Not Even Close (A New Generation)

by Elizabeth Reyes

  “Well,” Nena smiled broadly. “We’ve always been Vannah and Nena to each other because we couldn’t say our names correctly when we were toddlers and then it just stuck. But it’s actually Sienna. I go by either, though.”

  “Fair enough,” Already he’d decided Savannah was much prettier sounding than Vannah and he’d be using that instead from here on. Now that he knew this was their thing, he’d keep it that way. “Sorry about the way we met, Sienna. Any chance I can get a do over?”

  She laughed reaching her hand out. “Sure thing. I’m Sienna Moreno, Vannah’s sister. And you are?”

  Taking her hand, he shook it with a relieved smile. “Nice to meet you, Sienna. I’m Byron Ledesma, Savannah’s friend.”

  He cleared his throat as he and Savannah’s eyes met but she glanced away quick enough. When he’d decided they were getting things straight tonight, he’d meant he’d ask point blank if there were any other friends, she made out with. If there was, he was out. Obviously, he wouldn’t be able to deal with that. But he wouldn’t push for more—yet. It was too soon, and he’d respect her wishes for now about the no boyfriend rule. If he could at least get a promise of exclusivity he could live with whatever she chose to call their relation to one another.

  They reached the restaurant he hadn’t been to in years, but he remembered it being good. It was kind of a surprise her family who owned their own Mexican restaurant would choose one to dine at. But then people came from all over for this restaurant’s famous tamales and Savannah had told him how her parents liked to stay up in the latest crazes when it came to Mexican cuisine.

  As soon as Byron came around the car, he instinctively took her hand in his. They walked into the restaurant where her dad waved them down.

  “My mom and other brother are in town too,” Savannah stated the obvious as Byron took in the large table they were seated at and all their curious faces.

  Squeezing her hand, he did his best to be cool. “Wonderful.”

  She laughed softly. “Mom, daddy,” she said as soon as they reached the table. “Let me formally introduce you to . . .” She paused for a moment pulling a strand of hair behind her ear and glancing away. “My friend Byron.” After introducing him to her parents she turned to her brothers who both seemed to be staring him down unimpressed. “Byron these are my little brothers,” she said with a giggle since even sitting down there was no missing how much bigger they both were than their older sisters. “Alex, but we all call him Taz, and the baby, Adam aka Gordo because he was such an adorable chubby when he was a baby.”

  Both guys made no qualms about openly taking him in before lifting a chin at him, but he didn’t get much more than a “Sup?”

  Despite the not-so-inviting greeting, Byron smiled. “How’s it going?”

  Of course, her dad pointed at the open seats closest to him and her mother. Her dad sat at the head of the table; his wife next to him. Byron got stuck right next to her dad and directly across from her mother. Savanna took the seat next to Byron and Sienna next to her while her brothers sat across from their sisters now.

  Byron casually but quickly took in the family physical aura. Her parent’s genes had been evenly split. Obviously, her brothers got their physiques from her dad who was a big muscular man. Savannah’s mother was sitting down but even then, Byron could tell as she leaned into her husband and whispered something with a raised brow, she looked as dainty as Savannah felt in his arms.

  Even though what appeared to be a warning from his wife, her dad wasted no time as soon as they were situated to start firing away questions. “So, how long you been going out with my daughter?”

  “Uh,” Byron glanced at her but clearly, she was going to let him take the question as she took a swig of her water. “Technically, it’s been about a week since we officially met and started talking daily. But uh, we’d seen each other around for a little over a month?”

  He turned to Savannah for help. Byron knew the seeing each other around stuff didn’t count for shit but given the scene he’d made today, he didn’t want her family thinking him an outrageously premature entitled psycho like she’d made him feel a few times already.

  Before Savannah could add her two cents her dad went on. “How’d you officially meet?”

  The waitress dropped off their drinks. Sodas for the boys a beer for dad and a glass of wine for mom. Before either he or Savannah could answer he pointed at Byron. “You old enough to drink?”

  “Yeah, but I’m driving.”

