Anyway, Ma likes us all better when we’re fresh-shaven. And when Ma’s happy, there’s usually pie. So it’s win-win.
Cannon lived in New York since college. Jude spent most of his adult life playing football in Iowa. They both only recently moved back here to Crescent Harbor. Though we never see eye-to-eye, it’s been great to have my brothers around now that they’ve come back home. Yet, I still feel this hole that Eli left.
Eli and I used to be the closest. It drove Cannon crazy with jealousy growing up, especially since on the surface, Cannon and Eli have much more in common, namely their mutual interest in the business world.
Mom always attributed our closeness to our astrology signs, but I can’t say I put all that much thought into it. Eli was just the little brother who didn’t drive me quite as crazy as the other two suckers. He'd give me a hand around the farm whenever I needed it. I helped him when he was renovating his house. We had beers together every Thursday night.
I can’t help but resent him for screwing up his whole damn life. For getting his ass thrown in jail. For breaking up his happy little family. For ditching me.
Even though she doesn’t talk about it much, I know how much this all bothers Ma. She wants to see her boys together every week for dinner. Or at the very least, for holidays. I heard my little brother didn't even manage to get a turkey sandwich in jail last Thanksgiving, while the rest of us feasted until we had to loosen our belts.
It sucks.
I hate knowing he’s in there, all alone, while we’re out here living it up. But I’m still pissed as hell at him.
“Earth to Walker,” I hear from my left. I glance over at Cannon where he’s sitting in his styling chair with his wet ends dripping down all around his shoulders. “Jude wants to know how your sperm count is looking.” Cannon chuffs.
I shoot Jude a glare. “Why? Is your woman looking for a specimen donation from the best-looking Kingston? She’s gonna need to get in line. My swimmers are in high demand.”
“You better watch it,” Jude threatens, his shoulders squaring for a fight, and I know he means it. That guy is fiercely protective of Iris. I can tell he’s just itching to pop the question to her and make it official. As far as I’m concerned, they’re practically married already anyway.
“So, in all seriousness, when’s the big day?” Cannon asks. “When do you go in for your sperm dump?”
Shit—did he really just bring that up? I throw a glance at Dad. I haven't discussed the sperm donation thing with him and Mom yet. But from the expression he sends me, it's clear that my brothers have already filled him in. I'm pretty confident that Ma doesn't know, though, because she wouldn't be subtle. She'd be stirring up all kinds of trouble all over town, meddling and probing and giving unsolicited advice.
Anyway, Cannon is still looking at me, waiting for my response.
“Soon, I guess.” I shrug uninterestedly, as if it all means nothing to me.
I’m lying my ass off.
I know all about the tests they’re running to ensure the procedure takes place in the most opportune window. I know about the hormone pills Penny’s been popping religiously. I know about the risks, the statistics, the potential timelines. I’ve consumed all the medical literature my friend has shared with me and I’ve done some research of my own. I got three separate STD tests just to make sure that the only thing I transmit to her is a cupful of the healthiest swimmers around.
I’m invested. More than I’d ever admit to being.
“What’s the hold up, man? They still waiting for you to man up and find your balls?” Jude cackles at his cheap one-liner.
I really don’t want to get into details with these guys. It’s personal. It’s sacred. And, I hate that my brothers think this is a joke.
But that’s the thing with Penny being best friends with my sisters-in-law. That gang of girls talks so much. Each and every one of them, Penn included. There’s no way to keep private information from trickling down to my brothers.
“You’ve got to see this for what it is, right?” Jude pipes up again. “This is like some fucked up movie. You've been in love with the girl your whole life, and now, you’re just gonna jizz in a cup for her? Fucking hell! Claim the woman already!”
I take a glance around the room. Clinton's got his head down, diligently focused on my haircut. His other barbers follow his lead.
Gramps could care less about this conversation. He sits in a chair with his fresh haircut, arms folded tightly as he stares straight ahead and frowns.
Dad, on the other hand? He glances at me but again, says nothing. Still, his narrowed eyes tell me that he has one hell of an opinion on the matter and I'll get an earful of it the minute we have some privacy.
Cannon's face goes serious. He furrows his brows. "You're more than your specimen, bro. You're more than some awesome Kingston genes to pass on to a kid you'll never get to take to soccer practice or teach how to drive a car. You're a great guy. I don't understand why you'd settle for this."
They just don’t get it.
I've always had a hard time making friends. A lot of the time, I just don't give sufficient fucks to sustain a friendship. But with Penny, our connection was instant. The moment I stretched out that half tuna sandwich to her, the second she grinned that missing-toothed, freckle-faced grin at me, I knew I wanted her to be my friend forever.
Everything is easy between us. It always has been.
I'm a complicated guy. I know that. Yet, Penny gets me. Always. It's borderline weird. I’m not risking that. I won't lose that once-in-a-lifetime connection just to get my dick wet.
“You know Penny is super independent. She’s not the kind of woman who needs a man to have a child. If
