Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

29 - In love

Gray returned from a ten-day trip, checking out the hotel chain in the south. At least Florida was warmer than Boston in December. He felt like he was being punished and was ready to have words with Monty. He owed his friend for saving him, but Monty could say the same about him. Although they were brothers, Monty couldn't control his life. Gray closed his eyes. He had depended on him financially for years. His savings weren't enough to live off of and his resume looked bleak.

Sofia hugged him and insisted he stay for dinner. He laughed as he watched Ana walk. Her short little legs didn't seem capable of holding her up. When he sat on the floor, she ran to him and flung her arms around him. He kissed her cheeks, but she squirmed away.

"Why are you triste? Monty, our Gray is sad."

Monty looked up from the stove but said nothing. Gray let out his breath. "I might go home for the holidays."

"No! You can't. Ana will miss you." Sofia stood with her hands on her hips. "We'll miss you." He shrugged. "Go for a day or two. For Chanukah, but come home for Christmas."

"You have your party on Christmas Eve and Christmas day..."

"You'll come with us to my parents' house. You are familia."

He used to always go home, but stopped after Sofia changed their lives. He stayed in Boston, but spent most of the time alone. The thought of sitting at home, thinking of Doyle was too painful.

"I don't know." He stood and Sofia hugged him.

Monty said, "Don't force him. He has family too."

Gray frowned. "You want me to leave Boston."

Monty frowned. "I don't want you alone. When I spent Christmas alone, I almost drove over to steal a bottle from the old man. I would have recovered. You, my friend, won't."

"Why do you think I'll drink? I survived my trip to Tucson without drinking."

"Tucson? What was in Tucson?"

Gray looked at Monty. "She doesn't know?"

Monty shook his head. "It took you years to tell me."

"Now I'm moving forward and you won't let me." His voice had an edge.

"Because of all the girls in Boston, you picked the wrong one."

"You say she's wrong? But I love her."

Monty sighed. "I'm sorry. You'll only get hurt. It's my job to protect you."

"Stop! Why can't he love her? You love me?" Sofia put herself in Monty's face.

He sighed. "The Kanes are like royalty. My old man made a laughing stock out of the Whitbys. Besides, I would disown my family for you, baby."

"But I'd never ask her to disown her family for me. Maybe I'll publish my book and they'll approve of an author."

"Monty, let Gray be in love. If he fell in love with a supermarket girl, he could still get hurt."

Monty sighed, as Gray's eyes bore into him. "I promise to tell you if I want a drink and you can take the car keys and beat the shit out of me."

"You promise? I'll take you to a meeting every goddamn day."

"You make it hard for me to hate you, but I haven't liked you lately. You keep sending me away and interrupting me and Doyle." He seldom spoke her name.

"Monty, don't! I like her." Sofia frowned.

"Does anyone in her family suspect you two?"

"She hasn't said. We are both adults. I plan to invite her over. You can choose our friendship and support me. If you rat on us, then we're done."