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“Nah. Too tired from studying all week and I have plans early tomorrow.” With someone who isn’t aware of how I’ll be tagging along on his morning errands. Theo will find out we’re spending the day together when it’s time for him to.
“Will Kyle be eating with us today then? I haven’t seen him in a while.”
Releasing a long sigh, I rest my hand on the back of one of the chairs. “Me and Kyle are… I broke it off with him a while ago.” Because he wasn’t what I needed and I’d never be right for him. He’s contacted me a few times after I ended things and I turned down his invitation for coffee. Then I deleted all the dating apps off my phone last week. After discovering what I’ve been missing all this time, no one else interests me. No substitute is enough to hold me over anymore. The only way I’ll ever be taken again is whenever I finally have a chance with the right person.
Her hands flatten against her apron. “Awe but he seemed like such a sweet guy. I think your dad even liked him, and you know how he feels about most of the guys you date.” She meant Benjamin, her current husband. Not my bio dad. He’d never approve of anyone I’d want to be with. Mostly because they wouldn’t be a woman.
I laugh, shoving my hands in my pockets. “I’m aware. We didn’t have much in common and we wanted different things.”
Smiling softly, she cups my cheek with her hand. “I’m sure you’ll find the perfect one for you when the time is right.”
Nodding, I place my hand over hers. “Yeah, and I bet Dad will hate him.” Especially if the person I truly want actually reciprocates my feelings. It feels more impossible each passing day but I’m not the type of person who gives up easily. Why start now? Fuck did Theo look good today. When doesn’t he? As soon I started viewing him in a different light, the new development of feelings didn’t stop and only kept expanding.
My need for him only grows the more I learn about the person he really is. Every time he looks at me with those round brown eyes, my inner voice screams “mine.” It’s been almost a month since I saw him walking out of a bird cage, and I can’t wait to be the only person he walks inside one for.
Laughter spills from her and her hand falls to my shoulder. “Whoever you choose to love, I know we’ll learn to love him too. We only want you to be happy whether it’s with Kyle or someone else.” She says that now. Only because she has no idea of how complex the heart can be. Her love was easily accepted. Mine won’t be, and for once being gay will have nothing to do with it.
I came out to my mom way before she met Benjamin, and they have both always been supportive. I wish I could say the same for my bio dad. It has been five years since we last spoke. If he can’t accept me for who I am, why do I care about knowing him anyway? I shouldn’t, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop the occasional ache in my heart every time I stumble upon old family photos.
“I know. Now enough about my love life. I need to finish making my famous salsa, otherwise there will be some very disappointed chips.”
Loud footsteps trail behind us, causing us to both spin around.
“Did someone say salsa?”
Zane smiles so wide his dimples pop out. He shoves his fingers in one of the bowls on the counter and tosses a chip in his mouth. My mom swats at his hand. “Aye, mijo, not yet. If you eat them all now, we won’t have any to eat the salsa with.”
“My bad. Was just making sure they weren’t stale.” Zane gives my mom a kiss on the cheek and pounds me lightly in the shoulder with his fist.
“I didn’t think you could make it tonight.”
“I wasn’t going to originally but my plans got canceled, so here I am. Right on time to get this party started.”
“You can get it started by cutting this onion.” I grab the vegetable off the cutting board and hand it to him.
“Look at you. Already putting your guest of honor to work.”
I huff out a laugh. “Everyone who steps into the kitchen must make themselves useful, right, Ma?”
“Si.” She pinches his cheek before going back to mixing something in a bowl.
“Scoot over,” Zane orders, shoving me with his shoulder and laying the onion back onto the cutting board.
Rolling my eyes, I shove him back. “We have another cutting board somewhere.”
“Maybe so but yours is better.” He wraps his fingers around one of the knives on the counter and slices the onion down the middle.
“You’re supposed to put a wet rag down,” I say, shielding my eyes. “Pincheamateur.”
“Hey, no cursing in my kitchen,” my mom shouts my way.
“Sorry, Ma.” I shoot her an apologetic look. Opening the center drawer in front of me, I take out a dish towel and wet it under the sink. Water flings in the air when I toss it at Zane’s back.
“You’re getting my shirt wet,puto.”
My mom slams a hand on the counter. “You boys are done in here. Go set the table in the next room and I’ll finish with the food.” She smacks us both on the back of the head.
“But, Ma—”
