Matthew balked. “Dad!”
“What?” Laurence asked. This time, he couldn’t hide hislaughter.
“Oh my god, Dad,” Matthew huffed. “It’s like you’re an entirely different person. You’re not supposed to befun.”
Alex’s voice quivered with laughter. “Old dogs can be taught new tricks if you just throw them abo—”
“Oh my god!” Matthew sank down onto the counter and pulled his hood up. “You guys aregross.Can you stop? I’minnocent.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Alex sounded genuinely apologetic. “I’ll quit it. You can call me on my shit, you know. I don’tmind.”
Matthew peeked out from beneath his hood. Laurence, who’d been watching, turned back to supervise the eggs. He broke the yokes of Alex’s eggs with the side of his spatula to besafe.
“I still don’t understand why someone young like you is dating my dad. He’s boring, and you’re pretty. You could date someone yourage.”
The question was hurtful, but Laurence let it roll off his shoulders. Matthew had a right to be upset, and at two months pregnant, his hormones were making him more emotional than normal. The truth was, Alexwastoo young for him, but it had been Alex who’d made the first move, and it was Alex who’d decided to keep seeing him after their first romp in the studio. Laurence still wasn’t sure what Alex saw in him, but in Alex, he’d found his purpose renewed, and that alone made him think the age difference wassurmountable.
“I could,” Alex agreed. “But guys my age are all pretty much a waste of time. There are some exceptions, but I’m not really interested in digging through a dumpster fire hoping to find adiamond.”
“How oldareyou?”
“Twenty-one,” Alex said casually. “I’ll be twenty-twosoon.”
Laurence plated the first of the eggs and bacon and brought them to the table. He served Matthew first, who’d have to leave for school beforelong.
“You’re right,” Matthew said. “Guys in their twentiesaredumpster firematerial.”
“Which is why I’m into older men.” Alex shot Laurence a lingering gaze that shot straight to Laurence’s cock. He remembered Alex’s confession from the day before, and he heard the unspoken truths in what Alex said. “Especially older men who have their lives in order, like your dad. It means when my life starts to fall apart, I don’t have to worry about burdening the guy I’m with, because he’s long past that point in his life, and he can take care ofme.”
“I guess. Well, whatever.” Matthew poked at his egg with his fork. “It’s not like I’m against my dad dating. I guess I just assumed that when he did date, he’d date someone who was old, not someone young.” Matthew snorted. “I guess it’s fine. It’s not like you’re going to start popping out babies oranything.”
There was silence. Laurence turned the burner off and bit the inside of his lip, unsure of what tosay.
“Right?” Matthew asked hesitantly. “Guys?”
“… Well,” Alex said after a long, awkward pause. “Aboutthat…”
“No.” Matthew looked from Alex to Laurence, eyes narrowed in astonishment. “This is a bad joke, right? You arenothaving another baby. I’m sixteen! I can’t be a bigbrother.”
Laurence plated the rest of breakfast, bringing Alex a plate. He settled across the island from him, unsure of what to say. “I was hoping we’d have a chance to tell you a little later,but…”
Matthew clawed at his face. “Oh mygod,Dad. Is that why you didn’t blow your lid when I told you I waspregnant?”
“You’repregnant?” Alex, who’d been about to slice his egg with his fork, set the utensil down. “Laurence is going to be agrandfather?”
“Yeah. I got pregnant in January. Dad’s been helping me figure thingsout.”
“A grandfather,” Alex murmured. He locked eyes with Laurence. “…Hot.”
“Aaand I’m out.” Matthew hopped off the stool and grabbed his plate. “If you need me, I’m going to be attempting to stomach breakfast in the privacy of my own room.” On his way to the door, Matthew paused. “And… congratulations, or whatever, I guess. I’m not really sure how long you two have been seeing each other or how long you’ve been in your relationship, but I guess you must be happy. Even though I’m low-key pissed and grossed out right now, if this is what you want, then I’m glad foryou.”
Even though Matthew was having a hard time with the news, he was taking it much better than Laurence had expected him to. Later, he’d make sure to apologize and sit with Matthew privately so he could hear what he had to say. For now, all he could do was trust that everything would be okay. “Thankyou.”
“I guess I’ll see you around again, Alex,” Matthew murmured as he left the room. “Don’t like… fuck up my brother or sister,okay?”
“No pressure or anything.” Alex made a face. “See youlater.”
When Matthew was gone, Alex leaned forward and asked in a whisper, “Did I do okay? I didn’t want to lie tohim.”
