His mother, Isabel, was an average height, slender woman in her mid-forties. Sarah could see Angel and his siblings had gotten some of their most attractive features from her. She had big eyes and thick lashes. Her lips were big and pouty, and when she smiled, she had the same dimples Angel and Alex had. Sofia had them also, just not as pronounced.
She was very nice and spoke with a slight accent. Angel thought she went a little overboard, trying to make Sarah and Valerie comfortable, offering them more of everything a few too many times. But Sarah and Valerie thought she was very nice.
His dad, Salvador, was also in his mid-forties and very tall with broad shoulders. He was built very well for a man his age. He didn’t talk nearly as much as Angel’s mother did, saying only that he was glad to meet them, and then quickly excusing himself to get back to work. But Sarah had been able to see, just by the way he spoke to Angel and Sofia, that he was a no-nonsense kind of man.
At the same time, she heard tenderness in his voice when he spoke to Isabel and Sofia, referring to both as my love or sweetheart. She’d felt the same familiar hint of envy she’d felt all too many times when she’d been around Sydney and his parents.
The restaurant was busy, and Angel had hung with Sarah and Valerie off and on while they ate. At the moment, he’d been called back into the office by his dad.
Valerie was on her second round at the buffet, and Sarah sat at the table, lost in thought. All through breakfast, she kept thinking of what Valerie had told her that morning about Dana and could feel herself getting anxious. She sat there playing with her food when she was startled. “Is that Valerie?”
Sarah jumped, almost spilling her drink, and looked up.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” Alex put his hand on her shoulder.
Sarah smiled feeling silly. “That’s okay.”
She moved her drink a little farther away from her plate. When she glanced back at Alex, he was busy sizing up Valerie. Sarah followed his eyes over to Valerie, who was still piling food on her plate.
“Well”—he smiled—“I’m partial to brunettes, but a cute little blonde every now and then could do a body good.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. Every now and then? Valerie wasn’t kidding when she’d said he was her ideal guy. There’d be no talk of commitments between these two. At least there’d be no hard feelings if anything happened.
“That’s really romantic,” Sarah said.
Alex smiled at Sarah. She was sitting all the way in the booth, so Angel could sit next to her whenever he stopped by their table. Alex slid in next to her. “You think so?”
Sarah sat up a little straighter and kept her eyes on her food. “I didn’t think you were here today.”
“I just got here,” he said. “You missed me?”
Sarah felt her cheeks warm. Damn him. Why did he like to make her squirm? “No, Valerie asked about you, actually.”
Valerie walked toward them with a big giddy smile.
“Did she now?” Alex raised an eyebrow.
Valerie put her plate down on the table and sat down facing Alex. Sarah immediately did the introductions.
“Alex, this is my cousin, Valerie.” Then smiling silly, she said, “And I think you know who Alex is, right, Valerie?”
She’d meant to embarrass Valerie playfully, but Valerie took it in stride.
“Of course I do.” She reached her hand out to shake his. “I’d have to have been buried for the last few years if I didn’t.”
Alex smiled. “Really? I remember you now.”
Valerie rolled her eyes slightly.
“I saw that,” he said.
“I wasn’t trying to hide it.” Valerie laughed.
“You don’t think I remember you?”
“Nope.” She dug in to her food.
“You wanna bet?”
Valerie shook her head. “You’ll lose.”
“Does that mean you’re scared?”
“Of betting that you don’t remember ever seeing me before? Of course not. But what are we betting for?”
Alex thought about it for a second then smiled big. “You have plans for tonight?”
Sarah choked back a laugh. As if he’d have to win a bet to get a date with Valerie. “I might,” Valerie said.
Sarah nearly spit up her food, and Alex turned to look at her. She put the napkin to her mouth, coughing.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Alex asked.
She put a hand up, feeling stupid. “I’m fine,” she managed to say. “Just went down the wrong pipe.”
She saw Valerie glaring at her but quickly changed her expression back to a smile when Alex turned back to her.
