A Coffee Away

Chapter 10 A Real Family

Robbie

Esteban’s laughter reached me as I finished another of his poems. He’d finally let me read his work, and it was amazing.

The rich aroma of coffee wafted through the shop as he brewed behind the counter. I glimpsed his black hair behind the machine as he joked with Gaby.

I spent most of my mornings here unless I was in the middle of a piece. He always made my favorite—hot mocha with oat milk. It was creamy and rich, the hint of chocolate just enough to quell my cravings. I was obsessed with it.

“Did you like that one?” Raúl asked me.

I smiled. “Definitely. It has a hint of sadness in it, but then it transforms into strength.”

Raúl nodded. “He wrote that one after a bad breakup.”

I widened my eyes. “Someone broke up with him?”

I glanced back at Esteban. He shared stuff with me about his family and friends but not his love life. He said that was in his past and that he wanted to focus on his present. On me.

I didn’t give it much thought because he might have had experiences he preferred to bury and never revisit. But it didn’t mean I wasn’t curious, more so now that Raúl mentioned it.

Raúl chuckled. “Hard to imagine, right? Who’d let go of that piece of ass?”

Raúl and Esteban met at the university. They did hook up once, but it was years ago, and it didn’t work, so they stayed friends. They were like brothers.

“You know you’re lucky as fuck. Many want Esteban, but he’s been playing hard to get for years now.” He jerked his chin toward Esteban’s book. “That one broke his heart, and it took years for him to bounce back.”

I flexed my fingers over the book, hoping to hell whoever harmed Esteban had suffered by his own karma. “When did it happen?”

Raúl put his hands up. “Oh, no. That’s not for me to tell you, my friend. It has to come from him. But to tell you the truth, you don’t have to worry about it. I’ve never seen him this committed even with him.”

I looked toward the counter and found Esteban’s blue eyes on me. What could that man have done to break such a strong spirit?

He raised an eyebrow, and I waved in dismissal. With a half smile, he furrowed his brow at Raúl.

Raúl winked at him. “I was telling him what a catch you are!”

“Yeah, right.” Esteban got back to work.

“Ask him. I’m sure he’ll tell you.” Raúl stood. “I have to go.” He pushed his chair back. “Duty calls.”

“Class?”

He took his backpack. “Cogito, ergo sum. Got to teach some freshmen about Descartes.”

We hugged.

“Cool. See you later.”

Raúl taught philosophy at the UPR-Río Piedras. I would have loved to have a professor like him. A hunk of a man with a cool attitude and an incredible IQ. Sometimes I wondered why he was still single, but he was like Andrés. Only fun, nothing serious.

Raúl knocked on the counter on his way out. “See you!”

Esteban shook his hand. “Later.”

About half an hour later, Esteban brought me a quesito. “Sorry, babe. I’ll be out in fifteen.”

My mouth watered. “Thanks. How did you know I wanted one?”

Esteban chuckled. “You’ve been eyeing them since you got here. But you’re lactose intolerant, so I didn’t know if you could eat them.”

“I shouldn’t, but I’ll take one of these.” I took out one of my chewable lactase tablets. “Thank you again.”

“Sure, babe.” He brushed my arm before walking away.

I took a bite and closed my eyes. The sweet, syrup-drenched flakes melted on my tongue, followed by the creamy cheese. Warm and velvety with just enough crunch and sugar to flood my senses with glee. This was my favorite pastry of all time. The quesito was not only food but pure happiness.

I opened my eyes to find Esteban watching me intensely. He winked at me before turning to Gabrielle.

Fuck. I was lucky indeed.

“Sorry my shift went longer.” Esteban punched in a code, and the gate opened.

My hands shook, and I squeezed them together. “I can’t believe I’m meeting your parents.” I opened the top button of my shirt. “Is it hot here, or is it me?”

Esteban covered my hands. “Relax, love. Mom and Dad just want to meet the guy who’s got me on my knees.” He winked. “Literally.”

My mind traveled to last night. I was tied on the edge of the bed in a seated position so I had a full view of him as he took me in his mouth. He was a giver and a talented one.

I shook my head, willing my semi-erect cock to calm the fuck down.

Esteban laughed. “You know I love doing that to you. You taste incredible.”

My whole body ignited at his words. “How am I supposed to get out of the car now?” I exhaled.

“Look! A cockroach!” Esteban pointed to the dash.

I jumped back.

“I think that took care of the problem.” He laughed.

I punched his arm. “Cabrón! I almost died. You know I hate them.”

“I know.” He grinned mischievously, then brushed my disheveled hair back. “It will be perfect. They’re very down to earth.”

