xVerity: Someone call CPS for poor Matthew. It’s clear that Gwynn is trying to killhim.
TeenDad2: And look atthis.
The picture that followed was of Laurence’sstaircase.
TeenDad2: No baby gates. No barriers. What is thislife?
LoveHarley: Gwynn’s place sounds like a wild timelol
Laurence closed out of the messages and was putting the phone away when he heard footsteps down the hall. Alex, hair mussed from his nap, appeared in the doorway. He stifled a yawn behind his hand and crossed the room to join Laurence. “I thought I heard you come home. Good day atwork?”
“It was fine. I submitted my approval for a new trial, and in the next few days, we’ll be preparing to get it underway.” Laurence watched Alex as he made his way across the room. Even when he was tired, there was a slight sway to his step, like he was the hottest thing Aurora had to offer. Laurence couldn’t argue with that, but he found it entertaining that even with his hair pushed up at strange angles and his clothing wrinkled, Alex wasn’t afraid to preen. “I met Gage when I came home. He said that you had a busyday.”
Alex snorted. He wrapped his arms loosely around Laurence’s waist, then rested his head against his chest. “A busy day doesn’t even begin to describe it. It was total bullshit. But… it’s okay now. I took care of it, and if anything comes of it, then I’ll take care of itagain.”
“That sounds dangerous.” Laurence lifted the glasses from his face and set them on the kitchen counter. He kissed the side of Alex’s head. “I’m not going to have the police show up here looking for you, am I? I’m not a goodliar.”
“Mm. Well, if they do show up looking for me, it’ll be because I was the one who called them.” Alex nuzzled a little closer, keeping his touch light. Laurence returned his affection and held him loosely. Thoughts of dinner fled. “I faced down the evil ex-boyfriend today. I kicked him in theballs.”
“Alex,” Laurencechided.
Alex pouted. “He was going to break my nose, if it makes you feel any better. There’s no art in that. Kicking him in the balls after everything he’s done to me? That’sartistic.”
“You’re really starting to stretch the meaning of art.” Laurence pulled back from him and lifted an eyebrow. “Is Matthew okay? I saw you two napping together on thecouch.”
“He’s okay. I’m okay, too. We had a really good talk about… love, and life, and what it means to be a father, and to respect yourself. I think, over the next few days, everyone is going to be better thanever.”
Laurence allowed Alex to be vague. If there were secrets Alex was keeping from him, it had to be for a good reason. Until he felt comfortable disclosing what had happened, Laurence would continue to trust him. They’d only been together for a short time, but he’d witnessed Alex’s growth firsthand, and he was willing to make the call. “As long as everyone’ssafe.”
“Yep.” Alex caressed Laurence’s hip as he put distance between them, then stretched himself so his back was curved and his arms were raised. He yawned. “I wanted to get in to the studio to paint today, but it’s not going to happen. Do you mind if I stay over tonight? Not only am I tired like nobody’s business…” Alex broke from his stretch and leaned in to whisper the next words against Laurence’s neck. “But the only masterpiece I want to paint today isyou.”
“Is that so?” Laurence grinned and grabbed Alex by the waist, tugging him forward. Alex cried out with laughter and wrapped his arms around Laurence’s neck, holding himself close. Chemistry, startling and brilliant, lit in the air between them and enchanted Laurence. Their relationship was different than it had been when they’d first met, but their connection was still the same. Like bubbles rising through champagne, Alex’s touch lifted him, and every flirtatious word he spoke reminded Laurence of how far he’dcome.
“Pregnancy doesthingsto me, apparently,” Alex said with a smirk. He tilted his head to the side and brushed his lips over Laurence’s. “You wanna make sure that I’m pregnant tonight, Daddy? I wanna feel your cum insideme.”
“Oh, god,” Matthew said from the doorway. Laurence pulled away from Alex to look at his son, embarrassed. “Alex, dude,really?That’s mydad.”
Alex turned just enough so that he could look at Matthew. Laurence could only imagine the grin on his face. “Dude, your dad’shot.”
“God.” Matthew shook his head. “I’m going to skip dinner and go shower for ten hours. Can you text me when you’re done beinggross?”
“Sure.”
Laurence watched their interaction, equally as baffled with it as he had been about coming home to the scene on the couch. Whatever had happened this afternoon had changed Alex and Matthew’s relationship intensely. He couldn’t say he was displeased, but he did find himself mildlyconcerned.
“I feel like I’ve missed something,” Laurence admitted when Matthew was gone. “Am I ever going to know what went ontoday?”
“Maybe. I’ll let Matthew decide.” Alex turned his attention back to Laurence, the look on his face sly. “So, what do you say about calling in for apizza?”
“Is half an hour long enough to paint a masterpiece?” Laurence asked, raising aneyebrow.
Alex laughed. He took Laurence’s hand and led him from the kitchen. “There’s only one way to findout.”
35
Alex
“Dad? Alex?”Matthew warbled late one night, five months following their encounter with Jason. The television was on, bathing the room in its light. Alex rested against Laurence’s chest, seated between his legs. They stretched out across the couch together. Alex’s arm was rested over his belly. At seven months pregnant, his bump wasn’t subtleanymore.
