Not Even Close (A New Generation)

by Elizabeth Reyes

  Four

  Practicing an Approach

  Vannah

  Inevitably, thoughts of possibly seeing her mystery guy again were on Vannah’s mind as she and Xochitl walked into 5th Street. Xochitl had been witness to the first time Vannah had been taken by him here at 5th Street at the signing, then again at Starbucks a week later. Her irritable roommate had since labeled him Mr. Duplicity. She’d been as equally intrigued as she’d been annoyed by the odd demeanor. Though in his defense—because yes even though Vannah didn’t know the gorgeous guy, she was already defending him—she’d reminded Xochitl that she too must’ve looked like a basket case. The way both times she’d been smiling giddy one second then completely froze the moment their eyes had met. Vannah was only glad that first time he hadn’t been near enough to hear her literally stutter when she tried to speak after being thunderstruck by his smile.

  The first time Xochitl had immediately asked her if she knew him and they’d taken him in thoroughly and exchanged their thoughts of him. But because Matt was there the second time, they’d had to wait until later that evening to discuss. That first day at the signing they’d debated on whether he was a trainer or an aspiring boxer at the gym. He was big enough to be a fighter that was for sure. But clearly, he’d been working the lines not doing any signing. Then later walked off talking to Beast, so they hadn’t been sure what to make of that.

  Vannah had barely sat down in her first class that morning after seeing him at Starbucks that second time, when Xochitl, the queen of research and online stalking, had texted her a full report. They didn’t have much to go by the first day, but after hearing his name called out at Starbucks her clever roommate had Googled his name, 5th Street, Beast, the word boxing and voila. Byron Ledesma was the much younger brother of Leonardo “Beast” Ledesma. He was twenty-five, single and though he had a black belt in Jiu jitsu, as far as they could tell, not an aspiring boxer or even trainer at the gym. But apparently, he was likely just helping out that day for his brother’s signing.

  It was almost shameful, not to mention kind of creepy, how much you could find out about a person these days by just Googling. Vannah also knew he was a recent graduate from ESU and was even privy now about his talented work with car restorations. What wasn’t clear, was whether he just worked for his brother at what appeared to be a very big and like the gym—popular with the celebrities—auto restoration shop. Or if he was now part owner as well. But he was listed on the website as part of the team. There were lots of workers but the four main guys in charge appeared to consist of Byron, Beast, a tatted-up stud named Nine who they recognized as one of the guys with him at the signing, and another tatted-up, hottie named Orlando. It’d been just one more thing for Xochitl to be unnecessarily annoyed by and it’d had Vannah giggling.

  “Geez, so what is it about California? Specifically, the East Los Angeles area. Look at these guys. They could all be models. It’s an auto shop for crying out loud. They’re supposed to look like dirty grease monkeys.”

  Xochitl had done the initial researching of the guy which got them the basics about Byron. But Vannah who was far more interested in him than her friend, had continued to secretly dig a little further. She stopped when it began to feel wrong. Obviously, the sudden death of his mother was public knowledge since she’d come across the articles like the many about his brother, the gym and even the auto shop. Just a little over a year ago his mother had died in a tragic freak accident when she’d fallen after standing on a step stool in the kitchen. She’d broken her neck when she’d hit her head on the marble island counter. But it felt too private—too delicate a subject to be delving into someone’s life—without their consent.

  Especially when Vannah had read the side notes and follow up articles that read more like intrusive tabloid stories than news. It was first rumored that perhaps her husband had played a part in her tragic accident, then later ruled out. Still the articles speculating that maybe he’d gotten off, ran rife. But the articles about Beast’s grief-stricken younger brother, selling the house his mother was found dead in because he refused to step foot back in it. The articles about the famous boxer’s younger brother who was reported to be inconsolable after her death felt especially intrusive.

  Clearly, this had been a very traumatic occurrence in his life. Vannah’s heart went out to him because she couldn’t even imagine losing either of her parents—much less so tragically and unexpectedly. She was only glad that for the most part all the photos she came across of him online he was surrounded by friends and family. At first, she’d just assumed he and his brother, whose nickname Beast was apparently for good reason, shared the same hardened demeanor. But upon revisiting all the photos, before reading about his mother’s death, she wondered now if she’d misjudged what she saw in those dark penetrating and at times haunting eyes.

