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  Copyright © 2017 by Renny Abbas

  All rights reserved.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

  In Summer

  Gay Stepbrother Romance

  By Renny Abbas

  Table of Contents

  In Summer

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Special Bonus Story

  Best Friends

  In Summer

  Chapter 1

  There was no air conditioning in Danny’s car. And the southern summer was lying thick in the air. It rested heavily across his brow and sat on his lower back where his t-shirt rubbed uncomfortably against his skin. He’d gotten all the windows down, and hot, stagnant air was blowing all through the car. There were beads of sweat behind his ears, and his hands were slick on the steering wheel. It smelt like hot concrete. But he was used to it. This was where he grew up. He might have become well used to North Carolina now but hot summers were in his blood and no amount of years away for college would change that. And every time that heat hit him, he knew he was home. Danny Pedra. Texas grown. Soccer scholarship. Star striker. He smiled ruefully to himself. The sweat itself was almost nostalgic to him.

  Danny left the highway with a sinking feeling in his gut. It was going to be an uncomfortable drive along the slower roads now as he left that hot breeze behind him. He leaned an elbow against his door, one hand loose on the wheel and settled in for the rest of the drive. He was almost there. He was starting to see the places that built him. From the hills, he ran through every single morning throughout high school, to the soccer field he spent thousands of hours practicing the sport that had given him freedom. And, finally, just a few streets away from his home, the diner he’d all but grown up in while his mother worked long, exhausting hours just to give him the life he’d had. Driving through the streets that were as familiar to him as breathing always made him realize just how much the town was a part of him. And yet, at the same time, always felt too small for him. The weight of the heat and the weight of the town lay across his shoulders with the same oppressiveness. And he took several deep breaths as he finally turned onto his home street. Now he smiled. He never really knew how to feel about the town itself, but this street and that house halfway down with the chipped, blue paint door and the brown lawn were home. And waiting for him was the woman that had given him everything.

  As he pulled up outside, a low rumble of excitement in his belly, he realized that it had been far too long since he’d last been back. He spoke to his mother almost every day but he missed her terribly, and now he was home.

  He scarcely had time to switch off the engine before he heard the swift pattering of his mother’s feet against the garden path as she ran up to his window. He swung his door open with a big grin and jumped out of the car just as she got to him and grabbed him into a tight hug.

  “Hi, mama,” he said into her hair, wrapping her up in his arms. She leaned back to look up at him with a big, bright smile that stretched wide across her dark, sun-kissed face. Her eyes shone, and she wrapped his face in her hands.

  “Hello, mi vida,” she said. “How are you? All sweaty, clearly, I can feel it.”

  English struggled on her tongue. Even after all these years, her voice wanted to dance between her teeth and out, but English didn’t have the right kind of music. Her accent reminded him of when the power would go out when he was a kid, and she’d tell him stories in torch and candlelight so he wouldn’t be scared. Her voice was his favorite comfort blanket. And it made his heart swell to hear it again in person.

  “It’s a long drive, mama. And I can’t afford a better car.”

  She smiled and tapped his cheek before pulling away and moving to open the back door.

  “Hm, let me guess how much laundry is in these bags, mijo?”

  “Only one bag. I promise.”

  “Sure. Just one. Probably the biggest one, huh?”

  She started to lug the four bags he’d piled onto the back seat out into the driveway. He held out a hand.

  “Wait, mama. You don’t need to. I can do that.”

  “Shh. I’m not old yet. Here, you take these up to your room. I’ll take this one straight to the laundry.”

  “How do you know which –”

  “I can smell it, mijo.”

  And she walked away into the house, with one of the big bags slung over one shoulder. Danny stood with a half-cocked smile on his face watching her for a moment before finally locking up his car and gathering the rest of his stuff up to follow her inside.

  It didn’t take long to get his stuff up into his old room. His mother had clearly spent some time getting it ready for him. There were crisp new sheets on the bed and not a lick of dust on any surface. But he didn’t spend long there. His stomach was growling after the long drive, and he could hear his mother in the kitchen. He quickly bounded back down the stairs and joined her. She was standing at the sink when he entered, and he hugged her from behind.

  “If you want food, the cupboards are full but I’m making dinner tonight so don’t fill yourself up,” she said.

  “I love you, mama.”

  “Aha. Love you too.”

  Danny headed to the kitchen table and grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl that sat there, full and colorful.

  “Oh, also,” his mother went the fridge and pulled a mug of what Danny knew to be lemonade out of it, “I made it this morning. Thought you might like it.”

  “You’re my favorite.”

  “I know.”

  She brought over two glasses and put them down between them on the table and sat down opposite him. Danny poured them both full glasses, and they drank quietly together for a moment. He relished in the tangy sweetness as it washed over his tongue and down his dry throat. His mother watched him with a small smile.

  “What is it?” he asked, setting his glass down.