“You might?” he said. “What does that mean?”
Valerie shrugged. “All depends on if anything better comes up.”
She took a spoonful of food and chewed while smiling sinfully at Alex.
“Okay.” Alex smirked. “If I win the bet, you cancel whatever plans you have, and I take you out.”
“You’re on.”
Sarah was amazed at how easily these two were talking. She remembered barely being able to breathe the first few times she’d spoken with Angel, let alone flirt. She watched and listened to Valerie, completely impressed.
Alex sat forward with that wicked smile of his. “What time do I pick you up?”
Valerie and Sarah both laughed. “You haven’t won yet,” Valerie reminded him.
Alex turned to look at Sarah, then back at Valerie. “Oh, yeah, that. Sure, I’ve seen you before. You’re Reggie Luna’s ex.”
Valerie’s expression went blank. She looked at him then at Sarah.
“I never mentioned Reggie,” Sarah said quickly.
“No,” Alex said. “We played on the same team last year. You broke his heart.”
Valerie’s eyes opened wide. Sarah smiled, glad it was Valerie he was making squirm now and not her. Valerie tried to regain her composure. “Did I?” She looked at Alex curiously.
“Sure did.” His expression was smug. “So, why’d you dump him?”
Alex’s eyes were fixed on Valerie. Sarah could see Valerie’s face turn bright pink. Angel approached their table just behind Valerie, and she decided to come to Valerie’s rescue.
“Angel, how much longer do you have to work?”
Angel shook his head. “That’s it. I’m done.” He reached the table. “Now that this lazy slug finally got here, I can leave.”
“Work?” Alex said. “I’m busy.”
Angel glanced at him then at Valerie. Sarah smiled. “I’ve pretty much been invisible for the past fifteen minutes or so.”
“Well, at least he’s not hitting on you anymore.”
“Who said that?” Alex leaned on Sarah.
Angel pulled him off her. “Are you done?”
Sarah put her hand on her stomach and made a face. “Stuffed.”
“Really?” Valerie asked. “We haven’t even had dessert yet.”
“Stay and finish,” Alex said. “I’ll keep you company. This guy just can’t wait to get Sarah away from me.”
Angel smiled and pulled Alex by the back of his shirt. “Let her out.”
“Are you okay with me going?” Sarah asked Valerie.
“Not really,” Alex said, getting up. “But if he’s gonna be an ass about—Oh, you were talking to Valerie.”
Sarah laughed and Angel shoved him, barely moving him.
“Yeah, go ahead,” Valerie said. “I’ll see you at home later.”
Chapter 11
Sarah and Angel headed to the beach, not the cliffs where they usually went. Sarah wanted to walk on the beach. It wasn’t too crowded for a Saturday. They walked for quite a while and were already on their way back to the car, when Angel brought up his Spanish class woes.
“You don’t know Spanish?” She was completely surprised.
“Well, I thought I was okay at it,” he said. “But according to the scores I’ve been getting on my quizzes, I suck.”
Sarah couldn’t help laughing despite the agitation she was feeling about the impending conversation. “I can help you.”
Angel turned to her curiously. “You know Spanish?”
“Claro que si.” Of course.
Angel smiled at her, impressed. “Good, because I have a quiz Tuesday, and progress reports go out on Wednesday. If I don’t get higher than a D on my quiz, I’m sitting out the game on Friday.”
Sarah smiled. “I’ll be your private tutor.”
They got to the car and Angel leaned on it, pulling her against him. “Mmm, sounds good.”
Sarah knew she needed to ask him now or she’d have to wait until tomorrow, and she wanted it over with. She took a deep breath. “Speaking of your game, Angel, can I ask you something?”
Angel’s hands moved all over her back. “Of course.”
“Why would Dana be wearing your jersey at the game?” She thought she saw a flicker of panic in his eyes for a second, and then it was gone. He exhaled, glancing away then back at her.
