Page 63 of Never Going to Care

When the door swings open, a woman not much taller than me who has the same eyes as Hale is smiling widely as she looks from me to her son. I want to shift from foot to foot, but I stop myself. My entire inner self is squirming.

Before we can be introduced, the woman is slamming into me and giving me one of those mom hugs which tells you everything you need to know. Comfort. Acceptance. Love.

I gasp because I’m overcome with how much it makes me feel and how grateful I am for it. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Torres,” I say politely as my arms wrap around her and I hug her back, hoping I can convey how much I love her son in the simple action.

She pulls slightly away from me but doesn’t let me go. Her eyes are so warm and bright as we lock gazes. “None of that, I’m Martina or Mom, whichever makes you more comfortable. I am so happy to meet you, Celeste. I have heard so much about you from my girls.” She looks over at her son and then back to me, her smile somehow growing even more. “I can see they were right about how happy you make my son. For that alone, I love you already. Welcome to the family.”

Tears well up in my eyes and I fight for them not to fall, barely managing. “Thank you,” my words are filled with gratitude. “Your son makes me happy too. So much.”

“Ma,” Hale whines next to me and I bite my lip so I don’t laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him whine like that. “Where’s my hug?”

She tuts at him and gives me one more squeeze before letting me go and hugging Hale. He winks over her shoulder and grins at me. In a single look I know exactly what he’s saying.See? I told you it would be okay.

So he did. So he fucking did.

When Martina releases Hale she steps back inside and ushers us in before closing the door behind us. Hale wraps his arm around my shoulders and leads me toward the back of the house. I glance around, warmed by how cozy the place my man grew up is.

I whisper out of the side of my mouth, “I didn’t realize you were such a mama’s boy.”

Hale throws his head back and laughs before leaning over and kissing the top of my head. From behind us I hear a strangled sob. We turn together to see Martina with tears in her eyes and her hand over her mouth as if she’s trying to hold back her emotions.

Hale’s voice is full of confused concern, “Ma, what’s wrong?”

“She really is your light, isn’t she?” Martina looks at me. “You are a blessing,mija. A blessing.”

I feel a little shaken, but at the same time, I think I know where she’s coming from. It’s the same phenomenon Hale’s sisters were talking about. Hale cut himself off from emotions and I know a lot of it has to do with his time serving. It was his way of coping.

Which is exactly why he was able to help me after what happened with Joe. He experienced his own traumas and the way he dealt with it was to hide behind a mask. Now, he can let it slip in some ways as he continues to heal.

I wrap an arm around Hale’s waist and give him a squeeze. “I’m blessed to know him and to love him.”

Hale shakes his head and pulls his mom into a hug before releasing her and continuing to lead me to the kitchen. When we get there, the first thing I see are Hale’s sisters with big grins on their faces. They rush to me and hug me. Our chatter is loud and overlapping, but it’s glorious.

When the noise calms down, I get nervous because I realize I didn’t meet Hale’s father before I got caught up in the joy of seeing Raegan, Justice and Isabella again. They really are amazing people and not because they bring me éclairs. Well, not only because of that because it is part of it and a huge perk.

I look over to find Hale watching us with amusement dancing in his eyes. When I turn again, I notice a man who looks so much like Hale, but a little shorter and with hazel eyes and grey streaking his dark hair. Justice gives me a little push, giggling when I almost stumble.

Hale swoops in and steadies me, giving his sister a glare which should have her catching flames right here in the kitchen. Martina laughs while Justice gives her brother a sheepish smile in apology.

“I’m fine,” I whisper to Hale, “she’s just excited.”

My man huffs out a breath but narrows his eyes a little in warning even though we all know it’s more bluster than anything else. He loves his family very much, especially his sisters, but I can’t say it doesn’t warm my heart to know he feels the need to defend me, even to them. There he goes, showing he cares about me again.

I step forward and hold a hand out with a smile on my face. “Hi, Mr. Torres, thank you for having me in your home. It’s lovely and I’m so glad to be here.”

Mr. Torres slips his hand in mine with a big smile on his face, the kind of smile you hope to always see on the face of your father. It’s full of warmth and love, understanding and adoration. My breath hitches at the way it hits my heart and makes me feel welcome and comfortable.

“Please call me Luis,” he coos. He pulls me toward him and wraps me up in a big hug with a scoff. “Celeste, you’ll have to excuse my family if you aren’t a hugger, but that’s how we roll around here.”

Raegan snorts out a laugh from behind us, “How we roll? I think you’ve been on social media too much again, Papa.”

Luis laughs without letting me go. He grabs my shoulders gently and holds me away from him enough to take me in, but there’s only kindness in his gaze. “Was that my son I heard laugh just moments ago?”

“It was,” I confirm with a big smile on my face.

I want them all to see how much their son makes me happy. He makes my soul sing in a way I didn’t know it could. He is everything to me.

“Then I am convinced you are an angel, my girl.” Luis gives my shoulders a squeeze. “Welcome to the Torres family. We are so glad to have you.” He eyes his son, a challenge in his gaze. “Now, you just need to have our last name and it’ll all be official in the eyes of the law.”

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