[Moreno Brothers 01.0] Forever Mine

by Elizabeth Reyes

  “What?” Sarah whispered.

  “Eric.”

  Sarah stared at her speechlessly. They both glanced out the window. Angel and Eric were on their way back toward the car. “Please don’t say anything,” Sofia pleaded.

  “I won’t.”

  What made her think Eric knew she was saving herself for him? Sarah wanted to ask a lot of things, but the guys were too close. It’d have to wait until the next time they got a moment alone.

  They went to the beach and made a bonfire. Sarah watched and observed the whole night, careful that Angel didn’t catch on. She couldn’t believe she’d never noticed before. Well, she had, but she’d never made anything out of it. It’d always seemed so innocent. It still did, only after what Sofia had said tonight, some things seemed a little questionable.

  Eric lingered around Sofia the whole night. They even went for a walk just the two of them, and Angel hadn’t thought anything of it. She wouldn’t have, either, before tonight. She always thought Eric was just being a sweetheart. Eric knew Angel was busy with Sarah, so he was just keeping an eye on Sofia. Right?

  Sarah thought about how Eric always offered to give her rides to and from the restaurant and how many times she’d spoken to Angel on the phone and he’d mentioned that Eric was there hanging out early in the morning or late in the evening but always when Sofia was home. Still, she thought of how Eric seemed so loyal to Angel and his brothers. She just couldn’t picture him actually doing anything with Sofia.

  Between watching Sofia and Eric and being disgusted with Valerie’s outrageous behavior, Sarah had been pretty quiet the whole night. She watched Valerie, who’d had way too much to drink, let Romero peck her softly on the lips. She’d been flirting with him since they got there.

  “What’s wrong?” Angel asked.

  Sarah’s eyes met his, and she shook her head. But he knew better. “You haven’t said much tonight—something bothering you?”

  Sarah sighed and motioned toward Valerie and Romero. Angel glanced up at them. Romero was sitting on an ice chest, and Valerie was on his lap, giggling. He turned back to Sarah and shrugged.

  Angel and his brothers obviously didn’t talk too much about their romantic affairs. Angel knew they’d gone out but didn’t realize Valerie had finally gotten what she’d wanted. Just this past Tuesday she’d “bedded” Alex Moreno. And now here she was, shamelessly carrying on with Romero.

  Sarah frowned. “What’s Alex gonna say?”

  “Sarah, babe, I hope you don’t think Alex is really into Valerie. I mean . . . she’s cool and everything, but it really doesn’t matter with Alex. He’s never been into the relationship thing.” He chuckled. “I’m sure he’s making full use of his hotel room tonight.”

  He must’ve seen the disgusted look on Sarah’s face because his smile immediately dissolved. “Of course, I think it’s appalling.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes. “I know he’s not into the relationship thing, but you don’t think he’s gonna be upset at all that she’s doing this with one of his friends?”

  “Nah.” Angel shook his head. “Alex isn’t like that. He could care less. I mean . . . don’t tell Valerie that. I don’t want to hurt her feelings or anything. But I’m sure Alex had his fun and is already on to the next. That’s just the way he is.” Sarah stared at him. “That’s him, Sarah, not me.”

  “That’s not what I was thinking. I’m just hoping you’re right. I’d hate for his feelings to be hurt.”

  “Trust me, babe.” Angel smiled. “I know my brother. He’s gonna be just fine with it.”

  Sarah remembered hearing Alex on the phone with Valerie, and how he called back just to ask what her plans had been that Wednesday. Something told her Angel might be wrong about this.

  Chapter 14

  Saturday mornings were always busy at the restaurant. Angel’s parents wouldn’t be back until that evening, so Sarah offered to come in and help. Angel picked her up an hour before they opened. Sarah smiled when she saw Sofia in the car also. She was anxious to speak with her alone.

  No sooner were they in the restaurant than Sofia pulled Sarah by the arm. “I’ll take Sarah to the back, so she can try on one of the shirts.”

  Angel frowned. “That’s okay, Sofie. Sarah, you don’t have to wear a uniform, babe.”