I fixed my hair in the mirror as he parked. “I hope so.” I closed my eyes, breathing slowly. “I’m ready.”

I grabbed Esteban’s wrist as he was about to leave the car. “Wait.”

He sat, his brow furrowed. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

I swallowed dryly. “Please don’t tell your parents about what Mom and Dad did. I don’t want their pity. If they ask, make something up. Can you?”

He gave me a soft smile, then cupped my cheek. “Of course, love. Don’t worry.” He kissed me sweetly. “I love you. And I promise everything will be fine.”

I grabbed his nape and pulled him back for a second kiss. It started soft, but the moment my tongue clashed with his, it became heated. We kissed for a long time until my troubles were no more.

“Wow.” Esteban shuddered, touching his temple to mine. “That was…”

“Orgasmic?” I smirked. “Out of this world?”

Esteban chuckled, but his features softened immediately. “Beautiful.”

My heart skipped a beat, and my chest tingled with something pure. Deep. “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

When our breathing settled, we left the car.

At the front door, Esteban snaked his arm around my waist and held me to him in a short kiss. The doorknob rattled.

“Oh!” Esteban’s mother opened the door wide as I pushed him away.

Esteban laughed silently.

She was in her late forties but looked much younger.

“I’m Gina.” She fixed a strand of her long, auburn hair, then touched my arm. “Great to meet you, Robbie. Esteban hasn’t stopped talking about you, and now I see why.” She gave me a once-over.

“Mom…” Esteban huffed.

She kissed his cheek, then pulled me inside. “Don’t mind my son. He hasn’t brought a boyfriend to us since the last one years ago. But don’t worry. You’re much more handsome than he was.”

I stopped mid-step. He’d brought him here. To his parents. The mystery man who broke him for years was right on this doorstep years ago. The peace that had enveloped me after our kiss shattered in that instant.

Why wouldn’t he tell me about it? What had that man done to him?

I glanced at Esteban.

He wasn’t a shy man at all, but in this moment, with his head to the ground and his avoiding stare, he looked the opposite of secure.

Gina furrowed her brow but went ahead.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

After kissing my temple, he grazed my ear with his mouth. “I’m sorry. I promise we’ll talk later.”

I forced down the urge to take him back to the car so he’d explain everything to me. “I’ll hold you to it.”

He ruffled my hair and grabbed my pinkie. “Promise.”

“Come on, kids. I’ve got the snacks ready,” Gina called from the back of the house.

A glass door led to the patio, where a table for four was set with saltine crackers, ham, and cheese. There was also a tray with vegetables and ranch next to it and a blue cooler on the floor.

She opened it and grabbed a beer. “There’s beer, sangria, and juice. Water is in the fridge.”

Esteban smiled at her. “Mom, when are you going to stop seeing me as a kid?”

She hugged him, then cupped his cheek. “Never.” Her blue eyes beamed at him.

The love behind her gaze was absolute, and I couldn’t help but miss Mom. I shoved that thought away and sat.

“Where’s Dad?” Esteban grabbed two beers and passed one to me.

“He joined my Zumba class this morning after a long, stressful week at his law office.” Gina giggled quietly. Her face flushed. “We took a nap after. He’s in the shower, getting ready.”

Esteban elbowed her and smirked. “You couldn’t keep your hands off him for an afternoon?”

Gina shook her head. “You’re insufferable.” To my surprise, she grinned and winked at me.

“Wait till he joins us,” Esteban whispered. “They’re all over each other constantly.” He shook his head.

I chuckled. My heart lightened at their exchange.

Like mother, like son. Now I knew where Esteban got his insatiability from.

I turned at the sliding door.

“Son!” An incredibly handsome man in his fifties came out of the apartment. His black hair and strong build mirrored Esteban’s. He extended his hand to me. “You must be Robbie. I’m Javier.” His grip was strong, and his smile dimpled like Esteban’s.

“Nice to meet you, sir.”

He waved dismissively. “Call me Javi. I’m not that old.” He hugged Esteban and patted his back. “I’ve missed you.”

Esteban rolled his eyes. “You talk as if we haven’t seen each other in forever. It’s only been a month.”

Javi snagged a beer. “A month is a long time.” He clinked his beer with Gina’s. “Salud.”

They kissed.

Gina took a seat. “Come on. Time to spill the beans.”

Javi sat, and everyone joined me at the table.

Esteban relaxed back, taking a huge swig of his beer. “What do you want to know?”

Gina sat forward and rested her elbows on the table. “Everything!”

I rubbed my nape, and Esteban rolled his eyes again.

Gina raised an eyebrow. “Come on, boys. You look so in love!”