  Her father nodded approvingly as the waitress proceeded to take the food and drink orders from the new arrivals at the table. “So, how’d you meet my daughter?” her dad asked again as he took a swig of his beer. Clearly this line of questioning would be aimed at him for the most part.

  “At a party, daddy.”

  Byron turned to Savannah who was likely and understandably so, fearing Byron might share last week’s fiasco at the frat party. Her big eyes widened ever so slightly as they met Byron’s sending a silent message then turned back to her dad. “We started talking then exchanged numbers.”

  Glancing away from her, Byron met her dad’s probing eyes. “You said you’d seen each other around. Around school?”

  Swallowing hard, Byron shook his head. “No, actually. I’m done with school. I first saw her at 5th Street, the gym.”

  Stopping before taking another swig of his beer, her dad seemed to sit back in his chair. “Done with school? How old are you?”

  “I’m twenty-five, sir.”

  Her dad sat up straighter again as her mom touched his arm. “Twenty-five?”

  “Beast is his brother,” Sienna suddenly piped up. “The Beast, daddy. The boxer. Isn’t that crazy? Him and Beast own their own auto repair and restoration shop. You know the one that’s been on that reality show you watch sometimes.”

  Byron practically held his breath. As her parents exchanged looks, her mother once again raised a brow as her dad very obviously worked his jaw.

  “You’re Beast’s brother?” Gordo suddenly asked sounding excited. “Did he really kill that guy? You never know what to believe on the internet anymore and that’s been so debated.”

  Suddenly all eyes were on him. When he turned to Savannah hers were closed for a moment since they’d already discussed this, and she knew the whole story. “Yeah, uh,” he cleared his throat. “Fortunately, he’d been just in time to save his girlfriend from being sexually assaulted.” He had all of their undivided attention, but he turned to her dad to add the rest. “Some argued his beating the guy to death was excessive and well, my brother is notorious for his temper—”

  “I’ve heard the story and seen the footage. I don’t know a single man who wouldn’t have had the same reaction.” Her dad took another swig of his beer as the waitress dropped off Byron, Savannah and Sienna’s drinks. “I’m glad he got off,” he added as soon as the waitress walked away. “So, you said you’re done with school. You mean college?

  “Yes, sir. Graduated last year.”

  “What did you major in?”

  “I got my bachelor’s in business administration,” Byron answered glancing at a proudly smiling Savannah. “But I minored in digital marketing.”

  “So, you’re part owner of Bad Boys?” Gordo asked. “I heard you guys might get your own reality show.”

  “There’s been talk about it, but nothing’s come of it yet.”

  “Has Vannah told you about our YouTube and TikTok Channels?” Sienna asked.

  Byron turned to Sienna then back to Savannah in question. “No, she hasn’t.”

  “Well, that doesn’t surprise me.” Sienna lifted her cup, bringing the straw to her lips before adding “She’s completely neglected it ever since she went away to school.”

  “Nena, editing those videos is so time consuming,” Savannah explained sounding a bit guilty. “I’m constantly swamped with homework.”

  “Oh, I know,” Sienna said smiling big. “Maybe you can interview Beast for the channe
l. How cool would that be? You can leave the editing to me.”

  “I could talk to him,” Byron shrugged glad Sienna had taken over. This was far less nerve wracking than her dad’s grilling. “What kind of channel is it?”

  “Fashion advice mostly.” She flipped her hair up with a big grin. “We’re influencers.”

  Byron turned to Taz who scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Influencers.”

  It was the first thing he’d said since their chilly greeting, and Byron was pretty sure even the sup was said by Gordo alone.

  “We are,” Sienna insisted though she laughed. “We have over fifty-thousand followers on YouTube and almost thirty-thousand on TikTok.”

  “You do?” Their mother asked after taking a sip of her wine. “Wow, I didn’t know that. I hadn’t look through any of your videos in a while. Are you still posting?”

  Sienna nodded proudly. “Almost daily.”

