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I deliberately take long draws of air in and out of my nose until my heartbeat is normal. The phone stares at me.
"Mateo's an old friend," I whisper, dropping my head back, brushing my tongue over my dry lips. I know it's not true, but I'm embracing this "old friend" disillusionment like a life jacket because this call isn't for me but my team.
I tuck my personal feelings into a tiny box in the dark corner of my mind and dial the number I still know by heart. The sooner I call him, the sooner I'll get it over with, and I can return to my life without Mateo Rodriquez.
Chapter 2
“Mateo!”
I toss the damn magazine aside. Every step I make in my career puts my family in jeopardy. People read billionaire, and my parents and siblings become targets.
“Mamá. ¿Por qué estás haciendo esto difícil?” Asking my mother why she’s making this difficult is like asking why the sun shines. That’s just the way it is.
“Hijo estoy bien.”
"It's not fine," I mumble through clenched teeth. This conversation is useless. I've tried to hire security guards, and I've threatened to move back home. Nothing works. She's stubborn as a mule.
"Tell me about your lady friend." She transitions to English, and for the first time since calling her, I smile.
“You’re still working with your tutor?”
"Si…huh, yes."
“And I don’t have a lady friend.”
Her rapid Spanish flies through the line. I sit back, letting it rain over me. Her constant complaint about me being too focused on my career and how she'll never have grandchildren.
“You don’t love me,” she declares. I can hear the pucker of her lips.
“I love you more than anything and anyone in the world. But I’m too busy to date.”
“Too busy for love? That’s so American of you. You’re never too busy for family. Careers don’t love you back.”
“Come here for Christmas. We can celebrate as a family under one roof. I’ll take care of everything.”
“How? You don’t cook.”
"Don't worry about the food. I'll send a private flight for everyone. Please, Mamá.”
“I’m scared to fly.”
“I’ll fly there and fly back with you.” Her grunt fills the line. I let her think about it, holding my breath.
“…tal vez.”
Her hesitant maybe gives me hope. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t say yes.”
“But you didn’t say no. You are tougher than the most educated businessmen in the world.”
Her laughter floats through the line, and my heart smiles. "You are the worst, always pushing to have your way."
“No existe gran talento sin gran voluntad.” My parents told me these words as I boarded a flight to Texas on a full scholarship. There is no great talent without great will. And my determination is indestructible, especially when faced with protecting the ones I love.
“You took our words and have exceeded our prayers. It brings peace to my soul.” She has a sense of joy in her voice.
“Promise you’ll consider it. I worry.” I swallow back the plea nearing the tip of my tongue. I will get them here. Safe.
