A Coffee Away

Breaking Free!

Robbie

The end of the street. The pristine beach was right in front of me but so far away. It reflected no sign of how my life had just changed. Or how it would never be the same.

After years of living the life they wanted for me, at last, I was free. A huge weight had been lifted off my chest, but what I thought would be a happy day was fast becoming the darkest one yet.

What a bittersweet way to start this new life.

No matter what, they were my parents, and the pain that clawed at my heart at their rejection was as real as the sea salt in the air.

As the sound of the waves hitting the shore.

As the sweet caresses shared by the two women who lay side by side, enjoying the morning sun.

I sat at the spot where I met Esteban last night. How could life change so much in such a short time? What would I do now? I had no job. No art materials. No money.

My parents paid for art school, and when I finished last month, they bought all the art materials I needed. After years of study, they both believed in my art, and they let me stay so I could create and one day exhibit my work in galleries.

Now their pride was gone because I decided to be honest, thinking that maybe their love for me would be enough. But it wasn’t.

Shivers ran down my spine at his touch. The same one that pulled me awake yesterday.

I turned. He stood right behind me. His pained stare made my cheeks burn.

I couldn’t look at him. “Please don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” He sat beside me.

Elbows on thighs, I raked my hair back, then grabbed the back of my neck. “Like you’re sorry for me.”

Our shoulders touched for a second, and his warmth ran through me, stronger than the heat of the sun.

“You’re wrong. I just…”

I eyed him.

His jaw was clenched, fists at his sides.

His neck tensed, and this close, I could appreciate part of his dragon tattoo.

Its head peeked from his olive-green shirt beneath his cream apron.

Rage flared from it, almost like he was fighting against this fucked-up world, guarding life itself. It was exquisite, like him.

Esteban’s blue eyes caught mine, and after a second, his hard stare softened. He put his hand on my shoulder, brushing it softly. “I’m sorry you had to go through this.”

His caring touch calmed my inner turmoil, easing the tension that had taken hold of me.

I watched the horizon. “I’m tired of living a lie. Last night, something inside me broke free. I just blurted it out.”

Esteban caressed my back, and everything pent up inside me flowed out.

“My parents are…” Tears rolled down my face. “They are very conservative and religious. But I hoped… Fuck.” I dried my tears. “I hoped they’d understand. That maybe it would take time but not this. Not them throwing me out of their lives.”

I sobbed hard, and Esteban drew me to him. I cried on his shoulder, his strong arms gentle as he wrapped them around me.

He pulled me by the nape and pressed me against his chest, cradling me below his chin. “I’m sorry. Whatever you need, I’m here. You’re not alone.”

I breathed easier at his touch. At his words. Then I let myself be taken care of for once in my life. I shared my pain through our embrace.

Time slowed, and I stayed there, safely cocooned in his arms.

Esteban wiped away one last tear with his thumb, then caressed my cheek. “Do you want to go somewhere and talk? Or we can stay. I texted my boss and took the day off. Family emergency.”

My breath hitched at his words. Family emergency? A day off for me?

I shook my head. “I’m not family.”

He shrugged. “You needed me. I’m here.”

My heart somersaulted. He chose to be here. With me. He could have stayed on the phone. Told me to calm down until he was off. Maybe even asked if I had someone else I could talk to, but he didn’t. He came.

I frowned. “But we just met.”

He brushed my frown away. “Does it matter that we just met?”

My nerves fired all at once at his intimate touch, and when he drew it away, my chest grew heavy.

He tilted his head. “So tell me, what do you want to do?”

Okay. Focus, Robbie.

I widened my eyes. “You mentioned a food-truck park yesterday.”

Esteban rubbed the back of his neck. “We can go there, but it opens in an hour. There’s a park close to it. We can stop there, breathe a little, and then have lunch.”

My pulse hitched. “Can we do that?”

I needed a break from everything. A fresh start. A new experience.

Esteban’s eyes beamed for a moment before he nodded. “Sure.” He stood, then offered me his hand. “Come on.”

I grabbed it, calloused and strong as that first time.

He helped me up and grabbed all my stuff, then walked toward a black Mazda that was parked illegally at the end of the street.

My breath was bottled up in my chest at the realization that he’d rushed to get to me.

