DESI
“Scout! Wait!”I flew up the stairs after her.
The entire party witnessed the scene. They let her through but stepped in front of me to not let me pass. I began shoving people, screaming for them to get out of my way. By the time I made it outside, she was gone.
I ran to my car and got in, speeding off toward her. She had made it a few blocks by running, and when I caught her, I rolled my window down and yelled for her to get in, but she ignored me.
Frustration gripped me. I sped ahead and crossed her. I leapt out of the car and caught her by the waist. I lifted her and she kicked me the entire way to the car.
“Let me go!” she screamed as I shut and locked the door. I jumped into my side and pulled away before she could jump out. She began to cry silently from the passenger’s side.
I tried to talk to her but she refused to hear me out. I didn’t stop driving until we hit a bridge and I was forced to slow down and stop. Scout took that opportunity to bolt from the car. I leapt out, following her onto the bridge.
“Scout, let me explain.” I put my hand out. “It’s not what you think.”
“Are you engaged?”
I licked my lips nervously and took a deep breath. This was it. I had to come clean. My shoulders slumped forward as I answered, “Yes.”
“When is the wedding?”
“It’s scheduled for next week. I wasn’t going to go, though.”
“Oh okay, cool. Thanks! Get out of here with that shit. You fucking cabron.”
“Scout, it’s a really long story. If you just let me explain it—”
“Explain what?” She threw up her hands and began to walk onto the bridge. Instantly, my nerves heightened. I watched her every step just in case she tried to jump.
“Fucking leave. I don’t want to look at you anymore. I don’t want to see you ever again. You lied to me from day one. You convinced me you loved me and to do some fucked up shit in the name of that love. I can’t forgive you. Go, be with her. Aleida.”
“I don’t want to be with her!” I shouted. Tears flooded my eyes as frustration filled my soul. Why now? We were so close, and today, of all days, it exploded! Why couldn’t this wait? “I’m sorry.” I crumpled to my knees. “I’m so sorry, Scout.”
“Don’t be.” She turned away. “I don’t need your pity. I just want to be left alone, thanks.”
“On this bridge?” I stood and looked around. “Why? Scout, it’s dangerous.”
“Oh, now you care?” She laughed dryly. “Fuck off, Desiderio. I’m not interested in anything you have to say.”
Desiderio?
She’d never called me that before.
I wasn’t Desiderio to her. I was Desi. I was her Desi.
Brushing my tears off, I ran to her and grabbed her shoulders. I gripped her tightly and spun her around. “Scout,” I growled and forced her to look at me. “Will you fucking listen to me? It’s not what you think.” I squeezed her shoulders. I tried to pull her toward me, but she dug her boots into the gravel of the road.
“I don’t care.” She struggled against me. “If you want to be with Aleida, go for it. I’m not anyone’s second choice.”
Her lips began to tremble and her eyes grew slick with tears. She turned away from me as they began to slide down her cheek. The night around us was deathly silent as she cried for what I’d done. My hands slid down her shoulders to her elbows, and I pulled her to me.
“I don’t want her. I want you,” I repeated. Nothing I told her right now was the right thing. She had seen Aleida, the ring, and heard what she’d said. I’d been there this morning like she’d told Scout, but only to plead once again for her to call the wedding off, but that bitch had left that out, naturally. “Scout, look at me.”
She ripped herself from me. “No. No. I can’t. Desiderio. You lied to me.” Her entire body shook as her anger grew. “I’m an idiot. How did I not realize you were with someone? That you promised them forever? Not me. Her.” Her voice cracked, and she turned away.
“You don’t understand. It’s not as easy as you think.”
She ignored me. “Thanks for the birthday present.” She kicked her leg up and laughed dryly. “It’ll be a good reminder for the rest of my life to stay the fuck away from men like you.”
