Shock rattled through me as I stared at him, and he smirked. “That’s something you and Declan share with the rest of us lucky assholes who’ve found our person. You can’t hide how you feel when they’re around. It was plain to see that first day. Despite you and Jackie going at each other.”
“I don’t know how it’s gonna work.”
“The three of you will figure it out.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but I wanted it like nothing else on this planet.
25
DECLAN
Isighed, turning back to the breakfast I had started working on before Marcie texted. Walker had shown up just after Hayden stormed out of the house. He muttered ‘Good morning,’ grabbed some coffee, and walked outside to where my husband stood staring into the forest, battling demons I couldn’t fight for him.
Hayden storming off didn’t shock me, but it did sadden me. I had a good idea what it was about. He was upset that we weren’t with Marcie. I was too, but I was positive that just triggered some deeper, darker shit he still had lingering. Leftovers from Mara. The cunt.
As the more dominant of us, he took the role of providing and caring for us all seriously. He had when we lived together. He paid the bills and bought the food, and I let him because that was the kind of man his parents raised him to be, which didn’t surprise me in the least.
I grew up in Texas, and every Hispanic man I knew was the same. The man of the family provided. It wasn’t much different from the way my parents’ and grandparents’ generations had lived. Women could work, and they often did, but with the older generation, the men provided for the family, and the women worked to better the community through their committees and projects. It was the same in the families I grew up around who weren’t as affluent. Unless the woman had to work to help put food on the table, she didn’t. She stayed home, took care of the kids, and volunteered in the community or through church.
Sweetness
Thank you for listening.
Declan
You’re welcome. If you didn’t notice, we’re taken with you.
Sweetness
I’m going to wait and see.
Declan
Wait and see if we’re taken with you?
Sweetness
Oh, gosh. No. I uhh… I meant about my dad.
Declan
I knew what you meant, sweetness. I just wanted to lighten your mood a bit. I bet you’re blushing.
Sweetness
Stop. People are going to think I’m strange.
Declan
Fuck what people think. You tell them you got two men panting after your fine ass. They’ll quit thinking you’re strange and start asking for advice.
Sweetness
OMG! You’re so bad.
Declan
You ain’t seen nothing yet, sweetness. Just wait until Papi turns all that intensity loose on you. You’ll never need to wear blush again.
