Not Even Close (A New Generation)

by Elizabeth Reyes

  As adamant as he seemed moments ago, his expression was already softening, and he nodded. “Whatever you want, Savannah, you know I’ll give in. And you’re absolutely getting a ring. But can we at least wait to tell them in person? Your dad said I was welcome to come down with you tomorrow.”

  “Yes.” Those bright eyes went even brighter. “That’s perfect. Everyone will be there.”

  That had Byron groaning and holding his hand over his gut like he might be sick as he took a seat on the sofa. Of course, that made her laugh, and not so nervously now.

  “Oh, to be a fly on that wall when you tell them,” Xochitl quipped shaking her head.

  “You should come with us,” Vannah said even more excited. “We’re not spending the night. It’s just a day thing. We’ll be back tomorrow night.”

  “Yeah,” Byron agreed immediately. “Maybe it’ll soften the blow if there’s more unrelated witnesses around.”

  “Trust me nothing will hold my dad back from saying what’s on his mind.” That only made him groan more. “But I don’t think he’ll be mad. Worried, that we’re moving way too fast, yes. I’m sure they’ll all be. This is pretty insane but as long as me and you are so sure about it.” She took a seat next him and cuddled up against him. “And the more I think about it, the surer I am.” She kissed him softly running her hand through his hair. “They’ll just have to accept it.”

  Byron let his head fall back on the sofa. “Then maybe we should go and try and get some early shut eye. It’s been a hell of a day, and I already know sleep won’t be coming easy tonight.”

  The girls made arrangements about the time they’d be there to pick Xochitl up, as Vannah put together a bag. All the while going on about how crazy this was. But Vannah hadn’t lied. The more she thought and talked about it, the more perfect the idea of becoming his wife felt. Now if she could just convince her family about that, without them getting too crazy.

  Byron

  The whole way to La Jolla, Byron had practiced his deep breathing to no avail. He was still a nervous wreck. Savannah had been assuring him since the night before that this wouldn’t be so bad. Sure, the initial shock of it would be a doozy, but they’d eventually move on to big fat Moreno wedding planning. Savannah had agreed to let him be the one who asked her parents for their blessing, before announcing it to everyone else. It’s why they’d arrived hours before her mother had said the festivities would be starting.

  Once again, her sister had run out before they’d even gotten out of the car. As soon as Savannah was out of the car there was no shortage of squealing and hugging as if Savannah had just returned from a military tour, after being gone for years. Her parents and her brothers were in the kitchen still finishing up breakfast when they got in.

  “Look who’s here,” Sienna happily announced, as they all walked into the kitchen her arm still latched in Savannah’s.

  “Happy birthday, mom.”

  Her mom was instantly on her feet. “Come here.” She walked toward Savannah arms wide open. “You gave us such a scare yesterday.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I ruined your birthday.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not your fault.” She touched Savannah’s face, before hugging her again. “I’m just glad my baby’s okay.”

  Baby?

  Byron gulped, as her mom came around and hugged him and Xochitl too. She tapped his arm with a knowing look. “I heard how worried you were about her too yesterday, and about what you said to her father. Makes me grateful she has you so close.”

  “I meant every word I said.” He glanced at Savannah knowing she’d look confused, since he hadn’t shared with her everything he and her father had discussed. He cleared his throat, because he figured he had to get this over with, and this felt like as good a time as any. “That said, after what happened yesterday, I realized just how much she means to me, and uh . . .”

  He was distracted momentarily by Xochitl taking a seat at the center island, as if getting ready for the show. Savannah slipped her hand in his, glancing up at him with an encouraging smile.

  Byron turned back to her parents who were still watching him intently. “I told her that if I thought she’d say yes, I’d ask her to marry me. I know now she’s who I wanna spend the rest of my life with.”

  “She’s way too young,” her dad said. “And you two have only—”

  “I said yes, daddy.”

  You could literally feel the air sucked out of the room, as they all stared at them stunned. “You said yes?” her mom asked in disbelief.

