Diego met with Sara at the library to work on her grant application. He enjoyed using his passion for advanced mathematical theories to help with his student's proposals. But Sara's attention seemed to be elsewhere.
"You never told me, how did your appointment with Johnny's cousin go?" the energetic blonde asked as Diego looked through the PowerPoint slides on her laptop.
"We're here to talk about your project."
"Screw my project! I want to hear all about you and Remy."
Diego couldn't help but smile at the mention of Remy's name. "Might I ask, what did you tell him about me?"
"I told him that you have an advanced degree in mathematics but you're stuck in this redneck town selling real-estate and mentoring little science nerds."
"Did you talk about Jenessa?"
"You mean the fact that your daughter's pregnant with my brother's kid? And how you were forced to put her on a plane and send her halfway across the country to protect her from your cunt of a wife? Yeah, it came up."
"Sara, do not use such language," Diego said in a rather calm tone.
"It's the truth! Your wife is a horrible human being. You put Jen on a plane to Seattle because your wife would have likely pushed her down a flight of stairs."
"I'm not going to argue."
"Because you know I'm right. So when's the next time you're meeting Remy? He's so smart and so gorgeous!"
Diego shrugged. It had been nearly a week since his appointment. What he hadn't told Sara was that he had been masturbating religiously ever since. Whenever he would get in the shower or bed, all he could think about was Remy's touch. Although he still suffered from back pain, his panic attacks and anxiety had been noticeably reduced.
Sara was still talking. "Do you have another appointment? Does he have your number? Screw it, I'm calling him."
"Sara!"
"I already have early acceptance to UCLA. So I want to take the evening off and spend it with my boyfriend and his cousin. You can either come with me or drive yourself home. I can walk."
Diego looked at the clock. It was already six. They had been working since four. And the last thing he wanted was for her to be walking alone after sunset. Diego tossed Sara his car keys.
"Let your mother know where we're going, and I'll let you drive."
Sara caught the keys with one hand as she pulled out her phone. "I'll send her a text- and of course I'm driving, you've never been to Remy's house."
"We're going to Remy's house?" he asked nervously. The rubber tip of his cane clanked against the tile floor as he stood up, causing a few glares.
"Yeah, Remy's house, where my boyfriend parks his van," Sara said loudly. She flipped her middle finger to the glaring patrons as she left.
Diego took a deep breath as he followed Sara to the car. "Was that necessary?"
"Yes, it was. Just because you're 6'2" and physically fit doesn't mean people can disregard your handicap. You're a disabled veteran they need to show some respect."
Sara and Diego drove a few minutes from town to a suburban cul-de-sac, where Remy met them at the door. The young doctor looked sexy and exotic, in sweatpants and a t-shirt with his long dark hair loose over his shoulders. "Sara! What brings you here?"
"I come bearing gifts. I'll trade you my mentor for half an ounce of weed."
Remy chuckled. "Hello, Diego. I wondered when you were going to take me up on that drink offer."
Diego followed Sara and Remy inside the house. "I was away on business, in Wyoming for a few days, negotiating a land deal for a client." The sun shone through the ceiling of the single story home. "Wow, it's really spacious in here."
"Four bedrooms, two baths; more space then I could ever afford on my own." He went to his bedroom and came back with a single joint that he handed to Sara, along with a lighter.
"Thank you," Sara said. "Is Johnny home?"
"If my cousin was home, you would have seen him by now. That boy follows you around like a puppy."
"I'll just wait for him in the backyard. You two have fun." Sara exited, leaving Remy and Diego alone.
"Diego, can I offer you a drink? I have wine, coffee, soda."
"Whatever is easiest," Diego replied, following him to the kitchen.
Remy took out a bottle of wine from the fridge. He playfully shook it a little as if to see how empty it was. Although it was clear from the shadows on the bottle that container was over half full.
Diego chuckled apprehensively. "I probably shouldn't drink. Sara will need someone to drive her home."
"Don't worry, Johnny is straightedge."
"Straightedge?"
"He doesn't drink or smoke pot, one of the many reasons he lives out in his van," Remy laughed at his own joke. "Sara will get wasted, they'll probably have sex, and then afterward he'll be fine to take her home." Remy poured the bottle of wine into a half-empty bottle of Coke then served himself a glass. "My dad used to make this all the time. Try some."
Diego took a sip. The thought crossed his mind: if he became inebriated, how was he going to get himself home? "That certainly is interesting."
"Are you hungry? I was about to start dinner. Maybe after, I can show you my room: my fortress of solitude."
