Cortez

Cortez left the coffee shop with his emotions wrestling within him. He felt anger, fear, hurt, frustration, sorrow, and confusion all at once. It must be a coincidence; there's no way it could be possible. Maybe because of what occurred this morning, his mind conjured up negative assumptions. He walked over to his vehicle absentmindedly and leaned against it, placing his latte on top of it. He glanced at the coffee shop that now stood behind him with a grimace.

Beyond those glass doors was a beautiful young man whom Cortez felt a stinging jealousy towards. He never had an issue with his self-esteem and looks, but right now, it was plummeting below zero. He anxiously pressed the button on his keys to unlock his car and opened the door. He snatched the latte and slid in, shutting the door with more force than intended. He placed the latte in the cup holder and reached for his phone from his back jeans pocket. Then he dialed a very close friend of his who just so happened to be a retired detective, one who worked diligently and dependably for his parents when they were alive. Detective Dean was a sixty-five-year-old man with a slight pudge to his face and warm brown eyes. Standing at exactly six feet tall, he was always the ladies' man, especially when he wore his hair slicked back.

He paid Cortez many visits growing up, and Cortez grew to adore Detective Dean. He was like a stepfather to him. Spending most of his evenings at his parents' estate showed Cortez that he also considered his parents as close friends and not just his employers. Detective Dean was known affectionately as 'Shawnie', as called by Cortez, creating the appellation from his first name, Shawn. Detective Dean answered the call immediately. "Hey champ, it's good to hear from you. How are you getting along?" His gruff yet pleasant voice said over the line.

Cortez reeled in his overflowing emotions in fear that he might break down in tears. He took a brief moment to calm himself before he replied in an even tone, "Hey, Shawnie, I'm doing great. Taking it one day at a time. It's quiet on this side. My neighbor, Mrs. Sawyer, has a new pet. I spotted her on my way out this morning. I think it's a cat." 

He chuckled, and Cortez visualized him shaking his head in amusement. "She needs a man. Those cats won't always keep her snug and warm at night."

"She's sixty-five!" Cortez choked out.

"So what? Women of all ages need love," He informed. "Always remember that. No matter how old you are, you are still apt to love. Take a newborn baby, for example. As soon as it is born from its mother's womb, it falls in love. They've already established a bond with their mother while they were unborn. That's how strong it is."

With Detective Dean talking about love, Cortez immediately felt glum. "Um, Shawnie, about that...I called because I wanted to ask you for a favor."

Cortez looked up at the coffee shop and gulped. It's now or never.

"What is it?" Detective Dean asked with much concern. His fatherly instincts already kicking in gear.

"Um, I'd like for you to investigate the cashier of the coffee shop on Burkham Avenue." Cortez said as he ran a sweaty hand down his jeans. He realized that he forgot to start the engine to allow the A/C to turn on.

He pressed the button by the steering wheel to bring the car to life and sighed when the air gushed out from warm to a soothing cool breeze.

"Do you mean Cafe Delight or Candy's Cafe? If so, which cashier and why?" He asked.

Cortez licked his lips, feeling anxious. "It's Candy's Cafe, and I suspect that Jacob is sleeping with him."

Just the thought of Jacob caressing that man with his skilled hands and thrusting into his body with unrestrained desire made Cortez grind his teeth and clench the steering wheel tightly with scalding hot jealousy.

Jacob knew how to make love, how to slowly excite, ignite, and make his body scream. Jacob was his first and his only. He knew nobody else's body like he knew Jacob's. Jacob's lips always planted the most amazing kisses as he whispered sweet words of love and affection that warmed Cortez's heart. He had thought only he held the key to Jacob's heart, but now he wasn’t too sure.

"Jacob? Cheating?" Detective Dean said in disbelief. "Are you sure?"

Cortez tried his utmost not to get frustrated with his good friend and held his boiling emotions in check. "I said I suspect. That is why I'm calling you now to monitor him and be my eyes and ears to see if my assumptions are true. Please, Shawnie, I need to know. The suspense is eating me alive inside. I can't rest well until I know if it's true or not."

"Okay, I'll do it if it makes you feel better. Just give me a thorough description of the man and I'll keep an eye on him for you."

"Sure. He's about 5'7 and he has hazel eyes and chestnut-colored hair with a well-rounded face, a broad forehead, and I think I saw a piercing in his nose. He looks to be about twenty or twenty-one." He described, envisioning him once more to his heart's dismay.

His chest tightened with raw envy, and Cortez shut his eyes, staving off the putrid feeling. He was not insecure, and he damn well wasn't going to feel inferior to this stranger. What if he's just freaking out and taking matters a bit too far? Even so, it won't hurt to investigate. He'd rather have a clear conscience than have a mind filled with angst and regret.

"Just a sec, I'm trying to jot down the details," Detective Dean said. "I'm at my son's football game, so when I'm done, I'll head over to the coffee shop and scope out the scene for you."

Cortez realized that he heard cheering and elated noise in the background. He didn't take notice of it until now. His mind was solely wrapped around this man named Cameron.

"Thanks, Shawnie. I appreciate it. I'll call you later this evening." Cortez told him and ended the call.

Afterwards, he drove home with the radio on, listening to heartbreak songs along the way. Their first meeting flashed before his eyes. A quick film of their memories flickered suddenly, raging in his mind, and tears stung his eyes. What if it's all true? His behavior this morning confirmed it all. Jacob probably no longer felt the same for him. No! It can't be. It shouldn't be! Jacob wouldn't ever!

