Page 1 of The Secrets that Surround Us

Chapter one

Alex

“Is it everything you thought it would be?” I whisper the words into my new sister-in-law’s ear as we waltz across the dance floor, knowing it’s going to piss my brother off the closer I get. The heat from his death glares is burning up my back, but neither of us acknowledge sit. Leaving Dexter to stew in his own thoughts and feelings. It’s hilarious.

She smiles up at me, and her eyes sparkle when she replies. “It’s even better.”

I can’t help but match her smile. “I’m glad.”

And I am. I really am. But I can’t help but feel a little jealous too. As I glance over at my other brother Mateo, I witness him picking up his girlfriend’s son, tickling him. She laughs as she stands by, watching. A pang in my chest hits ever so softly. If I weren’t paying close attention, I wouldn’t have even noticed it.

I would love to find someone, a partner, but I know it’s not in the cards for me. Wait, where did that come from? I’m not the settling down kind of guy.

Once the music stops, Hazel pulls away, but not before she taps my chest. “Thanks for the dance, Alex.”

When I look down at her hand a sit sits on my chest just over my heart, an emotion I’m not sure I can put my finger on seems to well up within me. Not wanting to pay too close attention to it, I say, “No thank you, Haze.”

As she pulls her hand away, she looks up into my eyes and hers soften a bit as she stares at me. I hate it. I hate how I see the pity in everyone’s eyes, especially now that I’m the last Hernandez brother standing with no prospects in sight.

Like she can read my mind, she says, “You know, Alex, you deserve to find someone, too.”

Not wanting her to see too deep with me, I lift the right side of my mouth, giving her my signature smirk, “You know, Hazel, I’m not meant to settle down. Who would satisfy all the ladies?” I wink at her as I put my brother out of his misery and head to the bar.

Looking over my shoulder, I can’t help but watch as the two of them embrace, picking up where Hazel and I had left off.

When I turn my head back around to continue toward the bar, a wet feeling hits me right in the chest, soaking my shirt. Not believing what just happened, I look down at my chest. Red wine drips down my white dress shirt as a soft feminine voice fills my ears, drawing my attention away from the stain. “Oh shit. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

I look at her and when her beautiful brown eyes meet mine, my jaw drops. “Fuck. That’s going to be a bitch to get out. Here, let me help you.” She grabs a napkin from a nearby table and dabs at my chest. My eyes never leave her. “I really am sorry,” she mutters under her breath as she keeps dabbing.

Every touch from her jolts through my body, as if an electric current runs through me. Sweat beads up on my forehead as my brows furrow. I’ve felt nothing like this before.

I take her in. She’s donned a silky champagne colored dress that clings to every luscious curve of her body with a slit that gives a peek of her thigh. I swear I can just make out a lower tattoo; I want to see what it is and how far it goes. Black hair hangs down her back in loose curls. My cock thickens in my pants and I have to adjust my stance so she doesn’t notice.

I need to stop this before I do something I shouldn’t at my brother’s wedding. My hand wraps around her wrist, stopping her from continuing to clean me up. “It’s okay, love. But I need you to stop right now.”

Her eyes go wide at my words as she takes a step back from me. She recovers quickly, giving me a soft smile as she shuffles through her bag. “Let me pay for your dry-cleaning bill, at least.”

How did I not notice that giant black bag before.? Was I that engrossed by her?

“You don’t have to. Seriously, it’s not a big deal. It’s just a shirt.”

“I insist.” She pushes her business card into my hand.

Not wanting to offend her, I accept the card. “Well, since your last drink ended up on me, let me buy you another?” I tip my head toward the bar.

She lets out a soft giggle. “It’s an open bar.”

“Even better. Come on, love. Let me do this for you.”

“Okay,” she whispers as we make our way toward the bar.

“Do you want another red wine?”

She nods as I turn toward the bartender. “Can I get a red wine for the pretty lady and a beer for me?”

Once the bartender leaves to go grab our drinks, I turn back to her. “I’m Alex. And you are?”

She clears her throat. “I’m Fiona.”

---