They were careful not to mention too much about the past, as if letting those memories spill over into today would make things messier than they already were. But it was enough, Diego thought, lying in his bed with a semi-hard erection just listening to Brody’s deep growly rumble, telling him that he missed him and couldn’t wait to see him again.
“So, you won’t be here at all this weekend?” Troy asked him when they met for lunch Thursday afternoon at Diego’s apartment. Sitting on the sofa in the living room, they split a cheese pizza and a liter of root beer and let the three kittens entertain them. “You mentioned some new lyrics, so I thought that meant we’d all get together to hear them.”
Diego frowned. That made sense, from Troy’s perspective. “My bad, T. I guess I didn’t explain that clear enough. But I’m leaving town Friday afternoon and I’ll be back Sunday night.”
“A weekend away with the new boyfriend. This is moving along quickly,” Troy answered with a snicker—and a wary look in his eyes. “You two picking up where you left off?”
“First, he’s not my boyfriend. We’re just…feeling each other out—cut that out.” Diego rolled his eyes when Troy made a crude gesture with his hands at Diego’s choice of words. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but right now, this feels good, and it’s been a long time since I did anything like this. Something just for me.” Someone that made Diego feel special and sexy and wanted.
“That’s fair.” Troy tapped his fingers on his thigh and sighed as one of the kittens attacked his shoes. “I don’t wanna sound like an asshole, Diego. You’re one of my best friends and nothing would make me happier than you being happy, you know that, right?”
Diego nodded. “The timing isn’t great.”
“Just—if you decide not to go with us to Nashville, be honest and tell me. Don’t keep it from me, worried that you’re going to hurt my feelings. We can be open with each other. And—” Troy tilted his head and gave Diego a nudge with his shoulder. “Be careful with this guy. I don’t know him, but I know you and I know your music. You hurt deep because of all that shit. All that pain comes through your words and the way you play. I don’t want you to get messed up again.”
It wasn’t until after Troy left Diego realized what his friend meant. They had decided. His bandmates were leaving Houston and taking Steel Horse to Nashville to try to make their dreams come true.
The question now was—was Diego going with them or not?
Diego’s phone pinged early on Friday morning while he was still in bed. He rolled over and unhooked it from the charger, then frowned at the message.
Brody: Jace isn’t feeling good. I’m keeping him home from school today.
Brody: I don’t want to leave him with A&A if he’s sick.
Of course. Diego had been waiting for the universe to send some sort of message that this was a mistake. That he didn’t deserve to go out and find happiness, even for one blissful weekend, rolling around a hotel bed with Brody —and his dog, Peach.
Diego: Sorry to hear that. I hope it isn’t serious.
Diego: Want to reschedule?
Brody: I had an idea. What about staying here at the house? Would that be too weird for you, having the kids around?
Oof. No, it wouldn’t be the same. More clothing, less loud sex. But—this was Brody’s life. He was their parent, at least until Nichole rejoined them, and even then, those kids would always be a big part of his life.
Being with Brody meant being around his family.
Diego shook his head. What was he thinking, being around Brody, as if this was something serious, something that could work? They were lucky to find each other again, but Diego held no illusions that this was that same forever love he’d imagined back when he was a teenager.
He took a deep breath.
Diego: That works if they’re okay with having me around.
Diego: I’ll bring my guitar.
Brody: [smiling emoji] They’d love that. See you this evening. Drive safe <3
Diego tossed his phone on the bed next to him and looked up at the ceiling. It was going to be okay, he told himself. Nothing to be scared about. They’re just kids.
An accident on I10 caused traffic to back up on the way to Cielo Springs, so it was dark when Diego pulled into town. A flood of memories washed over him as soon as he’d hit the city limits and realized he hadn’t ever returned to his hometown, not since the day his aunt and uncle came to get him and Diana. Ten years and a lot had changed—more restaurants, a couple of new hotels. But much of the town remained the same and he couldn’t help smiling as he passed the park near the town center where he and his friends hung out as kids.
It wasn’t the worst place to grow up, he admitted to himself.
Things didn’t get bad until later.
He followed the highway out of town again until he spotted the road that led to Brody’s farm and turned onto it. The large one-story ranch house was all lit up with Christmas lights and as he pulled into the long driveway, Brody walked outside with his border collie and a little blond boy at his side, bundled up in a coat and wool hat.
Diego took one more breath and turned the car off. Here goes nothing, he thought as he stepped out of the car.
