Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
THORN
“Okay, Mama?” I ask.
She pats my arm. “Sí, Tomás.” The two of us have been cooking in her kitchen all afternoon, the first time we’ve actually collaborated on a big meal, and it’s gone pretty well.
Leaning down, I kiss her cheek. “I love you, Mama.”
I get a look back, the kind that says You can’t sweet talk me. But I’m going to keep right on using every skill at my disposal to win my mother over, so she can then do the same with my father.
My parents are very accepting people, in most ways. But they have their traditional side, and the news that Kai, Gage, and I are all in a relationship with Lexy has been a big adjustment for them.
We guys sat them down for a talk before we made our public announcement—without Lexy there, because we wanted to protect her if there was any immediate fallout. She let us do it that way, which showed me how worried she was about their reaction.
Because they love us and they’re awesome parents, they’ve tried to understand, but it’s fair to say they’re not entirely comfortable with the situation, which means that Lexy is no longer entirely comfortable around them. And that makes the three of us hurt for her.
If Kai could bulldoze his way to a solution, he would, but he understands that won’t work. Gage hasn’t said much, but his quiet demonstrations of respect for both Lexy and my parents at our family dinners are probably doing more good than any words.
As for me, I try to keep everything as easygoing as possible, on the theory that time will accomplish what nothing else can.
Kai comes in from the living room and grabs a stack of napkins for the table that’s been set up for all the snacks. I glance at the clock on the wall. “She’ll be here soon.”
“Everything is ready,” my mother says, calm instead of excited, and I wish I could borrow some of my brother’s steamroller qualities and force her into the right emotional state. Instead, I look over the results of all our work with a critical eye, making sure everything is as it should be.
“She just pulled up,” Gage calls from the living room.
“Showtime,” I mutter, and take off my apron.
GAGE
I turn and hold my finger to my lips as Lexy climbs from her car. Her expression is subdued, and it makes my stomach tense. Family dinners have become more of a duty than a joy since we went public, and I hate that, for all of us.
My hope is that today might go some small way toward mending the breach. The love and respect between the four of us and the Sanchezes is still there, so I know things will be okay eventually, but my need to take care of Lexy is strong. I want to fix this for her.
I meet her at the door, blocking her view of the living room with my body. “Hi. Come on in.” Her answering smile is wan, and I send up a silent prayer before I move aside, simultaneously turning the lights back on.
“Surprise!” everyone shouts. “Happy birthday!” Ava’s here, and Ember, and Brax, and Clare, along with other work colleagues and friends.
Lexy stares, genuinely shocked. And then her hand covers her mouth, and her eyes fill with tears.
“Oh, baby. Come here.” I pull her in and wrap my arms around her, cuddling her against my chest. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry,” she manages, her voice thick with emotion.
“Don’t be sorry. Just talk to me. What is it?” I’m pretty sure I know, but I need her to say it.
Still huddled against me, she whispers, “Do you think they’ll ever forgive me?”
My chest goes tight.
And then I snap.
I am normally the most patient of men, but I have had enough. Putting my arm around Lexy’s shoulders, I march her into the kitchen.
Mrs. Sanchez is there with Thorn, about to carry the last of the food trays into the living room. Mr. Sanchez has been tinkering in his garage all day, and has just come in the back door. He looks at Lexy, and his mouth tightens.
I pull out a chair at the table and usher Lexy into it. “Talk to her,” I order the couple. “Now.”
Mrs. Sanchez is staring at me. I take the tray from her hands and go back to the living room.
Thorn follows me. “Good for you,” he says sotto voce.
I hope I’ve done the right thing, and not made it all worse.
KAI
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Gage lose his temper before, not really. And sure, he lost it in a very contained Gage sort of way, but that doesn’t lessen the impact. When the ultimate good son—and my parents do consider him to be their son, too—starts kicking ass and taking names, it demands attention.