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After grabbing my clothes, I walk over to her, setting them on the bed as I slowly start to get dressed. Quietly, because I don't want to upset her and I don't want her to think I'm only saying it for me, I say, “Sex is still an option, Audra.”
As I slip on my t-shirt, the final piece of clothing, she drops her hands into her lap. “I don't want to. Big difference in being horny and actually feeling like having sex.”
“Okay.”
Audra scoots over to the edge of the bed and sits so her legs are dangling off. She reaches for me, pulling me closer as she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head on my chest. “I need to change, but I wanted to give you a hug first.”
“Why?”
“Well, I was in here because your bed is so ridiculously comfy and I wanted to relax before we left. But...” she drags, looking up at me with a smile. “I think I could use a back massage later. A hug might soften you up since I'm really only asking because I want one. Not because my back is hurting.”
“Hmm,” I hum, pretending to think about it. “We'll see how I feel after dinner.”
“Okay,” she nods.
Audra gently pushes me away so she can stand. She's about to walk off, but I grab her hand, feeling the urge to state the obvious. “I'm kidding, babe. You know I will.”
“I know,” she winks.
I roll my eyes as she goes to change. When she's finally ready, we walk out of the house, hand and hand, and leave for the restaurant. Audra's parents are already there and waiting when we arrive. I watch as they hug their daughter, smile, and then her mother hugs me before her father shakes my hand. Before we can sit, my parents walk in. Mom hugs me, but they shake everyone else's hand during introductions. I try to figure out if Mom was right about Dad as we all take a seat.
The waitress holds off conversation for a few minutes as we order drinks and look over our menus for what we want for dinner. Mr. Garcia seems like the take charge kind of guy, so it doesn't surprise me when he speaks first.
“Thank you for coming. We wanted to meet you since we're all going to be connected with this baby. My wife and I thought it would be nice to know you.”
“Yes, you're right,” my mother starts, but my dad cuts her off early.
“I'm surprised the Lanier's aren't here too,” he says dryly.
And there it is. Audra's parents look confused as my mother chides him. It takes everything in me not to sigh.
“Who are they? Why should they be here?” Mrs. Garcia asks, looking between me and my father.
“Oh? Neil hasn't told you?” he says.
“Excuse me, Mr. Lawson,” Audra starts, quite frankly surprising me by saying anything at all. Her stare is as cold as the weather outside as she bores her gaze into him. “But that is Neil's to tell. Not yours. If you don't want to be here, then leave.”
“Audra,” Mrs. Garcia begins, probably about to chide her daughter.
“No,” I interrupt. “Sorry, Mrs. Garcia, but Audra's right.” I turn to look at my parents. “We're not here to focus on our problems, which Mom assured me were no longer issues. So, if you don't want to know the other half of my daughter's family, then leave.” Facing my mother, I add, “If you want to stay, you can. You can sleep at the house and I'll take you home in the morning.” This is fucking ridiculous. One simple dinner, people. That's all they wanted. I feel Audra's fingers slip between mine while we wait for an answer.
Dad finally shakes his head after what seems like forever. “Okay, I apologize, son, and to you as well,” he finishes looking at Audra and her family.
“Thank you,” Audra says. “Neil said you two own a realtor company?”
That starts our parents discussing their businesses for a while. Turns out, Audra's parents are looking to open another restaurant and my parents may be able to help them look for a place. We're about midway through our meal before talk turns to hockey, thanks to my dad.
“Are you still going to pursue the NHL, Neil? There's no need in keeping your agent if you aren't.”
“Agent? What is he talking about?” Audra asks.
“Neil could be signed this year to play with the NHL. He has an agent who will hopefully be working on a contract in a few months. There's no telling where in the States or in Canada he'll end up. If he pursues it, that is.”
At the mention of other places, Audra absentmindedly starts caressing her belly. Thanks a lot, Dad. “I don't know what I'm going to do yet,” I answer quietly. “I don't know what I want.” I turn to Audra. “That's why I haven't mentioned it to you yet. I haven't figured out what I want.”
She's not happy if the frown on her face is any indication. “That might be a good reason to talk to me, Neil,” she says softly. “We can discuss it later, though.”
“Have you figured out a middle name yet?” Mom asks to change the subject.