  “Good.” Her dad was back in the conversation. “That should be enough. Savannah needs to focus on school. With all the down time you have right now, there’s no need to be pestering your sister about it.”

  Their food came out, just as Sienna pouted at her father. “No one’s been pestering her, daddy.”

  “Sweetheart, I just meant—”

  “But your father’s right.” Her mom chimed in firmly almost as if before her instantly remorseful sounding dad, could take it back. “Savannah’s shared with me about the huge workload she should be focusing on instead.”

  The waitress began setting plates down on the table. “Careful it’s hot,” she said as she set the one in front of her dad.

  “Speaking of focusing on your schoolwork and not letting anything else derail you from it.” Her dad did to look up from his plate as he spoke, unwrapping one of his first tamales. “What happened to that?”

  Curiously, unlike her sister who seemed to focus immediately on her food, avoiding eye contact with Byron, he noticed her mom eyed him, instead of Savannah who’d been the one questioned. Swallowing hard, as Byron felt the awkwardness of what her dad was really asking loomed over the now quiet table, he couldn’t look at her mom anymore. So, he focused on his food now too.

  “I still am,” Savannah said softly, doing what everyone else was doing, busying themselves with their food.

  “Oh?” Her dad finally looked up at her, glanced at Byron then back at her.

  “Yeah, Daddy.” Savannah speared her tamale. “Mom said it herself before I left. That while I should focus on school, I should also have fun and enjoy my college years and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

  Byron chewed slowly, taking in a deep breath as he felt his entire body stiffen. Still focusing on his food, he did his best to not be too obvious about what an idiot he was feeling like now. That his naïve ass would think for an instant just because he was having dinner with her family after only one week of knowing her, meant he was any different than her other friends, was just stupid. Only reason he was here was at her dad’s suggestion, not Savannah asking him to meet her family. And the only reason she likely went along with it was because of the unusual circumstances in which he’d met them in the first place. Not because it’s what she would’ve wanted.

  Savannah couldn’t make it any clearer. She’d just reiterated what she’d told him that first night and reassured her daddy now, what Byron had known all along. What she was doing with Byron was just for fun and nothing she’d be taking seriously. Her own mother had encouraged it for crying out loud.

  “Byron?” her mother asked snapping him out of his infuriating thoughts. “Have you ever done any boxing? You’re certainly big enough.”

  He shook his head unable to conjure up the slightest of smiles. “Not professionally. I’ve done plenty of sparring over the years to stay in shape and to help with my brother’s training.”

  “He has a black belt in jiu jitsu.” Savannah placed her hand over his on the table.

  Feeling like a sour little bitch he nearly jerked it away. But he knew what a stupid move that would be in front of her whole family. Judging from her brother’s reaction at the gym earlier if Byron even thought of doing something rude or disrespectful, he could practically picture the entire table being flipped over with a roar. Or was he confusing the visuals he’d had a few questions ago of doing the same thing himself?

  “Black belt, uh?” her dad asked.

  “Yeah.” Byron nodded. “Probably spent more time in the octagon over the years than I have in the ring. I even fought a few times. Actually, thought about going professional but after a couple of ankle injuries I had to forget fighting or risk some permanent damage.”

  “That sucks,” her dad said taking another swig of his beer and put it down sitting back. “I know the feeling. Might’ve had a real chance of a football career myself had it not been for an injury.”

  “Here we go.” Her mom took a sip of her wine again.

  Her brothers laughed and Sienna giggled as Savannah reached out and squeezed her dad’s arm in empathy.

  “What?” her dad asked looking around but stopping his gaze at his wife.

  “Nothing,” her mother smiled leaning in and kissing him. “What do you think of these tamales? The sweet corn ones are to die for. I’m ordering more and some to go.”

  For the next half hour or so they compared the tamales and other dishes to their restaurants and talked food, so thankfully the grilling ceased. They went from that, to discussing their grandparents upcoming wedding anniversary shindig, Labor Day weekend coming up in a few weeks, to the issues Savannah had been having with her laptop. Finally, they asked for the check and Byron pulled his wallet out.”