My heart skipped. Even though we’d already said the words, the fact it was so obvious kind of shocked me.

Before I could say anything, Esteban’s warm touch skimmed the back of my neck, massaging me. I was instantly calm and melted into him, my head lolling toward him.

Gina sighed, then elbowed Javi. “Aren’t they cute?”

Javi smiled. “Yeah. I’m glad for you both. Tell me, how did it happen?”

I glanced at Esteban, who nodded. “We met at the beach.”

“The beach?” Gina widened her eyes. “So you met running Esteban.”

Esteban stopped kneading my neck and took my hand.

I relaxed and leaned closer to him. “Yes. He was quite charming.”

Esteban turned toward me, a smirk plastered on his face. “You think I’m charming?”

My face warmed, but I wanted to see if I could make him blush. “Now I think you’re a possessive, irresistible, and devilishly handsome guy.”

His face reddened.

Gina and Javi laughed.

It was a sight to behold. For once, Esteban was out of words.

“Okay. So Esteban tells me you’re living together,” Javi said.

A tingling warmth ran through my limbs. He’d taken me in when I had nothing and made me realize my own worth when all I saw was darkness. Now my life had purpose thanks to him.

Esteban squeezed my hand. “Roberto had a family situation, and I offered for him to stay with me. He’s working at a gallery and sells his art. His art is something else.”

I took a swig of my beer, my mouth suddenly dry. “That’s an overstatement.”

“Oh no, it’s not. He sent me a video of your night at the gallery. You have talent,” Gina said.

“It’s like we can see you through the art. It’s so deep,” Javi said.

Something inside me fluttered to life. That part that turned to darkness the moment my parents rejected me. These were amazing people, and they accepted and loved their son no matter what. Maybe, just maybe, they could fill that void inside me.

“Is something the matter, son?” Javi asked.

My heart jerked at the endearment.

I took a cracker. “I’m okay. Just got a lot on my mind.”

Esteban caressed my left thigh the whole time. He was like a lifeline, always there. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened to me if it weren’t for him.

Two hours later, we said our goodbyes.

“Your parents are fun,” I said matter-of-factly as Esteban turned on his car.

He glanced my way, then squeezed my thigh. “Are you okay? I know that must have been hard.”

I shrugged. “Maybe at first. The kindness and support I experienced reassured me that I made the right decision.” I clasped his hand and kissed it. “This.”

Esteban let out a soft breath, and his smile built as we passed the beach.

I glanced out the window. The beach in Luquillo gleamed with sunlight and warmth. Palm trees stretched along its gentle curve. The golden sand was almost ethereal, and the turquoise water seemed to go on forever. It needed to be on canvas. “Can we stop?”

Esteban glanced at me, then parked along the coast. “Do I bring your stuff?”

I nodded and stepped out.

I took my Crocs off and walked down the beach until the foam of the waves touched my toes.

The scent of salt and sun mingled with the aroma drifting from the fritoleras in the kioskos nearby.

I could almost taste the crisp codfish from the bacalaitos frying in their pans.

And the alcapurrias… I caught their scent from a kiosko farther down the beach, those green banana?and?pork fritters that always made my mouth water.

His presence filled my space before I saw him. He was always like that. His aura enveloped me, burning me with the need to be with him.

Esteban snaked his arm around me and pulled me into him until my back was against his chest. He kissed the back of my neck. “It’s beautiful,” he whispered, sending goosebumps all over my left arm. He breathed me in and swiped his tongue along the curve of my ear.

I moaned and let my head fall back. Seagulls flew overhead, their gentle flight always a sight to behold. I closed my eyes, letting the gentle lapping of the sea blend with the laughter of the visitors. It was beautiful.

“Everything is set, love. Paint to your pleasure.” Esteban stepped around me and took off his shirt.

His chiseled body never ceased to impress me. It was made in heaven. And his legs. God, not many men could have those. Carved. Strong. Perfectly proportioned. All power and grace wrapped in a devilishly handsome and sexy specimen. He blinked and ran to the beach.

Fuck. That ass was something else. I bit my lip, then turned around to find my canvas already set in its tripod, my paint and brushes by its side.

We’d come into this kind of routine lately. Esteban always packed my stuff for long trips and stopped wherever my inspiration hit.

I brushed stroke after stroke of vibrant life onto the canvas. Hours passed as I painted.

Esteban came by every so often with something for me to eat, and I gladly accepted. Twice he’d shown up with an ice?cold Medalla and an alcapurria, then headed back to the water to swim.

As I completed my painting, the last rays of sunlight hit the shore. Esteban was there, always present, a silhouette immortalized on my canvas.

Free and smiling.

God, I loved him.