TRASK PULLED up at the back of Felipe’s place with a sense of growing excitement and more than a few nerves. The deed was already done, and Donato was waiting for him, so there was no damn sense in being nervous about it. Things had been pretty chill since Christmas. He and Felipe had found a new balance. A part of him still couldn’t believe the imp loved him. But maybe Felipe didn’t need somebody like himself who was able to discuss all that stuff that made Trask squirm inside. Felipe must be crazy for loving him… but crazy seemed to suit him, and frankly, Trask didn’t want him any other way.
The back door opened and both of Felipe’s parents emerged. Trask blew out his breath and unhooked Sophie’s harness. “Time to do this, baby girl.” If Felipe and he were serious about moving in together in the spring, then he had to get used to being around Felipe’s family, and they needed to get to know him.
“Morning, Trask,” Donato greeted as Trask climbed out of the truck and held the door open for Sophie to jump down.
Trask touched the front of his cap. “Thanks for agreeing to help with this. I’d never get Felipe’s present up the stairs by myself. Morning, Miz Suero.”
“I must admit, you have my curiosity bitten.” Mrs. Suero stopped by the truck bed and peered inside. “Donato hasn’t given me a clue, and Mariana got Felipe out of the house by nagging him into some clothes shopping at the mall.”
Trask smiled as he clambered into the truck to unhook the belts around the table. “I’m sure it didn’t take all that much arm twisting.”
“Nah.” Mrs. Suero tucked her hands into her back pockets. “I need to apologize for that scene at dinner. That wasn’t what I intended when I asked for Lolo to come with us. And for my own part in it.”
“I have to add mine as well.” Donato approached the tail of the truck. “I know I said it over the phone, but I’d like to say it again in person.”
“I’m sorry, too, for walking out like I did.” Trask made sure the blanket was still secure around the table as he considered the rest of his reply. “But I think Felipe’s the one who was owed the apology from his grandfather, and I gather from what he said that they came to an understanding.”
“A long overdue one,” Donato said with a faint smile as he helped lift the table out of the truck. “Once we set this up, why don’t you come downstairs for a cup of coffee while we wait for the others to get home?”
Trask clamped down on the trickle of unease. He would never get comfortable with them if he hid every time they reached out a hand. Bad enough that he’d missed the post-Christmas breakfast invite. He’d been out the door at dawn so he’d be at the Den when the doors opened. The day after the holiday was usually a busy one as people came in to redeem gift certificates or Christmas money. “I like coffee.”
“So Felipe tells me.” Mrs. Suero watched them maneuver the table. “I’ll go put a pot on while you get settled. Then I’m coming up to look.”
“He also mentioned that you bought the house and asked him to move in with you,” Donato said as soon as she disappeared. His tone was so even that Trask had no clue how he felt about that new development in their relationship.
Trask cast a quick, cautious glance in Donato’s direction, then concentrated on moving backward up the stairs. “I did. If he isn’t tired of me by the time we’ve completed necessary repairs. We’re looking at late spring, probably.”
“You don’t think less than a year is rushing things?” Donato’s weather-beaten face was set, but Trask wasn’t sure if it was because of the conversation or the task at hand.
“To be honest, for me, anything under five years is probably rushing in,” Trask said with a wry smile as they set the table down in front of Felipe’s door. “Your son has an unnatural influence on me, pushing me out of my comfort zone. I often wait too long, biding my time, and then I lose out. I don’t want to lose out with him.”
And that was saying a hell of a lot more than Trask intended to say. He propped open the screen door with a plant container and opened the main door to see Lady sitting and waiting. Sophie wiggled her way around him and made a beeline for Lady’s toys.
He pointed toward the corner where he’d envisioned Felipe’s table. There were a few of his plastic tubs in the space, but they could shift them out of the way, and once his rickety craft table was gone it would actually appear more spacious. “I was thinking of putting it right there.”
“Well, let’s see what we’re dealing with.” Donato eased the cover off the table and let out a low whistle. “Felipe will lose his mind when he sees this.”
Trask smiled and ran his hand over the finished top, the newly varnished wood glowing in warm tones. “It was pretty beat up when I found it, but it came together beautifully. It had too much potential to leave it behind. I have the drawers and cabinet doors individually wrapped in the truck.” He wanted it completely set up before Felipe came home so he’d get the full effect.
