“Oh, I am.” Their eyes caught briefly as Diego pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. “I’ve never been more sure of anything,mi amor.”
The owners of Violeta’s remembered Diego’s parents and were delighted to see him back in town. Their excitement only added to the joyous atmosphere, and by the time the bill came, all the tension from the day’s proceedings drained away. Audra sipped the last of her strawberry lemonade and set the glass mug down with a satisfied sigh. “I’m so full. That was amazing,” she said as her eyes landed on Jace, who sat next to her and yawned loudly. “Someone needs a nap.” She reached out and touched his blond hair. “Me too, Jace. Me too.”
Brody watched this gentle domestic scene and thought about Nichole. She was missing these moments, but at least the boys would be safe with him until she was out of prison and ready to get her life back together. Then he glanced over at Diego, also watching Audra and Jace. Then their eyes met, and it hit Brody again—the way Diego strode into that courtroom and pled his case on Brody’s behalf.
But did he mean it? They needed to talk.
Aaron reached for the check when it came. “This is our treat, remember?” He offered his credit card to the server. “And if you two need some time tomorrow to get things settled, we can call in sick,” he added with a mock cough.
“No, don’t do that. Not because of me.” Diego shook his head. “I don’t want to be in the way. That isn’t why I came here today.” He hesitated and looked at Brody for support.
Brody agreed. “We got some stuff to talk about, but that’ll happen later today, I hope. Maybe… enjoy a late breakfast with your wife. We’ll feed the dogs and get them ready for training.”
Aaron helped Diego fit Jace’s booster seat into the back of Diego’s car before he and Audra drove off. Peach jumped into the backseat and settled between the boys. Jonah pointed at the guitar in the back of Diego’s small SUV. “Can you play for us tonight?” he asked excitedly, but both boys were asleep when Diego pulled into Brody’s car port.
They carefully carried them inside and tucked them into bed before quietly walking out of the room and back into the living room, the Christmas tree still in the corner of the room, dark and unlit. “I’m gonna go let the dogs out for some outside time while the boys are napping.” Brody swallowed, suddenly nervous. “You need anything?”
Diego shook his head but reached down and grabbed his jacket from the back of the sofa. “Um, can I come with you?” He stepped closer. “I meant what I said. I’m here to help you.”
They didn’t continue that conversation until they were back inside, all the afternoon chores done. Brody went into the kitchen and pulled out two soft drinks and handed one to Diego, sitting at the table.
Brody sat next to him. “First, thank you for showing up today. No matter what we decide, I need you to know that seeing you there, supporting me—well, it mattered a lot to me. It gave me strength when mine was flagging.”
Diego smiled, but it didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Second—” Brody took Diego’s hand. As much as he wanted Diego here, Brody had to make sure it was really what he wanted. “I appreciate your offer, Diego, but you don’t have to move here on my account.”
“That’s not what I told the judge.”
“She didn’t make you living here a requirement of my custodial rights. She said that the boys belonged here with me until their mother’s able to take care of them.” Brody sat straight in his chair. “Diego, I can’t let you give up everything and move here.”
“Why not?” Diego lifted his chin defiantly, and without that long hair, he looked like that stubborn teenager that Brody loved a long time ago. “Maybe this is more than just you and me. It’s about those boys in there. It’s about the rescue. You need help anyway—you admitted that.” Diego leaned in and kissed Brody softly. “Getting to be with you is the bonus.”
“What bonus?” Brody sat back, putting distance between them. “I’m broken, Diego. I’m useless down there, and there’s a good chance I’m never gonna give you what you need. What you want.” What you deserve.
Diego rolled his eyes. “I’m telling you what I want,pendejo, and that’s being here with you and the boys. I want—I want to help you fix this family. Things got screwed up for you and me, but those little guys don’t deserve what happened to them. Let’s make sure that they don’t end up lost… like we did.” He leaned in, pressing their foreheads together. “I love you, Brody. I don’t care about your broken cock.” Diego’s long fingers covered Brody’s heart. “This matters more to me. This heart of yours. That’s what I want.”
“What about my ass?” The corners of Brody’s mouth curled up at his own joke. “I thought you liked my ass, too.”
Diego laughed, and they kissed again, smiling. “Yes, your ass is incredible. I could get used to worshiping it on a regular basis.”
Brody sighed, happy that things were finally going in the right direction. “Okay. Then—” Brody glanced down at his best girl. “Peachy, what do you think?”
On cue, Peach woofed, her tail wagging as she danced between the two men’s chairs.
A wide smile broke over Brody’s face. “I guess that settles it. You’re moving in.”
A momentous decision, usually one that should have taken months, maybe even years, to decide. But they’d lost so much time already, Brody decided as he took Diego’s hand and led him to his darkened bedroom.
He wasn’t wasting another day apart from this man who owned his heart and soul.
Chapter Thirty
DianasatinsideDiego’ssmall walk-in closet and tossed out shoe after shoe. She held up a pair of purple Converse high-tops. “I don’t think I’ve seen you wear any of these in years.” Her eyes darted around to the two men standing in her brother’s bedroom. “Pack, donate, or trash?”
Ash wrinkled his nose. “You can’t donate something that old and stinky. Trash.” He held up the black plastic bag.
Diego frowned, but Diana was right. He hadn’t worn those shoes in years because they hurt his toes. “I guess. But hand me those.” He pointed at a pair of oversized slippers in the shape of bear paws, a Christmas gift from Diana. “Those are keepers.”
Diana tossed them to him with a wink.
