Chapter 17

Ihad just sat down on the couch in the living room with the carbonara I'd made, a glass of cabernet, and whatever show I could find on Netflix that I hadn't already watched ten times, when my phone buzzed on the coffee table.

Are you busy right now?Evian. If I thought getting him off my mind after that kiss was hard, it was nothing compared to the amount of times I thought about him after shared orgasms. Fuck. Last night was the hottest night of my life.

Not really. Just about to eat dinner.

Mind if I stop by? He'd been with his dad for the last few hours. Hopefully, this wasn't a sign that things didn't go well.

I wanted to play it cool, but the thought of seeing him again made my pulse kick into overdrive. Now wasn't the time to play hard to get. I'd love it if you did.

Good because I'm outside.

My head popped up and I reached behind the couch to pull the curtain back, a smile I couldn't contain taking over my entire face as I watched him walk toward the front door. I set my plate down on the coffee table and shot to my feet, yanking the door open before he even had a chance to knock.

"Hi," he said softly, barely getting the word out before I closed the distance and pressed my mouth to his. With a whimper, he parted his lips so I could deepen the kiss. I swept my tongue in and tasted every inch of his mouth. When we finally came up for air, his eyes were glazed over and his lips were swollen and pink.

Pride surged through me that I was responsible for both of those things. A car turned the corner, its bright lights like a spotlight on what I'd done on the front stoop moments before. It felt like a full-circle moment. I'd give anything if that one kiss with Evian could rewrite history. Despite the fact I knew it couldn't, I kissed Evian again, determined to take back my power.

I swept my tongue in his mouth, swirling it with his, living for the sigh he released as he allowed me to taste him. And, fuck, could he kiss. When we finally came up for air, he looked thoroughly kiss-drunk, his eyes half-lidded as he slowly smiled at me.

"That was one hell of a hello," he whispered, and I laughed, taking a step back to look at him.

"It's possible I've been thinking about doing that all day." I rubbed his biceps, staring into hazel eyes I could look at for the rest of my life. And, holy shit, that was a serious thought. A forever kind of thought for a man I'd only known a month and a half…who lived across the country from my real home.

"What's wrong?" He searched my eyes and I remembered what he'd said the other night.

"You really can read me in a way no one ever has." The admission was overwhelming, especially because I hadn't even invited him inside yet. I took his hand and guided him into the house, closing the door behind us.

Evian turned toward the living room and froze. "Shit, I'm interrupting your dinner." He stared at my abandoned carbonara and bit his lip, looking adorably guilty.

I snorted and wrapped my arms around him from behind. It was crazy how easy it was to be this way with him. "Trust me. Kissing you is ten times better than eating pasta and bacon."

Evian sucked in a dramatic breath, pressing a hand to his heart as he turned in my arms with wide eyes. "Did you really just say you'd choose me over bacon? That might be the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me."

My head fell back with a laugh. "Challenge accepted."

He arched a dark eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure you just challenged yourself."

I thought for a second. "I guess I did." Pulling him even closer, I whispered, "I'm glad you're here."

"Me, too." He took my hand and led me over to the couch, pushing me down and picking up my plate to hand to me. "Eat. You never know what you're going to need energy for later." He wiggled his brows, laughing as I eagerly took the plate and shoved a big bite in my mouth. Remembering where I'd gotten the wine glasses from the night before, he went into the kitchen and got one out, pouring himself a glass of wine. I could picture this being a nightly thing, having this level of comfort with him.

I took another bite and the creamy pasta awakened all my taste buds, making me aware of the fact I really was pretty hungry. In between bites, I asked, "How'd things go with your dad?"

I held my breath, looking for any sign of distress, but when Evian sat down next to me and his mouth spread in a gorgeous smile, relief washed over me. I didn't know why it was so important to me that Ev fixed things with his dad.

Who was I kidding? I knew exactly why. If his dad was who Evian said he was, and loved him despite having a hard time showing it, then I had no doubt their relationship could become stronger with a little communication. I didn't have nearly the same confidence in mending my relationship with my mom.

