Mateo snorted. “All I did was tell them Fernando had fallen for some marine over spring break. That’s all Ferdie told me.”
“Imayhave told Abel a lot more about Walker.” Fernando smiled innocently. “Sorry about that. You’ll have Wilsons all up in your business now.”
Walker looked strangely happy at the thought. “I’m okay with that. They seem nice.”
“Oh, you poor, naïve child.” Mateo looked sympathetic. “On your first break, you will need to come to Hobson Hills and meet everyone. That’s non-negotiable.”
“We were already planning on it.” Fernando wanted to pout. Walker was his, not everyone else’s.
Mateo smirked. “I look forward to meeting you, Walker.” He ended the call, leaving Walker and Fernando staring at one another.
“That went well,” Fernando said, shrugging.
“I do want you, Fernando.” Walker looked almost desperate. “I want to build a life with you. It’s too fast, I know, but I’m certain of it. You are my person. Mine.”
Fernando felt that odd bubble ofsomethingfill him, just as he had when he had met Walker. This was another important moment. “You’re my person, too.”
Two weekslater
Fernando didhis best to ignore the looks of disgust some of his professors wore as he took his diploma and crossed the stage. The crowd was mostly silent, but his family made up for it. As did Gigi and Nolen. The two idiots whooped and hollered from their own seats. It still hurt. He had respected his professors at one point and had believed he had several really good friends. He knew better now, but he had something to focus on. His future was across the country.
After the talking was finished, he pulled off his graduation hat and threw it in the air with a grin. “We did it.”
Gigi hugged him, jumping up and down in her heels. “I can’t believe we’re finished.”
Nolen wrapped his arms around both of them. “No more homework! Thank fuck.” He spun them around, ignoring the annoyed students around them.
Fernando hugged them tightly, knowing he’d soon have to find his family in the crowd, but until then, he wanted to hold on to the two best friends a person could ever have. The only thing missing was Walker.
“Did you hear from your marine? I bet he wishes he were here,” Gigi said.
“Do you mean, this marine?” Fernando’s brother stood behind them, grinning. He held up his tablet.
“Walker!” Fernando pushed his friends away from him and grabbed the tablet. “They let you videocall?”
“Traded some favors to get this time,” Walker said, handsome face practically glowing with pride. “Damn, Ferdie. You did really well.Magna cum laude? I bet those assholes in New Mexico are kicking themselves for not hiring you.”
“Seriously,” Mateo said, scowling. “The middle school in Hobson Hills will take you anytime. I already talked to the principal. Well, Gramps and I talked to the principal.”
“Walker can’t get stationed in Maine,” Fernando poked his brother. “He’s necessary for my continued happiness.”
Walker grinned. “Hell yeah, I am. Don’t make me have to call Grammy and have her get on to you and Gramps, Mateo.”
“Walker has a lot more than just Fernando and Beans waiting on him to come home,” Abel said. Mateo’s husband held their toddler, Emma, on one hip while their eldest, Iggy, bounced in place beside him. “You don’t want to test Grammy right now, babe. She wants to adopt that man.”
Walker blushed, making them all laugh. Grammy would adopt Walker in an instant if he’d let her. The woman had taken to the young man from the moment they’d first exchanged letters.
Mateo sighed. “I just want you all close to me. Even Gabs and Eddie, and Gigi and Nolen, here.”
Gigi smooshed Mateo’s cheeks in her hands. “You’re such a big, cute papa bear. Yes, you are.”
His sisters pushed through the crowd to reach them. Gabriela looked pissed. “We need to vacate soon, or I’m throwing fists.”
“Flipping tables,” Valentina agreed, looking just as angry. “I’m glad you’re leaving this shit hole, Ferdie.”
“Language,” Abel said half-heartedly. “You heard that family behind us, didn’t you?”
His sisters nodded in unison.