I followed him hastily, trying to keep up with his long strides. “You really don’t mind?”

Esteban smiled. A real, full smile. “I don’t. Got the whole day for you.” He opened the trunk and put my things inside.

He took his apron off, then set it inside.

My body heated at the memory of being wrapped in his strong arms. At the moment, I was so consumed by sadness that I didn’t think of it. But now… I recalled his heart beating against my cheek. His warmth as he held me snugly against his hard chest.

“Are you all right?” He closed the trunk.

“I’m okay, just a bit hot.” I touched my face, figuring it must be red. Damn me and my freakishly pale skin!

Thank God it was hot as hell, and he couldn’t read my mind.

He opened the passenger door for me. “Get in. I’ll turn on the AC.”

I sat in the passenger seat, and he closed the door once I put on my seat belt.

My chest warmed at his care. He was such a gentleman.

There were some discarded wrappers in the door pocket, and a cup of coffee rested in the cup holder between the seats.

He entered as I was looking at it. “It’s still warm. There’s some left if you want.”

I curved my lips at the offer. I hadn’t had coffee yet. “Is it lactose-free? Sorry for asking, but I’m intolerant.”

“No worries.” He handed it to me. “I’m not intolerant, but I prefer the creaminess of oat milk, so it’s safe.”

“Perfect.” I grabbed the cup, and for a second, our fingers touched. A soft current went up my arm.

Esteban grinned. “Enjoy.”

I took the top off and had some. Its sweet taste was just what I needed to ease my heavy heart.

I moaned, then licked my lips. “It’s so good.”

It was only after I said it that I caught his stare.

Fuck.

He watched me with such intensity that I couldn’t think. His eyes were dark, but it only lasted a second before he turned the key and the engine roared to life.

“Good to know you like it. Tomorrow I’ll prepare it myself. This one is from Gabrielle, my coworker.”

I cleared my throat and offered it to him. “Sorry. You can have some.”

He tipped his head my way. “Did you drink all you needed?”

I smiled, then took another sip.

I passed it to him.

He took a long sip and closed his eyes. “Sweet, like you.” His sultry voice made my stomach flutter.

He winked at me, then put the cup down and pulled onto the street. “You said you have nowhere to go?”

My chest deflated. “No.”

His gaze flitted to me for a second before he focused back on the road. “Then stay with me. At least until you can get yourself settled.”

My neck and ears went impossibly hot.

Fuck, Robbie. How can you be thinking of staying with a man you just met?

Then again, where else could I go? Sylas would go back to the States, where he studied law. Most of my friends lived with their families, and their parents frequented the same circle as mine. It was impossible.

I glanced sideways, taking in Esteban’s profile. His sculpted nose. His perfect jawline. The dragon tattoo I itched to touch. To stay with him would be rebellious in itself. Dangerous. Daring. Maybe just what I needed to step away from my old self.

Nevertheless, to enter his life like this after we just met was simply wrong.

I shook my head. “Don’t worry. I’ll deal with it. I don’t want to impose.”

He pulled over and parked the car. “Stop that.”

For a moment, I forgot to breathe. His tone was strong. Demanding.

He sighed. “I don’t know how people have been treating you, but you need to think better of yourself.

” He raked his hair back. “Fuck, Robbie. I like you. You’re like fresh air.

Your soul is so bright, and you don’t even see it.

” He unbuckled his seat belt and turned sideways to look at me.

“No matter what they said, you are enough. You are not a burden. I wouldn’t have come if you bothered me.

I came because I know what you’re going through, not from personal experience but from my friends. ”

My hands shook. No one had ever spoken to me this way. None had ever touched me so deeply with their words.

Esteban took my hands in his. “I don’t know if you figured it out yet, but I’m also gay.

My family accepted it. They’re the best, but I do have friends who went through the same shit you’re going through right now.

” He squeezed my hands. “I’m here for you, and you can stay with me as long as you need.

In this community, we support each other.

You’ll never feel alone again. I promise. ”

I held on to him as tears pricked my eyes. My heart was full. He hit the spot, destroying that place deep within me that told me I wasn’t enough.

To be accepted. To be part of something. To be understood. It was all I ever wanted.