  Even as Xochitl had jumped way ahead of herself and it was completely nerve-racking. “Oh my God, Vannah this is Beast’s brother we’ve caught eyeing you twice now. We stood in line for that man’s signature for over two hours. Girl, the next time you see him you need to unleash that inner Goddess and light it up.”

  As if. Only time Vannah’s inner Goddess ever showed up was when she was in the kitchen. She doubted she’d ever be in that situation with this guy, so that wasn’t happening. Daydreaming this much about any guy was absolutely new to her and already she’d done more than her share about Byron. Her silly thoughts had gone as far as secretly pondering what her parents would say about their just turned eighteen-year-old daughter dating a twenty-five-year-old man. She wasn’t sure what her mom would say but she was pretty sure her dad would have issues with it.

  While Nena would likely have a field day since she was still teasing her about staying friends with Matt who clearly was looking for more than just a friendship, she’d likely be excited about Byron being related to someone so famous. Too excited. Which was exactly why she hadn’t shared anything about him with her. The very idea that a man like Byron would have any interest in her silly freshman ass was just ridiculous. Besides, there was nothing to share since she had no idea when if ever, she’d run into him again.

  In any case, Vannah had since forced herself to squash such senseless thoughts and stop snooping on the otherwise complete stranger’s life. It’d been days since she’d last done so. Only reason he was back on her mind today was because she was back at the gym and of course it’d be the first thing that came to mind.

  Like Vannah, Xochitl had wanted a jumpstart on school. So even though the fall semester had just started, technically they’d been in school since summer. Shaking the thoughts away of what she now dubbed a daft crush on the first guy in that long, she focused on the Zumba class she was now stretching out for. Xochitl being a little overweight, had asked Vannah to help motivate her to lose some weight. So Vannah had agreed to try Zumba class at 5th Street. Compared to all the other harder workouts this seemed the easiest. They’d be dancing to salsa songs. How hard could that be, right?

  The catchy, jumpy, music started, and they were off. Thoughts of Byron were instantly gone when the giggling started up as she and Xochitl tried in vain to keep up with the instructors moves.

  Twenty minutes later.

  After taking the walk or rather dance of shame and sneaking out the back door of the thankfully large workout room, Vannah sniggered once outside despite having a hard time catching her breath.

  “Oh. My. God!” Xochitl gasped collapsing against the wall and holding her red sweaty face against it. “What in fucking hell?”

  That only made Vannah laugh even more as she bent over and held her hands to her knees for support. “That . . .” She sucked in chunks of air as she glanced up at Xochitl who was still holding on to that wall for dear life. “Was not easy.”

  “Yeah, I’m calling BS on that.” Xochitl finally pulled away from the wall and took a long swig of her water bottle. “There is no way that was the beginner class and that instructor.” She stopped to catch her
breath again shaking her head. “She’s gotta be on crack or steroids. No way can someone just keep going like that nonstop and not even seem winded.”

  They started through the gym, still trying to calm their breathing, and feeling like epic failures, though Vannah couldn’t stop giggling. Vannah wasn’t even surprised. Her athletic aptitude was her weakest strength and she’d never even denied it. It was funny that they’d both walked into that class feeling and acting like it would be a breeze and they’d gotten their asses handed to them. Xochitl pulled out the brochure they’d been given when they signed up for their free week pass.

  “Beginner class, my ass,” Xochitl huffed. “Someone’s getting a strongly worded letter!”

  “Hey.” Vannah smiled big, bringing her hand onto her annoyed friend’s shoulder. “We didn’t fail too bad. We almost held out the whole way.” She took the brochure from Xochitl knowing full well their Zumba days were over, but still laughed as she flipped through it anyway. “Look, ten more minutes and we would’ve done it.”

  Xochitl didn’t respond and after looking through the brochure for a few seconds more, Vannah glanced up at her friend smiling again because the girl had gone uncharacteristically quiet. Vannah had a feeling why. She fully expected Xochitl to be playfully sulking and make the situation even funnier.