"We talked about everything. Cleared the air about so many misconceptions we'd had about each other. Do you know we were both afraid to talk about my mom because we thought it would upset the other?" He kissed me softly. "You were right. There was so much he wanted to say but didn't know how. I found out the sewing machine was his idea." He glanced down for a second, then looked back up under long, dark lashes. "He and my mom loved each other so much. He said my mom was good at putting into words the things he couldn't."

My heart started racing as the words Evian had said to me last night mirrored what he'd just said about his parents. The idea of having that deep of a connection to someone absolutely floored me. The idea of having it with Evian seemed way too good to be true. I didn't know how to respond, so instead, I kissed him again. As they had the night before, things quickly became heated.

"What about your dinner?" Evian mumbled against my mouth.

"I—" The sound of a FaceTime call coming through stopped me mid-thought. I couldn't think of anyone here that would call me like that, which only meant one thing. I swallowed hard and reached for my phone, my hand shaking as I turned it over and saw it was my sister. "Shit." My first instinct was to ignore it, but I was so tired of avoiding my life in California as if it didn't exist. Wasn't my mom winning if I did that? Rina and Vito hadn't given me any reason—yet—to shut them out.

I glanced at Evian apologetically then reluctantly answered the call. "Hey, Rina."

"Don't you hey me, Enzo. You've been ignoring my texts and I want to know why." Before I could respond, she held up her hand. "Wait. Hang on a second while I add Vito to the call."

"Shit," I mumbled, scrubbing a hand over my face. Evian's warm hand gripped my arm, his hazel eyes full of concern.

"Do you want me to go?" he mouthed silently.

Panic swept over me and I grabbed his hand, squeezing it hard, as I shook my head no. Did I want him to go? I needed him to stay more than Thor needed his fucking hammer. In such a short amount of time, he'd become like a lifeline for me, breathing confidence into me while earning my trust. My eyes snapped back to the screen when I heard Vito's deep voice. "Sorry. Had to get the kiddos ready for bed." He sat down on the couch in his living room. "What's up, Enz? You ready to tell us what's really going on?"

I swallowed hard at the thought of telling them, but a part of me knew, even if they wanted me to, I didn't have to tell them shit. One look at the concern in their eyes and hearing Burke's damn voice in my head telling me to trust them, made me lower my defenses. That didn't mean I knew how to start this conversation, so I answered in the most logical and mature way. I shrugged my shoulders and sat there like a dumbass, staring at the screen, waiting for one of them to get the ball rolling.

"Enzo, what's going on?" Rina asked softly. I hated how worried she looked. My siblings weren't stupid. They knew something bigger happened than Burke needing help at his restaurant. But how did I begin to share something with them that I'd gone out of my way to hide for years?

I blew out a deep breath, pushed my hand back through my hair, and said, "Remember how Mom told you all I was sick for Rocco's birthday?"

"Oh my God, is it more serious?" Rina put her hand over her mouth, her brow creased with worry.

I held up a hand and shook my head vigorously. "No. No, I'm not sick. I never was."

Her hand dropped, her expression switching from Thank fuck to What's going on? "So, what happened?"

I'd mentioned to Evian that my mom had started to cut me out of family things, but I hadn't gone into detail with him yet. I exhaled again, long and slow, while trying to come up with the words. "Mom didn't want me there. She was…teaching me a lesson, I guess."

"What?" Vito asked, anger lacing his voice. "What kind of lesson?"

"The kind where she was making it clear that I either be who she wants me to be or I'm not welcome in the family." Evian squeezed my arm hard in support.

"Enz, you can tell us. Whatever it is." Rina's sincerity and Vito's nod of agreement loosened the tension in my back a little more.

"But, what if you agree? What if I tell you what's going on and you no longer want to speak to me either? Mom already told—" I choked on the words, swallowing down the lump in my throat, and tried again. "Mom told Tino something she had no right telling him and now he's not speaking to me."

