“I was so scared,” I sniff, tears still running down my face.
“Come here.” She pulls me back into a hug, holding me tight and gently rocking me. “I love you, Donovan. Nothing will ever change that.”
Over her shoulder, Miguel is smiling and nodding his head at me, not wanting to interrupt this moment between us, but sharing that he supports me too.
“Is there someone special?” Mom asks.
I chuckle, “Yes, sort of, it’s complicated.”
“Love shouldn’t be complicated, mijo. If you love someone, you love them.”
I wish I could tell her about Stephen, about how we have to keep it a secret, how it could impact his entire career. But I can’t, I promised him privacy, and as much as I trust my mom, I can’t break that promise.
“It will all work itself out,” I say, wiping my eyes in my sleeve until she bats my hand away and passes me a tissue. “So… Beth is telling D tonight.”
Her face falls for a moment, but she quickly replaces it with a hopeful smile.
“It’s okay,” I reassure her, “I know it might not go well. I’m hoping that with how much he’s softened around Beth that it will help, he’ll understand.”
“So I was right, they are together?” she asks.
I nod. “Keeping it a secret, but yeah, I’m pretty sure they are.”
“Good, she is good for him.”
“Yeah, I just hope it’s enough for him to not want to kill me.”
“Mijo!” she scolds. “You know I don’t like you talking about him like that, he’s not a bad boy. Your father—”
“I know, Mamá. I know he’s not dad, but I have to be realistic. The club is important to him, and you know their rules.”
“He wouldn’t choose the club over his family.” She shakes her head. “Not again, I have to believe that.”
I love that she’s confident, but honestly, I’m just not sure where his mind will fall with this. I think back to what Jamie said about found family, the club is that for Diablo. If he chooses them, then maybe it’s the sign I need to find my own family. Blood family isn’t always everything, I can find my own people.
“Whatever happens, Mamá, I’ll be okay. I have you.”
She smiles and pulls me into another hug. “We must celebrate! Miguel, get the champagne.”
“I don’t think we need champagne,” I chuckle.
“Of course we do, my son is gay, this is a wonderful thing!”
She follows Miguel out to the kitchen, leaving me to breathe for a moment. Taking out my phone, I send Beth a thumbs up emoji, letting her know it all went okay. It doesn’t take long for her to reply… a thumbs down.
Shit, thank you for trying.
Telling mom & Miguel went better than I thought, bring D back and I’ll talk to him.
She answers immediately.
We’re heading back, I’m worried though, he’s angry, are you sure it’s safe?
I guess we’ll find out…
I wait for them on the porch, only glancing up from my hands at the sound of Diablo’s bike. Beth runs over and gives me a hug, and we’re still holding each other when he speaks.
“I guess you were being serious all those times you told me nothing would ever happen between you and my brother.” His words are aimed at Beth, not me, it’s her he’s angry with.
