Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
But just as Wells was about to respond, he saw a car pulling into Matty’s parents’ driveway, and then Matty’s father getting out. “Yeah, do that. I gotta go,” Wells said quickly before throwing his phone on the seat and getting out. He jogged down the driveway as Benedict helped Matty’s mom out of the car.
“Who told you it was a good idea to drink and ride the train?”
“Seth,” Thea Haverbrooke answered. “And then Matty and I had a few mimosas before I left this afternoon. Riding alone makes me nervous.”
Benedict rolled his eyes before turning and seeing Wells. His brows pulled together, and his face started turning red just as Wells held his hands up. “I didn’t come to fight.”
Benedict sputtered, “I don’t care if you came to give me a million dollars, you are not welcome here!”
Matty’s mom turned, facing Wells, and he could see every bit of Matty in her face. He might have his father’s eyes, but his face was his mom’s. She smiled as she held out her hand. “You must be Wells.”
Wells nodded. “Yes, ma’am. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
She beamed. “So polite. Please come in.”
“Thea! I said no.”
She glanced back at him. “And I said yes,” she refuted as she reached for Wells’s hand. “And since this is my home too, and my son’s boyfriend, I’m welcoming him in.”
Wells held his breath. He knew that Benedict was a dick, but he only gaped, nothing coming out of his mouth as Thea nodded, guiding Wells toward the house. She looked up at him. “Matty was right. You are handsome.”
Wells beamed. “Thank you.”
“You’re older, though?”
“Yes, I’m thirty-four.”
“Good, he needs someone a little older. He’s still somewhat immature,” she said with a wink.
Wells chuckled. “He’s good.”
“This isn’t okay, Thea,” Benedict said from behind them, but she ignored him as she opened the door, letting Wells go in before her.
“And I told you, I don’t care how you feel about this. This is our son’s boyfriend, so we will welcome him.”
Wells waited, looking around the immaculate home that was decorated like something out of the Victorian era. Vintage furniture was everywhere, but what caught Wells’s gaze was the huge oil painting of the whole Haverbrooke family. He saw Matty first. Standing tall and sweet beside Avery, mirroring her as he grinned widely. A smile graced Wells’s lips as he glanced back to where Thea held Benedict’s gaze heatedly. He remembered Matty telling him that his mom wasn’t one to stand up to his father, but she was doing just that, and he was pretty sure that Matty would be proud.
When Benedict looked away, she followed Wells inside before smiling. “Let’s go to the tea room.”
Together, they started through the house as she shot off directions, but when she paused, Wells looked back to where she had stopped as she bit out, “Benedict, I’d love for you to join us.”
He glared. “I don’t like tea, and I don’t like him.”
“Then we’ll have a shot of vodka or brandy. Whatever your heart desires. Plus, you don’t know him.”
“I know he made my son gay!”
Thea rolled her eyes. “The man didn’t make our boy gay. He’s been gay! This isn’t the first man Matty has been with. Now please, come on.” Her words were like a slap to Benedict’s face, his eyes almost coming out of his head.
“Thea!”
“What? Benny, Matthew was gay the moment he came out of me. It’s no one’s fault. It’s who he is. Now please, come.” He still didn’t move as she turned to Wells. “I’ve heard just all sorts of great things about you.”
He was going to love this woman. That was obvious.
“Drinking makes me a bit chatty,” she confessed.
They shared a grin. “I think it’s awesome.”
She patted his hand once more. “So does everyone except Benny.”
Entering the tea room, Wells pulled out Thea’s chair as Benedict barked at the butler who was setting the tea service on the table. “Bring the TV out. NHL channel, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, at least he said please,” Thea commented as Wells sat down. Benedict did the same, glaring at Wells. If looks could kill, he’d be dead. Ignoring him, Wells smiled over at Thea. “Thank you for welcoming me.”
She waved him off. “Of course. I was just with Matty yesterday and this morning. He adores you a lot.”
“I feel the same for him.”
“It’s not right,” Benedict added, and Thea rolled his eyes.
“Why isn’t it right?”
“He wasn’t raised that way, nor is it in God’s word.”
“Oh goodness, because we’re so godly around here? Avery got knocked up at eighteen, before she was married, mind you, and the world didn’t end.”
“I wasn’t happy.”
“No, it wasn’t what our plan was for her, but she’s doing excellent. Jace is perfect to her and that sweet baby of theirs. How do we know this man isn’t the same?”