  Sarah lifted her chin. “But I like the shirts.” She turned to Sofia. “I’ll take a medium.”

  Angel smiled, and she blew him a kiss. When they got to the back room, Sofia closed the door behind them and grinned wickedly.

  “Oh my God, I’ve been dying to talk to someone about this, and you’re the only person I can.”

  Sarah wasn’t sure she wanted to be the only one that knew. From the very beginning, Angel didn’t even have to say it. It was so obvious how protective he and his brothers were about Sofia. She thought of Alex breaking the head off the turtle figurine and smiled feebly.

  Sofia opened a drawer and grabbed a polo with the restaurant’s logo on it and an apron. She handed them to Sarah. She continued eagerly, apparently unaware of Sarah’s sudden lack of enthusiasm. “I told him!”

  Sarah gulped. “Told him what?”

  Sofia glanced at the door then whispered, “That I’m saving myself for him.”

  “What?” Sarah’s heart raced. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  Sofia put her hands over her mouth and giggled. Sarah couldn’t help laughing too. She felt silly, but Sofia’s attitude about the whole thing was startling. Was she crazy?

  Sarah clutched the polo and the apron in both hands in front of her face. Her eyes were wide open. “What did he say?”

  Sofia’s face lit up even more. “He kissed me.”

  Sarah blinked, unable to find words. Sofia didn’t seem to notice Sarah’s anxiety. She mistook Sarah’s previous nervous laughter for excitement and went on.

  “I’ve never been kissed before. But he was amazing. He knew exactly what he was doing. I never wanted it to stop. I was so glad your cousin was there to keep Romero busy. He probably would’ve ruined everything. I can hardly wait for it to happen again.”

  Again?

  “Oh but there’s so much more I wanna tell you.” Sofia gushed.

  “More?”

  “Yeah, there’s more than just kissing.”

  Sarah wasn’t sure, but she could swear it was getting hot in that room.

  “I mean he’s so much more to me than just a crush. I’m really falling for him, Sarah. It killed me that I knew he was thinking the worst about me and that guy after the game, so I was glad when he suggested we go for a walk. That’s when I told him.”

  Sarah stared at Sofia. “So, what’s going to happen now?” There was no way her brothers would allow it.

  Sofia looked defiant. “I don’t know. All I know is I want to be with him, and no one is going to stop me.”

  This was only getting worse. There’d be hell to pay if Eric was honestly considering going forward with this.

  “You have to be careful, Sofia. You don’t want him to get hurt.” She thought of Alex’s temper. That would be a world of hurt.

  “He wants to wait until I’m seventeen to tell Angel. But that’s not until next year.”

  That sounded reasonable to Sarah, but she could tell by the expression on Sofia’s face that wasn’t going to happen.

  There was a knock at the door, and Sarah jumped.

  “She’s still getting dressed, Angel.”

  “All right, we’re getting ready to open in a few minutes.”

  “Okay.” Sarah finished adjusting her apron. “We’ll be right out.”

  She almost lost her balance when Sofia hugged her. “I’m so glad I have someone to talk to about this.”

  *

  At first, Angel had protested her helping, but, of course, Sarah insisted. Now he watched as she waited on a table, smiling and talking to the customers as if it were second nature.

  Angel went back and forth from the hostess desk to the back office w
here he was trying to finish up writing a help wanted ad he was going to upload to the local newspaper online that week. His parents were looking to hire a few more cooks and a couple more people to wait tables.

  He thought about asking Sarah if she wanted the job waiting tables, but something told him she might be insulted. Plus she had her weekends full already babysitting. She was so damn devoted to the families she worked for. He knew she wouldn’t want to let them down.

  The phone on the desk rang, disrupting Angel’s thoughts.

  “Angel?”

  He was surprised to hear Valerie’s voice. “Hey, Val, what’s up?”

  “Sorry I’m calling on this line, but Sarah’s not answering her phone.”

  “It’s all right,” he said. “She’s waiting tables. She doesn’t have her phone on her. I’ll get her for you.”

