Page 2 of Capicú Summer

Even though I'm the one who just baptized his sneakers, I nod. “Yes, you...”

He scoffs and shakes his head, eyes narrowing when he leans in and says, “Why are you watering the sidewalk as if it’s dying of thirst? You can’t grow shit in concrete.”

I blink, giving him an ‘isn’t it obvious’ look, placing my hand on my hip, and calmly responding, “I’m watering the plants.”

His gaze drops to the very plantless wet patch of concrete that I just sprayed. “Yeah? Which one? The invisible one?”

Y este? ⁠*

My jaw drops, because of the audacity of this guy. Who even is he? Certainly not from around here, that much is certain given the thick accent. Not that I mind, if anything, I like it. It gives him a swagger that’s different from the guys on the block. I push away the thoughts and quickly fire back at him.

“Wow, you're really bold for someone wearing the Air Forces in June.”

That earns me another scoff of disbelief, and deep inside, my chest swells with something akin to pride and something else… Something that I was clearly oblivious to at that time. You see, I was too young to notice the signs—the butterflies that came to life the day Yael walked into my life. The spark that danced and refused to fade.

“What does that mean?” he asks, confused. “Actually, don’t even answer that; clearly, you can’t even aim.”

His eyes roam over me, making me squirm internally. Not in a creepy kind of way but the kind that makes my stomach overflow into a pool of liquid fire. I can feel the heat work its way up my neck, especially when he licks his plump bottom lip. Snapping from the trance, I aim the hose higher, because why the fuck not. Pretty boy here isn’t going to make a fool out of me. Not today.

“Oh, I can aim,” I shoot back with a smile, making sure that it’s deep enough for my dimples to show. “I just didn’t see you. You blend in with the trash cans.”

His mouth twitches—almost a smile or maybe a snarl. Hot either way. “Cute. You always talk this much?”

“Never shut up, actually. I talk even more when someone steps into my water zone.”

His eyes narrow at that and his lip twinges, but he holds it firm. “Your what?”

“My water zone,” I repeat with a small lift of my chin. “You’re in it.”

This time, the hot stranger gives me an incredulous look before moving closer, just enough to make my pulse jump. “Oh yeah, and what happens if I stay in it?”

I tighten my grip on the hose. “Stay and find out.”

He laughs, a sound that will haunt me till I die. That day, I learned that music isn’t the only thing I love to listen to, because at that very moment—that low, deep, and maddeningly beautiful melody became one of my favorite sounds.

“You're funny, name is Yael.”

“And… I didn’t ask.”

With a small smirk, he bites down on his lower lip. Amusement dancing in those whiskey orbs.

“Didn’t say you did. I have a feeling we will be good friends.”

He ends his nonsense with a wink that turns my blood into molten lava. And suddenly, I'm burning. My mouth falls open—unsure if this is hot or just annoying. All I know is that there’s flutters inside my stomach and the hammering of my heart inside my chest.

I clear my throat, before shoving the hose forward, placing it between us. I might just water him next if he doesn’t move. The silent threat doesn’t go unnoticed. His gaze flicks across the street, and with a slight lick of his lips, he murmurs, “See you around, vecina⁠*.”

That’s all it took for Yael Cruz to rock my world. We don’t say anything else—not with words at least. We only stare at each other as he crosses the street. Even when he stops right in front of the bodega, our gazes stay locked. A dry breeze drifts around me, sending shivers through my body. The block hums around us, my pulse thrumming wildly. Somewhere down the block someone is playing “Gata Oficial,” by Lui- G 21 and Arcangel from their car, the bass rolling the summer air.

“You feel that, right? That pause before everything changes.”

And just like that⁠—

The first domino falls.

That summer, I learned some games are worth losing your heart for… Especially when the right player sits across from you.

* Abuelo - Grandpa