28. Declan
28
DECLAN
“I ’m so sorry.”
“Carin?, it’s fine. Ideal? No, but when have we done anything the easy way.”
This day was nothing like what I’d planned, and to be honest, I was on my last frayed nerve. I planned to meet the boat, whisk Hayden back to base so he could change, and we could fuck, and then bring him here. Nowhere in my plan did I believe I would have to chase him down and convince him not to leave without eating. Introducing him to my parents had been a fleeting thought that might happen in a few weeks or months.
I glanced around at all the extra tables and fumed. Now, I knew why Walker and the others had added them to the yard. When Walker suggested a homecoming for Hayden, I didn’t realize he was going to invite half the fucking family. And now that I thought about it, I was positive he had a hand in getting my father to leave the damn ranch.
I spotted a table tucked away from the others and made a beeline for it. When we reached it, I looked at Foster’s two younger kids and said, “I think your Mama is looking for you.”
It was a lie I knew worked because adults had used it on me more times than I could count as a kid. Mama’s only looked for you during an event like this for a couple of reasons: to give you something to do, introduce you to someone you didn’t want to meet, or check you weren’t getting up to anything. As long as you stayed out of their sight, you were golden, and these two must have realized it because they flew from the table as fast as their legs would take them.
“That’s a handy tactic. Wish it would work on my Marines.”
I laughed. It was strained but still a laugh. “Yeah, I don’t think it would have the same effect.”
He sat our plates down and pulled out my chair, surprising me. I smiled up at him as I sat. “Thank you, Papi.”
“What do you wanna drink? We didn’t grab anything.”
“Would a fifth of liquor be too much?”
He smiled. “How about I grab us a couple of sodas?”
“I couldn’t help but overhear and thought y’all could use some liquid courage. So, how about a bucket of beer?”
I looked up as Brock set the bucket of beer on the table.
“Thank you. Hayden, this is Brock.”
Hayden made to stand, but Brock laid a hand on his shoulder. “Keep your seat, man. You may be in uniform, but we don’t stand on formalities around here, and no one is going to say anything if you have a drink or two with your food.”
“Good to hear it. This place…”
“Yeah, Walker and Matthew have expensive tastes, but don’t let that, or the ranks they hold, fool you. They’re as down-to-earth as anyone I’ve ever met. And I grew up in foster care.”
He disappeared as my mother’s voice floated toward us. I looked at Hayden. “You up for this?”
He huffed a laugh. “Nowhere near it.”
“I love them. They are great people, but Mama had complications and nearly died so I’m their only child. They can be smothering at times, but I want you to remember, no matter how this marriage began, you are my husband.”
“And if they don’t like the fact you married a poor Hispanic Native American?”
“Is that what you’re worried about?”
I nodded.
“My family… my whole family are allies, but I know people say that and aren’t. I am a bisexual man raised on a ranch in Texas, but let the family prove to you they don’t give a fuck.”
His parents joined us, and Declan said, “Just follow my lead, okay?”
I nodded, and his Mama and Daddy got situated across from us.
“You boys didn’t have to wait on us. That was awfully sweet.”
“I was all for digging in, but Hayden insisted we wait.”
“Aren’t you a gentleman?”
Mama smiled and prayed over her food quickly, then placed her napkin in her lap, and Daddy, Hayden, and I followed her lead. Conversation was limited by the food, not only at our table but throughout the backyard. Even the music had been turned down.
The reprieve didn’t last for long. Mama picked up her sweet tea and leaned back in her chair.
“Hayden, where are you from?”
“Mama…”
“Seattle area, ma’am.”
“Does your family still live there?”
“My dad does, ma’am.”
“And your mama?”
“Ellen, honey…”
“Mama…”
Hayden gripped my thigh and smiled at me when I looked at him. “It’s okay.”
He turned to my mother, who I was ready to murder. “My mom died when I was younger. Dad’s family came here from Mexico illegally, but the cartels were forcing people to work for them, and they were scared. So, they crossed the border. My dad was born less than a year later. My grandfather worked the fields, and my mother worked as a housekeeper once my dad started school.”
Hayden picked up his beer, draining it before he continued, “When Dad was old enough, he joined the Navy. He wanted to serve the country that provided his family with a safe haven. When he was assigned a duty station, he got stationed here.”
“So, how did your parents meet?”
“Mom’s face when she told the story is still imprinted on my mind. She came to San Diego for college. According to her, she left the reservation, never expecting to return. Then, she met my dad. Not long after they met, Dad’s parents died. They got married, Mom finished college, and then I came along. Mom was determined to be a tribal lawyer. As soon as he could, Dad left the service, and they moved back to Washington to live on the reservation until she died. Once she was gone, we moved to town. Dad hated being surrounded by the memories.”
“Oh, that poor man. And he’s never remarried?”
“No, ma’am. He said my mother was his soul mate, and there was nothing that could replace one of those.”
Mom looked at my dad and smiled before kissing his cheek. “I understand precisely what he means.”
Hayden looked at me, and my heart swelled. I whispered, “I’m sorry for the interrogation.”
“Don’t be.” Hayden popped open another beer, leaned back in his chair, mimicking Mama’s pose earlier, and asked, “Where’s your family from, ma’am? If I can be so bold?”
Mama’s face flamed bright red, and my dad threw his head back, laughing like a hyena. I rolled my lips in, trying to keep a straight face, but there was no use, and I dissolved right next to my dad. Side-splitting laughter burst forth and took my breath away.
Mama had met her match.
But she wasn’t one to be outdone.
“Since we missed the wedding, maybe we could plan a reception at the ranch? Hayden, would your father mind a trip to Texas?”
“Fuck me, I can’t breathe!” My dad cried out.
He must have more air than I did because there was no fucking way I could’ve uttered a syllable. My chest burned, my sides hurt, and if I didn’t get some air soon I would keel over.
“Ma’am, I think we broke them.”
“Hayden, there’s something you need to know about being married to a Holt man. You never let them get the upper hand, and you, for dang sure, don’t let them figure you out. Not ever.”
“Good to know, ma’am.”
“Hayden, darlin,’ it’s Mama. Ellen, if you’re not comfortable. Let’s reserve ma’am for when you’re trying to get outta trouble. That’s when Declan pulls it out and dusts it off.”
“Hey,” I gasped.
“Hmm. I’ll have to remember that.”
“Good. Now, I’m going to get dessert. Can I bring you anything?”
She stood, and Hayden scrambled to hold her chair as he said, “No, but my ears could use a break from the braying donkeys we saddled ourselves with.”
Dad and I both fell back into the hysteria we’d only just started recovering from as they walked away. As the laughter died, Dad said, “I like him. He doesn’t take any shit, and he gives as good as he gets.”
Pride and pleasure burned through me, heating my face. “Yeah. He’s something else.”
“I have a feeling he’s not fully aware of who you are, though.”
I shook my head, glancing toward where Mama and Hayden stood, talking with Brock and Lillian. I hadn’t told the family Hayden’s background or his lack of knowledge about ours, but they all seemed to understand to keep things under wraps.
“He doesn’t.”
“Son, withholding information is the same as lying, and neither one belongs in a marriage.”
“I know, Dad.”