  “Wait.” She sounded nervous. “Maybe you should tell her ’cause she’s probably gonna freak.”

  Angel sat up slowly. “What is it?”

  “Sydney was in a car accident this morning.”

  Angel gripped the receiver a little tighter. “Is she okay?”

  There was silence on the other end for a second, and then Valerie cleared her throat. “Her, uh, parents were calling from the hospital, but they don’t know anything yet. I have all the information: the hospital and the number and stuff. They gave me their cell phone number in case she doesn’t have it, so she can call them directly.”

  Angel took all the information down and hung up. He picked up the phone again and started dialing Sydney’s parents’ cell. He thought it’d be better if he knew something before he laid the news on Sarah.

  He let it ring twice then changed his mind. It was already his fault they hadn’t been able to get a hold of her earlier. He knew she’d want to know as soon as possible. He hung up and walked out into the restaurant. Sarah was walking toward him with a tray in her hand. She smiled proudly. He walked straight to her and took the tray away, setting it down on the bar counter.

  He looked over his shoulder. “Sof, take over Sarah’s tables.”

  He put his attention back on Sarah and took her by the hand into the office.

  “What’s going on?” Sarah asked.

  Angel sat her down on the chair in front of the desk and closed the door. Sarah began to look worried. “What’s wrong,” she said. “Is this about the coffee I spilled? ’Cause it didn’t get on—”

  He knelt in front of her and spoke calmly. “It’s about Sydney.”

  Sarah’s eyes opened wide. He could see her searching his eyes. “Angel, I was gonna—”

  “She was in a car accident this morning, baby.”

  Her expression went slowly from confusion to panic. “What? Oh my God!” She jumped from her seat. Angel moved out of her way and watched her rush over to her purse. She pulled out her cell phone. Her hands shook as she fumbled with her phone.

  He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Relax, okay? I have Syd’s parents’ cell phone number so you can call them directly.”

  Her eyes shot up from her phone. They were already welled up with tears. “You talked to them?”

  “No.” He walked toward her. “They called Valerie at your aunt’s when they couldn’t get a hold of you, and she called here when she couldn’t get a hold of you either.”

  Sarah inhaled deeply, her face crumbling. “Did she know anything?”

  Angel shook his head. “No.” He turned around and walked over to the desk, picking up the paper with all the information. He walked back and handed it to her. Her breathing was all over the place. “Sarah, calm down.”

  She took the paper from him and started dialing. Angel watched as she waited for someone to answer. He braced himself, hoping for the best.

  “Frances?” She was almost in tears. “Yeah, it’s me. How’s Sydney?”

  She clutched the paper Angel had handed to her at her chest and listened. She stared at Angel. “Oh, thank God,” she said. “I was so scared.”

  Angel exhaled, relieved. “No, no, I’m glad you called,” she said. “So, what happened? Why was an ambulance called?”

  She was on the phone for a few more minutes, and Angel sat down on the desk chair, leaning all the way back. He watched as Sarah hung up and looked at him. He held his arms out for her to come to him. She walked over and sat on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her. “So, she’s okay?”

  Sarah nodded. “The ambulance was called because Sydney complained of pain in the stomach. They wanted to make sure there was no internal bleeding.”

  “Was there?”

  Sarah shook her head and took a deep breath. “No.”

  Angel leaned his forehead against hers. “How are you doing?”

  She smiled weakly and shrugged. “I was just imagining the worst.”

  “Sarah.” He kissed her head. “Tomorrow, when my parents are back, we can drive out there, so you can see her.”

  She pulled away from him and sat up. “That’s like a five-hour drive, Angel.”

  “That’s okay.” He caressed her cheek and smiled. “We can leave early.”

  She stared at him blankly and then shook her head. “I already told the Salcidos I’d watch their kids tomorrow afternoon. I can’t cancel on them now. I’ll be fine once I talk to Sydney.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah.” She smiled. “But thanks, that’s very sweet of you.”

  She stood. “I better go help Sofia. She’s probably swamped.” She slipped her cell phone in her pocket.

  Angel frowned. “You don’t have to go back to waiting tables, Sarah. What if Sydney calls you?”

