Here’s a surprise Matt and Aaron short from the archives…just because! This is where Matt meets Aaron’s family for the first time. It follows Better Than Graduation, the small NSFW short I released last month, and would be a few months after Better Than Good ends…for those interested in sticking to the timeline. 😉 This one will most likely be posted in three to four installments. Enjoy!
Happy Reading! Lane xo
Better Than Meeting the Family- Part 1
We drove from DC to Baltimore on a Saturday morning. The weather was gorgeous with blue skies, bright sunshine and a mild seventy degrees. A perfect day for an Oriole game and a barbeque. We were expected around eleven. Aaron wanted me to meet his parents before his brother, sisters and their families arrived. I was nervous as fuck.
I tried to play it cool, but I barely ate that morning, which definitely wasn’t like me. Aaron laughed and said it was just as well because there would be more food there than I could possibly eat. He said it was best to save my appetite because his mom always made enough food to feed an army. Then he reassured me for the hundredth time that I had nothing to worry about. They were gonna love me.
“You keep saying that. How do you know?” I asked, giving him a sideways glance.
Aaron wore a fitted black T-shirt and denim shorts, and a sexy pair of designer sunglasses. The black shirt, he informed me earlier, was his nod to the Orioles colors. When I told him they were orange and black, he made a face. “Orange? I don’t think so.” Fuck, he was hot. I swallowed hard and turned my attention back to the road. He was far too distracting.
“Because you’re macho.”
“Excuse me?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “I’m Puerto Rican, sweetheart. Very machismo. Well, I’m not, but the men in my family are. I am an oddity. Especially to my dad. He doesn’t get me and he never will. You’re easy. He understands guys like you and that’s why he’ll love you.”
“That doesn’t really help.”
“You can talk about things he likes…baseball, football, hockey. Do I need to keep going?”
“You know, I think you are guilty of reverse discrimination. Curt’s gay. He likes sports too. Being gay or bi and enjoying sports aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“I know, but not everyone else does. My dad doesn’t, that’s for sure. He thinks men who like men all act a certain way. You’ll surprise him. In a good way.”
“So, you’re saying he’ll like me because I like sports? That seems a little too simple.”
“It is too simple, but it’s also true. My dad likes sports and baseball is his favorite. I told you he coached my brother’s little league teams. It’s always been a way for them to bond. I’ve never had that with my dad. I’m not the son he wanted, but he has Paul, so it’s okay.”
“That sounds really awful.”
“It’s real life, Matty. I don’t feel sorry for myself. I’m just stating a fact. I’m too “gay” for my dad. He doesn’t get me. My mom is easygoing. I may confuse her, but she goes along with it. My sisters adore me and my brother is cool. But you’re a regular guy. They’ll love you.” He gave me one of his beautiful smiles, satisfied he’d made his point.
I understood what he was saying, but I didn’t like it. And I had a bad feeling I wasn’t going to like Mr. Mendez at all.
We pulled in front of a two story red brick house with a sloping green lawn. Wide steps built into the hill led the way to the front porch. It was a charming home and I turned to say as much to Aaron, but he’d jumped out of the car and was already running up the steps like a maniac. I followed at a more casual pace and kept my gaze on his ass until he reached the top step and yelled something in Spanish. I glanced up just as he twirled a tiny raven-haired woman in a circle. She laughed then kissed him repeatedly and hugged him close. When she released him, Aaron turned to me with a flourish.
“Mama, I want you to meet Matt. Matt, this is my mother, Rosa.”
Wow, Aaron looked a lot like his mom. He had her coloring and petite frame. Rosa Mendez was much shorter though…maybe five one. Her dark hair was cut in a stylish bob that suited her small pretty features and olive skin. Her beautiful hazel eye twinkled with humor and kindness. Like Aaron’s.
“I am very pleased to meet you. Welcome.” She smiled widely, taking both of my hands in hers and squeezed.
“Thank you, Mrs. Mendez. It’s a pleasure to meet you too. Thank you for having me. Gracias.”
Aaron snickered. “Muy bien, Matty.”
His mom must have reprimanded him, in Spanish of course, because he replied “siento” quietly and made a zipped lip motion. I understood a limited amount of Spanish, but I was getting better. I mouthed “sorry” at Aaron who grinned and gave a slight nod.
“You may call me Rosa, por favor. Are you hungry?”
Rosa took my arm and led me inside. In a lot of ways, the Mendez home reminded me of my own parents’ house. The décor was different, but the welcoming vibe was the same. There were warm colors on the walls and furnishings and family photos everywhere. On every available surface actually. I wanted to stop to check them out, but Rosa was too fast. She led me through a formal living area into the great room. A comfortable looking sectional and a couple of armchairs faced an enormous flat screen television. I glanced at the photos on the side tables before turning toward the kitchen. It was huge. I noted the vegetables strewn all over the massive wood-topped island and the colorful tiles behind the large pots on the cook top. Whatever was happening in there smelled amazing.
Rosa walked around the island. She said something to Aaron in Spanish as she tied an apron around her waist and picked up a large chopping knife. Aaron walked over to the huge refrigerator and grabbed a couple of water bottles and handed one to me.
“Gracias,” I replied.
“Look at you, Matty. He’s been practicing his español, Mama,” he teased, chuckling when I scowled. He kept his gaze glued on mine, but waited for his mother to turn around before running his fingers down my forearm. “Where’s Papa?”
“At the market. He’ll be back soon. Matt, do you want something other than water? Aaron, offer more to drink. There is soda or maybe beer if you want?”
Aaron rolled his eyes then winced when his mom smacked upside the head. “Honey, do you want something other than water to drink?”
“No thanks. This is good,” I said before turning to Rosa. “Your home is beautiful.”
“Thank you. We have lived here many years now.” She chopped quickly as she spoke. “All my children were raised here.”
I spotted an older family photo on a console table near the sofa and went to take a closer look.
Aaron gasped. “Oh my God! I should have come earlier and banished all these horrible old pictures. Some of these are a million years old. Matty’s going to break up with me and tell everyone what a dorky kid I was. How will I ever show my face in DC again?”
Rosa and I shared a look and chuckled. I rubbed the back of his neck and squeezed his shoulder. I didn’t know what the rules were here. I wasn’t going to stick my tongue down his throat, but I couldn’t resist him. I dropped my hand and swallowed hard when the kitchen door swung open.
Aaron leaned against me then snaked his arm around my waist. “Hola, Papa. Come meet my boyfriend.”
To be continued…