“I don’t know, Sarah,” he said. “I’ve hung out with her in the past, but she’s always made more out of it than it really was.”
Sarah felt something inside her ignite. “Was she your girlfriend?” She was trying so hard not to sound jealous. But she was, completely. She’d heard all the stories from Valerie about him and Dana, but hearing it from him set her on fire.
“No,” he said with conviction. “I told you I’ve never had a girlfriend.”
“Have you slept with her?” What the hell? She hadn’t intended on going there, but the words just flew out and they kept coming.
She saw his eyes widen for a second then go back to normal. He rubbed her back gently. “Does it really matter, Sarah?”
Her heart jumped to her throat. She wanted to scream. What had she expected? Why had she let herself fall for him? This was just one girl. How many other girls was she going to have to deal with?
“So she was never your girlfriend. You just slept with her? Is that what you’re planning on doing with me?”
His eyes narrowed, and his expression hardened. “Sarah, as far as I’m concerned, you are my girlfriend. Only reason I hadn’t said it was because I wasn’t sure you took our agreement that way.”
Sarah wouldn't listen. All she could think of was the fact that he’d slept with Dana, and it made her sick. “Were you exclusive with her?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
“No, I wasn’t.”
The lump in her throat was beginning to suffocate her. Don’t you dare cry. She tried pulling away from him, but he tightened his grip around her.
“So why does she have your jersey, Angel?” She gulped hard. The words just kept coming, and they wouldn’t stop. “Did you give it to her after you slept with her? How many other girls have your jersey?”
“No one else does.” His voice was too calm. “She borrowed it last year and never gave it back.”
He tried giving her a peck, but she turned away. “What do you wanna hear, Sarah?”
That only heightened her anger. Was he going to humor her now? She squirmed, trying to get away from him, but her struggle was futile. She was no match for his strong arms. She stopped and looked him square in the eye. “I want the truth about you and Dana.”
“There was no me and her,” he insisted. “Even if there had been something, why would I lie?”
“Because maybe you still have feelings for her?”
“What?” His laughter irritated her. “No, babe, the only feelings I have are for you, and they’re big time. She’s got absolutely nothing on you.”
Sarah stared at him, desperately wanting to believe him. But if she hurt this much now only a few weeks into this relationship, how would she deal with anything worse? Being around Angel was doing something to her senses. She could hardly believe how wild her emotions had become. It scared her.
*
Shit! shit! shit! How stupid was he to think Dana’s behavior hadn’t bothered Sarah? Her deliberate attempts to spite Sarah had been undeniable for weeks. The wounded expression on Sarah’s face said it all.
Sarah shook her head. “I’m sorry. I should’ve known better, Angel.”
Angel glared at her. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I mean this is who you are. This is what your world has always been like. Who am I to think I can fit in somehow? Things like this are going to keep happening, and I don’t think I can handle it. I should’ve never agreed to—”
“Don’t even say it.” He took her hand and put it to his chest. His heart beat so hard he could feel the pulse raging in his throat. “You’re scaring me. I can’t believe you don’t see how crazy I am about you.”
She shook her head. “It’s too hard, Angel. I thought I could do this, but I can’t. Please try to put yourself in my place. Would you be able to deal with other guys constantly on me? I don’t know what I was thinking coming into this. I let myself get caught up in all the passion.”
Passion? Is that all this was to her? And what was that other absurdity she’d spat at him? Him deal with other guys on her? Like hell. He stared at her hard, all the while squeezing her hand, and spoke through his teeth.
“What exactly is this to you?”
She turned away for what seemed much too long then finally turned back to him. Her eyes glistened, but she didn’t cry.
“My feelings for you are what have me so terrified,” she said. “If I didn’t care so much, I wouldn’t be backing out now before it’s too late.”
He stared at her in disbelief. Backing out? He felt the panic sear through his body. He searched her eyes for more, but there was nothing.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
His heart still hammered away, but he was strangely relieved. “Stop saying that, Sarah. You have nothing to be sorry about. This is my fault, and I intend on fixing it. But I won’t let you back out now, sweetheart. I can’t. It may not be too late for you, but there’s no turning back for me.”
