sadness washes over me. I try to hide it, but she doesn’t miss it. She places a hand on her stomach, and tears run down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Joe.” She wraps her arms around my middle. “The kids and I can go.”
I know a lot of this is hormones. “No, I don’t want you to go. It’s just a shit thing that happened. I’m so happy for you and for Ben. No one deserves this more than you. I’ll have another little niece to spoil.”
She smiles up at me. “I love you, baby brother.”
“I love you, big sister.” Abby disappears inside the house. I spot my mom and dad giving me the same look. “I’m fine.” Walking up to them, I wrap my arm around my mom’s shoulders. “Abby’s just hormonal, and getting upset isn’t going to change anything. It’s also not going to stop me from being happy for her or for Vi. Life goes on.” I take a deep breath and hope they believe this nonchalant attitude.
Little arms wrap around my leg, and I pick up my nephew Dalton. “Unka Joe pway wiff me.”
He’s the perfect distraction. I throw him over my shoulder and carry him down the steps and toward my brother, who is chasing Natalie with Rion in his arms. “Should we get Uncle Parker?”
“Yes!” We charge after them, and they all start running and screaming. Haddie comes running down the stairs and snags Rion from Parker, and we all start chasing each other. My nephews and niece’s laughter is music to my ears.
Abby calls for the kids so they can get washed up before dinner. She always handles all three of them with quick efficiency, with or without Ben’s help. Haddie follows behind them—no doubt to help with the crew.
Parker sets the table while I set up the high chair for Rion and strap Dalton’s booster seat to his chair. It’s loud, crazy, and chaotic, but my mom and dad don’t stop smiling. Natalie is snuggled up to her pawpaw, telling him some story, and he’s just eating it up. Mom doesn’t let Abby make the kids’ plates because she loves taking care of her grandbabies, and that’s what she does while we make up our plates. Abby used to fight her about it but finally gave up. My mom is like a mama Grizzly bear, especially with the little ones.
Conversation is next to impossible while we eat—the kids all vie for their grandparents’ attention while shoveling food into their sweet faces. Images assail me of a raven-haired, blue-eyed little girl sitting amongst her cousins, and my stomach turns.
I excuse myself, and in the bathroom I splash cold water on my face. I sit on the closed toilet and pull out my phone.
Joe: Hey you.
Chloe: Hi! How was dinner at your parents’ house?
Joe: I’m still here. Just hiding in the bathroom.
Chloe: Why? Are you okay?
Joe: Yes…No…My sister and her kids are here and I just thought about our baby and I…I don’t know I’m just all over the place. Sorry.
She doesn’t answer me right away, and I think maybe it was wrong to bring it up, but then my notifications go off.
Chloe: Don’t be sorry. If it helps, it does get easier. Violet called me earlier and I knew she was happy about her baby but scared to share that, but life goes on and I would never begrudge her for being happy.
It’s good to know that we’re on the same wavelength.
Joe: My sister cried earlier because she felt guilty too. I told my parents the same thing. My mom asked if it would be okay if she called you.
Chloe: Of course she can. That’s really sweet of her, I’ve always loved JoJo.
I smile because she’s using my mom’s nickname.
Joe: I guess I should head back out there. Can I call you when I get home?
Chloe: Yeah I’d like that.
Joe: Great, I’ll talk to you later.
Standing up, I tuck my phone into my pocket and splash some more cold water on my face. When I open the door, I’m surprised to find my brother standing with his back against the opposite wall.
“What’s up?”
“Can we talk for a minute?”
I follow him out the front door onto the porch. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. We just haven’t had a chance to talk, and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am.”
I grab him and pull him into a hug. I’ve never shied away from showing affection to anyone in my family. “Thanks, Park. Did they say anything when I got up?”
“No, they looked concerned, but I told them I’d check on you.” He leans in close to me. “Chloe’s fucking hot. Way to go, man.”
I just shake my head at my brother, and I can honestly say that I don’t like him thinking about Chloe that way. “Watch it, little brother.” I give him a playful shove.
His eyes widen comically. “Is my brother seriously into this woman? I think so.” Parker shoves me back. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”
Have I fallen? Maybe…I don’t know, but I definitely want to see where it goes with us. Of course, the odds are stacked against us; she’s seven years older, we live four hours apart, and maybe all she wants from me is a fling—no, she said she felt it too, but what if she just said that because I did?
No, Chloe is not the type to play games. Even when she was still pregnant, she was honest with me about everything.
“Shut the fuck up. I haven’t fallen, but we’re going to see where it goes, and maybe it’ll become something more than what it is right now. How’s Charleston?”
“Fucking great. Uncle Cash redid the basement, so I’ve got a little apartment down there so I can have privacy. Of course I don’t bring girls home, but if I don’t come home at night, I don’t get any grief.”
Our nephew Rion chooses that moment to come to the screen door screaming, “Unc, Unc!” I open the door and grab him, lifting him into my arms. He screeches and then slaps my cheeks before giving me a sloppy kiss. Then the little man lunges for Parker, who gets the same treatment.
After that, we head back inside, and I finish my dinner while Mom and Abby start serving dessert. My mom sets mine in front of me, kisses the side of my head, and whispers, “I love you, honey.”
“Love you too.”
My mom sends Parker and me home with leftovers, and Haddie and I make plans to meet for lunch. I help Abby get the kids strapped into their car seats and promise Natalie that I’ll come over for a playdate soon.
After they leave, Parker and I sit out back with Dad and have a beer. He stares out across our backyard, and I can’t help but wonder what’s on his mind. Parker looks at me with a raised brow, and all I can do is shrug.
Finally, he turns around and sits across from us. “I’m so proud of you boys and the men you’re becoming. I know you both have been wild. Don’t think I don’t hear the stories about you both. I was the same way until I met your mom and she changed everything.” He looks at me. “If you feel like there’s something worth fighting for in Chloe, then you fucking fight for her.” What’s happening? He then turns to Parker. “You…make sure you’re safe.”
After our dad hugs us, he heads inside. Parker turns to me. “Is Dad dying or something?”
I shake my head. “No, maybe it’s Chloe losing the baby and Abby being pregnant again. We’re all growing up. Maybe it’s just freaking him out.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’m heading in. I have to be up early to drive back to Charleston in the morning, and Mom promised homemade biscuits and gravy if I stayed.” He disappears inside. I swallow the rest of my beer and take the empty bottle inside before saying goodbye to my folks.
Haddie left a while ago to meet someone—she just wouldn’t say who. I hate that my baby sister is a knockout. I haven’t missed the way guys look at her. It makes me borderline homicidal because I’m a guy who knows exactly what is going through their minds. I have half a mind to go track her ass down and see who she’s meeting, but I won’t. She’s eighteen and able to make her own decisions…I guess.
My mom walks me out when I take my leave. “Is Dad okay? He was getting deep with Parker and me outside earlier, and it kind of freaked us out.”
“Oh, he’s fine. We were with your aunts and uncles the other day for lunch, and we just got to talking about all you kids and how great everyone is doing. I think it just hit us how blessed we are.” She grabs my arm and gives it a squeeze. “Don’t get me wrong—you’ve all put us through the ringer at some point, but you’ve all found your paths, and we’re grateful for that.”
I kiss her cheek and promise to come by for dinner one night this coming week.