Gratefully His

Chapter 1-2

“Come in, come in,” Lucy Rivera, the warm and welcoming matriarch of the Rivera family, greeted them at the front door. “You’re late.”

She kissed and hugged Hector first and then turned to envelope Sebastian in her embrace. “Oh, you are too skinny.”

He laughed and kissed her cheek. “Not so.”

Hector sniffed the air as he set their bags down in the front hall. “Do I smell chile rellenos?”

“Yes, yes, that’s dinner.” The plump gray-haired woman looked down at their bags. “That’s all you brought?”

“We’re only here a week, Mama.”

“Boys. Come, Hector, you stay in your room, and Sebastian, you’ll stay in CeCe’s old room.”

They followed her down the short hallway to the bedrooms. CeCe had married last year to a man she had met the summer after high school. Sebastian and CeCe had already broken up by then. He still adored her, but more like a sister.

“Hey, is Pablo here?” Hector asked.

“Yes, your brother is staying here with me right now.”

Hector frowned. “I thought he was living with that guy. Um, Peter?”

Sebastian remembered when Pablo had come out as gay the year after their pool kiss. Which neither of them had mentioned after Hector had interrupted them. Sebastian had been waiting for Pablo to mention it, but he never had. Sebastian guessed maybe he regretted the kiss or thought Sebastian was the worst kisser. He didn’t know.

Then after coming out, Pablo had entered the police academy. From what Hector told him, most of the police Pablo worked with were cool with his sexuality, though he still got some flak.

As for the Riveras themselves, they’d accepted Pablo’s announcement like most things. As though it must be God’s will.

“It didn’t work out,” Mrs. Rivera said. “Pablo said it was amicable. I didn’t like him anyway.”

Sebastian smiled. “What was wrong with him?”

“Not good enough for my boy.”

He put his bag in CeCe’s old room. He remembered it from high school. She’d had it painted lilac back then and had matched all her bedding to her favorite color. Now it had been repainted an eggshell color and the bedding was beige and tan.

Sebastian remembered Pablo’s room was the one right next to hers. In fact, it was one of those Jack and Jill rooms with a door into the shared bathroom. CeCe used to complain about what a slob Pablo was. He smiled at the memory.

“Let’s go out to the patio,” Hector called from the hallway.

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Want a beer?”

“Sure.” He unzipped his bag and took out the small leather pouch he kept his sundries in and brought them into the bathroom, his gaze on the door that led to Pablo’s room. He bit his lip and took the few steps to the door and rested his hand on it.

Stupid of course. Pablo’s kiss had been years ago and no one even knew Sebastian was gay. He’d never told anyone. Not even Hector. He was still hiding it after all these years.

Shame washed over him. Hector and his family would accept him. He knew that. But his own family? Sebastian wasn’t so sure. But how long could he wait to deny that part of himself? He was twenty-two and living a lie.

Just a second too late, he felt the movement of the door under his hand, and the door opened. Sebastian blinked and stepped back as he came face-to-face with Pablo Rivera. Shirtless. Wearing only a pair of sweatpants.

Pablo didn’t seem surprised to see him standing there gaping. His lips had curved in the familiar sexy smile.

His once chin length hair was cropped short, like a cop, Sebastian supposed. He had a bit of a five o’clock shadow dusting his chin. And those whiskey-brown eyes looked…amused.

“Hi,” Sebastian squeaked. Oh, lord. What was he, a mouse?

“Hello, Sebastian.”

Same husky voice.

Jesus he was in deep s**t.

“I guess we’re sharing a bathroom.” Pablo eyed the leather pouch clutched in Sebastian’s hand.

“Um, yeah. H-how are you, Pablo?”

“I’m good.” Pablo’s smile widened. “Very good.”