  “Are you pregnant?” her dad followed up before Savannah could confirm they’d heard right.

  “No, daddy. You know I’m more responsible than that.”

  Her brother scoffed. “Can’t even remember to lock your door.”

  Xochitl scowled at him, likely because it’d been established yesterday that she couldn’t either. Of course, unlike her friend, even this had Savannah smirking at her brother.

  She turned back to her parents. “I know this is a shock, and we haven’t been together for long, but I can’t even explain it. Just like when he had dinner with us after technically only having known him a week. It just feels so right.”

  Mr. Moreno stood up, as if he couldn’t sit anymore. “But you’re only eighteen, Savannah.”

  “I know, daddy but I practically live at his place already, anyway.”

  If looks were daggers, Byron would have two right between the eyes, the way her dad glared at him when his face jerked in his direction.

  “Okay, let’s not get silly about this, honey,” Mrs. Moreno said, obviously catching the lethal glare her dad had shot him. “And they’re talking marriage, so it’s not like we have to worry about him not being serious about her.”

  “Yes,” Byron spoke up again. “I’ve never felt this way for any other girl in my life.” He turned to Savannah who was looking up at him, her big, beautiful eyes flooding. “Never been so in love.” The crease between her eyes deepened and her lips quivered. Feeling like he might get emotional too if he didn’t glance away, he took a deep breath and turned back to her parents. “It’s why we’re here early. I was really hoping to get your blessing before we announced it to the rest of the family.”

  The exchanged glance between her parents wasn’t missed. Her father’s expression was far more troubled than her mom’s. Mrs. Moreno turned back to them. “You’re not dropping out of school, are you?”

  “Oh, hell no,” Mr. Moreno huffed.

  “No, sir,” Byron spoke up quickly. “I wouldn’t want her interrupting her studies for me. She’d keep doing what she’s doing now, only she’d be living with me instead of the dorm.”

  “Yeah, daddy you guys wouldn’t have to pay for that expensive dorm anymore.”

  “You know that’s the least of my worries, Savannah.” He turned to Byron. “So, you’re saying you’ll be engaged and once she’s done with school—”

  “No,” Savannah clarified immediately. “We don’t want that long of an engagement. Just long enough to plan the wedding. And we won’t even think of starting a family until I’ve at least finished school.”

  “Oh, thank God, you’re not eloping,” her mom said.

  “No,” Savannah laughed as her prediction began to come true. After the shock of the news, they were already moving on to talk of their big fat Moreno wedding. “Are you kidding me? Grandma’s been drilling in the idea of all her grandkids having big weddings since I was five. I wouldn’t dream of breaking the Moreno tradition.”

  Byron smiled, remembering last night’s conversation. Technically, her parents had eloped, but her dad didn’t realize what a big deal it would be to his parents. So, they’d been guilted into renewing their vows and having a big wedding months later. Now her grandmother was making sure all her grandkids knew just how big a deal this was.

  “So, does this mean we have your blessing?” Byron braved the question.

  Once again, he watched as her parents exchanged glances. Af
ter a tense filled silent long moment with all eyes on Mr. Moreno, he shrugged. “You couldn’t keep me from walking my baby girl down that aisle if you tried.”

  “Oh, daddy!” Savannah rushed to him and wrapped her arms around him as the big guy embraced her tightly.

  For someone who for years refused to give into tears, Byron was instantly choked up as Mrs. Moreno hugged him. “Welcome to the family,” she said against his ear then chuckled. “I hope you’re ready for all the insanity.”

  To Byron’s surprise, Taz stood behind his mom when she was done hugging Byron. He held up a hand and gave him an upwards handshake, clapping him on the shoulder. “I’m not supposed to like you,” he said with a smirk. “Just so you know, after yesterday the whole family’s grateful you’re there for her. You don’t even know the shit me and my brother deal with when something goes down with my sisters. My parents freak the fuck out. So, this is even better.”

