Gabe swallowed hard. “I know. Thanks.”
After Nikki’s wedding, Tío Marco had texted Gabe to say he understood where Gabe was coming from and he’d respect his choices, but if he ever wanted help bridging the gap with Esteban, he’d be there. More than anyone, Marco understood what it was like to be raised by Esteban, who was ten years older than him and had become a surrogate father figure after their own father passed away.
“And what’s this I hear about una mujer?” Tío Marco raised his eyebrows.
Gabe didn’t have the heart to tell his godfather the truth about him and Michelle, so he just nodded, and a moment later his parents came over to greet Marco.
Somehow Gabe ended up back over in Michelle’s backyard, and after her abuela confessed to shoulder pain, he’d escorted the older woman inside for a quick treatment in the Amatos’ living room, the only quiet spot in either house. That was where Michelle found him.
“What are you doing to my grandmother?” Michelle asked, walking over to them.
Esperanza looked up with a grimace. “Tu novio está arreglando mi hombro.”
“Fixing your shoulder?” Michelle frowned. “What’s wrong with your shoulder, ’buela?”
“Estoy vieja,” Esperanza said with a laugh, then winced. “Ay, mira, Gabriel. Cuidadito con mi cuerpo.”
Gabe smiled widely to set her at ease. “No te preocupes, señora. I’m very careful.”
Michelle sat and watched while he pressed his fingers into the space around Esperanza’s scapula, instructing her to move her arm back and forth. If this hadn’t been second nature for him, Michelle’s curious gaze might have distracted him. When he was done, he stood back.
“How does it feel?” he asked.
Esperanza moved her arm experimentally, and then her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Es mejor.”
“See?” Gabe helped her to her feet. “Sometimes there’s a little discomfort but it’s better in the end. Please remember to ice it.”
“Es un milagro.” Esperanza took Gabe’s face in both hands and patted his cheeks. “Gracias, muchacho.”
“De nada, Doña Esperanza.”
Esperanza turned and gave her granddaughter a wink, then left them alone in the living room.
Gabe sank onto the sofa and sagged forward, resting his arms on his knees. Michelle rubbed his back, her hand warm and comforting through the fabric of his T-shirt. While he was tempted to curl up with her right here in the quiet living room, he was too worn out.
“What the fuck are we doing?” he whispered, his voice bleak.
She let out a soft sigh. “Ava thinks we should give up the ruse.”
“So does Nikki.” He rubbed his face with one hand, but the other reached for Michelle’s, and he twined their fingers together. “She cornered me in my old bedroom next door. Did you know my stuff is still over there?”
Michelle shook her head. “I haven’t been in your house much since you left.”
Of course she hadn’t. Why would she?
“I mean, it’s all in boxes in the closet. But there’s the same furniture, and my mom didn’t throw any of my things away. She said she was keeping it for when I came back.” He pressed his fingers to his eyes, trying not to think about how awful he’d felt when his mom had dropped that tidbit. “I don’t know how we get out of this, Mich. They’re all expecting... something.”
“They’re imagining wedding bells,” she mused. “Alas, they’re in for a disappointment.”
Gabe met her gaze, a pit opening in his stomach, despite all the Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Italian food he’d consumed that night. “You’re the one who’s going to bear the brunt of it when I leave.”
Because he was watching her carefully, he noted the moment her eyes shuttered and her chin firmed. But she didn’t reply. Instead, she got to her feet and gave him a tug. “Come on. If we disappear for too long they’re going to expect me to come back with a ring.”
Gabe groaned, but let her pull him to his feet and back out to the party.
That night, they collapsed into bed next to each other, exhausted.
“I forgot what these family gatherings are like,” he muttered.
