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It didn’t take long for Javier to start calling him Papa, and we’ve been to Monterrey a couple of times to spend time with Alejandro and his family. His wife, Guadalupe, welcomed Maria with open arms. Seeing them together is heartwarming. Maria’s mother died when she was so young, and although Guadalupe will never replace her, Maria is growing extremely close to her.
Harrison seems to be steadfast in proving his commitment to Liv. He’s still difficult to stomach, but I make an effort to make my sister happy.
I spend more time with Tori than I undoubtedly should, and Maria is more understanding than she probably should be. I know it bothers her, but her trust in me is absolute, and there’s a tiny voice in the back of my mind, telling me I don’t deserve it.
The stories about Brady fucking different women every night continue to circulate, and I can’t get Tori to stop reading them. Brady assures her nothing is going on, and that it’s all publicity tactics by the record label that he has little control over, although he hates it as much as she does. Her hormones are all over the place, and I think she believes him, but it makes her depressed all the same. So, I try to help by being a good friend, spending time with her, and letting her vent her frustrations.
It’s Thursday, and I took the day off to spend with Maria and Javier. We have lunch at a new restaurant that opened up near the beach, one of those ones where the games outnumber the tables and it’s more like an amusement park than an eating establishment. My phone rings right after the food arrives. It’s Tori and I see Maria’s face twist up in irritation. I promised her and Javier an uninterrupted day together.
“Hello,” I answer, holding my hand over the ear not attached to the phone so I can hear over the music. Maria hands Javier a card, loaded with funds and sends him over to the racing game we can see from the table.
“Tug, you have to come quick,” she yells into the phone, crying. “It’s Drew. He fell off the rope swing, and I think he broke his arm.”
“What? Where are you? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“El Seguro. Please hurry. He’s asking for you.”
I end the call and look across the table. I expect annoyance, but am greeted by anger. “Really, you’re going to bail on the fun afternoon you promised Javier to run to Tori’s side, yet again. This is getting ridiculous.”
“Drew hurt his arm. She thinks it’s broken.”
“And last week, she thought he had meningitis.”
“She’s having a difficult time and I thought you understood.”
“I did the first three times you went running over there. Hell, I even understood the sixth and seventh time. I understood when you screamed her name while you were fucking me, but I have to say it’s getting harder and harder to understand. We stop by her house twice a week to check on her as it is. Tori has other friends, yet she always calls you?”
“Liv’s been too busy rekindling her relationship with Harrison, Jessica is away, and her parents live out of state.”
“And you have a fiance with a kid, and a demanding job. Here’s another thing, Tori and I are friends. How come my phone never rings?”
I stand and slip my phone in my pocket without looking at her. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk with her, but I can’t argue with you right now. Drew could be hurt. We should go. I’ll drop you and Javier at the loft if you don’t want to come.”
She huffs. “We’ll stay here. He’s having fun. I’ll get us a cab back to the loft.”
I promise to make it up to her before I leave the restaurant.
Thankfully traffic is light, and I make it across the border quickly. I rush through the emergency room doors and see Tori and Drew walking toward me, his arm in a brace.
She hugs me. “Thank you for coming. I was so scared.”
“Is it broken?”
“It’s just a sprain,” Drew answers, sounding like a tough guy.
I go back to the house with the two of them and hang out until after dinner, before going home and facing the music.
Maria is surprising calm when I walk through the door. “Did you speak with her?”
My head falls. Fuck! I meant too, but every time I opened my mouth,
I couldn’t get the words out.
“Not yet. Drew’s in a brace. She was upset. But I will, soon. I promise.”
Her lips smirk. “I thought you don’t make promises.”
I pull her into my arms, brushing our lips together. “Only with you, because you’re exceptionally forgiving.”