  Sienna didn’t even give Byron time to respond, before she practically pushed her brother away so she could hug Byron. “Oh, my God!” She squeezed him. I can’t believe this!” It almost felt wrong to hug her, holding her felt exactly like holding Savannah. “I love how much you love my sister because no one loves her more than I do, but I can tell you’re getting close.” Once again, he was surprised to see her face crumble when he pulled away, and her lips quiver. “Please don’t ever hurt her.”

  “I swear to God, I won’t,” he said immediately.

  “I’d kill you,” she said with a still emotional smirk.

  Byron had to chuckle. “I already know I’d have a snowballs chance in hell if I ever did, with this family.”

  “You bet your ass,” she laughed.

  After all the congratulations, and everyone getting passed the shock, they all rushed off to get ready for round two. Telling the rest of her brood once they all started arriving.

  Savannah walked out into the patio, leaving Xochitl with her siblings inside as her parents went upstairs to shower. “What else did you say to my dad yesterday?”

  “Same thing I’ve been saying to you for weeks.” He pulled her to him and hugged her tight. “The truth. That I’m in love with you. You’re everything to me now, and I’d do anything to keep you safe.”

  She smiled even through her tears. “Either you’re an evil genius who figured out how to manipulate my dad, or you really love me.”

  “I really love you, baby. You should know that by now.”

  “I really love you, too!”

  Epilogue

  Byron

  “I’ll just be a few minutes,” Savannah said as she opened the car door, then turned to the back seat where her sister sat. “I have to turn in the assignment on paper all old school because the website was down again.”

  “No worries, babe.” Byron leaned in to kiss her, before she got out of the car. “Take your time. I’m in no hurry.” She pecked him, smiling sweetly then got out of the car.

  “I am not looking forward to school. Let me tell you,” Sienna groaned from the back seat. “It’s why I took this first semester off, so I could take a break from school. Studying, and writing papers and all that stuff is just not my thing.”

  Byron turned around to face her, still unable to believe how identical she and her sister were. “Well, you don’t have to go to school. There’s other things you can do in life that don’t require a higher education.”

  “It’s what I keep telling my parents. My YouTube Channel.” She eyed him smiling widely. “It already makes money, and my followers keep growing, and advertisers keep reaching out to me. Not the other way around.”

  “There you go,” he said as his phone rang over the speakers.

  He winced when he hit the answer button instead of the send to voicemail one. “Byron?” she purred before he could hit the switch-to-handset button.

  He brought the phone to his ear turning around in his seat to face forward in a panic. “Can’t talk right now,” he said lowering his voice.

  “Why? Is your fiancé there?”

  “No, she’s not here.” He lowered his voice. “But her sister is. I can’t talk right now.”

  “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too.” he whispered even lower. “I’ll call you tonight when she falls asleep.”

  He finally got her off the phone and cleared his throat, before turning around. If a glare were a bat, he’d be battered and lifeless already in the trunk of his own car. “So, yeah, yeah. Absolutely. You can make a living on the internet. Our website makes—”

  “No, no, no, no, no,” Sienna said shaking her head and pointing her finger at his phone. “Who the fuck was that?”

  “What?” Byron glanced down at his phone feeling his heart wallop. “That was my friend.”

  “A friend you’re fucking?”

  “What? No!”

  “Bullshit!” She picked up her phone and started tapping away. “I can’t talk right now. Her sisters here. I miss you, too. Are you a fucking idiot or what?”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” he said reaching for her phone. “Who you calling?”

  “My sister!” She shoved his hand away from her, tapping away but frowning. “Stupid call’s not going through.”

  “Listen to me, listen to me!” Byron held his hands up in front of him. “She’s just an associate, I have. A friend from way back—”

  “Does Vannah know about her?”

  “I’ve mentioned her—”

  “Does she know you’re still talking to her and missing her? That you wait until my sisters asleep to talk to her, asshole?” She tapped at her phone’s screen again shaking her head. “Swear to God, I knew you were too good to be true. You lying cheating bastards are all the same.”