“You do a good, patient job. The pictures didn’t do this justice.” There was a warmer gleam in Donato’s eyes when he looked at Trask. “Did Felipe know you had something in the works for him?”
“He did.” Trask began moving the tubs of supplies. “He’s been hounding me to let him take a peek. But I didn’t want to rush it.”
Donato clapped him on the shoulder and helped him shift Felipe’s supplies. When they set the table in the corner, it gave Trask a sense of satisfaction. It fit just as he pictured it would. Working together they grabbed drawers, and Trask fitted the glass paneled doors on the hinges. He hoped his imp didn’t linger at the mall.
Mrs. Suero came into the apartment and let out a low sound of appreciation. “Oh, Felipe’s going to want to get to work immediately.” She shot Trask a smile that was pure Felipe. “I love reclaimed furniture. Seems a shame to me to throw something away that can be reused if given a little attention.”
“Only you expect me to give it that little attention,” Donato said with a fond glance.
“Just as you expect me to attend to all your splinters and other war wounds.” Mrs. Suero studied the table a little longer with her hands on her hips, and then she gave it a satisfied nod. “Come on, let’s go have that cup of coffee. I think there might even be some biko leftover, too, if Mariana hasn’t gotten into it.”
Trask thought he’d heard Felipe mention that dish a few times with a gleam of appreciation in his eyes. He glanced around, saw Sophie wrestling playfully with a hank of rope, and whistled to her. “Sophie, let’s go.”
The scent of brewing coffee greeted them as they came downstairs. The Sueros puttered around in the kitchen, going through cabinets and rifling around in the fridge. Trask looped his thumbs through his jeans and studied the pictures on the walls. Generations of family decorated the place, mostly in casual shots that Trask believed always revealed more about their subjects than the formal portraits did.
“That one was always a favorite of mine,” Donato said from over his shoulder, pointing to a snapshot of two dark-haired, dark-eyed women laughing as one bounced a toddler on her knee and the other wrangled a young boy. Trask would know those laughing eyes anywhere. “The lady snagging Felipe is his lola. The other is mi madre holding Mariana.”
“It’s a sweet photo. Felipe always talks about the both of them with a great deal of love.” Trask turned around and accepted the mug of coffee Donato handed him. On the table was a little plate piled with what looked like sticky rice cakes. “Thank you. Those look delicious, Miz Suero.”
“Call me Ratree, and I can’t claim any credit for them. My mother does most of the cooking around here.” Felipe’s mom fussed with the napkins, betraying the nerves that Trask also felt.
Donato waited until they were seated and each had a serving of the cake before he spoke again. “Felipe’s different. He’s always been different, and I’ve always worried that he wouldn’t find someone who appreciated that about him. I haven’t had much of a chance to see you two together, but what I have seen and heard, you do seem to value his creativity and feelings.”
Trask laced his fingers together and contemplated Donato. The judgmental expression, the tightening around his eyes that Trask had seen before, was no longer there. Even Ratree seemed to have softened some, though she continued to worry her lip. “I don’t think you have to be concerned about Felipe settling for the wrong partner. It’s just not in him. He’s an all or nothing kind of guy. If we hadn’t worked together, he’d have left me ages ago and never looked back.”
“He’s a romantic dreamer.” A worried frown puckered Ratree’s brow. “He’s had this wish for settling down for years now. He’s tried to not let it show, but Felipe can’t hide much.”
Trask smiled in appreciation for that comment. Felipe certainly didn’t keep much in. He took a bite of the biko and savored the sweetness as he considered his words. “He’s a romantic dreamer to an extent. He has his dreams and isn’t afraid to work toward them, but he’s pragmatic enough to realize when something isn’t working and cut his losses.”
It was an intriguing mix. One that Trask didn’t see often. People could probably say the same about him. He’d always wanted that storefront, a place for geeks to be geeks with no apology. He’d rolled with the changes as they came, though, not sticking to one way because it differed slightly from his original vision, and because of that the Den had evolved to what it was today, and it was thriving.
“Have you two addressed the age difference?” Donato asked and bit into his own biko with an appreciative gleam in his eyes.
“Not so much.” Trask stroked his fingers through his beard. “I had a few qualms when he started flirting. But he’s an adult, and he sure as heck makes his own decisions. I for one cannot fathom why he set his sights on me, but he did. At this point, the age difference isn’t really all that profound.”
