Who Knew?

Chapter 21:

POV-Ruben

After forty five minutes in the driveway, Wyatt stops sobbing, and falls asleep trembling. I sit back in my seat and wipe my own tears off my face. You would think after what I've been through in my own household, what happened shouldn't surprise me. But it did. I was furious, and mostly terrified for Wyatt.

I glance over at him now, the skin of his cheeks is stiff with dried tears, but looking more peaceful than he has all day. I watch him for a moment, curled up in a ball in the passenger seat, looking smaller than I have ever seen him in our time together. His breathing stutters in his sleep and he turns his head into the upholstery.

Fuck. I wish with all of my heart that tonight had gone better for him. I saw his face when his father said those awful things to him. It was like someone had wrenched his heart out of his chest, and that look alone was enough to break me. I don't know what the hell to do. What do I say to him after that? I can't tell him that everything will be okay, because I can't promise him that. I can't fix something like this with a hug and a kiss, no matter how much I wish I could. I don't know how to make him feel better.

I sigh, placing a feather light kiss on his forehead before slipping his phone out of his pocket. I unlock the screen and don't have to search too long to find Kevin's contact. Mrs. Parker told me to get him out of there, and I fully plan to do so. I can't take him to my place, so I hope to God that Kevin is home.

He answers on the second ring. "Paaaarkeeeer!"

"Hey, It's Ruben."

His voice sounds surprised. "Oh hey. What's going on? Is this some kind of dare or something 'cause if so I can help you get him back."

"Wyatt came out to his parents. It did not go well." The words tumble out of my mouth before I even get the chance to piece my thoughts together. I exhale hard waiting for his response.

"Oh shit," he breathes. I can practically hear the wheels turning around in his head. "What happened?"

"Um, Dave kicked him out of the house. He was so pissed, it was awful. You should have seen Wyatt's face Kev. I could see him breaking. It was . . . God it was so bad. His mom says she's taking care of it, and all we can do is hope that it solves itself with her help."

Kevin sighs heavily. "Fuck, Ruben. I . . . I don't know what to say. Where is he now? Is he okay?"

I huff. "We're in my car. And no, he's not okay. He's . . . I wish I knew. I finally got him to sleep though. I think he wore himself out. I don't know where to go though, that's why I'm calling you. I can't take him to my place. I can never take him there-"

"Bring him here. My parents are out on a trip visiting my sister. They're gone all week. My little brother is here but he won't cause any trouble. God, this is a mess."

I chuckle without humor. "No fucking kidding. What's your address?"

After spouting off the number and street name, he says, "I'll be waiting for you on the porch, and I'll call Beth as soon as we get off the phone."

I nod, even though I know he can't see me. "Okay. We're only five minutes away, I'll see you then."

He agrees and I hang up the phone, glancing over to check on Wyatt. He's still sleeping, breathing softly and steadily. His ginger hair is pointing every which way, and his long eyelashes flutter in his sleep.

I let my head fall back against the headrest as I follow the directions from the GPS in my phone. It's not long before I turn onto the street Kevin's house is located on. I pull into the driveway, parking behind Kevin's Toyota Rav and getting out. I walk around to the other side of the car and open Wyatt's door. He's still asleep and I don't want to wake him, so I move one hand under his knees, and the other around his back, heaving him out of the car and carrying him bridle style to the door.

Before I can knock, the door to the small, closed porch opens and Kevin ushers me inside, sending a worried look at Wyatt. Inside, Kev directs me to the living room where I gently place Wyatt on the couch. I do my best to move him as little as possible, even as Kevin rests a blanket over Wyatt's body. He straightens and nods towards the kitchen doorway.

We lean on either side of the doorframe, gazing at the couch where Wyatt is sleeping. His brow furrows, and he turns his face into the couch cushion. He sighs in his sleep and relaxes again.

"I should have warned him this would happen," Kev murmurs, making me turn my head to look at him closer. "I've heard his dad talk about that kind of thing before first hand. I've never seen such a homophobic asshole. I never had the heart tell Wyatt though, he looked up to his dad too much. I may be of a catholic family just like more than half the town's population, but I would never dream of treating someone I loved that way. There is nothing in the damn bible about needing to treat someone that way."

I shake my head. "It's complete bullshit. I've seen it too many times before. It kills me to see that it's happening to him. I never wanted that. For him to get hurt."

Kev's brow furrows. "Ruben, this is not your fault. I can see that you think that. You helped him find himself. Beth and I both agree that we've never seen him as happy as when he's with you. His whole being lightens when you enter the room and vice versa. Wyatt wanted this, and when he wants something as bad as he did this . . . nothing is gonna get in his way. His determination could send a rocket to space with no fuel. This will all work out in the end. I can feel it."

I find myself nodding along. I know he's right, but it doesn't make me feel less guilty for what happened. He asks me to explain what really happened back at the house, and I give him the details. I'm just finishing the story when the front door opens and Beth sweeps into the house.

"Okay, I'm here, now what the hell happened?!"

We both shush her, making her realize that Wyatt was on the couch. We're all silent for a few moments, holding our breath. When he doesn't move, we release a collective breath, and Beth makes her way over to us.

"Ooooh, poor baby. What happened, Ruben? He's so . . . ."

She looks over at me, a distraught expression on her face. Tears sting my eyes again and I put my hands over my face, leaning my head back against the door frame. I shake my head, and dig the palms of my hands into my eyes. I sigh and drop my hands, retelling the story of what happened so that Beth would know.

"Nooo," she whispers, and wipes a tear off her face. "God, that's horrible. I can't believe he had to go through that. That you both did. You've gone through too much already, and now you had to see that happen too? And that he had to go through it? Shit."

I swallow hard. "I'm fine. I can handle it, but Wyatt's never had to before. What would have happened if someone hadn't been there? If I wasn't there to bring him here."

"Ruben, you shouldn't have to handle it. And I don't want to think about what would have happened if you weren't there for him. So thank you for taking care of him. I can see why he loves you so much." She smiles softly and my lips twitch slightly back.

"Yeah," Kevin says. "I agree with . . . all of that. I would have said it first but she beat me to the punch."

We all chuckle softly before moving into the living room. Not wanting to crowd him, Kevin and Beth each settle in the two armchairs on either side of the couch, while I perch on the arm of the couch, gently brushing the hair out of his eyes. I lean back and watch his chest rise and fall, matching my breathing to his. I fall asleep to the thought of him in my mind.

A/N

Thank you guys so much for reading. We are slowly nearing the end, which makes me sad, but happy at the same time. Bitter sweet, you know? But don't worry, we've still got a ways to go yet.

I have decided that there will not be a sequel to Ruben's and Wyatt's story, and that the ending will wrap up in this story. Thank you guys so much for reading!