  “Look.” He held his hand up. “Savannah just wouldn’t understand—”

  “Of course she wouldn’t! How’d you feel hearing her say she missed another dude that’s missing her, too?”

  Clenching his teeth, Byron had to take in a deep breath before responding because the answer to that would have him growling. “Some people . . . have friends they just talk to—”

  “Get the hell out! Like you’d ever put up with my sister having guy friends she kept from you that she missed. Ones she waited until you were asleep to call. If you don’t tell her as soon as she’s back here, I will.”

  Sitting up a little straighter and frowning, Byron took in another deep breath. “Look, this isn’t your story to tell, okay? I’ll tell her when it’s the right time and in private.”

  “No.” She shook her head defiantly, sitting up in her seat, and getting in his face with a purpose. “I’m praying she’s not gonna cry. I know you’re at least a whole foot taller than me, but if she cries . . .” The enraged expression was gone suddenly. Her brows pinched just like the times Savannah had been close to tears, and it made him feel like absolute shit. Thankfully, she recovered fast enough and glared at him. “If she cries.” She stopped to sniffle. “If she cries, I will burn your whole fucking world down—”

  The door opening and Savannah cheerfully getting in cut off the conversation. “Oh, my God, it’s so hot out here.”

  Byron reached for the ignition button. “Don’t you turn that on!”

  Of course, Savannah immediately turned back to face her sister as Byron’s heart continued to race. “What’s wrong?”

  “Tell her, Byron or I will.” Byron leaned against the steering wheel. “Tell her, asshole or I swear to you—”

  “Nena!”

  “No!” her incensed sister said sitting up again. “I heard him on the phone with another girl just now, Vannah. Someone who misses him, and he said he missed her too. He said he couldn’t talk because your sister was in the car, but he’d call her back tonight when you were asleep!”

  Savannah turned to Byron looking utterly disgusted. “Is this true?”

  Holding her arm up, because her sister looked ready to jump over the seat to get to him, Savannah waited for his response. “It’s not like t
hat,” he insisted. “Your jealous sister is just trying to come between us.”

  Sienna lunging at him had Savannah jumping between them. A few hectic seconds later, even as they all tangled up trying to keep Sienna from pummeling Byron, Savannah’s wheezing laughter slowed them all down.

  “Stop!” Savannah screeched as she held her sister’s arms back. “It’s a prank!”

  Savannah reached for the camera hidden in the small compartment under the screen on the dash to show her. He’d jimmied it there before he’d gone back to the apartment to pick them up, and set up the whole prank’s intro in the car.

  While Savannah continued to giggle uncontrollably, Byron dropped his head back clutching his heart. Only Savannah could talk him into doing something so nerve wracking.

  “It was a loyalty test challenge. One I had no doubt you’d pass, Sissy.” She turned to Byron. “Oh my God,” she gasped. “Your jealous sister is trying to come between us, that was perfect!”

  Sienna stared at them, looking speechless but after a few seconds of listening to Savannah’s hysterical laughing, Sienna cracked a smile. “Well, yeah,” she said still breathing heavy, and looking back in forth between Byron and Savannah.

  Byron’s heart was still going a mile a minute. Meanwhile, Savannah was already talking into the camera. “We got her! Team Vannah got another big one on the board, y’all!”

  After forcing Sienna to admit on video that they’d gotten her good, they finished it out and Savannah turned to her sister. “I can’t wait to see the whole thing.”

  Savannah immediately rewound it to play from the beginning. Sienna groaned, but also chuckled along with her twin, as they watched Savannah’s hesitant partner in crime set it up.

  As usual, the girls laughed their asses off watching Byron squirm through the whole thing on Savannah’s phone until he was smirking too.

  “Done,” he said adamantly when they were finished watching. “I’m not doing this anymore. My heart can’t take it. Holy shit!”