  She didn’t answer immediately. She skimmed the tip of her finger around the edge of her glass for a few heavy seconds, and Danny’s smile faltered, but before he could begin to panic, she replied.

  “I’ve met someone, mijo,” she said quietly. She said it lightly and with a soft, content smile but her eyes shifted between Danny’s face and her glass apprehensively, and she watched his reaction. For his part, Danny just blinked.

  “Met someone?” he said.

  “A man, Danny,” she laughed, “I’ve met a man. I’m seeing someone. Have been for a little while now. I didn’t want to tell you until you were here and I was sure it was something worth talking about. And it is.”

  “Oh.” Danny felt himself nodding, but his mind had gone blank. His mother had never once shown any interest in another man after his father had left all those years ago. Not one single time. He’d never even known her to go on a date. But she was looking at him with a desperate look in her eyes, and he saw, behind that look, that glittering shine. She was happy. And now she was waiting for him to say something. He reached for the words. “That’s – that’s good.”

  She smiled. “You’re a little surprised?”

  “Well… yeah.”

  She reached out a hand across the table to his and squeezed them together.

  “For years and years, my whole world has been you and me. And I’ve loved it. Wouldn’t change it for the world. But every year you go away, and I’m all alone. And I don’t mind it, really. I have so much more time to do things when I’m not driving you all over town for practices and games and everything.” She squeezed his hand again with a wink. “But it is lonely, mijo. This house gets very quiet, and you know me, I’ve always hated the quiet. And then I met William. He’s a good man. First man I’ve loved in a long time, and he makes me happy.”

  Danny sighed and smiled. He grasped her hands up in his and squeezed back.

  “I’m glad you’re happy, mama.”

  The tension across her shoulders relaxed.

  “Me too. And I’m glad you’re okay with this.”

  “Of course, I am. Might take some getting used to but… you know I think you deserve the world. “

  “Sí. And I know you would give it to me if you could.”

  They shared one last smile before Danny let go of her hands and got up from the table.

  “I really need to go shower,” he said, unsticking his t-shirt from his back.

  “Before you go, there’s one more thing,” his mother said, also standing and gathering their glasses, “William has a son. Your age, I think. I’d like you to meet them both.”

  Danny nodded. “Sure. When?”

  “How about over dinner tonight?”

  Danny could sense in her tone that she wasn’t sure how he’d react to it, but he just shrugged.

  “Okay,” he said, “I better dig out a shirt.”

  She beamed at him. “And iron it, please?”

  He said nothing, just smiled and kissed her on the forehead. As he walked out of the kitchen and towards the stairs, he heard her begin to softly sing in Spanish. He paused at the bottom of the stairs and listened for a while. He hadn’t heard her sing like that since he was a kid but he recognized the song. It was a love so
ng. He smiled to himself and then leaped up the stairs two at a time. He wasn’t sure what he was going to think of William or this son, but if the man made her happy enough to make her sing that was a good step in the right direction.

  Chapter 2

  Evening drifted in on a warm breeze. Danny’s mother had opened all the windows in their kitchen and living room to let the summer air in and the cicadas sounded a chorus outside.

  Danny set the table as the sun very lazily began to drift beneath the horizon. There was a soft orange glow in the sky, and he could smell the heat of the day beginning to give way to the cooler night. It wasn’t too hot to be wearing a shit, but he rolled the sleeves up and kept his collar unbuttoned anyway, just in case. He liked the breeze that tickled around his neck and wrists, keeping him cool as he placed four plates, four glasses, and four sets of cutlery out on the kitchen table. The fruit bowl had been regulated to the living room for the time being, and his mother had dug out the deep blue tablecloth they usually reserved for holidays. She’d been cooking like a mad woman since their talk earlier and was now finishing getting ready.

  With the table looking as perfect as he could get it, Danny headed to the fridge and pulled a beer out, twisting the cap off easily and taking a swig. The cool drink calmed him as he felt nerves begin to settle in. He had no idea what to expect from the night. He only hoped they were good to his mother. He didn’t care about much else, but they had to treat her well otherwise there would be a problem, and he didn’t want to cause a problem for her, not after she’d gone to all this effort.

  He heard his mother’s footsteps on the landing above and then on the stairs. He set the beer to one side and straightened his shirt, trying to smooth out the crease he’d missed while ironing, and waited for her. When she turned into the kitchen, he felt his lips curve into a wide smile. She wore a simple dress, light blue and down to her ankles, with her hair up to show off her neck and face. She always bore the hard work of her life proudly in the creases around her eyes and mouth, but she seemed shy and young as she stood there waiting for Danny to say something.

  “How do I look?” She said with a weak smile.

  Danny simply walked up to her and gave her a big, smothering hug.

  “You look beautiful, mama,” he murmured.

  As they pulled away, she looked him over as well. She tutted as she noticed the crease he’d been trying to hide but he just shrugged and smiled and she pat his cheek.

