Harmless(61)

"Okay then. I need to get Liam changed, but then we'll be heading that way."

"Perfect. And Roan?"

"Hmm?"

"I fully intend to make out with you while you're here."

A soft growl was Roan's only response before the man started mumbling to Liam.

Seg lowered himself to the edge of his bed as he listened to Roan's voice. He couldn't remember ever feeling this off-balance over the fact that someone was coming over. He'd always figured he simply hadn't met the right woman, but now he knew what it really was. Seg had been waiting for a man. 

This man.

"See you in a bit."

"We'll be here."

An hour and a half later, Seg was sitting on the couch, flipping through the channels on the television. It was that or pace the floor. He knew he'd get shit from his mother if he did the latter, so he settled for glancing over at the front door every few seconds. Thankfully, she was still in the kitchen working her culinary magic while he slowly went out of his mind.

They'd spent the first thirty minutes getting the portable crib set up and going through the baby books he'd purchased. She'd gone a little nuts when she found the blankets and sheets but no laundry detergent to wash them. Apparently, babies had a special detergent, and the next thing Seg knew, he'd been on a grocery store run to get the detergent. When he returned, he found that his mother had opened all the packages and had the washing machine loaded and ready to go.

When the knock sounded, Seg's heart slammed into his sternum and he inhaled sharply. He knew he shouldn't be nervous about seeing Roan, but he couldn't help it. Taking a deep breath, he pushed up off the couch and went to the door.

He brushed his hand down over his shirt, smoothing it out before gripping the knob and pulling it open. The instant he saw Roan, his heart skipped another beat.

Yeah, it was safe to say he was in over his head with this one. Way over his head.

Roan lifted an eyebrow and smiled. A strange warmth filled Seg's insides.

"Invite me in," Roan whispered, still grinning.

"Right." Seg stepped out of the way, allowing room for Roan to pass, taking the diaper bag from his arm as he did.

When Roan set the car seat down, Seg instantly leaned over to greet Liam, unbuckling the straps.

"Can I pick him up?" Seg whispered, peering up at Roan.

Roan nodded.

The little boy was snoozing, but Seg gently took him out of the carrier, then settled Liam into his arm and took a moment to drink in the sight of him. Yeah, he'd missed the little boy, too. He wasn't sure he'd ever really envisioned himself having children-he'd wanted them, yes, but had never gotten to the point of thinking it could really happen-but with Liam, there was an instant connection. He even imagined teaching the little guy how to play hockey one day.

"I'm nervous," Roan said, pulling Seg's attention away from Liam.

"Don't be. She's harmless," he told him. "Really."

"I think you've used that term to describe yourself, too." Roan smiled. "I'm not sure you know the meaning of it."

Seg laughed, then motioned with his head for Roan to follow him.

It was clear that his mother was doing her best not to race over to them when Seg entered the kitchen. Deb was making every effort to play it cool, but that was one thing his mother had never mastered. She turned, her eyes taking in Roan first, then dropping to the baby Seg held in his arms.

"Ma, this is Roan." Seg tilted his head toward Roan. "And this is Roan's son, Liam. Roan, this is my mother, Debra Seguine."

It was interesting to watch the way her smile slowly spread across her face. Her eyes brightened, and Seg was almost certain she was going to cry, but then Deb spoke.

"It's great to meet you, Roan." She moved closer, then lowered her voice as she pulled back the blanket that was covering Liam. "And you, too, Liam." Her eyes lifted to Seg's and another smile tilted her lips.

Seg cleared his throat, not sure what to say. Except for the one girl he'd dated in high school, this was the first time Seg had ever introduced his mother to anyone.




 

 

"Dinner will be ready in about half an hour. Why don't you boys go in the living room."

Seg nodded.

Deb glanced over at Roan. "But you let me know the minute Liam's awake."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, poo. Call me Deb."

Roan laughed. "Yes, ma'am."

Deb chuckled, then turned around to go back to what she was doing.

And that's when it sank in.

Seg had officially introduced his mother to  …  the man he loved.



ROAN FELT LIKE HE WAS in the principal's office waiting to have a conversation about something he'd done.

No, he had no reason to fear Seg's mother, but still. He couldn't seem to relax, no matter how hard he tried. From his spot on the couch, he could hear her moving around the kitchen, and he waited on pins and needles for her to pop her head out and ask him something. It would likely be a question he wouldn't know the answer to. That's the way it worked for him. Then again, she could ask him how old he was and Roan wasn't sure he could come up with the answer. His nerves had successfully fried his brain cells.