He skimmed his thumbs over my knuckles. “Robbie, you’re way better than they’ll ever be.”

I nodded, then took a deep, cleansing breath. His words washed away my insecurities and sadness, filling me with a sense of being that I hadn’t felt before.

He started the car. “You mind if we stop by my place first?”

I shook my head.

“Words.”

“No. I don’t mind.” My voice was small.

We parked in the basement garage of his apartment building and took the elevator to the tenth floor.

The apartment was modern, and the glass windows faced the Condado Lagoon.

It was minimalist, no decorations, just a black sofa, a TV, and a desk full of notebooks and a laptop.

The kitchen was dreamy, with an espresso machine and modern stainless-steel appliances.

He put my things inside a room to the left. “You’ll sleep in my room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

I stepped toward him, hands out. “No. Please. I’ll use the couch.”

He grunted. His features tightened for a moment. “Robbie…” His tone was terse.

In two long strides, he closed the space between us. His lips pressed together.

Was he mad?

A wave of heat hit me at his closeness. I stepped back and stared down at my empty hands, his presence overwhelming. “Sorry.”

He pulled my chin up. His eyes were gentle. “Know your worth. Stop apologizing. I offered my room. Take it.”

My whole body blazed with fire at his touch. At his rough but caring voice.

“Okay,” I said, conscious that he’d asked me to use my words with him.

“Good.” He paused, and I sensed he wanted to add something.

I shivered, expectant of God knew what. My breaths were short and my face warm. Esteban was inches from me, and the pull toward him was palpable. Intoxicating.

He stared at me for a moment before squeezing my shoulder and going to the fridge.

He gave me a glass of water. “Take it. It’s a five-minute walk to the park, and it’s hot outside.”

I hadn’t noticed how thirsty I was until he offered me the cup. My throat was dry, and I drank it all in one go, then gave the glass back.

His eyes were soft as he set it on the counter.

He went to the door and turned toward me. “Let’s go.”

We reached the nearby park. We still had half an hour until the food-truck park opened.

“Fuck. It’s hot.” I flapped my shirt as sweat dripped down my neck.

Esteban chuckled. “Told you so.”

I raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Are you always like this?”

He frowned. “Like what?”

I rolled my eyes. “So sure of yourself.”

He laughed loudly. “Oh, Robbie, you have no idea.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

I couldn’t help but smile. Being with him made me feel lighter. Like my problems could be dealt with.

He took a seat on a bench underneath a tree and patted the spot beside him.

I sat.

He leaned forward, hands on his knees. “Is there anything you want to talk about, or do we just enjoy the peace of the park?”

I sighed. “The latter.”

The branches rustled around us. The birds chirped from the trees above. A family played on the slides.

My soul was heavy as I watched them, all happy and laughing. I remembered moments like that with Mom and Dad. A shallow sob left me.

Esteban leaned back, putting his arm behind me. His touch helped even out my breathing. He made circles on my back with his fingers.

I breathed in. “You know what hurts the most?” I didn’t wait for an answer.

“That I love them still, and I stupidly hoped they’d love me no matter what.

It hurts. My mother didn’t even defend me.

” I covered my face with my hands. “How can they throw me out? There’s no difference. I’m the same Robbie they raised.”

“They love you, Robbie. I’m sure they do.” His voice was low. Careful.

My chest tightened.

I scoffed, then stood. “Don’t patronize me!”

My heart was about to pop out.

How can I be so stupid? I knew it would happen.

I closed my fists at my sides.

Esteban raised his eyebrows and rose. “I’d never demean you. Never.” His tone was strangled.

I opened my hands in a defensive gesture. “What then, Esteban?” I faced him dead on. “You lie. You’re saying it to make me feel better when you know the truth. I’m nothing to them. I’m a freak in their perfect little world. And why? Because I like men? It’s a fucking joke.”

I turned away from him. The pounding in my ears was deafening, and my whole body shook. “They threw me out. For God’s sake. How can someone who loves you treat you like that?”

I was wrapped in warmth from behind, and I let myself lean into the man who had just come into my life.

“Come on.” He led me back to the bench.

We talked until all my truth was out. Until all my life was splayed raw in front of me. And Esteban just listened and held my hand until there were no more tears.