Page 8 of Hear Me Roar

Then, with great detail, I went on to regale Luis with our little family meeting, taking care not to leave out anything important. The more I explained, the more his brown eyes widened in shock. Didn’t take him long to understand why his sister had been so worked up on the wayover.

“And she wants to talk to Hazel? For what?” he questioned, scooting to the edge of hisseat.

I shrugged and took another sip. “That’s what we don’t know. She didn’t tell Karleywhyshe wanted to speak to her; she just said shedid.”

“The fuck? What did Hazel have to say aboutit?”

“That there was no way in hell she was callingher.”

“I can’t say I blame her,bro.”

“I know, I can’t either.” I sighed. “Something about the whole situation is odd,though.”

“Yeah, I get that, but you can’t force her to call thechick.”

“Dually noted, trust me. If anything, I’m just glad she told my sister that it was perfectly acceptable for Maya to reach out if it was thatimportant.”

Luis drained his Heineken and set the now emptied bottle on the small table between us. “Bet I know why she saidthat.”

“Why?”

“She probably doesn’t think Maya will take the leap and make thecall.”

“You think so?” I hedged and he nodded, his lipspuckered.

“Karley will have to tell this woman Hazel declined making the first point of contact, which in turn, will more than likely discourage her from pursuing anythingfurther.”

“You have apoint.”

“But you never know, Rey may be able to convince herotherwise.”

“If she does, I’ll have to thank her. Deep down, despite whatever she says and all Maya has done, I know Hazel is seeing red flags. A part of her wants to reach out and potentially help this girl should she need it, but in the same hand, she wants nothing to do with her, almost as though aiding her would bewrong.”

“You think this girl needs help?” Luis askedwarily.

“What else could it be? Therehasto be something going on with the husband. He’s fifteen years older than her, has more money than he could possibly know what to do with, forbid her from making contact with her own father. He's without a doubt hidingsomething.”

“Fuck, Carr. what if he’s into some dirty shit? What if he hurtsher?”

“Don’t.” I held up a hand. “I’ve been thinking the same thing, but I don’t want to push Hazel either. Not about this. She has every right to declinecontact.”

“Can Karley look into it? Maybe if she gives Hazel proof, it would swayher.”

“I doubt it. There’s only so much she can dig up if the girl doesn’t wanna give her thedetails.”

“Then let’s hope Rey is on our team in thisrespect.”

I hummed and he reclined in the seat, folding his arms behind his head. “So, aside from the tornado that touched down today, how’s the couple life treatingyou?”

A broad smile instantly stretched across my face. Not only was this typical A.D.D. Luis, switching to a new topic like whiplash, but it wasn’t until then I realized how much I’d missed him. He and Reyna had spent a few months in Puerto Rico with one of their aunts, which meant peace and quiet for Hazel and I. But around the five-week point, it was just too quiet. Hazel missed having Reyna around and I’d missed having my brother aroundtoo.

“It’s fucking bliss,” I saidmerrily.

“Really?”

“Yeah, bro, really. I’m so crazy in love with her, I can’t even think straightsometimes.”

“Well, damn, Carr,” he chuckled, the sound pleasantly surprised. “Might be too soon to ask but, are you thinking she’stheone?”

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