The Half of Us (Family 4)

“Is she watching your son?”

“Donny’s sleeping over at a friend’s house, which is good because he says he’s too old for a sitter and he refuses to answer to his sister.”

“He’s thirteen?” Abe asked.

“Yes. His birthday’s in September. The 29th.”

Abe nodded but wasn’t sure what else to say. It seemed he wasn’t alone in that condition, because the table fell silent.

After a couple of minutes, Angela leaned forward and said, “Abe.” She paused. “I can call you Abe, right? Because now that you’re part of the family, Mr. Green would be weird.”

Bracing himself for Jason to dispute that statement or otherwise react unfavorably, Abe tensed, but when nobody spoke, he regained his composure and said, “Yes, please call me Abe.”

“Abe, I agree with your suggestion about starting the new schedule once school gets out.” She looked at Jason. “And every other week is fine with me.” She cleared her throat. “What’s your plan for introducing the children to Abe?”

“I hadn’t thought about it,” Jason said.

With a shake of her head, Angela turned to Abe.

“How about this?” Abe said to Jason. “We’ll pick an evening for them to come over. I won’t be there, so you can talk to them privately. And then when you’re ready for me to come home, you can text me. I’ll pick up pizza and ice cream.”

“Food bribery. I like it,” Angela said. “Next Saturday?”

Abe looked at Jason. “Jase?”

“It’s a good plan.” He wrapped his arm around Abe’s back and squeezed his nape affectionately. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Abe met Jason’s gaze and smiled at him. “I’m glad you’re letting me do this.”

“I’m glad you want to.” He leaned closer and whispered, “I’m not sure I could handle it alone.”

“You could,” Abe assured him, tipping his head to the side and brushing it against Jason’s shoulder. “But you won’t have to.”

Jason wouldn’t be alone if it was up to Abe. Neither of them would.

Chapter 13

IMPLEMENTATION OF Abe’s plan had gone about as expected. Kristen had been excited beyond words that Abe would be a bigger part of her life, and Donny had essentially ignored everyone and everything they said.

The week that followed had been busy with Jason acclimating to having the children around for a longer period of time, the kids learning the ropes at the activities and classes they were attending for the summer, and Abe trying to make everyone comfortable with the new arrangement. By the time the kids left for their week at Angela’s house, Jason was exhausted, ready for a break, and worried about Abe. Changing everything about his life for his own children was hard enough; no way would he do it for someone else’s kids. And he worried Abe would come to the same conclusion and decide the hassle wasn’t worthwhile.

But, remarkably, Abe hadn’t complained at all, and now it was Friday and they were embarking on another week with the kids. Because Abe was off work for the summer, he had done the majority of the driving and picking up the last time they’d had the kids. He said he’d be able to do it again, but he suggested that Jason pick them up the first day and have some time alone with them in case there was anything they wanted to talk about with just him.

So Jason forced himself to roll out of bed before the sun rose, wanting to go into work early to make up for the time he’d lose at the end of the day. He inadvertently moved the comforter when he got up, leaving Abe exposed to the cool air in the room, so he took hold of it and turned back to the bed, intending to cover Abe. The sight that greeted him—Abe lying facedown, his arms curled underneath him, completely nude—made him lose focus on his plan.

Before he consciously realized what he was doing, Jason climbed back onto the bed and blanketed Abe’s nude body with his own, needing the skin-to-skin contact. The scent of Abe’s skin predictably turned him on, and he began laying openmouthed kisses across his shoulder blades and nape.

“Mmm, Jase,” Abe moaned. He raised his head without opening his eyes, and Jason skated his lips over Abe’s cheek and eyebrow.

“Good morning, baby.”

Abe smiled and thickly mumbled, “Good morning.” He straightened his right arm, reached back, and ran his palm over Jason’s hip. “You feel good.”

Flicking his tongue over Abe’s skin with every kiss, Jason continued worshiping the smooth, warm body beneath him as he blindly reached toward the nightstand. “Sorry for waking you,” he said as he grabbed the condoms.

“That’s okay.” Abe leaned up and turned his face, meeting Jason’s lips for a kiss. “I can sleep more after you go to work.”

“What do you have going on today?” Jason planted his left hand on the bed, pushed himself up, and ripped the condom wrapper open with his teeth.