Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
“ H ey, Momma,” Leo called out as he walked inside his childhood home with Torres walking closely behind him.
“Hey baby, in the living room.” Sanem called back.
They walked into the living room and Leo grinned. His dad was sprawled out on the couch fast asleep, his head in his mother’s lap as she caressed her husband’s hair, and Levi sat in the recliner reading.
“I see you guys are hard at work.” Leo teased.
Sanem chuckled. “Your dad was. He helped out on his aunt’s farm today.”
“Well, that would wear anyone out.” Levi said softly. When he spoke his Service dog in training a beautiful blue brindle Cane Corso named Sheriff lifted his head from the floor and yawned before rolling over and going right back to sleep. “As you can see, he also put in the work. Apparently, I’m exhausting.” Levi said, winking at Leo.
Leo chuckled, noticing the twinkle in the man’s eyes. He was really happy Levi seemed to be settling in and getting better. The man was very sweet and he knew his parents enjoyed doting on the man.
“Well, I’m gonna hang out with you guys for a while, while Torres goes to hang out with Gabe.” Leo grunted as he flopped on the other couch across from his parents.
“How is he?” Sanem asked Torres, giving him her undivided attention.
Torres sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “He’s adjusting, but he’s mad at me that I asked him to stay with his mother this week after she got her place. She needs to spend time with him and I think it would be good for him and her to have a talk, but I don’t want him to feel like I don’t want him around.” He shrugged helplessly.
Sanem nodded. “But he doesn’t see it that way, I’m guessing.” She smiled sadly at him. She hated what he was going through. He deserved the world.
“No, he doesn’t, but I’m going to take him out to eat today and then I’ll come back and get Leo, and we’ll probably go to the arcade if Gabe has his way.” Torres smiled weakly.
“Which, he will.” Leo said teasingly.
Torres flipped him off as he passed, making Leo giggle. “Behave.”
“Never,” Leo called to Torres as he left.
“So how are things going?” Torres asked as his son glared at his food. He’d taken Gabe to his favorite pizza parlor in the hopes it would help boost his mood, but it didn't seem to be working.
“Fine.” Gabe muttered sullenly.
Torres sighed. “Look Gabe, I know you think I was just pushing you away, but that is not the case. While I am not happy with your mother right now, she deserves to be able to spend time with you too, and you should be there to help her.”
“I hate her.” Gabe hissed, his bottom lip quivering as his eyes filled with tears.
Torres caressed his son’s head. “No, baby, you don’t. I know you think you do but you don’t. You’re just really mad at her and, yes she deserves your anger, but she’s your mother she wanted you so bad she made a very bad decision.”
“But she hurt you and Dad.” He mumbled, sniffing hard.
“I know bud, she didn’t think about who she was hurting. She just wanted you so bad. She loves you, Gabriel, more than anything in this world and that makes her do some not-so-nice stuff.” He wasn’t really lying to his kid, but he had the feeling Catherine just didn’t care who she hurt in the process as long as she got what she wanted.
“It’s not right.” Gabe said forcibly. It wasn’t and no matter what his dad told him, he had always known his mom wasn’t a good person to anyone other than him.
“I know it’s not, but she’s your mom kiddo, and she’s the only one you’re going to get, so please for me, try to forgive her. I love how protective you are of me, but I don’t need you to protect me from her. She can’t hurt me anymore and having you try to defend me makes things worse because she feels you’re choosing me over her, and that’s not the case. Make no mistake, I’m so thankful you’re mine Gabriel.” Torres knuckled Gabe’s chin up to meet his eyes. “I love you, son.”
“Love you too, Dad.” Gabe said, smiling softly.
“We’ll get through this, but tonight I want you to invite your mother to come with us to the arcade and I’m going to invite Leo. He’s excited to see you again.” Torres said, smiling when Gabe dug into his food.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Gabe said around a mouthful.
Torres couldn’t even get mad at him. He looked like a cute little chipmunk. “Yes, is that ok?”
Gabe raised a brow. “He’s hot.” He shrugged while Torres choked on his drink.
“Excuse me?” Torres asked, afraid he’d misheard his son.
Gabe grinned. “You bagged yourself a hottie, Dad, I’m proud of you.”
“What the fuck?” Torres mumbled under his breath. “Thanks, son, I feel the love.”
Gabe laughed as they finished their food.
“You have anything you need to tell me?” Torres asked, rating a brow.
Gabe shook his head. “No, not yet at least. I’m just saying he’s cute. I think both guys and girls are cute.” His brows furrowed as he chewed. “Is that weird?”
“No,” Torres said, immediately shaking his head. “Your tastes may change when you get older, but you can always ask me anything you need to.”
“Awesome! Thanks, Dad.” Gabe said happily.
Torres thought he was going to have a heart attack. Oh, to be young and uncaring. “You ready to go get Leo? Your mom said she’ll meet us at the arcade.” Torres asked as he slumped in his seat. He was so full he thought he just might explode.
“Yup,” Gabe jumped up like he hadn’t just eaten more than Torres and rushed towards the door. He was ready to get this party started.
