AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Valerie had a visual of Alex’s hands all over her and giggled.
“Stop that. You know what I mean, brat.”
Valerie laughed. “So, you really think he’s telling the truth?”
Her dad dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “It makes sense now, honey. I always knew he was crazy about you.”
When they finished eating, Valerie praised him again for his choice of healthy meal. He waved her praise away with a grunt. He left, but she strolled around the mall, shopping lost in thought for a couple of hours. She stopped at a market on the way home to pick up drinks for the ice chest.
Isabel wasn’t home yet. Valerie began to worry she wouldn’t make it home in time to go with her to the bonfire. No way was she showing up alone.
Isabel stormed in just before five. “Sorry Val, got caught up with my sister and mom. I won’t be too long to get ready. What time does this thing start again?”
“In about an hour.”
Isabel was ready in no time. They rushed out and talked about their mornings all the way to the beach.
There was a nice sized crowd when they got there. Mostly people Valerie knew, but a few new faces. Alex wasn’t there yet, so, she was somewhat relaxed. They sat around the unlit fire pit. Valerie poured herself a beer in a cup and poured Isabel a wine cooler. Angel and Eric were busy putting wood into the fire pit.
“So, how’d the date go last night?” Valerie asked, once she was comfortable in her chair, drink in her hand.
Isabel gave her a look. “Not here, I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Oh, right,” Valerie whispered.
“Not much to tell anyway.”
“Not much to tell about what?” Romero startled both of them from behind.
Valerie saw Isabel try to hide a horrified expression. She glanced back taking in Romero’s deadpan expression and wondered how much he had heard.
Eric was working on getting the fire started. Thinking fast, Valerie glanced toward Eric. “Girl talk, Romero. Go help out.” She gestured toward Eric. “I’ve heard legendary stories of your fires.”
“All lies.” He hesitated then leaned over and kissed Isabel sweetly before walking toward the guys.
Isabel took a big drink of her cooler. She leaned toward Valerie and whispered. “Oh… my… God.”
Valerie giggled. “Holy crap that was close. You don’t think he heard the first part, do you?”
“No, he would’ve definitely had something to say about it.”
Valerie sipped her beer glad she hadn’t been louder. She sat up a little straighter when she saw Alex’s truck pull up. He was with Sal. It didn’t surprise her that Sal was able to make all these functions even if he was attending school in Los Angeles. One thing she always knew even back when they were all kids in school is how close the three brothers were.
They got an ice chest out the back of the truck. Alex was in a tank top and kaki shorts, most of his hard muscles exposed for the entire world to see. Though Sal was older and had an impressive build himself, it was clear which of the two spent more time in the gym.
She tried not to stare as they walked toward the crowd. He smiled at someone and Valerie followed his gaze. Her stomach dropped when she saw he was smiling at one of the girls she hadn’t recognized earlier. She was standing with the crowd around a radio smiling back, her eyes all lit up.
The girl hurried over to them and gave Alex a big hearty hug and then Sal. Alex smiled a bit too much and Valerie was immediately glad she hadn’t fessed up about her fake boyfriend. Alex would never change.
She forced her eyes away from him and glared instead at the guys getting the fire going. Romero was pouring lighter fluid on the wood.
“That’s enough, Ramon.” Angel warned.
“You don’t know about this.” Romero protested.
“That’s what you always say.” Eric said. “Remember that one time?”
Romero looked up at him, exasperated. “We were in high school!” He touched his brow, “My eyebrow grew back.”
She finally glanced back at Alex, and he smiled at her. That same beautiful smile that usually melted her heart, but she was furious. She hated being so damned insecure. What was even more infuriating was that he’d made her this way. She took a deep breath and a swig of her beer.
The girl didn’t linger too long before going back to her original crowd. It bothered Valerie that she didn’t recognize her, yet Alex apparently knew her well enough to brighten up her smile and warrant a big hug.
Sarah took a seat next to her and leaned in. “So, I heard you and Alex went out last night?”
“Really, he told you?” That was a first, Valerie thought.
“No, I overheard him telling Sal at the restaurant today. He’d get all hushed when he saw me in the room, so. I only caught bits. But he said you guys talked and Sal told him to keep at it, whatever that means.”
Keep at it? Keep up the games? Geez, she had to stop thinking so negative. Sal was a nice guy with a good head on his shoulders. The whole world couldn’t possibly be plotting against her.
“We talked.” Valerie said. Eric walked toward them. “I’ll tell you about it another time.”
Sarah understood immediately and sat back in her seat.
Valerie glanced over at the crowd with the girl who Alex hugged. Sal was over there talking to them now. Maybe the girl’s bright smile was directed toward Sal. It would make sense since all three brothers were so damn good looking it was maddening.
