Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 66

Scene: Back at the Diaz House, Late Night

As they pulled up to the Diaz house, Eddie could see the lights still on through the windows, casting a warm but unwelcome glow into the night. The tension he had left behind at the lake began to creep back into his chest, tightening with each step toward the front door. Buck, sensing Eddie’s unease, gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder before they entered the house.

Inside, Eddie’s parents were waiting for them in the living room. Helena stood up as soon as the door opened, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and worry. Ramon sat in his usual chair, his expression as stony as ever, eyes fixed on Eddie with that familiar air of disapproval that Eddie knew all too well.

Helena: “It’s late, Eddie. We were worried.”

Her voice had an edge to it, not just worry but something sharper, as if their lateness was a personal slight. Eddie could feel his temper flare, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his cool. He had anticipated this—knew it was coming—but that didn’t make it any easier to deal with.

He glanced at Buck, who gave him a small nod, silently reminding him that he didn’t have to do this alone. Eddie took a breath, steadying himself before responding.

Eddie: “We’re fine, Mom. We just needed some time to ourselves.”

He kept his tone calm, measured, but there was an unmistakable firmness in his voice. It wasn’t just a statement; it was a boundary. One that Eddie wasn’t going to let them cross.

Helena’s gaze flickered between her son and Buck, the unspoken tension crackling in the air. It was clear she wanted to say more, to push, but something in Eddie’s demeanor made her hesitate. Still, her frustration simmered just beneath the surface.

Helena: “Eddie, this is still our home. We didn’t know where you were, and we were worried sick—”

Eddie cut her off, his patience waning.

Eddie: “We’re adults, Mom. You don’t need to worry about us like we’re kids sneaking out past curfew.”

His voice was firmer now, sharper. Buck watched as Eddie’s frustration bubbled up, but he also knew Eddie wasn’t looking for a fight. He was just exhausted—exhausted from the expectations, the disapproval, the feeling of being trapped between the life he wanted to live and the one his parents still clung to.

Ramon, who had been silent up until now, cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing slightly as he finally spoke.

Ramon: “It’s not just about the time, Edmundo. It’s about respect.”*

There was that familiar note of judgment in his father’s voice, the same one that had hung over so many of their conversations in the past. Eddie could feel the weight of it settling on his shoulders, but he refused to let it crush him this time.

Eddie: “Respect works both ways, Dad.”

The words came out before Eddie could stop them, and for a moment, there was silence. Helena’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by the bluntness of her son’s tone, and even Ramon seemed taken aback. But Eddie didn’t back down. He was tired of tiptoeing around their feelings, tired of pretending that everything was fine when it clearly wasn’t.

Eddie: “We’re not going to keep having this argument. Buck and I... we’re together, and you need to accept that. I’m not asking for your approval, but I’m done pretending like this isn’t real because I love Buck and so does Christopher.”