  “Don’t—” Xochitl started to say but then went quiet, and when Vannah followed her roommate’s eyes she knew why.

  Just like the other times Vannah had made unexpected eye contact with Byron, she nearly choked on her own chuckling now. He and another guy were walking in their direction. They were on their way into the gym in the same pathway she and Xochitl were taking on their way out. If it weren’t for her friend nudging her along Vannah almost stopped in her tracks. But her reaction to those piercing eyes locking onto hers was hopelessly the same as the previous times.

  Like the other times, Vannah practically held her breath. The way he peered into her eyes was also the same—minus the beautiful smile he’d worn the other times. The moment was over a few seconds later as he looked away and stalked past her without a word.

  “Breathe and keep walking.”

  Xochitl’s words barely registered as Vannah continued to trek her weakened legs along despite being unaware, she was still holding her breath. She exhaled as instructed but couldn’t understand why her heart was racing like it did.

  “Jesus Christ, have you ever witnessed such intensity?” Xochitl spoke under her breath. “Maybe we missed something. Maybe he is a boxer and he’s on his way this very minute into the ring ready to beat someone senseless? He sure as heck looks like he’s ready to.”

  Vannah shook her head because she was at a loss herself, but then she knew so little about him. His brother was known as Beast and as far as Xochitl had filled her in from all her research, it was for good reason. The man had been as intimidating in the boxing ring as he was to just stand next to. But from what Xochitl had read, he had quite the dark past before his days of reigning in the ring. According to Xochitl he’d even killed a man with his bare hands. Though admittedly when Xochitl went on about everything she’d dredged up about Byron and his family Vannah only really paid attention to anything that applied directly to Byron.

  Turning her head to Xochitl who was still going on about how much bigger he seemed this time seeing him this close.

  “He didn’t smile.” It was the first words out of Vannah’s mouth after this most recent yet equally breathtaking encounter with the guy. “For someone who could look so intense—like you said—he has one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve ever witnessed. It’s such a contrast to his otherwise hardened expressions.”

  “He does have a nice smile.” Xochitl agreed glancing back in his direction. “And hair. Totally love the fade and longer on top look.”

  “But he didn’t smile this time.”

  Xochitl turned back and peered at her then smirked. “It’s not like you two know each other or anything, Vannah. You’re really gonna get all butt hurt—”

  “No,” Vannah said feeling her face warm. “Not butt hurt.” She shrugged feeling stupid for thinking out loud. “I’m just . . . I don’t know, wondering if it has anything to do with me looking like a sweaty pig this time as opposed to the first two times.”

  Now Xochitl scoffed. “Girl, sweaty or not you’re killing that workout outfit. If not a fight, we caught Mr. Duplicity readying himself for an intense workout. Did you get a load of the muscle on the guy? You don’t get muscle like that unless you work out hard.”

  Xochitl pointing out Byron’s impressive muscle only warmed Vannah’s face further. Despite having clammed up and having only kept her eyes on his, again, she’d seen plenty of photos of him online to know he had a body most women would salivate over. But clearly, he was way out of her league and her reaction to him each time was further proof of that. Besides, she had no business even thinking of getting her hopes up about him or any guy for that matter. Reminding herself what her real focus should be on—her grades while still enjoying her time in college—she attempted to change the subject.

  “So, what did we decide? Yay or nay on Frat Row Friday?”

  “What?” Xochitl turned to her. “How can you even think of that when what just happened, happened?”

  “What happened?” Vannah asked nervously knowing full well her friend would be calling her out on her indifference about seeing Byron again.

  Xochitl rolled her eyes shaking her head. “Oh, cut the crap, Vannah. He may not have smiled this time, but he’s obviously drawn to you. I may as well be invisible for all the attention I’ve gotten from him in each instance that we’ve seen him. His eyes have zoomed in directly at you each time, and he’s never the least bit subtle about it, either.”

