Page 77 of Before It's Too Late

“Mom, don’t,” Zach muttered, covering his mouth.

“Why?” Zach’s grandmother asked. “What happened to that pretty girl you were going to marry? Why isn’t she helping?”

“Megan broke up with me, Abuela.”

“Lita. Lita,” Taylor said, oblivious to the conversation.

Cael set Taylor on her feet, and she ran to Amy. Alex scooped her up and set her in Amy’s lap, then stood, turning toward Cael. “Cael, can I get your help for a minute inside?”

“You bet.”

Zach watched discreetly as Cael followed his dad back into the house.

“Good riddance,” his grandfather grumbled. “You really should find different friends, Zach.”

Zach’s jaw tensed as he clenched his fists beneath the table. “Cael’s my best friend.”

“I don’t like the idea of him being around my great-granddaughter.”

“Cael adores Taylor, Alejandro,” Zach’s mom interjected. “And she adores him.”

Zach pressed his lips together, giving him mom a frustrated but grateful smile.

“Well, I don’t like it,” his grandfather spat.

“I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but it’s not up to you,” Zach replied, forcing himself to keep calm.

“What your grandfather is trying to say is, you’re never going to find yourself a nice, young lady if you spend all your time with Cael.”

“I have other priorities right now, Abuela. I’m focused on taking care of Taylor and managing things for Abbey until she comes home. I don’t have time for dating.”

Christ, the thought of actually having to date again left a sour taste in his mouth. He hated dating. Hated meeting new people, going out places. Thankfully, Zach didn’t have to worry about that ever again.

Zach saw movement out of the corner of his eye and looked up, catching a glimpse of Cael and his dad through the sliding glass door with plates of food in their hands. Cael slid the door open for Alex and they both stepped out, Cael closing the door behind them.

“Oh, mijo, there’s always time for dating. How else are you ever going to start a family?”

“Food’s up,” Alex proclaimed. He and Cael set down several partitioned dishes loaded with carnitas, cheese, diced tomatoes, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and homemade refried beans on the large round teakwood table. “Be right back with plates and shells.”

“Mom, would you like some more iced tea,” Cael asked, reaching toward her nearly empty glass.

“Yes, thanks, honey,” she answered, smiling up at him as Cael picked up her glass.

“Mrs. Rivas, anything I can get you?” Cael asked.

“A Sprite please. Thank you.” Abuela’s answer was polite and direct, bordering on unfriendly, as if she were speaking to a waiter at some restaurant.

“Mr. Rivas, would you like something to drink?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Cael looked toward Zach, raising his brows. “Beer?”

“Yeah.”

Cael furrowed his brow. He did a sweeping glance around the table then mouthed the words, “You okay?”

Zach’s eyes flickered toward his grandparents, making sure their attention was elsewhere, and gave a quick nod.