Vito snorted in disgust. "Ah. The Golden Child and Mom ganging up on you. Fucking typical."

"When do we ever side with Mom and Tino?" Rina asked, and I could hear the hurt she was feeling that I'd even suggest they would.

Guilt was a hard pill to swallow, especially while trying to wash it down with lame excuses. "You don't. Deep down I know that, but it doesn't make this any easier."

"I feel like we're talking around something that you really want to say." Vito stared intensely through the screen. "Enzo…if it makes it any easier…" He paused for a second, hesitant to finish that sentence until Rina gave a slight nod. "If it makes it any easier, we're pretty sure we already know what's going on. The difference is, we're willing to wait until you want to tell us, not force your hand like Mom did."

Tears welled in my eyes, comforted only by the soft kiss Evian pressed to my shoulder, still off screen. We hadn't talked about where this thing between us was going, but I wanted so badly to turn the phone and let my brother and sister see who was comforting me.

I didn't have to say a word as I stared into his eyes. As he had so many times, Evian knew the question I was afraid to ask. He nodded and whispered, "I'm okay with it." As a proud gay man, he had no qualms about me leaning on him while speaking my truth.

I looked back at the phone screen, the words caught on my tongue.

"Is there someone there with you?" my sister asked.

It was now or fucking never. I adjusted the phone so Evian was in view next to me. He was still holding my arm, pressed solidly against me in a way a friend wouldn't be. He lifted his hand, smiling softly. "Hi. I'm Evian."

I placed my hand over his and prepared myself to see judgment from my siblings. Instead, what I saw had me releasing a shuddering breath.

Rina smiled wide and waved, and Vito was equally as happy…maybe even proud? "Hi, Evian," Rina said. "That's such a cool name. I'm Carina, but everyone calls me Rina."

Next, Vito raised a hand and smiled genuinely. "Hey, I'm Vito. Nothin' fancy. Just Vito." He laughed and so did Evian and Rina.

I wanted to laugh with them, but the lump I'd been trying to swallow for the past five minutes shouted a big fuck you as it came out an embarrassing rush of tears down my cheeks.

"Oh, Enzo," Rina whispered, her brows pulled together in sympathy.

Evian wiped a tear from my cheek, leaving no doubt what he was to me. I didn't know who was more shocked to realize he was so much more than a friend. My siblings, or me? He was the man who single-handedly removed a mask I'd worn for years, but he didn't put what I couldn't into words. Not this time. No, this was something I needed to say all on my own, but he reminded me, with that simple swipe of a tear, that he was there for me.

Wiping my other cheek and then rubbing my thigh nervously, I said, "Mom showed up at my house uninvited and…I wasn't alone. She embarrassed the hell out of me, called me and the guy I was with such vile things. From that moment on, she started to shut me out of the family until I'd give in and ‘come to my senses.'" I used air quotes around that last part, just to make it clear those were her words, not mine. Holy shit, I'd really just said all that. I may not have said the words specifically, but just admitting I'd been with a man at the time said it all. Not wanting to lose momentum, I kept going. "That last day at the restaurant, she'd crossed a line, and when I pushed back, she betrayed me in the worst possible way. Tino followed us out the back door, and even though I pleaded with her not to tell him, she did anyway."

"Son of a bitch," Vito growled. "Are you fucking kidding me?" The anger in his voice set off all sorts of alarm bells, sending a knee-jerk chill down my spine, until he reminded me he was on my side. "Jesus, I'm so damn tired of her choosing him over us."

"Tell them the rest," Evian whispered, looking into my eyes as if to give me some of his fearlessness.

Heart racing, hands trembling on my thighs, I stared at Evian, drawing in every ounce of support he was giving me until I finally nodded and looked back at the screen. "After she did that, there was no point in denying it. She'd already taken my choice away by telling Tino. So, I owned up to it. Said she was right, and that I am like Burke. I'm gay." I waited for one or both of them to have some sort of a reaction to that, but they continued to listen with rapt attention and palpable support. "Tino got pissed, and honestly, I'd expected him to hit me."