  Attempting to make less of it because her belly was tightening now that Xochitl was saying out loud, the very thing Vannah had begun to think, she shrugged. “If there was really any interest don’t you think he would’ve approached me by now?” Before her friend could argue Vannah went on quickly. “Besides.” She lifted her chin. “He’s older and likely not into college freshman who are just looking to have some no-strings-attached fun.”

  “Oh, my God. What planet have you been living on?” Her friend scoffed as they walked out the front doors of the gym. “Any man, no matter what age, would be into a sexy college freshman. Especially if they’re looking for a no-strings-attached, hot and sweaty fling.” Xochitl turned to Vannah, eyes wide open. “But come to think of it. You were with Matt that day at Starbucks. Maybe he thinks you’re unavailable.”

  Vannah shook her head as her insides got even tighter because that thought had occurred to her, even before today. She felt too silly to even share with Xochitl, but she’d been secretly disappointed that the moment her and Byron’s eyes had met at Starbucks had been the moment she’d been wiping the whip cream off Matt’s lip.

  “Think about it, Vannah,” Xochitl went on with even more conviction. “Maybe Matt’s the reason why there was no smile this time.” This time her too excitable friend stopped and looked back toward the doors of the gym. “Maybe you should approach him.”

  Grabbing her friend’s arm and nudging her along before she got any crazier ideas, Vannah shook her head. “No way.”

  “Why not?”

  “Are you insane?” Vannah continued to tug her friend along toward her car even as her heart’s thudding sped up with every step she took. “I freeze up just looking at the man. You expect me to just waltz back in there and actually start up a conversation with him?”

  “It’s a gym, Vannah. Wouldn’t be unheard of to try and strike up a conversation with someone who catches your eye. Especially someone whose eye you’ve obviously caught.”

  The moment they were close enough to her car, Vannah clicked the doors open so she could jump in as quickly as possible. Even as Xochitl climbed into the passenger side she was still going on with the now unnerving topic. “Okay, I get it. You’re shy and not used to approa
ching guys—”

  “Men. This isn’t even a guy, Xochitl.” Vannah turned to look back as she pulled out of the parking space, giving her friend a hard look in the process. “This is a grown ass man we’re talking about. A college grad seven years older than me. Not to mention he’s a very hot man. One who likely has women, not little eighteen-year-old college freshman girls throwing themselves at him.”

  “Oh, I can guarantee you that man has plenty of college girls throwing themselves at him too.” Xochitl retorted, though her comment didn’t help—at all. “But who said anything about you throwing yourself at him? I just meant you go up to him and introduce yourself—”

  “Would you?” Vannah turned to face her equally timid friend when they came to a stop. “Would you be willing or even able to just go up to him and introduce yourself if you were in my position?”

  That stumped Xochitl just as Vannah expected. Slumping her shoulders with a sigh, Xochitl turned to face forward. “Probably not.”

  “Absolutely not and you know it.”

  “I know.” Xochitl turned back to face her just as the light turned green. “Frat Row Friday. Let’s do it. Let’s go there tonight and practice our approach to guys. Maybe then you can work up the nerve to eventually talk to this guy.”

  Breathing in deeply, Vannah let out an exasperated but much-needed laugh. “Practice our approach?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Granted approaching drunken frat boys will be far less intimidating than approaching someone like this guy but it’s a start.” Xochitl pulled her phone out of the glove compartment. “I’ll invite Clarissa and Sylvia. Sylvia can get her sister to buy us some booze. This way we can loosen up a little. We’ll make a game out of it and take turns. You know Clarissa will be down and after a few drinks so will Sylvia.”

  Just like that, it was settled. They’d be practicing their approach tonight, though Vannah knew there was no chance in hell she’d ever approach Byron. She was certain her awkward ass would make a complete fool of herself if she ever tried. But Xochitl didn’t have to know that. Vannah had been curious about Frat Row Fridays ever since she heard of it. She’d focus on this instead of her friend’s belly-tightening theory about why Byron hadn’t smiled today. Drunken college boys out looking for just a good time, she could deal with. But Vannah meant it when she said Byron was a grown ass fine man way beyond her league. She’d humor her roommate for now and let her think she’d consider approaching him eventually, but she knew better. That was never happening.