The smart-ass Jensen smirked because of our history. Maybe I hadn't been confident enough to proposition him at first, but after embracing the sexual side of myself, I'd been making up for it-not something I needed to share with my brother.
Then Jensen crossed his arms over his chest, squaring off against Martin. "We gonna have a problem with this? You plan on taking a swing at me like you did Axl?"
"Different sitch, man." He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his cargo pants.
"What are you doing here? A warning you were on your way would've been nice."
"Three and a half months is too long to be gone, man. Verily and I had to hit Sweden to see her family. Made me miss my family, so I jetted home after a couple of days. She's staying there another month at least."
"Look, it didn't even cross my mind with everything that's been going on to find another place to live. I thought I had time."
Martin's jaw dropped. "What have you been doin', Ro? You've had all summer!"
"I like it here. As a matter of fact, I decided to talk to Bob about renting one of the empty units on the first floor."
"No," Jensen said. "Those units are spoken for."
"How would you know that?" I pinned him with a look. "This isn't an attempt-"
"We'll talk about it later. The most pressing issue is, where is Martin staying? There's no room here for all three of you."
"I'll crash with you, Lund."
I burst out laughing. "He'd kill you, bro. Jens is a neat freak, and you are a slob."
"Guess that answers the question of whether you're moving in with him long-term," Martin retorted.
"You haven't lived with me for years," I reminded him. "I had to clean this place after we moved in, so I know-"
Jensen made the time-out sign when Martin and I continued to bicker. "Enough. I've got a sister, so I know that an argument can go on for hours. Martin, it makes the most sense that you crash at my place. But you absolutely cannot smoke in my apartment. Gotta have that promise."
"No problem, man. I cut way back when I was in Europe anyway."
Jensen and I exchanged a quick look; later we'd discuss what "cut way back" meant in Martin-speak.
"Oh no, heck no. You two are doin' the ‘we're a couple and we have our own secret communication looks' and that is not cool. It feels like I stepped into the X-Men world where the time line is totally screwed up."
"That's not even the best way we communicate."
I was too far away to smack Jensen for that comment. The timer went off on my watch and I was officially late getting back to work. "I have to go." I snatched up my ruined blouse on the way past to my bedroom.
Jensen cornered me. "Truth time, Coach. Are you really all right?"
"I wish there had been a better way for Martin to find out we're involved instead of seeing me bouncing on you half-naked."
"It could've been worse." He kissed me with sweet possession. Then he eased off. "Talia is bringing Calder home?"
"Yes, but they've been going straight to swimming lessons. Calder will be pumped to see his uncle, but that'll have to wait."
"Got it."
"I may have to work late to make up for-"
He placed his mouth on mine again. "I know. I'll take care of him. Don't worry."
And I wouldn't.
I'd never felt so confident in two little words when it came to my son.
• • •
JENSEN
Within ten minutes of Rowan's departure, Martin and I were at my place playing GTA.
"You look spooked, Martin."
"I am. It's just . . . weird. This doesn't even look like your apartment anymore, Jens. Calder's LEGOs are on the kitchen table. You've got throw pillows on this couch. And a candle on the end table." He pointed at the wall. "What is that?"
"It's a puzzle Calder and I put together and had framed."
"No, dude, what is the image supposed to be?"
"Dogs doing ballet. Hey, it's cute. It'll go perfectly with the dogs-baking-cupcakes puzzle we're currently working on."
He snickered. "I see my nephew has worked his magic on you."
"Yeah. He's a great kid."
"So you and Rowan . . ." He shook his head. "Never saw that one coming."
"It's not a casual thing with us."
"I picked up on that. And lucky for you that you're not dicking her around or else I might do something crazy like this." He blew up a Corvette on the screen and gave me an evil, non-Martin smile.
"Understood." I got sucked into the game for a bit before I said, "Why didn't you tell me about her? Or Calder?"
He shrugged. "They never came over here."