But the music carried on just as his thoughts did. If he goes home in this unstable state of mind, he's sure to lose it and sink into depression. So instead, he drove to his best friend, Christian's, house. Christian is the epitome of a sunflower. He lifts others' spirits with his wise and comforting counsel that never ceases to amaze Cortez. Cortez found himself driving there before he had a chance to make a concrete decision. Christian lived not too far from Cinna Hills. At the base of the hill lay a middle-class subdivision named Cinna Estates. The houses were more modern, with either single-family homes or multi-family homes. Christian lived in a two-storey, mint green, multi-family home with his parents.

Even though both Christian and Cortez attended college, they preferred to continue living with their parents after a while. Cortez had a lecture tomorrow, and he dreaded it. His mind wasn't together to grasp any information after the events of today. He'd hate to become a college dropout, so even though he felt terrible, he had to attend classes tomorrow. His car pulled up at the end of the driveway, and he got out of the car and walked up the stone walkway. Christian's yard was well-maintained with nicely trimmed trees, carefully planted flowers, and a wonderfully mowed lawn. The air smelled like fresh grass, and Cortez relished the scent, inhaling deeply.

Before he got to the double doors, they swung open, and Christian's mom filled the doorway with a wide smile. "Cortez, darling, it's great to see you!" She embraced him in a tight hug and pecked him on the cheek.

Cortez smiled, genuinely pleased to be so adored by her. The Parkers were a friendly couple who were ever so sweet to him before his parents died. Cortez spent many days at this home, which he considered his second home. Nancy, Christian's mother, was a short, blonde-haired, middle-aged woman with a personality bigger than planet Mars.

"Mrs. Parker, it's always a delight to be in your presence." Cortez enthused.

"Oh, darling. I could say the same. Come, Christian is eating my homemade chocolate chip cookies as we speak. I know you'll like them." She withdrew from the embrace and ushered him into the house, where her husband sat in the living room watching a football match. "Honey, look who has blessed us with his presence." Nancy beamed, wrapping a hand around Cortez's shoulders. At that moment, Christian strode in, holding a plate of cookies in one hand as he held a cookie in the other, chewing delightfully.

"I concur," Christian grinned and came over to the duo. "It's great to see you, buddy. I'm so relieved you are looking better than you have for the past few weeks." He patted Cortez on the shoulder with a grin. "We have a lot of catching up to do."

"I do agree. Hey, Mr. Parker. Watching the game as usual, I see." Cortez hailed. Mr. Parker was the one to give his son his ash-blond hair and blue eyes. However, Christian took his mom's height at 5'5.

"Yep, it's the last game and I can't miss a beat of it. Why don't you and Christian go ahead and play catch-up while Nancy whips up some lunch in the kitchen? It's almost twelve, so I'm sure you're famished."

Cortez realized he bought the latte and didn’t even drink it. He frowned. His stomach did feel empty. "Indeed, I am."

"Great!" Nancy clasped her hands together excitedly and spun both boys around, pushing them gently in the direction of the doors that led to the back porch under the veranda. "You both have a lot to discuss. No worries, I'll have you both talking and licking your fingers at the same time. Now shoo."

Both boys chuckled as they were shoved away gently, and Nancy went into the kitchen to create magic. Her hands were truly gifted. She made the best roast in the neighborhood in both of their opinions. Not just roast, but everything she made tasted delicious. Mr. Parker was blessed with an amazing chef of a wife.

When they got outside, they each sat in a lounge chair facing the swimming pool shaped like a bean. Cortez stared across the lawn, wondering how he would break the news to Christian. Christian, on the other hand, had a lot to tell Cortez as well.

So they both sat and fought with their thoughts until Christian cracked his lips and said, "I know you have a boatload to tell me. I can see it in your eyes, and it seems like it's not good, but I'll go first to break the silence." He crossed his legs and laced his hands together, resting his head on them as he stared at the spinning ceiling fan.

"I'm sorry for coming over on a melancholy note. You must think badly of me." Cortez hung his head in shame.

"No, no. Of course not! You are welcome here even if you're sad and haven't visited in weeks. You lost your parents, and you are grieving. Don't you ever think I'll feel some type of way because you suddenly popped up after a while of being missing. You also need time for yourself, and you also have a boyfriend who needs you."

"About him-"

"Tut tut." He shushed Cortez, placing his hand up in front of him.

"Remember that I was going to spill the beans first?" Despite what he said, Christian's eyes twinkled with intrigue. He most definitely wanted Cortez to spill the tea. "Anyways, remember when I told you I had twin cousins living in Miami and they were total hotties?"

"Yeah, I recalled you mentioning them."

"Well, they're now living down here, and one of them is working at the local coffee shop on Burkham Avenue. He doesn't know the area well-hey! What's wrong? Your face has gone bone white!"

Cortez shot up in his seat and plastered wide, disbelieving eyes on his best friend. His hand clutched the arm of the chair so firmly that his knuckles went white.

Christian sat up, alarmed by Cortez's strange behavior. "Cortez, are you okay, bro?"

"Your cousin, what...what is his name?" Cortez licked his lips, and his heart banged dangerously in his chest. Suspense clawed at him.

"Cortez-"

"Tell me!" Cortez couldn't fight the anxiety rippling through his chest.

"Alright! His name is Cameron." Christian blurted, utterly bemused by Cortez's question.

Cortez closed his eyes and mentally said, 'Oh, Christian, if only you knew the devastation that's coming.'