I blush because, yeah, I did.
With the nuptials over, the guests stand as Dante says, “I would like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Ruben McKenzie.”
Clapping and whistling along with half the guests, I laugh and feel as though a huge weight has lifted from my shoulders.
Squeezing Noah on his shoulders, it takes everything in me to not lean forward and seal his lips with mine. After today!
Once my brothers have led their wives down the makeshift aisle, I follow with the heat of Noah against my back. He presses close and my head spins. Wanting to press my ass into him, I move to the side and bump into Sylvia in my rush to not follow through with my want.
“Wow,” my eyes widen when I really look at her, “you look gorgeous, Sylvia.”
She offers me a soft smile. “Thanks, Ramon. You look handsome. Purple suits you.”
I grin. “Why, thank you ma’am.”
She giggles and nudges into me. “I’ve missed you.”
My heart sinks. I told her I didn’t want to lose her as a friend, and what have I done? I’ve ignored her for weeks.
Taking her by the elbow, I suggest, “Let’s go and talk. I think we have five minutes before I’m needed for photographs.”
“Okay.”
We slip through my family but not before I catch the amusement on Mateo’s face. He thinks I’m trying to disappear with Sylvia for more devilish intentions. He couldn’t be more wrong. The sooner I’ve told Sylvia, the sooner I won’t have to hide.
Rounding the corner of the marquee, we’re not exactly in a private area, but it will have to do.
“Ramon—”
“Sylvia—”
We laugh as we both try to talk at the same time. I need to get mine out first, and that’s partly because I’m worried as to what she’ll say next.
“I’m gay,” I blurt to Sylvia’s shock.
“You are? Wow…I mean…Just wow.” She laughs. “I never saw that coming.” She tilts her head to one side. “But, I think I should have. I mean, that explains so much to me. As you know, I’ve made it clear on a few occasions that I wouldn’t have put up a fight if you wanted to take me to bed. But you never took me up on that offer…I guess, I should be glad that you didn’t want me because you’re gay and not because you didn’t want me.”
“I’m sorry, Sylvia. I should have been completely upfront with you to begin with. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m getting there.”
“Yes, you should. Is this why you’ve been avoiding me? Because you didn’t know how to tell me?” Sylvia starts to chew her bottom lip and I can tell that it’s nerves.
“I didn’t know what to say to you. I lied by omission to you all along and it made me feel uncomfortable.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head on my chest. I return her embrace and rest my chin on the top of her head.
“Thank you for telling me now.” She pauses. “So, is it okay if I admit that I can’t get your missing cousin out of my head?”
Sighing, I place a kiss on the top of her head and hold her at arm’s length so I can see her face. “Sylvia, I wish you’d find a sweet guy, instead of my hard-as-nails cousin.”
She blushes. “No one else has ever made me feel the way he does.”
I smirk.
Sylvia shoves me in the stomach.
“Stop being a dick,” she laughs.
I wrap my arm around her neck and guide her back toward the rest of my family and friends.
“If you’re really into Eric, when he reappears, I’ll make sure to sing your praises.”
“Make sure you do,” she digs me in the ribs with her elbow as we separate. “I’m going to go and say hello to Hunter’s girl, Gia. She doesn’t know any of us.”
I frown. I had no idea Hunter was here.
“When did he arrive?” I ask, following Sylvia’s gaze.
“Just before everyone was seated. They hit traffic due to an accident, so only just made it here on time.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
It’s been a while since I’ve seen or heard from Hunter. He went off the grid after helping Rosie and Ruben out. I’d spent a few nights drinking with him over a pool table back at Kenza when he was around.
Attraction for him never hit me. It just felt good hanging out with someone, who’d figured out my sexual preference almost immediately…and then accepted it completely. There had never been any judgment.
Having seen me, Hunter smiles, and offers his outstretched hand, which I take and find myself pulled against him in a hug.
“It’s good to see you again, Ramon,” he slaps me on the back, and pulling back, turns to smile at the woman beside him.
Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he introduces, “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Gia.” He keeps her by his side.
I smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Gia. Hope you don’t feel too overwhelmed with all my family around. It’s exhausting sometimes.”
“Not at all. It was a lovely wedding, and your mother is a delight.”
I throw my head back and roar with laughter. Delight is one way of describing my nosy mother.