"He fucking hit you?" Rina yelled, completely appalled by the thought.

Buckle up, sister."No." I paused and then added, "Mom did." Vito and Rina both sucked in breaths, their eyes wide at first before anger flooded their expressions. I just wanted to get the rest of it out. "I called Burke, he bought me a plane ticket, and now I'm here, in Coral Pointe. I'm sorry I didn't tell either of you, but at that point, Burke had been the only one I'd confided in, and I'm sure you can understand why."

They both nodded in understanding, Rina saying, "Thank you for telling us. I'm sure Vito will agree with me when I say we're one hundred percent on your side."

"Hell, yeah, we are," Vito agreed.

The relief that washed over me was immense, even a bit overwhelming.

Evian shocked me by saying to them, "I'm so glad he has the two of you. He doesn't deserve to be treated the way your mom and Tino treated him."

I looked at him and warmth bloomed in my chest. A sense of calm and admiration washed over me. "Thank you," I whispered, and because I could…because I was no longer hiding who I was, I leaned in and kissed him softly. The heat on my cheeks skyrocketed to lava-degree levels, knowing I'd just done that in front of my siblings, but when Rina sighed an, "Aw," I laughed and so did Evian.

"Enz, are you okay with us telling Lacey and Joe? There isn't a doubt in my mind they'll support you," Rina said. The fact that she was asking permission instead of just doing it behind my back made my chest feel ten times lighter.

"Yeah. You can tell them. I trust you all, even if it doesn't seem like it."

"We get it now," Vito assured me. "I'm proud of you for telling us, but I don't blame you for waiting until the time was right for you."

"Same," Rina agreed. In the background, somewhere within her house, Joe called out, "Rina! I need another set of hands, STAT! Gio just crapped all up his back! How the heck does he manage to do that?" We all laughed at the panic in his voice over a dirty diaper. "I gotta go. Duty calls. Pun, unfortunately, intended." She waved a hand at the screen. "It was so nice to meet you, Evian." Then she looked at me. "I'm here, whenever you need me, got it?"

I let out a watery laugh. "Yeah, I got it."

"I should go, too." Vito waved at us. "Nice to meet you, Evian. Thanks for being there for him." When he looked at me, he wiggled his brows. "I'll let you get back to it." Rina and I both groaned while Evian laughed.

"Bye!" I shouted before ending the call quickly.

I leaned back on the couch cushions, my body feeling like Jell-O but also vibrating with happiness.

Evian pushed his hand in my hair, his body turned toward me, legs pulled up underneath him. "How do you feel? That was a huge moment for you."

I sighed feeling his hand gently stroke through my hair. "I think I'm still in shock. Did that really just happen?"

"Yeah, it did, and you should be so damn proud of yourself. I know I'm proud of you."

I took his hand, running my thumb over the back of it. "I'm so glad you were here. I know I needed to do that, but it was so much easier to face with you being here."

A look flashed in his eyes that I was pretty sure started out as concern until he shuttered it and smiled. "I'm glad I was, too. This was a pretty big night for both of us, huh?" He leaned his head down on my shoulder. "My convo with my dad doesn't hold a candle to what you just did, though."

"Are you kidding?" I pulled him until he straddled my lap, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Fixing things with your dad isn't any less important than me confiding in my siblings. They're family and we both needed to hear certain things from them in order to heal ourselves."

Evian gently brushed his fingers over my cheek. "Look at you, being all profound and shit."

I snorted. "Don't expect that too often."

Something flashed in his eyes again, but he buried his face in my neck and breathed in. "What about orgasms? Can I expect those?"

"Hell yeah," I rasped out, standing with him in my arms the way I had the night before.

His silky tongue slid up my neck to my ear and I groaned as he whispered, "The only thing that could make this night even better is for you to be inside me. Think you're ready for that level?"

I almost tripped over my feet, thankful when the bed was within reach. "So fucking ready," I said in a husky voice and sealed my mouth over his.