Page 24 of Every Version of You

Throwing my head back, I cackle until I can’t breathe. “I fucking love you, you diva.”

“Aren’t you going through that too?” she asks.

I roll my eyes. “It’s nothing that my vibrator can’t handle at this point.”

“Did I tell you I bought a strap-on?” she says excitedly, pulling her phone out and tapping the screen. “This one.”

I gasp. “No! Do you love it? More importantly, do they love it?”

“I’m a new woman, Ang. Here, I’ll send you one.”

“I have no idea when I’ll get to use that, but you’re a real one, Cora-babe.”

“If you’re not buying your best friends sex toys, are you even best friends?”

“No!”

1. Stubborn Love by The Lumineers

Chapter 9

June 26th

Rafael

“Good morning, baby brother,” I huff out after tapping my ear bud to connect the call.

“Sounds like you’re out running, too?” Joaquín says through labored breath. It’s not even 7:00 am yet, but the sun is already up, peeking through the trees and reflecting off playground slides as I run through another neighborhood park.

“It’s gonna be ninety degrees before noon today,” I say. “Gotta get my workout in before it’s too hot.”

“Same,” he says.

A knowing smile crosses my face before I ask, “Does that mean you’re wearing a shirt?”

He chuckles. “Absolutely not.”

Joaquín had his top surgery six years ago, and if he doesn’t have to wear a shirt, he’s not. He’s fucking happy with his body finally so he should feel proud and be able to show it off.

“So what’s going on?” I ask, coming to a traffic crossing. “What’s on the agenda today?”

“I have a meeting this morning with our broker about cleaning up that sale on Garfield in Arlington,” he says. Joaquín’s been living in DC and commuting between there and here for various real estate projects. He’s been an invaluable partner to have since we launched Jimenez Brothers Properties almost decade ago when we bought our first fixer-upper. I got a nice little chunk of change from my abuelo for graduating from undergrad, so I put it towards real estate. Between the two of us, we’ve amassed three smaller apartment buildings, all in DC, as well as two storefronts in Philly, the historic house we’re currently renovating down the street from me, and after the sale of the Garfield complex, we’ll acquire four large, abandoned historic Philly homes that we plan on turning into multi-family residences. They’re all within the same city block, so it’ll be convenient for the construction crews, too.

We both want to see the city we love look its best and serve the families that live here. I’m looking at every fucking penny to make sure we do right, not only by restoring these homes to their former glory, but also provide affordable housing.

It’s my job to make the money work—and do some light work like demolition occasionally. Joaquín’s my property manager. We have a few other employees like our Project Manager in DC and one in Philly.

“Good. That place was a headache.” We’ve had that apartment building for only five years, but it’s been a nightmare property.

“So with those profits coming in, we should be ready to pull the trigger on that block in Philly.”

“Perfect,” I exhale, as I make my way through another city park, passing a mother pushing a stroller. An urge to peek and look at her baby forms inside me, but I don’t want to be a creep, so I keep my eyes trained ahead of me.

“How are you doing with all this, Raf?” he asks. “There’s a lot on your plate.” I don’t miss his worried tone. Is working as CFO for Define and Jimenez Brothers a lot? Yes. Throw on top of that rugby and becoming a father? Yeah, it might be too much; but I’ve always thrived under pressure. You can’t have a father like José Juan Jimenez and not tirelessly work yourself to earn his admiration.

Yes, it has irrevocably shaped me for better or worse. But honestly, I’m alive with energy when I’m busy like this.

We told Joaquín he was going to be a tio last week and he started crying. It was adorable to watch. He was beyond thrilled for us. Surprised, of course—but thrilled.

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