The door slammed behind Yancey. Tony smiled at the blonde younger man. He shook off the feeling he should be seeing more in Yancey’s face, more lines or signs of maturity. Those blue eyes should be a brighter blue.
“We’ve never talked about how you’d feel if your brother came looking for you.”
“You mean when he comes.” Yancey’s voice held conviction.
“How can you be so sure he’ll come looking for you? It’s been what? Five years?
Don’t you think he’d have returned sooner?” He took a drag on his cigarette.
Yancey sat in one of the rocking chairs Les kept on the porch. “I’ve seen how your family is and I’m not surprised you’re a little skeptical.” Yancey rocked. “Brody isn’t like that. He left because he didn’t have a choice.”
Tony started to say everyone had a choice. He caught himself before he said anything. He ran away because he didn’t feel like he could deal with his family anymore.
“By the time Brody was a senior in high school, he was in some deep shit. Gangs.
Drugs.” Yancey shrugged. “I’m not sure how long he’d been using, but it got to the point where someone was going to get killed. He left the night he graduated.”
He stared up at the clear night sky. Bright stars twinkled in the black velvet dark.
“You haven’t heard from or seen him in five years.”
“I waited for him on the front porch the night he left. He told me as soon as he cleaned up, he’d come back. We stayed in touch for a couple of months before the calls stopped.” Yancey sighed. “I figure it’s taken him longer to get clean than he planned.”
“Four years. Two of which you spent on the street.” Tony shook his head and studied the tip of his cigarette. “Why don’t you resent him?”
The kid chuckled. “Living on the street was my decision, Tony. I could have stayed at my aunt’s, but I thought I could take care of myself. I did a lot of stuff I’m not proud of and I’m lucky I didn’t get beaten up or killed.”
Tony snubbed out his smoke and sat down on the top step. “I don’t understand.”
“I know.” Yancey spoke softly. “Maybe it’s simply because he didn’t abandon me.
We talked about why he was leaving. I understood. I’d rather he live on the other side of the world without me than live as a druggie.”
Maybe MacCafferty was interested in seeing Yancey. Tony would withhold judgment until the man showed up on his front steps.
“He’ll come looking for me. I’m not naïve, Tony, but I have faith.”
“I hope your faith pays off, Yancey. I really do.”
Yancey yawned. “I’m heading to bed. Don’t stay out here too much longer. It’s freezing.”
“’night kid, I’m going to have one more smoke and I’ll be in.”
He lit his last cigarette for the night and closed his eyes. This time his thoughts didn’t wander to MacCafferty coming for Yancey. His mind went to a big blonde man who rocked his world for one night in paradise.
He let his body sink into the heat and lust-filled memories of that night. Maybe he should go out to L.A. and find Mac.
Chapter Seven
Brody stood outside Elena Romanos’ house again. This time Juan answered the door.
He studied the teenager. The sadness was still there in those brown eyes, plus there was a hint of strength, telling Brody the boy would do what he thought was right, no matter what.
“Can you give me your uncle’s address?”
Juan gave him a wavering smile. Those big brown eyes filled with tears. “Are you going to see Yancey?” Juan stepped back to allow him in.
“Yeah, I am.” Juan’s sadness cut Brody to the quick. Brody tossed an arm around Juan’s shoulder and squeezed. “I hope your mother figures out what a great kid she has and how much she’ll be missing if she kicks you out.”
“I certainly hope so. I have to say mia sobrina disappoints me.” Elena Romanos came out of the kitchen. She handed Brody a piece of paper. “Here’s the address for Hardin Ranch where your hermano is staying.”
Brody nodded at Mrs. Romanos. “It was nice meeting you, Senora Romanos.”
“Call me Tia Elena, por favor. I have a feeling you and your brother will be part of my family.” She hugged him.
Juan hugged him tight as well. “I’m glad you’re going to see him. No one should be without family.”
“I just hope he welcomes me as easily as you have.” He turned to leave. “Take care, kid. Things will work out.”
An hour later, Brody settled into his seat. Brody took a deep breath.
“You don’t like to fly?”
He clenched the armrests as the plane began to back away from the gate and stared in front of him. “Can’t say I’m thrilled to be doing this. What the hell are you doing here?”
“My mom threw me out and Tio Tony agreed to let me come and stay with him. Tia Elena bought me the ticket yesterday.” Juan stared back at him.
“Did you know you were going to be on the same flight as me?”
“No. Since I am though, can I catch a ride to the ranch with you?” Juan’s dark eyes sparkled at him.
There was that déjà vu feeling again. He swore he’d seen eyes like that smile at him when he woke up that morning in Hawaii.
“You stuck your neck out for Yancey. Sure, you can ride with me. Does your uncle know you’re coming?” Brody closed his eyes and clenched his teeth.
“Yes, but I told him I had a ride from the airport.”
“Pretty sure of me, huh?” He swallowed as his stomach dropped.
“No. I figured I’d catch a bus. You being on the same flight with me is fate.” Juan laughed.
“Why’d your mom toss you out?”
“My mother kept trying to get me to change who I was.” Juan shook his head.
“Maybe I should have lied and told her I liked girls.”
Brody relaxed as the plane leveled out.
