Page 40 of Out of Control

I stare after his back as he runs effortlessly down the boardwalk and hate that I want to run after him.

That his pull on me is that strong.

But it doesn’t stop me from wondering.

Or wanting.

Or rationalizing.

Would going after him cause an irreparable problem in my family?

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sofia

“Show me, Sof,” Cruz says as he takes a left-hand turn.

“No. Not yet,” I say from the back seat. “I want it to be perfect before you see it.”

“Well, what if I want to see it now?” he asks like a typical big brother.

“Cruz, you’re—”

“You’re not respecting your sister’s wishes,” Maddix says in the front passenger seat to my brother. “You’re a perfectionist too. Let her do her thing and then show it to you.”

“Thank you, Madds,” I say with a definitive nod to which Cruz just glares at me from the rearview mirror.

I smile sweetly. He hates when his fiancée and I take the same side. I love when we do. Any way to make him irritated is fine by me. Especially since we haven’t exactly talked besides more than just insignificant bullshit since our fight.

“No prob,” Maddix says.

“I’ve been outnumbered. Again,” Cruz teases as he makes another turn so that the city is laid out before us with its lights twinkling through the dark night.

“I appreciate the backup there,” I say just to poke Cruz one more time. Maddix turns and smirks back at me.

“Has el patriarca called you yet?” Cruz asks.

Not Papá. Not Mamá. Just el patriarca. Because while we love our parents in their own interesting way, el patriarca has always been our measure. Our North Star. The opinion or judgment we care about. Respect.

“No,” I say and meet his eyes once again in the rearview mirror. “Not yet. Have you heard anything?”

“He mentioned the gallery to the Correas,” he says, referring to our close family friends.

“And?”

“And nothing. It was mentioned. That’s a good enough sign for now, right?”

“I don’t get why it’s such a big deal. I’m not asking for his blessing on it. More for his understanding.”

Our eyes meet briefly again. “He’ll give it. I have no doubt on that. It’ll take him some time to adjust to the change, and if he doesn’t, I’ll go to bat for you like I always have,” he says. Maddix reaches out and links her fingers with his in a silent show of support.

“Thank you. I think it’s ridiculous that you even have to. I’m a grown woman who can make her own decisions for herself and her career.”

“And we both know as a Navarro that those words are so much easier said than done.” He falls quiet for a beat as he continues to navigate the streets of Monaco. “And I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry that it’s tougher on you being a woman.”

I nod, not trusting my own voice, because hasn’t life always been tougher for him in all other aspects? The expectations of being a Navarro. The prodigal son expected to bring racing fame back to our family.

So the fact that he even voiced anything close to this when I’ve stood sideline to the hell and back he’s been through means the world to me.