Brody sighed. “But I guess she’s been digging around in your past. My lawyer says they know about your run-in with the law back when you first moved to Houston, and that you were in some lawsuit earlier this year.”
Diego blinked. It had been almost a year since that car crash, with that crazy lady who sued him after she hit his car. “They dismissed that lawsuit.” But Diego knew that wasn’t important. Hell, the woman probably sued him because of his criminal record, hoping she’d get a settlement check from his insurance company. “Brody, are you okay?”
“Yeah. I guess I wanted to get her to realize that this lawsuit was a bad idea. Or at least try to figure out why she’s doing this. What her motivation might be.”
Diego wondered the same. “All out of spite? She can’t possibly be truly interested in raising two little boys. They’re like little blond hurricanes,” he said, and smiled as he thought about them.
“She never married, never had kids of her own. Maybe she thinks of Jace and Jonah as a second chance. Or maybe—” Brody’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Maybe she really thinks that I’m a bad influence on them.”
Diego shifted, stretching his legs out in front of him. He covered his eyes with one hand. “Brody—is there a chance that she could win this lawsuit?”
He didn’t expect the long, hesitant pause, nor the fear in Brody’s voice. “I don’t know.”
It hit Diego like a punch in the gut, a kaleidoscope of feelings battling inside him. Fear that Brody was right, and he could lose the case. Guilt that their relationship might somehow contribute to Brody losing custody of the boys. Anger that someone who didn’t really love Jace and Jonah would be responsible for their safety and security.
And then—was that pity? Some sad, hurt feeling, a low skulking voice in the back of Diego’s head.Even now, you’re not good enough. He doesn’t have time for you. You were ready to open your heart to Brody and the boys, but it’s not enough. You don’t deserve that happy ending, not after what you did to your own family.
Diego swallowed. He knew what needed to be done, why Brody had finally called him tonight.
“Maybe… I shouldn’t come for Christmas.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Ofcourse,Diegowouldunderstand.
Brody knew exactly what Diego would say. Diego was a better person, and would give Brody an easy way out of this relationship.
To state the obvious truth, plain and simple—thatthis, whatever it was, wasn’t going to happen between them, at least not right now.
Brody’s emotions warred inside him. Couldn’t they try to make a go of it? Could they handle this kind of pressure? Were they mature enough to fight for their love despite all odds? Ten years had passed since they were kids, but now, it felt like history was repeating itself and that Diego was slipping from his fingers once more.
A heavy sigh escaped Brody's lips as he leaned against his bed, Peach's warm gaze providing a comforting presence. “Give me some time, Diego. I just—everyone is expecting me to do the right thing.”
“I know.” Diego’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Right now, I don’t fit into your life.”
But you do, Brody wanted to say. Diego was the only one who ever fit, who ever made sense. Everything had been so different ten years ago, when they were just two boys who wanted each other, and nothing could seem simpler. Now life had thrown another obstacle between them, and Brody didn't know how to solve this one. The connection between them was still there, so much want and need; maybe even stronger than ever before.
But a boyfriend felt like a luxury right now. Diego is a selfish dream, a dark craving.
Brody’s responsibilities were massive—to the boys, to the land, to the rescue. Brody gave Nichole his word that the boys would be his priority until she got her life in order.
As much as he wanted to just be with Diego, he had to think of the boys and make a stable life for them. His partners depended on him to help expand the business so they could help veterans in need.
It had only been a few days ago he'd last held Diego and felt that hot mouth on his body, leaving marks in places only Brody would see.
How quickly life can change; no one knew that better than Brody.
If it came down to Diego or the boys, he must choose the boys.
“You know I love you.” Brody blinked back the wetness in the corner of his eyes. He hadn’t said those words to another man in ten years. Not since he whispered them to a thin, dark-haired boy, as they clung to each other in a darkened corner of his barn. But tonight, even Brody heard the implied ‘Goodbye’ in his own words. “I’m so sorry,mi amor.”
It was a long moment before Diego responded. “I know you are. And—I love you too, Brody. Always have.” Brody heard Diego’s long, shaky breath. “And I always will.”
Then the call ended, and it was just silence.
Chapter Twenty-four
DecembersinTexasneverfailed to confuse Diego. They’d had consistently cold weather—well, cold for Texas—for the first three weeks of the month. Then come Christmas week, the sun popped out of hiding just in time for The Mad Cats Rescue’s Christmas adoptathon and it was warm again, much to Diana’s chagrin.
