Miguel grinned and got in the car. “What? You don’t think you’ll be able to get up early in the morning?”
Hector snorted. “I could. But I don’t think I’d be much good for conversation.”
Miguel started the engine, tossing Hector a piece of advice through the open window before driving out of the parking lot. “Make sure you drink plenty of water!”
***
The next day at three thirty, Hector pulled up to Miguel’s apartment. He’d slept in until eleven. Then he’d wallowed around his apartment until his hangover was gone and he felt clear-headed enough to face the world. But before he went to talk to Miguel, he’d decided to get a haircut so he looked his best. Hector checked his reflection in the visor’s mirror. He was nervous, no doubt.
He got out of the car and went up the stairs to Miguel’s second floor apartment. After knocking, he waited for Miguel to answer. It didn’t take long before he heard feet rushing over. It was quiet a second as Miguel presumably checked the peep hole before the door opened. Miguel stood in front of him, wearing those jeans Hector loved and that same sweet smile from thirteen years ago.
“Hi.” He stepped back and gestured at the couch. “Have a seat. You want something to drink?”
“Just water is fine.”
“I’ll bet. How was that hangover?” Miguel teased from the kitchen.
“I defeated it with a gallon of water and the greasiest breakfast sandwich known to mankind.”
Miguel brought over two glasses of water and set them on coasters. He was tense when he sat down, but still chose to sit close to Hector.
“So. You brought me cupcakes,” Hector said as he extended an arm across the back of the couch.
“Yeah. You didn’t mind, did you?”
“No, I told you that was very sweet. The sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Did you bring them to me as a friend, or something more?”
Miguel laughed. “I wouldn’t have sat on your lap all night if I was only bringing them as a friend.”
Hector grinned back at him. “You could have been humoring me for another birthday gift. I have to check and be sure.” Hector raised his arm so he could play his fingers in Miguel’s hair. “Talk to me. Are you ready to do this?”
Miguel looked up at him. “Yes. I know you’re not like Santos at all; you wouldn’t make me dependent on you. I did need that time apart to learn that I can make it on my own. But I was dumb for saying you needed to test out being with men.”
“Not dumb, just cautious. And the part about women?”
“I didn’t mean that at all, and I’m sorry for sinking so low and saying it. If you were gay instead of bi, I wouldn’t get mad at you for checking out another cute guy. Being in a relationship doesn’t mean you walk through the world with blinders on. I’ll notice cute guys, you’ll notice cute guys and girls. But that doesn’t mean either of us will cheat. I only said that to deflect from my issues, and I’m really sorry.”
Hector smiled. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I don’t want to feel like I have to apologize for being bisexual now that I’ve finally accepted that’s who I am.”
“If you wouldn’t let me apologize for having a dick, then you can’t apologize for liking tits.”
Hector threw back his head and laughed. “You’re a real MC with those rhymes.”
“Thank you,” Miguel said with a smirk.
Hector wrapped both arms around him, pulling him in close. He leaned down, pressing their foreheads together. “I love you, Miguel. If I hadn’t spent so long denying a part of me and trying to prove something to a ghost, I could have told you long before now.”
Miguel’s eyes were closed, but he raised a hand to lightly press his fingers to Hector’s lips. “Shh. No regrets. No worrying about the past. We’re together now and that’s all that matters.”
“That’s true.” He kissed Miguel’s fingers. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. But…”
“No.” Hector shook his head. “I don’t want any buts. Unless it’s your butt in these pretty baby-blue jeans.”