Page 78 of Before It's Too Late
“Alright, be right back then.”
Cael disappeared inside just as Zach’s dad returned with plastic plates and taco shells, as promised. Zach took Taylor and strapped her into her highchair as his dad passed out plates. Everyone but Zach began filling their tacos, even his mom who appeared to be doing quite well today despite her MS. At least that was a positive to being here right now.
“You let him call you Mom?” Abuelo scorned.
Zach’s mom didn’t miss a beat as she spooned pico de gallo into her first taco. “He’s like an adopted son, so yes, I do.”
“So you condone his lifestyle choice?”
“It’s not a choice, Abuelo,” Zach deadpanned.
Abuelo snorted derisively.
“Alejandro,” Mom said. “No one chooses who they’re attracted to or who they fall in love with.”
“It’s isn’t natural, if you ask me. And it’s disgusting, not to mention, a sin.”
Fucking hell. His grandfather was going to hate him, and probably his parents, if he ever found out the truth.
Zach looked up as the back door opened again. Cael stepped out with a glass of iced tea in one hand and a can of Sprite and a glass of ice in the other hand. Cael seemed to ignore the uncomfortable pause in the conversation as he set the drinks down and left, presumably for the beers.
“Puto,” Abuelo muttered under his breath.
“Fuck this,” Zach said, pushing away from the table and hopping to his feet.
Four sets of eyes regarded him, radiating with emotion. Contempt blazed from his grandfather’s dark eyes. Shock painted his grandmother’s face. Concern all over his mom. But the most surprising was the anger burning in his dad’s eyes, and Zach worried he’d crossed a line that he’d never intended to cross.
“Sorry, but I can’t sit here and take this any longer.” Zach wanted to put the truth right out in front of his grandparents. He didn’t care if they hated him, but he couldn’t do that to his dad. So instead, he walked away from the porch before he said something he might really regret.
Zach headed for the gazebo in side yard, but his dad’s firm voice stopped him.
“Zach, stop.”
Zach halted and turned, making eye contact with his dad from about thirty feet away. His dad’s irritated gaze shifted to his grandfather.
“Papá, you will not speak about Cael or anyone for that matter in that way in my house ever again.”
The conversation paused once again as the door slid open and Cael joined them, three beers and a juice box in his hands.
“Where’d Zach go?” Cael asked, using one finger to close the door behind him.
Zach’s dad tipped his head in Zach’s direction, and Cael turned, immediate concern all over him. Cael turned his attention back to Alex as he set the beers and juice down. Zach couldn’t see Cael’s face, but he could see his dad’s, whose eyes darted past Cael to Zach then back to Cael. His dad’s lips moved as he said something, too quiet for Zach to hear, but loud enough for the rest of the table because all eyes were suddenly fixed on Zach.
Zach’s eyes widened as his insides clenched, but a huge part of him felt a sense of relief. He was damn certain his dad just outed him to his grandparents.
“Zach and Cael are two amazing, successful, caring young men who love each other,” his dad said. “They’re engaged and going to get married, and you know something, Papá?” His dad paused and glanced at Zach, understanding in his eyes. “This evening aside, I have never seen Zach happier.”
Zach pressed his lips into a grateful smile. His dad turned and looked at his mom, taking her hand. “Amy and I are proud of both of them, and we love them both. I will not have them hiding who they are nor will I have you belittling them because of your unwillingness to see past your prejudices to what is important.”
Abuelo remained silent, glaring up at his own son, but Zach’s dad didn’t waver under Abuelo’s stern, judgmental gaze.
“So, you can stay and accept that your grandson has fallen in love with another man, or you can leave.”
“Fine.” Abuelo stood, his chair scraping the concrete.
“Alejandro!” Abuela said, her voice rising as she spoke his name.
“Let’s go. We’re leaving,” he growled.