Page 33 of A Lot Like Adiós
“I kinda knew,” he said with a shrug. “But it wasn’t like we had too many people around us to provide an example, you know? And I never would’ve told my parents.”
“True. My tío Luisito didn’t come out to the family until afew years ago, after his divorce. Everyone was more chill about it than I expected them to be. He’s married to Tío Archer now, and he’s never looked happier. Plus, Abuela adores Archer.”
“I came out to my sister,” Gabe said. “My niece Lucy is transgender, so I wanted to make sure she knows someone else in the family is queer.”
Michelle’s smile softened. “I’m sure that made a huge difference to her.”
“I hope so.”
“Ava and Jasmine kind of know about me, but I don’t talk about dating at all, so who knows what the rest of my family thinks.”
His brows creased. “Why don’t you talk about dating?”
“Because I don’t date.” Her tone was matter-of-fact.
“Why not?”
“Why don’t you?”
“Like I said, I don’t have time.”
“Maybe I don’t have time either.”
Gabe raised an eyebrow, and she expelled a sigh. “Look, love and romance just aren’t for me.”
“But you deserve those things.” And more. Michelle deserved to be worshipped and adored.
“If that were true, my romantic life wouldn’t have gone the way it has.” She shrugged again. “It’s fine. I don’t plan to ever get married or have kids. I love my nieces and nephews, but I don’t feel any urge to have kids of my own.”
“Same. I’m content to be an uncle.” Gabe pulled up a photo on his phone and turned it to show her. “Lucy and Oliver. My niece and nephew.”
Michelle smiled at the picture of the children, but her eyes were a little sad. “I know,” she said. “I’ve met them.”
“Oh. Right.” Of course she had. She’d been here all the years he hadn’t.
“How come I never saw you?” she asked quietly. “On holidays or summer break?”
“I didn’t come back often. When I did, I usually stayed with my uncle or my sister.”
Michelle turned away to fuss with the stuff around the sink. “Was it me?”
“What?”
She shot him a direct look, but her voice was tight. “Were you hiding from me?”
He sighed. “Maybe a little. But things with my parents got worse after I left for school. It was hard to stay with them.”
“So you’re saying it wasn’t because I’m so sexy and amazing?”
He laughed at the repetition of her words from their earlier argument, grateful that she’d lightened the mood. “Youaresexy and amazing.”
“Thanks. Too bad no one else knows that.”
“I have a hard time believing other people don’t see it. At least two-thirds of our high school baseball team was in love with you.”Including me.
“Then why didn’t I date anyone on the baseball team?”
“Because I said I’d go after them with a bat if they messed with you.”
