Chapter Text
Eddie and Evan woke up and smiled at each other. They could see that it was still early, and Chris could sleep in for a little longer. It seemed like no time had passed.
"Are you okay?" Evan asked as the smile slid off Eddie's face.
"I know Ana will be up. I think it's best if I call her and end things. I don't want to meet up as we don't know how she'll react."
"If you can grab my crutches, I'll start making breakfast. So you can talk to her alone."
"Thank you, I'll get them for you."
It didn't take long for him to get the crutches for Evan and to be alone. He smiled as he heard humming from the kitchen.
He dialled Ana and put it on speaker, and lay across the bed.
"Edmundo, it's good to hear from you, even though it took some time for you to contact me. We need to talk about Evan Buckley and about you staying away from him."
Eddie looked up and smiled as Evan stood in the doorway. He was glad the other man was there.
"After everything, you think I want to date you. Let me make a few things clear. Chris is the number one person in my life. He is not going with my parents. The fact you called and agree with them wanting to take him away. Evan Buckley is the next most important person. You've always wanted him out of my life. That's not going to happen again."
"Edmundo." She snapped.
"Lastly, it's clear you never listen to me. I have told you so many times that I hate being called Edmundo. If you keep harassing us, we'll make a report."
"Wait until your parents hear about this."
Eddie and Evan looked at each other.
"What exactly do you think that is going to do? You are aware I'm an adult."
"Your parents like me, especially for you. This is something you should listen to them about."
"I think it's more important to find someone who me and Chris want." He couldn't drag his eyes from Evan. There was so much between them, but there were still things to sort out. "Someone we trust and who listens to us."
"Bucky," Christopher yelled and hugged Evan as soon as he reached him.
"You're with Evan Buckley." Her voice was bitter. "Is that why you weren't home?"
"What we do and where we go has nothing to do with you anymore. I've warned you once if you continue to harass us, our next stop will be the police." With that, he reached over, grabbed his cell and cut her off.
"Do you think it's over?" Evan asked.
"I hope so, but I don't know."
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Ana wouldn't give up. She had to get Evan out of their lives. She moved her hand and knocked her bag, her purse fell onto the ground, and her money spilt out on the floor. She smiled and knew what to do.
The whole money lawsuit was the perfect answer. Who was she going to contact? Ramon and
Helena, Josephina, Isabela and Captain Nash.
She felt so much better. Ana would call them now. They would believe her because of the history Evan Buckley had.
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''Thank you, Ana. I'm not sure when we'll speak to him, but I will mention it to him."
"What's going on?" Chim asked Maddie had come to visit, so she was next to him.
"Ana says that Buck is trying to get money from Eddie."
"Whoa, wait, Buck is?" Hen asked.
"It does sound like him," Maddie added.
Hen and Chim glanced at each other. It didn't sound like Buck at all.
Chin glanced at Maddie. She'd been acting weird about Buck since before the lawsuit. She acted like she no longer cared about him. It had been one thing that had drawn him in, how much she had loved her brother.
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"Hey, Abuela," Eddie had the phone on speaker once again.
"I'm here too," Josephina added
"Hi, Isabela, Josephina."
"Evan Buckley, it's always Abuela and Pepe to you; otherwise, we will be very angry."
"Sorry, I promise I won't call you by your full names again," Evan laughed.
"What's up?" Eddie asked.
"Ana called us," Abuela answered.
The two men groaned.
"I've just split up with her. I thought we would get a little longer before she caused problems." He sighed.
"I assume it's about me. What have I done this time?" Evan asked, his voice full of amusement.
"She is stating you're trying to get money from Eddie."
Evan and Eddie burst out laughing
"What are we missing?" Pepe asked.
"I'm rich. I always have been. I have trust funds from both pairs of grandparents. I don't need to actually work."
"Oh, you never acted like you were rich?" Abuela asked.
"Growing up with my parents taught me what people were like when all they wanted was money," Eddie took hold of Evan's hand. "It's a long and horrible story. From the age of eleven, I was raised by my maternal grandparents. They're the ones that showed me money doesn't mean you're going to be happy. Apart from the places I lived, I always managed to survive on the money earnt where I worked."
