Page 48 of Tutoring Mr. Hotshot

Andry

Rodney’s home is the epitome of what I want my future to look like. It’s so full of happiness and warmth I wonder how it can even be real.

The bootleg Hallmark movies I used to watch to learn English when I was younger have nothing on this. They’re a poor imitation.

“You’re a good boy, aren’t you, Andry?” Ma says as she bumps her hip against mine.

I shrug. “Depends on the definition. I like to think so.”

“You are. I have a way of knowing these things. The way you treat my son...” Her voice drifts as her gaze moves to said son as he stands across the room staring down at his phone with a grin. If I didn’t know he was texting his brother I’d be jealous.

Fuck, I might still be.

The flickers of agitation under my skin are a sure sign it’s possible. Rather than being across the room, I wish he were right beside me. I want him tucked under my arm at all times. Even when he’s close, he’s never quite close enough.

“See? It’s that look. The one that tells me you’re a bit obsessed that makes it all feel right. I know you’ll protect him from the outside world.”

“With my life.” I swear the words like an oath. Like I’m pledging allegiance to fight in a war, to head to the front lines to keep everything I hold dear safe.

Because Rodney is dear to me.

He’s already wormed his way under my skin. The man across the room, the one who’s started calling me Daddy, who’s trusting me with all of him, is my everything. I only hope I can one day be just as important to him.

Ma pats my cheek softly. With the flour on her hands, I have no doubt she’ll leave some there. I intend to wear it like a badge of honor.

I’m a mess already anyway. We’ve been in the kitchen together working on one of her top-secret recipes. She won’t give me the details, though she has allowed me to be hands-on this time.

“What are these called again?”

“Tamales,” she tells me. “You’re going to love them.”

I have no doubt of that. The last time I was here, I felt like I gained five pounds from one meal. She’s by far the best cook I’ve ever personally met.

We spend the next hour going over the process and working until it’s all in the pot steaming. Rodney moves around the room, never being still for too long. Every shift of location has me looking up to him, wanting to make sure he’s ok.

“Good, little genius?” I ask when he sighs for a second time.

He shakes his head. “Yeah. I just feel useless right now. I want to be doing something.”

“There’s nothing for you to do, Cariño. You being here is what I need most.” Ma wipes down the counters as she answers him.

“Ma, I live here. I’m always here.”

She clicks her tongue at him. “You do, but one day you won’t. Let me enjoy it while you’re still around.”

My little genius frowns. “Where am I going to go? Do you have a boyfriend or something? Is this you giving me notice to get lost?”

For a moment, I think he’s panicking for real. Then I see the small twitch of his lips from where he’s leaning over the back of the couch.

“Even if I did, he wouldn’t come before you. I meant for one day when you’re married and off building your own family.” Her eyes cut my way. “Who knows? Could be soon, yes?”

I nod, then laugh when Rodney sputters and coughs. He falls back on the couch with a groan, which makes Ma giggle right along with me.

“You two are something else. I’m not sure if I like this connection you have. It’s rude to gang up on me.”

Leaving Ma to her cleaning, I pluck him up from the couch with ease and drop down in his spot. One tug puts him in my lap. He goes to argue but stops when he sees the look on my face. It’s my Daddy face, which I can tell he understands from the way he settles.

“We’re not ganging up on you, little genius. It’s only teasing. We mean no harm, right, Ma?”

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