Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

finally had raised both arms and held him. Javier felt warm, strong yet vulnerable when he murmured.
    "I'm sorry, I'm acting like a drama queen."
    "It's okay. I know how bad you feel, and you must be tired, it has been a long day."
    Both ended laying over the bed, Javier leaning on him, and Esteban decided for one night he could be close to someone without regretting it; although, later when Javier muttered against his chest, "It feels so good in your arms that I want to stay in here forever."
    Esteban wondered if this weakness would eventually have a higher price, and thought of leaving Javier sleeping there alone, but couldn't move. Because seeing him there with him, was a reflection of what could be his life. If Javier felt good between his arms, Esteban found his reason to live holding him.
    CHAPTER 6
    When they arrived at Hoboken, Raul drove off as soon as they got out of the car. Somehow, Javier was glad, because Esteban and he had fallen asleep in the same bed, and although nothing happened, he'd lost his heart again and didn't feel like sharing the news with anybody. Especially not with Raul, who had mistaken the bed sharing for something else, and given Javier a thumbs up behind Esteban's back. How did one explain to Mr. Lust the possibility of sleeping with someone without fucking the person mindlessly?
    Now, he found himself standing next to Esteban in front of a big stone townhouse. Like most houses on that street, it had a staircase leading from the sidewalk to the door, which opened in a small foyer that led to another staircase. A door next to the interior staircase opened and Diego walked through it.
    His brother-in-law had the most warming smile he'd ever seen in anyone, and Javier was grateful for the fact that he didn't look at all like Mauricio. They had different fathers, so while Mauricio was tall and light skinned, Diego at about five feet tall plus some inches, barely reached Javier's shoulder. He hugged him closely, and Javier welcomed the embrace. He needed that warm body offering comfort without sexual expectancies from either party. Diego felt skinnier than he remembered him, and he had dark circles under his eyes, which were obvious despite his olive skin.
    "It's so nice to see you, Javier."
    His voice was soft-spoken, but full of energy.
    "Yes, I'm glad to be here too."
    "How are you doing?"
    "Much better."
    They separated and Diego looked him up and down as if doing his own evaluation. His black eyes were wise beyond his age, and his shoulder length dark hair started to show some gray. In that moment, Javier realized that he had the same nose as Mauricio, fine, but aquiline.
    Dressed in a beige turtleneck and jeans, he looked younger than the forty-something Javier knew he was. He held him once more before letting him free— Diego's complete persona was beautiful, inside and out.
    "Let's go in; I prepared that gingerbread you like so much."
    In that moment, Esteban asked Diego for the key to his place. "As usual, I forgot mine."
    Diego searched the multitude of keys with colored labels hanging from his belt, picked one and handed it to Esteban. To Javier he said, "Come with me, let me show you where you will be staying."
    Esteban had climbed a few steps before turning around and saying, "Javier, this is the best place for you right now, trust me. Diego is a better friend than me. See you around."
    He went upstairs leaving Javier disturbed. That was it. He'd handed him to someone else and left. Not that Javier knew him better than Diego. Good, if he didn't want him around, so be it.
    While drinking coffee and eating gingerbread, Javier met some of the other residents of the house. There were two young women living with Diego on the first floor. In addition, on the second floor, two other older women with what Javier counted as seven children. Diego explained to Javier that the Hidalgo Foundation had a shelter for the homeless, but that sometimes if the place was full, he brought home some families until they could find a permanent home.
    One of the young women got close to Diego, and interlacing her hand with his, leaned against Diego's side, while looking inquisitively at Javier.
    "This is my girlfriend, Carly. Honey, this is Javier. Remember? I told you about him."
    She rubbed herself some more against Diego, while saying, "Hi."
    Javier had seen that look before, it could be translated as 'what a waste you're gay'.
    In the next hour, her hold on Diego increased, and Javier wondered if