  Just as Danny went back to pick up his beer and she turned to check on the food, the doorbell rang throughout the house. Immediately Danny watched his mother’s back straighten, and her eyes light up, and before he could even offer to get the door, she had left the kitchen to get it herself. Danny opted to wait. He took one more swig of his beer and listened as the door squeaked open and voices echoed through the hall towards him. His mother’s, high and soft, and two deeper male voices. He heard footsteps, and he took a deep, steadying breath before straightening up and putting on his best smile.

  His mother entered the room first, followed by and holding the hand of a broad, dark-skinned man with a bright smile and warm hands as he quickly folded Danny’s into them.

  “Danny, I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s great to meet you.”

  Danny returned the smile and shook hands.

  “Good to meet you too, sir.”

  “Let me introduce my son, Blake. You two are the same age, I believe.”

  Danny felt the air leave his lungs in an instant. It felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. Following his father into the room was a young man Danny hadn’t seen in three years. Bright blue eyes, dark skin – though not as dark as his father’s – and that same small birthmark on his neck. It was definitely him. And he was standing there with his hand outstretched like normal.

  “Hello, Danny.” His voice was older now, but Danny felt his stomach clench at the sound of his name being said by that man again. Dazed, he held out his hand in return, aware that his mother and William would notice something was up if he didn’t. They clasped hands and shook. Danny’s throat was dry.

  “Hi, Blake,” he said, scarcely loud enough for anyone to hear.

  Luckily their parents were busy talking about the food that Danny’s mother was at that point dishing onto four plates. Blake gave Danny one last knowing look and dropped his hand before heading over to their parents.

  “Anything I can help with, Maria?”

  “Oh, no thank you, Blake. You go and make yourself comfortable. Any seat is fine, sí.”

  Danny stood as if in a daze. He could hear his blood pounding in his ears. He knew he had to move, he knew he couldn’t just stand there all night, but while he’d thought coming back to the town would bring up memories, he never thought an actual ghost from his past would come walking through his front door. And yet, there he was, sitting at one end of the kitchen table, waiting patiently and looking about as handsome as he had ever been when they were 18.

  “Danny, mijo, are you okay?”

  He immediately came to at the sound of his mother’s voice. She mustn’t know.

  “Sí, mama. Lo siento.”

  He smiled, and she didn’t pry.

  “Would you get the wine out, please?” she asked as she grabbed two plates and walked them over to the table. William followed with the other two.

  Danny nodded and grabbed the wine where it had been sitting in wait and carried it to the table. He held it out as everyone took their seats.

  “Who would like some?” he said, trying to push the still lingering tendrils of shock to the back of his mind. He couldn’t look at Blake, but he knew he had to do his part tonight.

  “I think that’d be everybody,” William replied with a big smile. Maria and Blake both agreed and Danny set about pouring the wine. When he got to Blake’s glass, he spared him the smallest of glances to ask if he wanted more but otherwise avoided any contact.

  He didn’t know what to do. As the meal began and the conversation started flowing easily around him, he found himself answering questions on autopilot. His mind kept wandering across the table to the young man that sat and ate and spoke as though nothing was wrong. Danny couldn’t understand it. The last time they’d seen each other wasn’t exactly a happy memory for either of them and yet, Blake seemed completely unaffected.

  The evening passed in a blur of white noise. Danny tried to keep up, tried to pay attention but every memory he’d tried to push away from that last summer before college threatened to break through and overwhelm him. It didn’t help that every time he heard Blake’s voice, it made his stomach clench and his heart jump. He thought he’d gotten over this. Thought he was past this. But just as it had been then, being near Blake completely threw Danny off-kilter. And he’d never learned how to deal with it.

  The sun had fully set and a second bottle of wine had been opened, and the party had moved into the living room by the time Danny felt exhaustion catch up to him. He quietly stood and headed back into the kitchen alone. He began to clear the table, letting his mind shut off as he put his body through the motions of gathering up plates and cutlery and putting leftovers into tubs. He’d just started on the washing up when he heard quiet footsteps coming toward the kitchen. It was Blake. Danny felt his shoulders tense, but he continued to clean and rinse the dishes. Blake leaned against the door frame.

  “I thought I’d give them some privacy,” he murmured.

  Danny nodded. “They seem really happy.”

  “Yeah, they do.” The pause between them was filled only with the clinking of glass and the gentle ripple of water. Danny knew they’d have to talk about it. How could they not? But he didn’t even know where to start. He set the glass he had been washing down on the side. He looked up and found Blake’s eyes watching him intently. He sighed.

  “You look good, Blake.”

  Blake’s jaw tensed. He nodded.

  “Thank you. So do you.”

  Again, silence. Danny dried his hands and ran one over his face.

  “Look, Blake, I – I don’t know what to do here.”

  “Yeah, I have to say you weren’t what I expected tonight either.”

  “I never thought I’d actually see you again.” Danny attempted a smile. “I’ve thought about you a few times. Wondered how you’re doing and –”