  Sarah smiled and patted her pocket. “I have my phone.” She walked toward the door, stopped, then rushed back to kiss Angel. “You’re such a sweetheart. Thank you.” She smiled and walked away again.

  Less than an hour later, Angel watched Sarah from the hostess desk. Her face lit up when she answered her cell. Her eyes filled with tears as she talked, and he knew it had to be Sydney. There was no doubt how special Sydney was to Sarah. Angel smiled, feeling a small pang in his heart. The chances of her changing her mind about staying were dismal at best.

  ***

  Sunday morning Sarah called Sydney early to see how he was feeling. She’d just gotten off the phone with him when Valerie walked into the room. “So Angel still doesn’t know Sydney’s a guy?” She sat down on Sarah’s bed.

  Sarah winced and shook her head.

  “You should tell him already, Sarah,” Valerie said. “Alex says he’s never seen Angel like this. He’s really fallen for you. If he’s that into you, I’m sure he’ll understand or try to anyway.”

  Sarah thought about how she’d almost spilled it yesterday when he first pulled her into the office and said he needed to talk to her about Sydney. Her first thought was he’d found out somehow, and she was ready to plead if she had to for his understanding. Then he’d told her about Sydney’s accident, and she’d lost it.

  “I know. I know,” Sarah said. “I just keep waiting for the perfect moment, but there never is one. And the more time passes, the harder it gets.”

  She saw the disapproval in Valerie’s face then thought about what nerve Valerie had. “What’s going on with you and Alex?”

  Valerie frowned. “I haven’t heard from him since Wednesday. I think his curiosity with me was over once he got what he wanted.” She shrugged. “It’s better if we don’t go out anymore though. In between all the making out, we’d started doing a lot of talking, and surprisingly, I was beginning to feel a connection with him that was more than just physical. I’m sure he’ll call again when he’s ready for more. But if we keep going out, I might start falling for him for real. I’d just be setting myself up for heartache.”

  Sarah looked at her sympathetically. “Well, you never know. Maybe he felt the connection too.”

  Valerie chuckled. “I know what he was feeling all right.”

  “You think he’ll say anything abo
ut you hanging out with Romero?”

  Valerie’s face soured. “I doubt it. First of all, I don’t think I’ll be hearing from him anytime soon, unless he gets horny, and even then I really don’t think he cares. Besides, I didn’t do anything with Romero. He kissed me once, but it felt wrong, so I stopped before we went any further.”

  “Good,” Sarah said. “’Cause I don’t care what you say. I saw the two of you the very first day at the restaurant, and there was a definite connection.”

  Valerie half smiled. “Well, apparently he's been too busy this weekend—probably making more connections—to call me.”

  “Angel’s picking me up in a bit. We’re going back to the restaurant for brunch again.” Sarah gave her a crooked smile. “You wanna come?”

  “No way!” Valerie gasped. “How desperate would that look? Me, showing up without being invited. No thanks.”

  Valerie stood up and walked to the door, stopping when she reached it and turning around. “So Sydney’s okay?”

  “Yeah.” Sarah nodded “Just a couple of bruises, but otherwise he’s fine.”

  “Did he wreck his car?”

  “No. Luckily, he was in his dad’s truck. It’s a full-size truck, so it might have been worse if he had been in his car. Sydney said it was mainly the passenger side door that was smashed.”

  Valerie raised her eyebrows. “Well, I’m glad he’s okay.” She turned around and walked out.

  Sarah strolled over to her dresser. She picked up the string bracelet Sofia had given her. All the girls on the track team wore them for good luck, and even though Sarah wasn’t officially on the team, Sofia still wanted her to have one. Sarah thought it was sweet and smiled as she put it on.

  Angel picked her up, and she was back at the restaurant again. Alex and the guys were already there. They were sitting at a table in the corner. Sarah and Angel sat with them. Romero and Eric were engaged in one of their inane football disputes.

  “I don’t care what you say. They should’ve never got rid of Drew Brees,” Eric said. “The guy threw five touchdown passes in one game!”