“Jesus,” Torres grunted as he hauled himself up and out to the car. He was in great shape too and he had nothing on his son.
“Do you think Leo will play some games with me?” Gabe asked, bouncing in the back seat as Torres headed to the farm.
“I think he’s looking forward to it. He’s a big nerd. Put your seatbelt on.” Torres chuckled at Gabe’s carefree giggle.
“I’m gonna tell him you said that.” Gabe threatened but he did what he was asked.
“Not if I tell him first.” Torres fired back and stuck his tongue out.
“Leo, Dad called you a nerd!” Gabe shouted the second they crossed the threshold into the house, where all of the Willis clan turned to look at them.
“Oh, really?” Leo raised a brow, crossing his arms over his chest and meeting Torres’ soft eyes.
Torres shrugged sheepishly. “I mean, you kinda are. I love that about you though.” He gave Leo his best smile.
“Uh-huh, you’re lucky you’re cute.” Leo sniffed, allowing him to live another night.
“You wanna play some games at the arcade with me Leo? Dad sucks at them.” Gabe asked excitedly, tugging on Leo’s arm to get his attention.
“Hey!” Torres griped as Leo laughed.
“Absolutely, kiddo,” Leo promised. He couldn’t imagine a better night than getting to know the man he was in love with, and a son he hadn’t known he had so they both got to get to know Gabe better.
“Awesome. Can we go now?” Gabe demanded bouncing in place.
“Jesus, son, can you at least say hi?” Torres chuckled, gesturing to everyone else in the room.
“Oh, right hi!” Gabe waved, and everyone grinned and waved back.
“Alright, let’s go before he gives himself a heart attack.” Leo said, doing his best to keep the amusement from his voice, but by Torres’ smirk, he hadn’t succeeded.
“Did you enjoy your time with the fam?” Torres asked as he threw his arm over Leo’s shoulders and pulled him close to kiss his forehead.
“Yeah, I always do.” Leo smiled and kissed Torres’ cheek as he hopped into the car.
“Ok, Gabe, your mom is already inside and you’re gonna play nice, right?” Torres asked, turning in the driver’s seat after he pulled into a spot and parked.
Gabe sighed. “Yeah, Dad, I promise I’ll behave.”
“Thank you.” Torres said, breathing a sigh of relief. If Gabe was anything, it was a man of his word. If he told you he was going to do something, the kid would stick to it. Yet again, it hit him that he was the father of an amazing kid and he had to clear his throat before they got out.
“You ok?” Leo asked softly as he caressed Torres’ cheek. The man leaned into his touch and Leo, though not for the first time, how touch-starved Torres really was, and that hurt him and he wanted nothing more than to smother Torres with all the affection he could stand.
“Yeah, I’m ok, it’s just hitting me again that I’m a father and a father to an amazing kid.” Torres said roughly. “I never wanted kids.” He told Leo as he linked his fingers with his and they watched Gabe skip ahead. “After the way I grew up I don't want to bring another being into that, plus the whole gay thing so I didn’t really have to worry about it, but that kid right there.” He pointed at Gabe. “I’m so damn happy that one is mine.”
“He’s amazing because of you, Vince. He’s seen everything you’ve had to go through just to be in his life. He adores you.” Leo said, smirking at him. “You’re a very sexy daddy.”
Torres snorted. “Thanks, baby.” He quickly kissed Leo before following a skipping Gabe into the arcade. “He told me you were hot, and he was proud I was able to bag you.”
Leo snorted so hard he coughed. “Oh, my god I love that kid.”
“Hey Mom,” Gabe called as he hugged the woman tight and Torres was again hit with profound pride in his boy. He knew Gabe was still struggling. He could see it in his eyes, but he’d kept his promise and would make nice.
“Hey baby, did you have a good dinner with Vince?” Cathrine had respected her son’s wishes for her to call Torres by his chosen name.
“Yeah, it was good. Do you want to play the first game with me?” Gabe asked, knowing she hated playing, but always did it because she knew how much he loved them.
Cathrine gave him a watery smile. “I’d love to.”
“Ok, Leo, I’ll come get you to kick your butt in a few minutes.” Gabe called out as he led his mother away.
Leo chuckled. “I’ll say it again. I love that kid.”
Torres grinned. “He’s pretty great, huh?”
Leo leaned into Torres' side. “Yup, takes after his father.” Leo grinned even wider when he got a bashful smile from Torres. “How did the dinner go?”
Torres sighed. “It was rocky at first, but I think we’ve come to an understanding about his mother. I’ll always feel some type of way about her because of what she did to me, but I don’t want him to hate her. He’s so angry at her and it’s justified she lied to him and uprooted his whole life for selfish reasons, but I hope one day he’ll understand that she loves him more than anything in this world and I don’t want to take that away from him.”
“I know, but I’m afraid he’ll have some issues with her for a while but he’s a good kid so hopefully it won’t last very long.” Leo said, sighing. “I think he’ll understand her reasons sooner or later.”
“We can only hope.” Torres said as he kissed Leo’s forehead before they headed to a table to sit and wait for Gabe to come and find them.