Page 16 of A Coffee Away

Esteban raised his eyebrows and rose. “I’d never demean you. Never.” His tone was strangled.

I opened my hands in a defensive gesture. “What then, Esteban?” I faced him dead on. “You lie. You’re saying it to make me feel better when you know the truth. I’m nothing to them. I’m a freak in their perfect little world. And why? Because I like men? It’s a fucking joke.”

I turned away from him. The pounding in my ears was deafening, and my whole body shook. “They threw me out. For God’s sake. How can someone who loves you treat you like that?”

I was wrapped in warmth from behind, and I let myself lean into the man who had just come into my life.

“Come on.” He led me back to the bench.

We talked until all my truth was out. Until all my life was splayed raw in front of me. And Esteban just listened and held my hand until there were no more tears.

Chapter 4: A New Beginning

Robbie

By the time we got to the food-truck park, my stomach was growling.

Esteban chuckled lightly. “Someone’s hungry.”

I elbowed him. “So what do you recommend?”

Esteban shook his head. “It’s not about what I like. It’s about what you want.”

I stopped. Eyes wide. Mind blank. I couldn’t think of anything, and I just figured out why.

I usually went with the flow. All my life it had been that way. My friends recommended, and I tried it. I never even thought about it until this moment.

Had I never chosen anything for myself until last night?

Maybe art. I had been in love with it since I could remember. It was the one thing that kept me sane throughout the years. A way to be myself. To let go.

I turned in a circle, taking everything in. “Hmm…some chicken wings would be amazing.” I headed straight for a food truck called Entre Alas.

Esteban chose a burger joint two trucks down.

Two rainbow-colored wings met in a heart shape on top of the truck’s name.

“Hi! What can I get you?” a girl with a bouncy attitude said as I approached. Her beautiful afro was styled to perfection.

I couldn’t help but smile, as her energy was contagious. “I’d like some chicken wings.”

“Our specialty.” She smiled. “What sauce?”

I looked at their menu, then glanced toward Esteban. He was waiting for his burger, leaning against the back of the truck, one leg propped on the bumper.

He winked at me.

My pulse quickened. “Something sweet.”

She looked at Esteban, then at me. She tilted her head. “Wow. Sweet indeed.”

I widened my eyes. “You’re mistaken. We just met.”

She continued as if nothing had happened. “Guava okay?”

I nodded.

She went to the brunette who was cooking and trailed her hand through her long, wavy hair. “A wing order, babe.”