^ The decking for Brunch

***

I wake in Austin's arms and look into his Hazel eyes. "Can you put me down?" I touch his face and feel the stubble.

He puts me on my feet. "Is that better, sweetheart?"

I nod. "Thanks."

Austin wraps his arms around me and leads me into the house.

As we step into the house, the front door is unlocked. My parents are in the lounge room with my sister and her fiancé.

Mum frowns. "You need to apologise."

I shake my head. "Nah, I'm not. I've always taken the high road when it comes to you, and it's unfair that I continue down that road. The truth hurts, Mum, and you'll get over it." I turn to my sister. "And you two are idiots for organising a Wedding and expecting your exes to ruin it for you. Are you both stupid?"

Austin drops his arms from around me. "I'll be upstairs." He kisses my cheek and excuses himself from the room.

Ah, intelligent man. That one.

I watch him walk up the stairs. His jeans fit him perfectly, and I can't take my eyes off his arse.

Snap out of it, Valentina.

My sister smiles. " You're in love with him."

I don't know if I am.

I shrug.

James shakes his head. "You were never like that with me. It is special what you've got going on with the guy that looks like a male escort."

I frown. "Shut up!"

James moves towards me and pulls a piece of hair behind my ear. "I'll always love you, Val. When I fuck your sister, I picture you."

I shove James and he falls onto his arse.

Liane jumps off the seat and runs to her fiancé. "What the hell is wrong with you, Valentina?"

I frown at them. "How much has James had to drink?"

Mum looks over. "He's had an entire bottle of red."

I nod. "Keep James away from me for the rest of the time I'm here, please."

I run upstairs and into my bedroom. I grab my things to have a shower, and I enter the bathroom. Austin steps out of the shower bare-faced.

My mouth drops open.

He smirks. "Do you like what you see?"

I nod. "Yeah, very much."

He wraps a towel around his toned body, and I can still see the V line around the towel. He towers over me and whispers. "I'm glad you like it." Austin pulls away and exits the bathroom.

Cocky son of a bitch!

I turn the water on and sit on the ground.

I feel exhausted being around my family. It feels like I'm carrying the world's weight with the secret I've been carrying since I left my family.

When the water runs cold, I step out of the shower and dry my hair. I pull on my pyjamas and step into the bedroom. Austin is lying on the bed, and he looks over at me. "Are you going to join me? I'm lonely in this big bed by myself."

I climb into the bed next to him.

He pulls me into his arms and kisses my head. "Goodnight, sweetheart."

***

Austin and I climb out of bed and prepare for a fun family day. He pulls on his shorts and looks at me. "What does family fun day consist of?"

I laugh. "Sun, beer, football, family and friends."

Austin kicks his leg up in the air and claps his hands. "That sounds like FUN!" He throws his hand in the air.

I laugh.

He winks at me. "I'll see you at breakfast. Don't go crazy down there like you did at dinner and last night."

I shake my head. "We'll see, Romeo."

He exits the room, and I finish getting ready for brunch.

***

When I go downstairs for brunch, I find my family sitting on the decking. There's a spare seat next to Austin and James. My family never listens to me.

I whisper. "Can you sit next to James?"

Austin shakes his head. "Sit on my lap." He pulls his chair out, and I sit on it. "Are you comfy?"

I smile. "Yeah."

I take some food from Austin's plate.

He slaps my hand away.

I feed him in front of my family.

Austin kisses me, and I wrap my hands around his neck. He moves my hand down my back and rests it on my arse. He tastes like mint toothpaste.

We pull away, breathing hard.

Mum stands. "Valentina, if you keep acting like a selfish bitch I'm going to ask you to leave."

I smile. "Good, cause I can't stand the sight of any of you."

Mum frowns. "What's gotten into you?"

I climb onto the table and kick the food off. "Now I have your attention. You want to know why I haven't returned here in eight years?"

"Yes," I hear chorused around the table.

I look at Austin.

He seems to be my anchor.

I take a breath. "I had a miscarriage, and I didn't want to be around everyone that reminds me of what I lost."

James stands, and his chair falls on the ground. "Why, didn't you tell us?"

I lean over, and the tears fall freely. "You were cheating on me with my sister. I found the texts on your phone that morning. I needed you at home that night, and you weren't there for me. When I got released from the hospital, I left you."

Austin stands and pulls me into his arms. "I'm sorry," he whispers. Austin helps me off the table and whisks me out for brunch.

The limo is parked in front of the house, and the driver opens the door for us. Austin climbs in and settles me on his lap. "Where do you want to go?"

"The beach."

The driver pulls onto the road and heads towards the beach.

I wipe away the tears. "You shouldn't see me like this, Austin. I'm a mess."

He uses his thumb to wipe away some tears still streaking down my face. "I know how it feels to lose a child. My ex and child died at the table when she was giving birth." His eyes glisten with unshed tears.

I kiss his cheek. "I'm sorry, Austin."

The limo pulls into the beach's parking lot, and we leave the car. We walk to the boardwalk and walk along it. Austin keeps his hand in mine as we walk around.

There's an ice cream place in front of us. "Do you want ice cream?"

I nod. "Yes, please."

We run to the shop and look at the different flavours. I find my favourite, and the guy behind the counter says. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have the bubblegum, please."

"And a chocolate chip for me," Austin adds.

The guy scoops our ice cream, and I take both while Austin pays.

I lick mine.

Austin smiles, and his lips touch mine, licking off the ice cream I have on them. "Hmm, it tastes better on your lips, sweetheart. I'll let you eat mine."

I pout. "Are you trying to fatten me up?"

He shakes his head. "I'd never do that."

I lick his chocolate chip and leave some on my lips. He licks his lips and moves closer to me. His tongue swipes against my lips, and he removes it.

He smirks. "I'd prefer it all over your body. We should try that one day."

I laugh.