Chapter 13 Austin
THIRTEEN
AUSTIN
“What are you smiling about, Dad?”
“Can’t I just be in a good mood?”
“It’s Monday!”
Austin chuckled. She made a good point, as Monday wasn’t usually his favourite day of the week.
He loved his work, so it wasn’t about that.
Austin knew many people despised their jobs, and Monday involved dealing with tetchy customers and a grumpy public, but nothing was dampening his mood today.
He hadn’t been able to stop smiling since his date with Liam on Saturday.
They both agreed that they weren’t Michelin-star restaurant people.
The food had been incredible, but the entire production that went with it had been ridiculous.
It had given them a laugh, though. Liam had tried to push to pay for half the bill again, but Austin wouldn’t hear of it.
Spending five hundred quid on a first date was an extravagance, but he’d been able to get to know Liam better, so it was money well spent.
They hadn’t gotten to The Rainbow Tap, as their dining experience, as it was called, had taken the best part of three hours, and he’d needed to get back for Nathan – he was very particular about his bedtime, and Austin didn’t want to disrupt his routine.
Nathan had been the perfect babysitter. Not only did Maisie love him, but all he’d asked when Austin had got back was if he’d had an enjoyable time.
The others would have demanded a lot more detail, like about their goodnight kiss at Liam’s door when he’d tried to hump Austin’s leg.
It had taken all his willpower to pull away, rather than push him inside and take him apart.
But he wanted to wait. Yes, there was a lot of sexual chemistry between them, but Austin knew there was more than that.
He also knew that once he eventually had Liam naked, there’d be no pulling back from exploring everything that brought the man pleasure.
“You’ve been smiling a lot more lately. Is it because we moved here?” asked Maisie.
“I love living back here. Do you?”
“Yeah. It’s nice that you’re not sad anymore.”
“What do you mean, sweetheart?”
“You were very sad at the last house. I know you missed Mum, but I think you were lonely. Now you’ve got your friends here.”
This little girl was far too perceptive for her age.
He held his arms out, and she ran into them and gave him a big squeezy hug, which she got from Ellie.
That woman gave the best hugs. It was a strange thing to think about, but he knew Ellie would have loved Liam and not wanted Austin to be on his own.
She’d even told him that repeatedly before she died.
One time, she made a pitch for how he’d be better off finding a man next, as they’d be less likely to be jealous of a dead wife they would never beat in a competition.
They’d laughed about that. Right up until the end, they’d been laughing. That’s just who she was.
“Why are you crying, Dad?” she asked with concern in her voice.
“I was just thinking about your mum.”
“I miss her too, but I know she wouldn’t want us to be sad.”
“No, she wouldn’t.”
“And she’d like that you were making new friends, like Liam.” She gave him a cheeky smile.
Did she know something? “What’s that smile about?”
“I think Liam has a crush on you,” she whispered.
Austin couldn’t help but snort a laugh, whilst feeling his face heat.
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, I know he likes boys.”
“How do you know that?”
“Duh. Everyone knows that. He doesn’t keep it a secret. I like boys and don’t keep it a secret. Why should Liam?”
It was a fair point, and the loving mindset of a child, until external influences warped their values.
That wouldn’t happen with Maisie. Austin and Ellie had always encouraged her to talk openly about something she didn’t understand, and would never force their own beliefs on her.
Austin hoped she was talking about boys in a general sense, and not one in particular.
She was far too young for that. He’d assured Ellie he would not be one of those uber-protective fathers who thought no boy was good enough for his daughter, but he wasn’t ready to test that yet.
The thing he realised as well was that Maisie had given him an opening to talk about his own preferences.
“You’re right, Maisie. People can like and love whoever they want as long as nobody gets hurt.”
“Did you know Billy Forest has two mums?”
He didn’t even know who Billy Forest was, but that was kids for you, they assumed you knew everybody in their lives. He shook his head.
“Do you think Uncle Gerard and Uncle Kevin will ever have kids?”
Austin chuckled. He loved those guys, but they weren’t the type to have kids.
“I don’t think so.”
“Is it because they’re two men, and you need a woman to have a baby?”
“No, sweetie. It’s because they don’t want to have children. You know Uncle Gerard doesn’t like mess.”