  “Put that away.” Her dad barely looked at Byron as he swiped his card through the machine at the table and started tapping at the screen. “I think I like this better than the ones we have. Look at this, babe.”

  “Sir.” Byron held out his card. “I can pay half or at least pay for me and Savannah.”

  Her dad shook his head still too busy checking out the machine. “What brand is this?” He took a picture of the machine with his phone. “I’m gonna send Sal and Angel a picture. I’m sure Sal will research it to death before we make any changes.”

  Savannah placed her hand over Byron’s again and he turned to look at her. She shook her head smiling sweetly. “He has it but thank you.”

  Giving up, Byron put his card back into his wallet. What he’d anticipated being an agonizingly awkward dinner didn’t turn out to be too bad. Except for hearing Savannah’s response to her dad about what he’d clearly been asking about, the evening had gone far better than he’d expected.

  They got to the parking lot and Savannah said goodbye to everyone. They’d parked right next to her family’s SUV and her dad lingered for a minute asking Savannah a few more things as the rest of her family boarded the SUV. Was she good on money, how the car was running, and something about calling her grandmother because her elderly aunt wasn’t doing so well. It didn’t even dawn on Byron that her dad had been stalling until the rest of the gang was all settled in the SUV, doors and windows closed. Her dad opened Byron’s passenger side door to let Savannah in but placed his hand on Byron’s shoulder. Before starting around the car like he would’ve, Byron froze in place feeling his heart rate spike.

  Standing next to him again felt even more daunting now that they were technically alone. The man was just about as big as Beast.

  “Listen,” he said tightening his hold on Byron’s shoulder just a bit, his intense eyes boring into Byron’s. “My boys have always dealt with any guys who might give their sisters trouble. You know middle school and high school bullshit. Hell, you saw for yourself today even college stuff now that the girls have graduated high school. You seem like a nice enough guy and I trust her judgement, but now that I know my little girl is seeing a twenty-five-year-old man, not some college kid, it’s me you’ll be dealing with if you do anything to hurt her, understood?” Byron nodded swallowing hard. “And if you think my son
got hot in there because he thought someone messed with one of his sisters, that boy has nothing on the fury I’d unleash on any man who fucks with either of my girls’ hearts.”

  “Alex, honey,” Savannah’s mom called out from her now rolled down window. “Time to go now.”

  Before Byron could respond, the man’s expression eased up and he clapped Byron’s shoulder. “So, yeah.” Her dad begun to walk away. “Glad we got a chance to talk. Look forward to chatting with you again.”

  “I’ve got nothing but good intentions, Mr. Moreno,” Byron said as her father walked away. “I’d never hurt her. You have my word.”

  Her father turned just before walking around his SUV. “Perfect,” he said barely cracking a smile. “Then we should be good.”

  “Holy shit,” Byron whispered under his breath as he waited for the SUV to pull out so he could meekly wave at all of them one last time.

  As a black belt in jiu jitsu Byron had no doubt he could hold his own even against someone as big as Savannah’s dad. He might even be able to take on both her brothers at once if it ever came down to it. Despite them both being much younger than him, they were still big guys who clearly didn’t take kindly to anyone messing with their sisters. If it weren’t for his nieces Byron wouldn’t even flinch at the no-bones-about-it threat from her dad. But because of them he knew, no amount of skill or brute strength could compete with the wrath of any man protecting his loved ones—especially a daughter. His brother was just that, a Beast when his temper flared, but when it came to his family, there’d be absolute hell to pay if anyone ever even attempted to hurt them. Byron saw it tonight in both her brother’s and dad’s eyes. There was no question about it. If he were ever stupid enough to hurt Savannah they’d be out for blood.

  “The hell did I get myself into?” he muttered as he walked to the passenger side door and opened it.

  “Did he threaten you?” Savannah asked with a wince as soon as Byron got in and he glanced down to push the ignition button. “Because as big and scary as he might seem, he’s really just a big teddy bear. He doesn’t mean anything by it.”