"What does Ana think will happen?" Eddie changed the conversation quickly. He didn't want Buck to go through it again. Not yet. "I know she wants to drive a wedge between Evan and l. But I'm still not going to get back with her."
"Perhaps she thinks the only reason you broke up with her is that Evan wanted you too. So if you no longer trust him..." Pepe muttered.
He was getting a headache. "Thanks for letting us know."
"You have to visit us soon, Evan, tomorrow if you can," Abuela laughed as she hung up.
"She's definitely going to call my parents if she hasn't already. I'd better do that now." Eddie dials their number and waits. Just like the other calls, he had it on speakerphone, so Evan could hear everything.
"Eddie, Ana called us–," Ramon started.
"Just stop. I'm going to explain a few things, and that's it. Firstly Ana and I split up. She's not happy and trying to cause trouble. Secondly, due to things you have said, I can no longer contact you. Everything will go through my lawyer. They should be in touch with you soon."
"What are you talking about?" Helena asked.
"Any questions go through my lawyers when you get their contact details." Eddie smiled as he hung up.
"You look relieved."
"I do. I also feel like a weight has been lifted off me. I always failed to reach my parent's expectations. Now I realise I never could."
"Daddy, Bucky," Christopher had been watching TV, and his show had ended.
"Time to get ready for school." He smiled at his son and then turned to the man that had been a lifesaver. "Can I come back here?" He was glad they had popped into his home and grabbed a few things. They would need more.
"Eddie, you can stay as long as you want. I think Ana will keep appearing at your place."
"True, time to get ready. I don't want him to be late."
The two smiled and went to get ready.
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Athena placed her cell on her desk. Ana was accusing Buck of trying to con Eddie. Bobby believed her so and Maddie. Why?
She knew Ana was upset after that incident yesterday. She clearly wanted Buck gone. There was something odd about Maddie. Athena made a note on the file Jacobson made.
She thought back, and even though Buck loved to chat, he never talked about his past. Athena needed to make sure he wasn't in any danger. The more Athena read, the more she felt ill. Buck had been through so much. He was lucky that he survived. Why did Maddie pretend they grew up together with a great childhood? Now she was doing everything she could to make people doubt her brother.
Buck did end up on his feet with grandparents that clearly loved him. He had turned out to be a caring man. He also had money a lot, so Ana clearly lied. What the hell was going on?
Just then, her cell rang. It was Hen. She answered it maybe her friend would have some answers. "Hi."
"Athena, I need to talk to you. Ana said Buck is trying to get money from Eddie. That isn't our Buck. He would never do that."
"No, he wouldn't. Can I ask a few things?"
"Sure. What do you want to know?"
"What evidence did Bobby have against Buck?"
"The lawsuit?"
"Yeah."
"There were witnesses who heard Buck, Taylor Kelly, Ana Flores and Maddie."
Athena knew people could and would lie. These three all had a reason to lie about Buck. He had mentioned to her that he'd turned Taylor down, and she was pissed. Ana wanted Buck out of Eddie's life. She had no idea about Maddie, but something was going on there.
"Bobby told me you all had seen physical evidence."
"What evidence? He didn't show me anything," Hen answered, sounding confused herself.
Athena was angry with herself and Bobby. Why had she just believed him and not look into it herself? Well, she wouldn't make that mistake again. She had to talk to Buck to apologise and find out the missing information that would explain things, hopefully.
"Hen, I need to go and talk to someone. Can you keep this conversation quiet?"
"Of course, you will explain when you can, right?"
"I promise."
"I'll talk to you later, Athena."
"Bye, Hen."
Athena hung up and went over to Officer Jacobson. She was lucky that he was here.
"Officer Jacobson, can I talk to you?"
"Of course you can, Sergeant Grant."
"I know Evan Buckley. I hadn't seen him for a while. Ana Flores contacted my husband, making accusations against him. I've already added it to the file you started."
"Thanks for telling me, so she is causing problems. Here are his contact details and since you know about what Ms Flores is up to. I think it will best coming from you."
