She touches my shoulder and kisses my temple. “It’s so good to see you happy,mijo. So grounded. She’s good for you.”
She has no idea how right that statement is. I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol since she became my girlfriend. I haven’t been to a party or fucked a single person in the street—or anywhere else for that matter. I’ve danced because the music, the movement, it’s in my soul, but everything else has just… stopped.
At first I thought it was out of fear, that if I did any of those things, I’d lose my pink-haired pixie, but in fact, I don’t feel the same way I used to. And while in the beginning that felt uncomfortable, I'm letting it happen now, and it’s not bad at all.
“She’s it for me, Mamá.”
“I know,mijo. So does Abuelita. She likes her. There was talk ofpasteles en hojamaking while you were upstairs with Athena. We both approve.”
I groan. “She’s tired, Mamá. Nopastelestonight. I should get her home.” I guess something in my tone conveys how unhappy I am at the prospect.
“What is it, Ares?”
Eloise is now playing chess with Apollo while Abuelita threatens him with her fancy shoe. “Give her a fighting chance,” she says as she taps her pump in the palm of her hand.
I tear my gaze from them and turn to face Mamá. “Her dad hates me.” I don’t need to qualify my statement or explain in any way. She knows. She’s lived it.
Her sigh is weighty, telling, tired. She traces her fingers along my hairline, pushing my dark hair from my face. “It’s time to step up, Ares. Be the man she needs you to be, make it so that no matter what her father thinks of you, you’re beyond reproach from the moment you met her. It’s time to invest in yourself, your future, and that means thinking of someone else.”
The words “for a change” hang between us, unsaid.
“Being in love with someone means you have to protect their heart before your own. If you’re not ready to do that…” She shrugs and glances at the scene over my shoulder. “Nothing else matters,mijo.” Regarding me for a beat, she pats my face with her palm. “Are you scared?”
Terrified. But I’m loath to admit it. I don’t need to because a small smile appears on her face as she nods.
“Good, you should be. Being afraid to lose the person you love most means you will do everything in your power not to mess up.” She looks back at Eloise. “Go talk to her father, Ares. Tell him you love her, and you want to look after her forever. And when he doesn’t believe you, show him, and show him over and over until he trusts you to care for his daughter the way she deserves to be cared for.”
This whole conversation feels like it’s laden with meaning on multiple levels, mangling the racing organ in my chest. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something to her, to come right out and tell her that Papá is a cheatingpendejo, but I can’t. She looks so happy right now, so proud, I don’t want to ruin the moment by bringing her life down around her ears.
“Can I ask you something?” Her voice is quiet, hesitant.
“Sí, Mamá. Cualquier cosa.”
“Would you like to have children some day? I know it’s a deeply personal question, and I have no business asking. I always assumed you wouldn’t be interested.” Her face is red, and she nibbles on her lip.
I can’t blame her for thinking that my selfish ass wouldn’t ever want to settle down and have a family. I admit, it’s not something that I’ve grown up wanting or dreaming about.
I turn back to the chess game, where everyone is highly focused as Abuelita coaches Eloise. She has no chance of beating Apollo at chess, no matter how smart she is. He’s a master of the game, and he plays it daily. But my girl is resolute, her face set in a firm line, and her little button nose turned up with determination blazing in her eyes.
“Sí. I definitely think I’m interested.”
CHAPTER30
Ares
It takes another hour before I can extract my girl from the clutches of my adoring family. She’s being sent home with enough food to feed her entire street, a pair of shoes from Mamá’s closet. One minute I was going to the bathroom, the next, Mamá was presenting her with a still-in-their-box-with-stickers-on-the-soles pair of hot pink shoes to match Eloise’s hair.
I think my family loves her more than they love me.
In fact, I’m sure of it.
And while I don’tneedher father on my side, I really would like it if he was.
When we’re finally allowed to leave, it’s with the promise that we won’t be strangers, that we’ll come and visit more often. I’d like that, and I find myself hoping that my girl would, too.
We’re pulling out of my parent’s driveway when she yawns. “Ares?”
Sliding my fingers into her palm, I squeeze.“Sí, mi amor?”