Forty years down the road, that was a different story, and there were times when Trask was nagged with guilt over it, but he knew exactly what Felipe’s opinion of that would be. “The truth is, I don’t think either of us expected to develop any real feelings beyond friendship and companionship, but we did. I can’t in good conscience pull back and hurt him because I worry about what the future might bring. I tried that when I wanted him to focus on his relationship with y’all, and that didn’t go too well.”
“Yeah, he’s never been one to be told what to do.” Donato grimaced. “It’s why we butted heads so often when he worked for me.”
“To be honest, if I’d suspected we’d be headed down this road when I asked him out for coffee, I’d have held my peace.” Trask stared down at his coffee and thought about everything he would’ve missed out on. “And I’d’ve been wrong. So I guess it’s a blessing we cannot see our own futures.”
Donato nodded and studied Trask a moment. “I get the feeling you and I are going to understand each other well.”
Trask smiled slowly with a sense of satisfaction and relief. “Yes, sir. I think we will.”
“It’s a mother’s job to worry,” Ratree cut in. “And I’d worry no matter who Felipe ended up with, or what job he takes, or where he lives. But as he reminded me, not giving you a chance is exacerbating the issue. So I’m late to the party, but I’m willing to give this a chance because Felipe loves you. I can see that.”
The tension that Trask had been carrying around since he arrived eased. “And you all are a reminder that not every family is bad. Sometimes I forget that. I like knowing that Felipe has y’all to fall back on.”
They talked for the next hour as Donato and Ratree drew Trask’s life story out of him by sharing tidbits of their own pasts. Trask sensed that Felipe’s father was another soul who found it difficult to share, and he appreciated the effort and relaxed even more. Then Felipe’s grandfather joined them and Trask was immediately wary. But his concerns over Felipe coming home to him being grilled were unfounded. It was like the scene at the restaurant never happened, other than a gruff apology.
It was amusing to see Felipe in the old man’s tart observations. Trask’s phone dinged, and he glanced at the incoming message. What do you say about an overnight? I can be in Richmond in a couple hours.
How about your place instead?
Trask grinned at Donato. “I expect Felipe will be home right quick now.”
Lolo snorted and rose to pour them all more coffee. “Driving like the Ghost Rider most likely.”
“Not with Mariana and Lola in the car or one of his dogs,” Donato cut in. “He has more care for others than himself.”
“You like comics?” Trask asked, and Lolo turned toward him with a gleam of appreciation.
“I love Ghost Rider and the Punisher the most. Helped to improve my English. I devoured every one when I came to the States.” Lolo returned to the table with a reminiscent look. “When Felipe started showing an interest in comic books, I’d let him read them when he came over. His mama threw a fit.”
“Not exactly the kind of reading material we wanted him to have at that age,” Ratree added drily.
You sure?
Trask wished he were with Felipe so he could see the expression on his imp’s face. Seeing as I’m already here, drinking coffee with your grandfather and parents, yeah I’m sure.
Not long after that, Trask spied Lady getting to her feet to trot out the door, and Sophie scrambled after her, barking in excitement. “I think that means Felipe received my message.”
Donato waved him on with a smile. “Go reassure my son that you’ve survived coffee alone with us. I suspect we’ll see him soon enough.”
“He’ll make it a point to glance in and glare threateningly at least once,” Lolo added.
Trask emerged as Mariana and Felipe came around the house arguing heatedly, with Lola bringing up the rear. Felipe’s face was drawn in concern, but his expression lightened when he saw Trask. “Are you okay?” he demanded.
Mariana rolled her eyes. “You didn’t need to hound me to drive faster just because he was here. Hey, Trask.”
“Mariana, Miz Madel.” Trask nodded to them both as he smiled at Felipe. “I’m fine, imp.”
“What are you up to?” Felipe stopped in front of him, hands on his hips. “Why are you here having coffee with that cranky crew?”
“Well, technically, I’m a cranky old man too,” Trask teased, just to watch Felipe’s eyes flash in warning. “Do I have to be up to something?”
“Yes. You drove all the way here without telling me. You had a reason. Was it to make nice with Dad when I wasn’t here? So I couldn’t tell him and Lolo to knock it off if they were stepping over the line?” True to Lolo’s prediction, Felipe opened the kitchen door to give the occupants of the table a hard look.
