Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
THEA
Breakfast with Joey and Joe was the easy part of my day.
By the time evening rolled around, my nerves were twisted into knots.
I knew Joe's parents. They were nice people, and I liked them.
But I hadn't forgotten the disapproving glances I’d gotten from them after my father told me I couldn't see Joe anymore in high school.
They were an emotional, loving family. I remembered thinking they’d probably wished I'd had more nerve. I didn't know how to stand up to my father back then. It had seemed impossible.
In the last few years or so since my brothers and I had started coming back to Haven’s Bay for vacations and holidays, I'd seen them a few times around town. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I was still convinced they held it against me.
Joe kept reassuring me. “Thea, it's fine. Stop worrying.”
He was standing behind me in the mirror in the bathroom as I smoothed my hand over my hair. “Easy for you to say. They adore you. You're their son. I'm the one who broke your heart.”
“You didn't break my heart.” His hands came to my shoulders, giving a light squeeze before they slid down my arms. “My heart was broken, but I didn't blame you.
I blamed your dad because he was an asshole.
Plus, who knows how it would have turned out if we had tried to stay together when we were that young?
Most couples don't make it when it starts that young.”
I turned, resting my hips against the counter. He lifted one of my hands, turning it over and dropping a kiss in the center of my palm. Ripples of warmth radiated from that touch, reverberating through my system. “I know, but—”
He interjected. “Sweetheart, we can't change the past. We're back together, and that's all that matters. We’re older and wiser, and that’s probably for the best. Last night and today went great with Joey.”
I took a quick breath, letting it out in a gust. “I know it did. He's really awesome.”
Joe shrugged. “He is awesome, but he's being very well-behaved this weekend. Trust me, when he gets comfortable with you, he won't always be the angel he’s being this weekend.”
I laughed. “No?”
“He's pretty good, but he’s like any kid. He’s never perfect. When he’s got energy to burn, it can be tough.” He dipped his head and dropped a quick kiss on my mouth. “Let's go. You've got this. My parents loved you before, and they'll love you again.”
He’d said some variation of that a number of times. I took a shaky breath. “Okay.”
“Dear, you look lovely,” Maria said.
I managed to smile in return, although the butterflies in my belly were not the good kind. Right now, they felt like rats scurrying about instead of the pleasant nervous sensation I got whenever Joe gave me a look.
“Thank you. It's really good to see you again.” I looked over toward Joe’s dad, making sure to encompass him in my smile.
“Have a seat. I've already got dinner ready. It's Joey Jr’s favorite, and Joey said you would like it.” She gestured to the table. “It’s a spaghetti meatball casserole. He likes when I cook it in a pan, so he can slice it,” she offered with a little chuckle as she glanced through the archway to Joey, who was in the living room currently watching a cartoon on the television.
“It looks like some work is happening on your family's home,” Joe’s father, John, commented.
I sat down at the table, and Joe sat beside me, sliding his palm onto my thigh under the table and giving my knee a reassuring squeeze. I tried to ignore his touch although it did feel good.
“Yep. We've been slowly getting everything taken care of. My brother Ian is replacing all the windows and sills, which is a lot of work,” I explained.
John arched his brows and nodded. “Those windows are ancient, not specifically on your house, but on any of those older houses. That's why I told Joe here it was smart to build new. He didn't buy an old house, just got the property and built a new place.”
“Definitely a smart move. We’re going to hire someone to repaint the whole place this summer. We thought about tearing off the old siding and replacing it, but then that runs into the regulations on whether it can be considered a historical home.”
Joe's mom clucked. “It's like ours. It's not as big as your place, but it’s added value to have that historical designation.”
“Don't I know. Just sanding off, I don't know thirty coats of paint over the centuries, will take some time,” I replied.
“Good for you. I'm glad you all are doing that. It’s a lovely home,” Maria offered.
Joey called over to Joe about his game, and Joe squeezed my knee. “I'll be back.”
His father followed him into the living room, leaving me alone in the kitchen with his mother. I braced myself. She didn’t waste any time.
“Do you talk to your father? You all have been through a lot these past few years, with your mother passing away and then what happened with your father. I’m very sorry about your mother.”
I took a breath and a swallow of the water she'd given me as I nodded.
“Definitely. I miss my mother. And…” Gah, I was nervous.
I took another breath, trying to keep my nerves calm.
“Look, I was young in high school, and I didn't really know what to do when my dad said I couldn't date Joe.
I didn't want to hurt Joe, and I'm so sorry.
I'm sure you think…” I paused and collected my thoughts.
“Well, I don't know what you think. My dad was not a nice man then, and he's not a nice man now. I’m really sorry.”
Joe's mom was in the middle of checking on the casserole in the oven.
She closed the oven door quickly before turning to face me.
Her eyes were warm, and I felt a little bit of relief slide through me.
“It's okay. Joe was heartbroken, but you were just a girl.
For what it's worth, there's something to be said for respecting your parents even if what he asked of you wasn't the right thing.
You were young, and this is a small town.
I don't have any idea how you could have tried to sneak around after that.” She rolled her eyes.
“I'm definitely glad you two found each other again, though. Joe is very happy. How did it go with Joey this weekend so far?”
“Okay, I think. He's a good boy.”
She smiled. “Most of the time. I'm sure he's on his best behavior. He was very excited to meet you. He knows his dad loves you.”
“How do you feel about it?” I asked.
She crossed the kitchen and rested her hand on my shoulder. “Joe loves you. This isn't too soon. It's been months now, and it's not like you two are new to each other. You're the first woman he's introduced to Joey, so I hope you understand how much that means.”
Holy hell. No pressure or anything. I nodded. “I do.”
She gave my shoulder another squeeze before stepping back, and I helped her prep the salad. I started to relax until she commented, “Joey has been wanting a little brother or sister. Maybe after you and Joe move on to getting married first. That'll be exciting for him.”
She said this the way people who could have children spoke, calmly and as if it was an expectation.
Fuck. I hoped my expression didn't show my panic. My stomach tightened into a painful knot instantly, and I took a breath, managing to nod and make a noncommittal noise.
“Do you want children?” she pressed.
“Oh, yes,” I said quickly because that was the truth. I just had no idea how she would feel if she knew I couldn't have children.