He leaned over and kissed her forehead, then her cheeks, and all around her mouth. “Angel,” she whispered.
He continued to kiss her mouth, her chin. She said her feelings for him terrified her. So he wasn’t alone in this. That’s all he needed to work with. He’d set everything straight on Monday.
“Angel.”
He didn’t want to talk anymore, just hold her and kiss her.
“Angel.” She pulled away. “How are you gonna fix this? So you get rid of Dana, what about all the others?”
He struggled to mask his exasperation. “There are no others, Sarah. Sure, I’ve hung out with others, but ironically, thanks to Dana, not as many as I know you’re thinking. Dana’s been the only thorn in my ass that I haven’t been able to get rid of. Until now, I really had no reason to put any effort into it. I let her do and say whatever she pleased. I didn’t care.”
He kissed her then held her face in his hands. “Trust me, baby. If Dana is gonna cost me being with you, she’s gone. Just like that. I’ll make sure of it.”
A smile slowly lifted the corners of her lips. “Are you gonna have her whacked?”
Angel smiled, relieved at the change in her mood. “I had something a little less violent in mind. But if you want . . .”
Sarah wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head on his chest. “Just take care of it.”
***
The next day was far less emotional, though thoughts of yesterday’s exchange made things a little tense when he first picked her up. As the hours passed, Sarah seemed a lot better and gave in to her feelings again. They even spent a lustful hour parked in their spot until she had to leave for work.
The night before, she was asleep when Valerie got home, and this morning between talking to Sydney, and Angel picking her up so early, she hadn’t had a chance to talk to her.
Valerie was just out of the shower, and Sarah was finally going to hear about her date with Alex.
She was about to walk out
to look for her when Valerie walked in, smiling from ear to ear. Sarah smiled just as big.
“So?”
Valerie did a little dance and closed Sarah’s door. She motioned Sarah toward the bed and sat down next to her.
“I gotta ask you something, Sarah,” she whispered. “Is Angel big? ’Cause Alex is huge. I mean huge.”
Sarah’s jaw dropped. “You slept with him?”
Valerie’s expression was blank. “Of course not.”
Sarah exhaled, relieved.
“I’m on my period,” Valerie said. “How embarrassing would that be?”
Sarah’s expression made Valerie laugh. “Sarah, how long have I been dreaming of this guy? It’s not like I’m a virgin, you know. I slept with Reggie.”
“You did?”
“I was with him for like six months. There’s only so much you can do before you just can’t stand it anymore.”
Sarah could feel her face flush, thinking about the things she and Angel had already done. Valerie eyed her. “Have you even seen Angel's—”
“Shh!” Mortified, Sarah jumped up, walked to the door, and peeked out.
The lights were all out. She tiptoed back as if her footsteps might wake someone. Valerie watched and laughed. “What are you doing?”
Sarah held her finger to her mouth again. She sat down on her bed across from Valerie and leaned over. “Yes, I’ve seen it, and yes, it’s big. But since everything about Alex is bigger, I’m not surprised he’s huge.”
“I haven’t seen that many.” Valerie made a face. “But his puts the few I have to shame. I’m almost afraid it’s gonna hurt.”
Sarah stared at her, still unable to believe what she was hearing. “You’re really gonna do it?”
“Of course,” Valerie said. “Think about it, Sarah. I’m not dumb. I know it’s just a matter of a couple of dates before he moves on to the next girl, and I’m okay with that. But I’ve been lusting over this guy for years. If I blow what may be my only chance to know what it’s like to be with him, do you know how much I’m gonna regret it, looking back years from now?”
Sarah continued to stare at her. She still couldn’t get over how different she and Valerie thought. “Aren’t you afraid of getting pregnant?”
[Moreno Brothers 01.0] Forever Mine Page 10