But with Brody, they had fought hard for their family and won. They embraced tightly for a few moments before walking out together to join everyone who waited for them outside.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Audra’seyesshonewithhappy tears as her arms tightened around Brody when they joined them in the hallway. “I knew you could do it. It’s clear to anyone with a pair of eyes that those boys belong with you.”
Aaron had Jace hoisted on his arms. “Let’s go grab some lunch. Our treat since we’re celebrating.”
Brody was about to agree when his aunt walked past them with her attorney. “Kelly—wait.” He took a step toward her. He hadn’t liked how things ended with them. What did Diego call him? An eternal optimist?
Her eyes darted across the room before landing back on Brody. “I won’t listen to your gloating.”
“That’s not what I’m doing. I just—” Brody took a deep breath. Diego watched him from the other side of the room, those warm brown eyes shining with pride and affection. Could it be like that for them now? Open and honest and free? “I only want what’s best for those boys—and Nichole. She’ll be out soon, and they need their mom.”
She snickered bitterly. “Just don’t ruin their life like you ruined yours.”
Huh. Maybe it was Diego’s quiet strength, or the way the boys were smiling at him, but this time, Kelly’s words slid off him like raindrops. “What about my life looks ruined to you? I have a job that’s incredibly satisfying, friends who respect me, nephews who love me… and someone very special who cared enough to drive here to be with me today, to stand beside me when I needed help.” Brody couldn’t help the wide smile on his face. “I’m the luckiest guy I know.”
Aunt Kelly narrowed her eyes and turned, storming out of the courthouse without a glance back. Her lawyer shrugged in apology and followed.
Everyone watched in silence as she marched past them. “Is she mad?” Jace asked, still perched in Aaron’s arms.
“I reckon she is.” Brody was surprised by the twinge of regret. She was the last link he’d had to his mother, other than Nichole. But as he turned back to the group, he realized this was his actual family—that’s what they all were now. Family. Brody pulled Jonah to his side. “Did someone say somethin’ about lunch?”
“Can I have mac and cheese?” Jonah asked with a grin.
Brody laughed as he carefully knelt to hug Jonah. “As much as you want, bug. As much as you want.”
Diego was quiet but stayed close to him as they all walked outside the courthouse. “You’re coming with us, right?” Brody asked him.
“Yeah. Lunch sounds great.” There was more in Diego’s expression, something that Brody wanted to investigate, but there were too many people around right now.
Luckily, Aaron read his mind. “We’ll take the boys with us so you two can talk.” Diego agreed and went to go get his car, so Brody didn’t have to walk so far.
Aaron opened the backdoor to his suburban and helped Jonah hop inside, while Audra buckled Jace into his booster seat. “Chinese or barbeque?” he asked the adults. “Does anyone have a preference?”
Audra slung her arm around Brody’s waist. “How about Mexican? I’ve been craving enchiladas,” Audra said with a mischievous grin.
Brody glanced between the two of them. Did they have special news of their own? “Yes?” His eyes darted between his dearest friends.
Audra shrugged but hugged Brody tight. “We’ll find out later this week. But that’s a celebration for another day.” She grinned at Diego and Brody, then climbed into the passenger side of the suburban. “How ‘bout Violeta’s. They’ve got great enchiladas.”
“And mac and cheese on the kids’ menus,” Brody added, recalling that conversation with Jonah. “We’ll meet you there!” Brody’s stomach groaned, and he realized he hadn’t eaten all day. He glanced down at Peach. “You like their tortillas, don’t you, girl?”
Peach blinked, then wagged her tail as the two of them walked toward Diego’s CRV, where he waited with both the passenger side and back door open. Peach jumped in without hesitation.
They drove in silence for a few minutes as Brody’s thoughts swirled in his head. Now that they were alone, there was so much to say and yet he remained silent.
Until—”Why did you cut your hair?”
Diego shrugged as he followed Aaron’s suburban down the road and onto the highway. “It was time. I needed a change. And—” Diego waved one hand as he pointed at Brody, then himself. “I thought it might make a better impression on the judge.”
Brody frowned. “There was nothing wrong with the way you looked before.”
“I know… but it felt like some sort of delayed adolescence. I was stuck in the past with no future ahead of me.” As Diego drove, his eyes would dart at Brody, dark and worried and curious. Brody hadn’t seen him this unsettled since the first time they met again, that rainy day when they had transported the puppies.
“I’d like to spend some time later talking ‘bout that future, if you’ve got time tonight.” An overwhelming sense of bravery came over Brody, but he felt secure in Diego’s feelings toward him. He reached his hand out and dropped it on Diego’s thigh. “Then maybe some time not talking… if you know what I mean.”
Diego laughed, his smile lighting up his face. “You sound pretty sure of yourself, soldier.”
