Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 130380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
I love you.
The words blew through my mind as strong as the October wind, surprising me even though I’d felt them humming under the surface for weeks.
“What?” Mary asked, sensing the shift.
I swallowed the words down, burying them in my chest for now. I knew it wouldn’t be long before they’d crawl their way out, but Mary had just admitted to me that she was scared — of me, of us. The last thing she needed was me to throw that at her.
“Nothing,” I said.
Mary narrowed her eyes but didn’t press. Instead, she bit her lip against a smile. “You know… I always wanted to make out under these bleachers.”
I arched a brow. “Did you now?”
“I’m ashamed to admit how many times I fantasized that it’d be you.”
“Well, shit,” I said, pulling her to stand. “I’ll be damned if I miss an opportunity to play out one of your fantasies.”
I dragged her down the bleachers with her laugh singing sweet on the evening breeze, and when we were alone under the shadow of the bleachers, I pressed her into a dark corner and kissed her until her lips were swollen and both of us were desperate to get back home.
On the drive back, I was once again overcome by the high of life in that moment. We rolled the windows down and let fall sweep in, Mary’s hair blowing everywhere as we sang Breaking Benjamin songs so loud our throats were raw. I soaked up every drop of laughter, reveling in the way it felt to hold her hand and the steering wheel at the same time.
I was on a winning streak — in every possible way.
And with every whispered invocation against Mary’s skin that night, I prayed it would never end.
Mary
“WHERE’S MY BIRTHDAY BOY!?”
The door to The Pit burst open early on the morning of October twenty-first, and in blew a petite, gorgeous woman who I only had to glance at once to know was Leo’s mom.
She had warm brown skin and jet-black, shoulder-length hair that swung in silky strands around her face as she kicked the door closed behind her. She was holding a homemade something in her hands — perhaps a cake? — and her purse was nearly as big as she was as she adjusted it on her shoulder. It was her smile that gave her away, along with those golden eyes that were wide and bright.
They grew even wider at the sight of me.
“Oh,” she said, a little out of breath as she tried to cover her surprise. “Hello.”
I shook off my nerves, thankful I’d actually decided to get dressed this morning before coming downstairs. I didn’t usually, but maybe it was the universe’s way of showing me a small kindness, because for some reason I’d pulled on a hoodie and my leggings.
“Hi,” I said, matching her smile. “You must be Mrs. Hernandez. Here, let me take that,” I offered, reaching out to take the pan covered with Cling Wrap out of her hands.
“Please — call me Valentina,” she said, letting me take the dessert. Once I had it in my hands, I realized it wasn’t a cake, but rather several oversized pastries with a ruby-colored jam oozing out of them and powdered sugar dusting the top.
I looked back up to find Valentina studying me with an arched brow, like she was waiting for me to explain my presence. But before I could, a stampede of boys barreled down the stairs, Leo at the forefront.
“Mamá!” he said, and then he scooped his tiny mother into his arms and spun her around while she laughed and squeezed him just as tight.
“Feliz cumpleaños, mijo,” she said when he sat her feet back on the ground. She grabbed his face in her hands and kissed both his cheeks.
The rest of my roommates enveloped her next, and I used the distraction to slip away, quietly tucking myself into the corner. I was ready to make myself disappear completely, but Leo’s gaze snapped to me, and he smiled so wide and carefree that it felt like a blast from the past, like I was seeing him in high school again.
His hand shot out for mine, and I balanced the tray of pastries in one hand as I slipped my other into his.
“Mamá, this is Mary,” he said, pulling me close.
“Ah, so this is the girl who’s stolen my son’s heart,” she mused.
I flushed furiously, but Leo only kissed my temple and nodded. “The very one.”
Leo’s mom nodded, crossing her arms as she appraised me. Then, she clicked her tongue and shook her head. “She’s too pretty for you.”
I laughed, and Leo smiled like this was normal for them. “Lo sé.”
“Come on, Mary,” Valentina said next, looping her arm through mine and shooing Leo away. “Help me plate these pastelitos de guayaba and I’ll show you how to make coffee.”