Page 25

Cody

Mom and Aunt Sue clinked their mimosas together and cackled. They were having a “girls’ brunch.” Naturally, I’d be serving as the designated driver. I really didn’t mind. Mom rarely saw Aunt Sue now that she had Hank, so I made every effort to encourage their hangouts.

We dined at a cheesy chain restaurant called Pantry House. It was a fan favorite among the ladies who brunched. It was two o’clock on a Sunday afternoon, and these gals were wasted. I was definitely slipping our waiter a twenty for having to deal with about fifty or so drunk people in the middle of the afternoon, Mom and Sue included.

“Waiter! Another round!” Sue’s voice managed to overpower the cacophony of conversation and echo off the fuchsia walls surrounding us. I was pretty sure that my cheeks matched in color. God, I wanted Sue to stop screaming. All she needed to do was smell booze, and she turned into a banshee.

Sue clumsily set the champagne glass on the table, adding more mimosas to the puddle that had accumulated in front of her. She dramatically leaned closer to me and asked, “So, how are things with asshole?”

Mom huffed her disapproval. “Don’t call Hank’s son an asshole. He’s just adjusting.”

“Oh, he’s a little shit, and you know it, Jill!” Sue gesticulated wildly with her wrist.

Mom gave Sue a playful shove. “He’s just a teenager. He needs a father’s touch to get back in line.”

And a stepbrother’s butthole to play with.

Sue rolled her eyes, clearly not convinced. “He’s a delinquent. He ruined your wedding, Jill. The only reason he’s living with you is because Hank’s ex couldn’t handle him anymore.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets to hide the fists that were forming. Since things had shifted with Rafael and me, I felt oddly protective of him.

Rafael and I slept in the same bed every night for more than two weeks. Originally, we agreed that we’d put an end to sleeping together once Mom and Hank got back from their trip, but we hadn’t stopped.

On their first night back, I practically gripped the sides of my bed to keep from creeping over to his bedroom and slipping into bed with him. Being away from him felt almost painful. I’d gotten so used to falling asleep wrapped in his big arms that the thought of not having his warm body next to me broke my heart.

I wouldn’t go in, though. We were playing with fire, and I didn’t want my emotions to put us in an incredibly awkward situation with Mom and Hank. I couldn’t imagine how Mom would react. She’d have another nervous breakdown if her only son were fucking her husband’s son.

So, I bit my pillow and willed myself to fall asleep. That is, until Rafael crawled into my bed in the middle of the night. He didn’t say a word, but I felt his weight when he crawled up the bed and nestled right behind me.

I fell into his embrace and had the best night of sleep I’d ever had.

I hated to say it because it was so bad and so terrible for the family, but I never felt happier than when I was with Rafael. Even with his scowling and his sour demeanor, I loved being with him.

“Well?”

I hadn’t realized Sue asked a question. “I’m sorry?”

Mom reached across the table, but there was no hand to hold onto. “Sue asked if Rafael is treating you nicely? I told her it seems like you two are getting along like old pals, but you should answer honestly. If things aren’t going well, please let me know. I told you, Hank and I will step in if things are tense.”

“Yeah, what’s he like, Cody?” Sue asked. “Spill it. No bullshit.”

Things are great. Actually, we’re sleeping together! Surprise!

“He’s fine. Really, he is.”

Sue raised an eyebrow. “Really? Last time we talked, things weren’t so fine.”

Mom looked at her wide-eyed. “What? Cody, what happened? Do I not know something?”

You can say that again.

“I mean…the first few days were rough, but we got over it.” I took a sip of my water, hoping the moisture would make my voice stop cracking. “But, we’re cool now.”

Sue reeled back, and her face looked startled. “Cool? Really?”

“Yeah. He’s…Rafael’s great, actually. He’s had some tough things happen to him, and he comes off a little harsh sometimes, but he’s actually kind of wonderful.”

Wow, could I be any more obvious? Jesus Christ, Cody.

Mom’s hand rested on her heart as her mouth fell open. “I could cry hearing you say that! That’s all I wanted for you two.”

Aunt Sue crossed her arms in front of her. “Well, this is certainly a turn of events. I’m happy to hear it.”

“Gosh, I can’t wait to tell Hank about this.” Mom took another sip of her drink, then added, “Well, if you’ll excuse me for a moment. These mimosas are going right through me.”

Mom rose to leave, and Sue pounced as soon as she wasn’t within earshot. “Alright, what the hell is going on?”

I nearly spat out my water mid-sip. My neck had to be bright red; I could feel the heat. “What?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, he’s actually kind of wonderful ? What the hell does that mean?”

I downed my water. There suddenly wasn’t enough water on the planet to cure the dryness in my throat. “H-He’…I mean he’s…nice.”

“Nice?” Her eyes narrowed, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. “What kind of nice are we talking about, Cody?”

Fuck!

I couldn’t tell Aunt Sue. She just spilled the beans about the first phone call I had with her about Rafael, and that was nothing. This was a bombshell of epic proportions.

“He’s just cool, alright. Cooler than I thought. We play hockey together; we chill with the same crew. It’s just…normal.”

Aunt Sue cocked her head and her brows knit together. “Okay…”

She knows. I can’t hide anything from Sue.

She took another sip from her drink before she added, “Well, if you ever need to talk about all of the nice things Rafael is doing, you know I’m always here for you.”

Where’s our waiter? Can I get some more water here? Actually, now’s as good a time as any to start drinking. I’d like a mimosa. No glass; just put the pitcher down in front of me, thanks.

Mom returned, and I couldn’t have been happier to see her.

I had to cool it. While I was ready to shout from the rooftops that Rafael was my dude, I knew he wasn’t. I didn’t want to scare him away, and I knew our folks were going to be an issue.

Now that we were back together, in our weird way, I didn’t want to be without Rafael again.

I needed him, and I could tell that he needed me too. Even if he constantly tried to hide that part of himself.