"Sure," Athena took hold of the piece of paper. Just like everyone else, she had let him down. She hoped Buck would give her a chance. But would never blame him if he didn't.
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"Hello," Buck answered his cell as soon as it rang.
"Buck, it's Athena."
Evan froze; he never expected to hear from her.
"Uh, hello, Athena. How can I help you? I also prefer Evan now."
"Of course, Evan. Ana Flores called Bobby."
"To tell him I'm trying to take money from Eddie."
"Yes, I spoke to Officer Jacobson, and he explained the problem you've had with her. I added this to the file he'd started on her. Is there anything you can tell me?"
"Eddie broke up with her this morning before all of this happened. She also called Eddie's parents, Abuela and Pepe."
"Thank you, I'll add it to the file."
"Bobby believed her, didn't he?"
"Yes, he did; Maddie was there and agreed with him. I didn't, and neither does Hen. She called me confused. What Ana accused you of isn't you."
"Thank you, Athena. It means a lot."
"I uh, I need to talk to you. If after you want me to leave and never talk to me again, will respect that."
"Come and see me tomorrow afternoon. I'll text you. My address is 3pm, okay?"
"It's perfect, and thank you, Evan. I appreciate it."
Evan sighed after Athena hung up.
"Is everything okay?" Eddie asked.
"That was Athena; Ana called Bobby. He believes the story with help from Maddie. Athena and Hen didn't. No idea about Chim. She had talked to that Officer from yesterday. She's coming here tomorrow at 3pm. We'll be finished by the time you and Chris get back."
"Are you doing okay?"
Eddie pulled him into a hug. "I'm here for whatever you need."
"Thank you."
"Oh, after we pick up, Chris Abuela and Tia Pepe want us to join them for an early dinner."
"'Do I have a choice?" Evan laughed.
"Nope, not really."
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Abuela stood next to Eddie as they watched Pepe, Christopher, and Evan sitting in chairs and laughing.
"Don't let him go again. When you get a chance, tell him how much you love him."
"We're working on our friendship. I wasn't there when he needed me. I don't want to rush things and end up chasing him away."
"Don't wait too long. He loves you too."
"I hope so. I want to show him that he can trust me, and that's all I am thinking about at the moment?" He had realised that his feelings for Evan weren't platonic. If only he had realised this before everything had happened.
"I have faith in you both," Abuela hugged him and headed out towards the garden.
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Isabela looked down at her cell as it rang. It was Ramon. She was glad that Eddie, Evan and Christopher had gone home.
"Yes?"
"Edmundo hired a lawyer and will not talk to us," Ramon shouted. "What is going on?"
"I cannot tell you anything. You will find out when the lawyers contact you." She pulled the cell away from here her ear as Ramon started to yell.
Isabela cut the connection and ignored any more of his calls and text messages. He and Helena were to blame for this. After Eddie had told them everything, she was so angry that they could do it to their son and grandson. Their priority should've been their happiness, which meant Eddie and Christopher were together with Evan.
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Evan yawned and turned over. Eddie was asleep in his bed again. There were other spare rooms, but it seemed they both preferred this. They never really spoke about it. They just ended in bed together and fell asleep.
Pepe had promised to check Eddie's home. They had moved quite a lot of his and Chris' stuff here. Carla was also going to come over to visit.
When Eddie went back to work tomorrow, Carla and Chris were going to be here. Eddie was concerned about him. This was one of the reasons why he'd fallen in love with the other man and still loved him today. There was something between them, but there were still things to sort out.
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Bobby watched as Athena left. Something was going on; both she and Hen were acting a little weird.
His wife would eventually tell him.
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As Eddie and Christopher were about to leave for school and work, Eddie picked up Christopher so Evan could hug him. The two men turned and kissed each other goodbye.
Eddie didn't realise until he was on his way to drop his son off and couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
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Buck froze. He'd kissed Eddie goodbye like a couple. But he was kissed back. He smiled; maybe that conversation would be sooner than he thought.
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Evan had kept himself busy by dealing with things to do with his physiotherapy business. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Athena was a little early. He grabbed his crutches, made his way over to the door and opened it.
"Evan, are you just going to stand there and not greet your parents."
TBC