Maisie giggled. “It would be nice to have some cousins, though.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean some of your other uncles won’t have children.”
“They’ll need to do it soon, though, because they’re all old now.”
Austin laughed and couldn’t wait to see their faces when he shared that comment with them, especially Tony.
“You know how your uncles like men, and Billy’s mums like women?”
She nodded.
“Well, some people like both.”
“You mean bisexual?”
“Where did you hear that word?”
“Billy told us all about it. He said some people like boys, some like girls, some like both, and some don’t like any.”
“How old is Billy?”
“The same age as me. Well, he’s a month younger.”
“Is Billy the boy you like?”
“Ew, no. He’s just a friend.”
He would not push that anymore, and he was getting off track.
“How would you feel if I had a new partner, Maisie?”
“Like a girlfriend?”
“Or a boyfriend.”
She looked at him for a second. “Do you like both as well then, Dad?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Can I tell my friends?”
“If you want to.”
“Cool. Can I have ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch today?”
“Of course,” he said, getting choked up. He couldn’t help but feel pride in his little girl. “Can I have another hug?”
She wrapped her arms around him again and squeezed. After that, they went about their morning. Maisie had her breakfast while Austin made lunch for both of them. He was going to be on site all day, so it was easier for him to take a packed lunch as the customer was in a remote location.
Maisie had started going to the early morning drop-off club, which was at seven thirty.
She had friends there and loved it, but didn’t like the porridge they served, so he always made her breakfast beforehand.
It was an hour before official school time.
That gave Austin enough time to get to his customer by eight thirty, or even earlier depending on where they were based.
It also allowed him to stop off for his all-important first coffee of the day.
By seven forty, he’d parked up the truck and was walking into Sylvie’s Slice.
Liam was chatting to Giselle, but he looked up when the door opened, and broke into a big smile.
Austin really wanted to rush over and kiss him, but they’d not discussed what they were yet.
As far as Austin was concerned, Liam was already his boyfriend, but it’s not something he’d push for Liam to define – well, not yet anyway.
“Good morning, Austin,” said Giselle, with a twinkle in her eye, probably thinking she was going to pick up some gossip.
“Morning, Giselle. Morning, Liam.” His smile was only for Liam.
Giselle chuckled.
“What’s so amusing?”
“Just thinking how badly you want to jump over that counter and give Liam a good morning kiss.”
Austin chuckled and looked across at Liam, who’d gone bright red. He wasn’t having that.
“I think we need to cut Giselle off from her chocolate orange muffins if she can’t keep her nose out. What do you think, Liam?”
“I think that’s fair,” he said with a smile.
“Fine. I can take a hint and mind my own business,” she said, looking disappointed that she hadn’t gotten what she wanted.
Austin knew the woman probably had her camera ready to get a snap of said morning kiss and share it in her various group chats.
“I doubt you can do that, Giselle, but we appreciate the lie.”
They all laughed, and Giselle moved off with her coffee and muffin, taking a seat close by so she could hear everything that was going on.
“Why don’t you come through to the kitchen for a minute?” said Liam. “Callum, can you make Austin’s coffee, please?”
“Sure. Have you got your flask, Austin? How long should I wait?”
Callum was smiling, probably thinking his boss was taking Austin into the back for a quickie.
Austin passed his flask over, whilst Liam glared at Callum.
Austin walked round the counter and took hold of Liam’s hand, walking them into the kitchen.
They heard some whoops from the bakery when the door closed behind them.
“Oh my God. Why are they doing that?” said Liam, his cheeks aflame.
“You know what this place is like. I’m sure there’ll be something new next week for them to gossip about. Although Giselle had a great idea.”
“What do you –”
Austin silenced him with a kiss. He threaded his fingers through Liam’s hair, gripping his head and pulling him closer so he could deepen the kiss.
He could never get enough of this. Their tongues caressed each other.
The kiss was full of heat, yet slow and sensuous.
The weekend hadn’t been a fluke. Austin loved kissing, and having Liam be so compatible with him in that department made him want to never stop doing this.
They broke apart before things could become more heated, and Austin had to adjust his cock. He was wearing his khakis, which were loose – well, they were before he’d started kissing Liam. The man himself had his eyes on Austin’s crotch and licked his lips. The little tease.