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“You have that, Tomás. But that doesn’t mean I agree with the lies you’re telling yourself. You’re not too old to figure shit out. It won’t be easy, but I believe in you. You’ve already accomplished so much in your life, and you have what it takes to get through this phase of your life as well.”
“Jesus, Fir, you’re making it impossible for me to be irritated with you when you’re all nice like that.”
His laughter drifted in the warm summer air. “That’s the alcohol, my friend. Tomorrow you’ll have no trouble being frustrated with me again.”
I leaned sideways and put my head on his shoulder. “Maybe, but for now, this is nice. Really nice.”
He held his breath as if I had shocked him, then exhaled. “It is, but I swear to God, Tomás, if you start puking, you’re on your own.”
My laughter chased away the tears burning in my eyes, dangerously close to spilling. “Deal.”
11
FIR
The moment I stepped into Tiago and Cas’s living room, the lively atmosphere of the birthday party enveloped me. The sliding doors to the large deck were open, and people had spilled outside to enjoy the summer evening, the sun in the last stages of going down. Music pulsed, mingling with laughter and chatter, creating a warmth that permeated every corner of the room. A buffet was set up on two tables against a wall, countless bowls and plates stacked with deliciously smelling food, and another table held a wide variety of soft drinks while a bar cart provided the necessary alcoholic beverages.
The Banner twins had gone all out to celebrate their forty-ninth birthday, and I’d been pleasantly surprised to have been invited. Now that I saw how many people were there, it felt a little less special, but I still appreciated it.
“Fir!” Tiago kissed me on both cheeks in one of those European habits that always threw me for a moment.
“Happy birthday.” I handed him my gift.
He frowned. “We said we didn’t need gifts.”
“I know, but this is a little different.”
He opened the envelope and took out the letter. I was watching him intently and didn’t miss the apprehension on his face as he mentally prepared himself to read it, but then his eyes lit up.
“I donated to the dyslexia foundation as a birthday gift to you,” I said softly.
“That’s… Thank you, Fir. I think that’s the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received for my birthday.”
“You’re welcome.” I put a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry they didn’t catch it sooner and that you didn’t get the support and help you needed in school. Only much later did I realize what a struggle it must’ve been for you.”
“Tomás did a lot for me…including some of my tests.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
I shrugged. “We all did, and I’m pretty sure most of the teachers as well. No one cared because we knew it wasn’t your fault. You deserved to graduate, and it wasn’t like you were heading for an academic career anyway. We just wanted to see you graduate with us.”
His eyes had grown moist. “I never realized that. No one ever said anything.”
“Pride is a powerful thing. If you hadn’t started talking about it, I’d never have mentioned it.”
He kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you, Fir. This means more to me than I can tell you.”
“My pleasure.” I cleared my throat. “Where’s your brother?”
Tiago waved his hand at the kitchen. “He’s somewhere in there, showing Brianna around. The last time I saw them, she was drooling over our kitchen.”
“I’ll go find him. Just want to give him his present.”
Tiago shot me a grin that was eerily similar to his brother’s. “Of course. It’s only polite.”
I ignored that remark and walked to the open kitchen, my gaze drawn to Tomás like a magnet. He was joking with Brianna and her husband, his laughter infectious and bright, his black-silver hair catching the light.