Miz Madel patted his shoulder as she passed, her eyes twinkling merrily. “Happy New Year, Trask. I’m happy to see you again.”
Trask grinned at her. It was impossible to not respond to Felipe’s grandmother. “Same here, Miz Madel.”
Felipe turned toward him with a narrow-eyed glare as Mariana watched with interest, and Trask held up his hand before he could jump to conclusions. “Let’s address your first concern. I’m fine. Your parents and grandfather are fine. We had a very cordial conversation, and I think we understand each other a little better now. I already know your sister and grandmother are on our side, so I guess we may be in the clear.”
“You think you’ve got it bad,” Mariana scoffed. “Try being the baby and a girl.”
“Your second concern,” Trask cut in as Felipe turned his baleful eyes on his sister. “I’m here without you because I wanted to surprise you with your present, and I contacted your dad because I needed his help with it.” Trask watched Felipe’s conflicted emotions with amusement. The imp didn’t know which way to jump first. “Now before you rocket off with your one thousand questions, why don’t we pop upstairs and take a look at what I’ve been working on.”
Excitement won and Felipe grabbed Trask’s hand. “Have you been practicing that argument?”
“I just hoped once I mentioned your present your curiosity would outweigh your need to hound me for details,” Trask admitted as he followed Felipe’s dash upstairs.
Felipe flipped him off but didn’t stop his forward momentum to argue. It was immensely gratifying to see his excitement. He threw open the door, and his squeal could be he heard downstairs. “Where the hell did you find that?” He threw Trask a brilliant smile and bounded into his apartment. “IKEA?”
Before Trask could answer that insult Felipe was kneeling before the table, running his hands over it as he crooned. “Oh no. This baby has seen things. It’s been around awhile. I love it. I’m going to call it Clarence.”
Trask watched in bemusement, amazed at Felipe’s endless capacity to surprise him. “You’re naming your table?”
“Of course I am. Doesn’t everybody?” Felipe laid his cheek on the surface before exploring every drawer and cabinet, exclaiming over each one like it was a new treasure.
Trask leaned against the doorjamb, unable to take his eyes off Felipe as warmth suffused him and his heart ached with tenderness. He’d had many moments of gratification inside the NA rooms, moments when the time and care he’d put into another had yielded long-lasting friendships that sustained each other. Felipe was the first person who gave him the same feeling outside those small circles.
“I’m glad you like it.” It made every hour he’d poured into the project worth it. He suspected that was how Felipe felt when he delivered a costume commission. Though it was so much better when it was a loved one whose eyes lit up like that.
Felipe whirled around and pounced on him. “I do. I love it. I’m sorry I didn’t say that right away.”
“You don’t need to.” Trask brushed his lips over Felipe’s. “Most of the time with you, there’s no guessing.”
“It’s perfect.” Felipe spun back around to run his hands all over the table again. “I can’t wait to send Abby pictures. She’s going to be so jealous.”
Trask waited until Felipe had gone through every nook again and cleared his throat. Felipe glanced at him with questioning eyes. “I was wondering, my anniversary meeting is coming up.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to quell the sudden nerves. “I’d like for you to come to it.”
Felipe frowned. “I thought NA meetings were for insiders only. Wouldn’t I get you into trouble if I went?”
Trask shook his head. “Anniversary meetings are a bit different. It’s a celebration, and if we have any family or close friends who support us, they’re invited. Hell, half of Joe’s grandkids showed up for his last one.”
He’d never had anyone outside of the program who he’d been close enough to that he wanted to come. And the people from the program that he was closest to would be there, no questions asked. “I’d really like for you to be there.”
Felipe’s eyes softened. “Then I’ll be there.”
“I’m going to ask Ryan to speak.” Trask smiled gently. “Since he gave me my most recent come-to-Jesus moment. I think he’d be pretty damn pleased to see you there too.”
Felipe laughed and shook his head. “So it looks like the both of us have conquered our respective dragons. Ryan was breathing fire over you about as much as my family was breathing fire over me.”
Felipe gave Trask the craziest mental images, and he wouldn’t want it any other way. He caught Felipe’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I guess there’s nothing standing in the way anymore. Now it’s just you and me.”
“And two crazy dogs.” Felipe slipped his arms around Trask’s neck. “Happy New Year, Tin Man. I get the feeling this year is going to be even better than the last, and the last one rocked.”