Chapter 42

 

 

 

Afton

 

 

There is only one thing missing in my life right now.

Luke Jones.

Everyone I love is gathered around the dining room table in Joel and Nelson’s home. I did the cooking. I prepared a light summer meal that we could enjoy together as a family.

Nelson was just as surprised as I was when my parents showed up on his doorstep after work. I kept them busy in my apartment until then. My dad placed the last piece of the puzzle he dropped off months ago.

I snapped a picture of it and sent it to Luke.

His response was a thumbs-up.

“I’m up for a pretty big part,” Joel announces as he rises to his feet with a wineglass in his hand.

Nelson picks up his to join in his husband’s toast. I do the same, as do my parents.

“Afton isn’t even aware that I was called back for a second audition,” Joel tosses me a smirk.

I leave him to gloat as I catch my brother’s eye and smile.

“I took that on, and I’m proud to say I blew them away.” He blows a breath of air out from between pouted lips.

My dad takes to his feet too. “To our future Oscar winner.”

We all stand to raise our glasses, but Nelson clears his throat. “Joel, tell them.”

“You got it,” I blurt out. “Did they offer you the part?”

Nodding, he sighs. “Not officially, but my agent says from what he’s heard, it’s mine if I want it.”

“Oh, dear.” My mom bursts into tears. “It’s good news all around today. Coming home was the best decision we could have made, Albert.”

“Wait.” Joel reaches a hand toward my brother. “I’ve decided to turn it down.”

The room goes silent.

My dad breaks that with the question perched on my lips. “Why the hell would you do that? We can all visit Ireland. I have a few friends there that would be glad to see us.”

Joel turns to us with tears in his eyes. “I have a more important role to play. We’re having a baby.”

I fall into my chair. “What?”

Nelson lowers his glass and rounds the table to take my brother in his arms. “Savannah is pregnant. She’s almost four months along. We wanted to be sure everything was good before we broke the news, and today our doctor gave the three of us the all clear.”

“Seven of us, “ Joel corrects him. “You need to include Savannah’s husband and their kids in that. They’re a part of our family now too.”

“A baby.” My mom claps her hands as tears stream down her cheeks. “Do we know if it’s…”

“A boy!” Nelson screams. “We’re having a son.”

A son. My brother and Joel are going to be dads.

“What’s his name?” My dad questions.  “Albert has a nice ring to it.”

Everyone laughs.

“We’ve got time to work that out.” Joel gazes up at Nelson. “It’ll be as special as our son will be.”

I sit and gaze at them, knowing that everything they’ve ever wanted is on their horizon. I have a feeling that everything I want is on mine too.

 

 

***

 

“You didn’t tell me what you thought of my decision.” Joel rubs a hand over my shoulder as he helps me put the leftovers in his fridge. “Trading in the role of a lifetime for the role of a dad.”

I turn to face him. “I think you’re doing what is best for you.”

“That role wasn’t it.” He laughs. “The director is a dick.”

“You left that out when you told me about the audition.”

“His true colors didn’t emerge until my second audition,” he points out. “Besides, I’m not ready to show my junk to the world.”

He accentuates that point by patting the front of his pants.

“You’re going to be the best dad in the world.”

Biting his bottom lip, he holds back tears. “I’m still going to act here in the city, and I’ll help you, but I want that dad experience. I want to be there for all of it, Afton. His first words, and first steps, and first everything. I don’t want to miss it.”

Joel grew up the same way I did. The only difference is that his family ran through nannies at breakneck speed.

He can’t recall all of their names.

“I’ll be available to babysit whenever you need it,” I offer.

“You’ll be too busy fucking the fireman,” he quips. “I can’t blame you. I caught a glimpse of him shirtless, and holy smokes. No pun intended.”

I laugh. “You saw him shirtless? When?”

“The other day.” He shrugs. “At the gym. I was going into the locker room and spotted him. Who knew we go to the same gym?”

“Who was he talking to?” I blurt out.

“Like I’m a spy.” Joel pushes my shoulder.

“You’re nosy,” I counter.

“Corrine,” he shoots her name out. “He was on the phone with someone named Corrine, but before you get all jealous on his ass, listen to me. He wasn’t having a good time. I could see that he was irritated. Irritated in that hot guy way.”

I ignore his attempt to change the subject. “Corrine is Brooklyn’s cousin.”

“The ex has a cousin who calls Luke?” Joel wags a finger in the air. “She needs to mind her own business. He’s moved on with you.”

“He has,” I say quietly.

“I thought Corinne was a Calvetti.” Joel reaches for my hands. “That’s why I didn’t think to mention it.”

“I don’t want him to get back together with his ex,” I say what’s in my heart. “I’m in love with him.”

“I know you are.” He smiles. “Luke doesn’t strike me as the type to run back to an ex. He told you he was over her, right?”

“He did say that.”

Joel crosses his arms over his chest. “Trust the man, Afton. Take him at his word. Besides, I’m pretty sure he hung up on Corrine, so that’s a good sign, right?”

“Right,” I say with way more conviction than I feel.