If Ramon is to be believed, then Ruben knows about my history with his brother. Judging from the expression on Ruben’s face, I’m guessing that seeing me coming out of Ramon’s bedroom is the first time it’s been more than just a rumor.
“Sorry,” I apologize for interrupting, “but the coffee was calling. Anyone want a refill?” I hover with the pot in my hand.
“No,” Ruben clears his throat, “um, thank you.”
“Fuck!” Ramon curses, dragging both our gazes to him.
“Ruben, this is Carla’s brother, Noah.” Ramon waves his hand around while I nod to his brother. “And Noah, my brother, Ruben.” He pushes away from the counter and starts pacing in the small room.
I seriously don’t know what the big deal is since Ruben already knows about my relationship with Ramon. I’m kind of pissed that Ramon introduced me as Carla’s brother though. So much for taking me to meet his family on Sunday. As much as I wanted to come back here…to be with him…I’m not sure if it’s worth the coming heartache. If he’s going to be denying his relationship with me then I’m not sure I can be in this with him.
I want a life with him out in the open—not to be afraid of making the wrong move in case one of his family members is watching. I want to be with someone who has no problem introducing me as their guy. I don’t want to be someone’s dirty secret, which is how Ramon makes me feel, especially right now.
I’ve only been in his apartment for a couple of nights, one of which was spent in his arms. Although it would be nice to be back to where we were before I screwed it all up, I don’t expect any declarations. I just don’t want to be hidden anymore, so I guess Ramon needs to get used to the idea, because I’m not going anywhere.
“—Sylvia,” Ruben trails off and I realize that while I’ve been thinking about Ramon and getting angry with him, they’ve carried on talking.
Sylvia is the one that Ramon’s been seeing and taking out. We haven’t talked about her since I met her yesterday, but we will. Right now, I’m pissed that I missed what Ruben’s been saying, especially when I catch the look Ramon passes me out of the corner of his eye. As though he’s warning his brother to keep his mouth shut about her in front of me.
“I know about your relationship, Ramon, and it doesn’t bother me.” Ruben turns to me. “Sorry, my brother can be a dick on occasion.”
Ramon snorts. “Look who’s talking.”
“You’re still not going to get away with ignoring the Sylvia problem.”
“What Sylvia problem?” I ask.
“She was all over Eric in the club last night. If I hadn’t interrupted them, they’d have had sex up against the back wall.”
While Ruben talks, I’m watching Ramon closely and notice the emotion flashing across his face. Surprise is definitely there, but something else is there as well…maybe jealousy at the mention of Sylvia and last night.
“What was Eric doing?” Ramon asks.
“Eric was the one holding her pinned to the wall…seriously Ramon, we all thought,” he glances at me again before continuing, “well, you know. You and Sylvia, at least, we did until we heard about Noah.”
Keeping my distance from Ramon, who keeps glancing at me, I watch and listen, wondering who the problem is here—me or Sylvia.
“Ruben, I have no idea why you’re here telling me about Sylvia. We’re only friends and she’s known the score from the beginning.”
Ruben’s eyes widen, but I think he’s misunderstood Ramon.
Ramon shakes his head. “I mean, I told her from the very beginning that I was only looking for friendship and nothing else. She doesn’t know I’m gay.”
My heart feels slightly lighter hearing him admit he’s gay out loud to his brother without any hesitation. I try to ignore the fact that Ramon is refusing to meet my gaze now that he’s spoken the words.
“Well, whatever you told her didn’t go over too well, because Eric thinks she only made out with him to get to you. Sylvia told me not to tell my brothers about her making out with Eric because it has nothing to do with you. Basically, I don’t know what the fuck to believe and now I wish I’d listened to Rosie and ignored the lot of you.”
“I think I followed that and I think you need a vacation.” Ramon smirks.
Ruben grumbles, “God, I feel like a fucking girl.”
“You are a girl.” Ramon shoves him. “Are you going to be at Mom and Dad’s on Sunday? I thought I’d take Noah.”
Ruben chokes on his coffee. “Okay,” he gasps with his eyes watering. “Sorry. Down wrong way.”
“That doesn’t bode well,” I observe, dryly.
“No, don’t let me put you off. Mom and Dad are more open-minded than most people their age. Mom might start on about how you both are going to be unable to give her grandbabies and Dad might give you the silent stare, but they’ll support you both. They brought us up to accept anyone, and I truly believe that they’ll accept you as my brother’s, um, boyfriend.”
I glance at Ramon and see the emotion he’s trying to keep at bay. He turns away and walks to look out of his floor to ceiling windows with magnificent views of the Lexington skyline.