Austin & Beth by Emma Clark Page B

because you think she's too old ? What the fuck?" He wildly gestured to me.
    "Watch your goddamn language," Joe said.
    "I'll watch my goddamn language after you explain this to me. What makes you think you can control your wife?"
    "Careful, Son. I'm the one paying your college tuition."
    "Oh, okay. Now you're gonna use your wallet as a weapon. That's just like you, Dad. It really is. It's how you operate and you never disappoint." Austin's mouth spread to an amused, nonchalant grin.
    "Did you hear what I said?" Joe shouted, half-astonished.
    "Yes Dad, I heard you." Austin got in Joe's face. "And—now I want you to hear me . You will not control your wife. You will not dictate what music she can or can't listen to. Got it? Don't be a dick to Beth. She doesn't deserve it."
    Joe grunted. "Is that so? How do you know so much about Beth? Huh?"
    I froze. Gooseflesh trailed my spine.
    "For Christ's sake! We spent three years living under the same roof. Besides, anyone who knows Beth can plainly see what a great, caring person she is. But I guess someone as blind as you wouldn't notice."
    "A little too invested in Beth, aren't you? Why is that?" Joe's frown deepened his facial creases. He stroked his bristly chin with two fingers.
    Undeterred, Austin sustained eye contact and spoke slowly to emphasize his point. "Listen Dad. I'm not too invested in Beth or her happiness. I only want you to get along. I care about both of you. I want to see both of you happy, and if Beth's not happy, then you're not going to be. At least—I wouldn't think so. Right?"
    "Mm-hm." Suspicion clouded Joe's features; then he wagged his head and retreated. Diminishing footsteps pounded the hallway.
    Austin regarded me with a satisfied smirk. "Don't listen to him. You're not too old to listen to Britney Spears." He switched on the CD player. "And to me, you look like you're eighteen... except you're much prettier than any eighteen-year-old girl I know."
    He flashed a sexy wink. Narrow hips suggestively swiveled as he strutted off, ass cheeks nice and firm under his white jeans.
    Awash with feelings ranging from desire to fury, I gaped after him and clasped my hands below my gut.
    It wasn't the first time Austin had defended me. It probably wouldn't be the last. He'd been blessed with an endearing, charming, protective nature. To know him—truly was to love him.
    Along with that hot, tight ass.
    Emily punted, snapping me to the present. All this frenzied movement from a tiny girl produced by immaculate conception.
    Heh, some immaculate conception .
    I'd tried to get pregnant since the beginning, and Joe and I got married three years ago. We got along during the first two years, but months before I conceived, Joe and I began to drift apart.
    After I became pregnant, Joe distanced himself further—as if suspecting the truth about my baby's paternity. How the hell could he know? Was there some indication in my eyes or mannerism that betrayed the secret?
    Someday I might have to confess. I dreaded it. That'd be the day our marriage would officially end, and the thought of such a change terrified me. Conversely, some changes were good.
    Maybe this change would be good. Scary, yes, but good...?
    Damn, I gotta stop thinking about this shit. Seriously. It's fucking with my head.
    Furthermore, I refused to face the possibility that Joe and I were never right for each other.
    Not even from the beginning.

3. Temptation
    O n December the twenty-third I wanted to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. Yeah, way last-minute. I allowed this shit to happen every single year.
    As the younger generation would say: 'facepalm.'
    Joe left for work earlier (crap factory job). His holiday break wouldn't start until tomorrow, which majorly pissed him off. For a change I didn't blame him.
    I needed to get a gift for Austin. But I didn't ask what he wanted because he'd only say, "I dunno. It doesn't matter. Get me whatever you want."
    Plus I didn't really want to talk to Austin.