Page 127 of The Play

“You’re right, I hate it,” I growl.

“But your father made his decision, and you need to make the best of it. Dora and Joaquín are going to be in our lives regardless of whether you and Nico are dating. Dora is like a sister to me, and Papa views Joaquín as a brother.” Mom’s tone softens. “It’s not easy for you, I know. But this is what happens when families are woven so tightly together. So, please, let this be your first test—a test to see if the two of you can be around each other without hostility. Nico is willing to try. He told Dora he was fine with this.”

Of course he’s fine with it. He probably thinks we’re getting back together. That’s what he’s been saying to Darius since the second we broke up.

But Mom is right. The Delgados are their closest friends. They’re family. I have no choice but to suck it up.

I’d debated looking extra hot tonight, but I didn’t want Nicogetting any ideas. So I did the opposite—I dressed down. A plain white dress, knee-length and with a modest neckline, paired with flat brown sandals, not even a hint of a heel. My hair is tied in a low ponytail with a red bow. I look like a child who’s going to perform some cringe-worthy song for the adults after dinner.

Perfect.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re entering the familiar house where I’d spent so much of my time. I honestly never envisioned Nico and menotbeing together for the holidays.

Or that I’d be sleeping with another guy.

On the regular.

My rebound with Hunter didn’t stop after Conor’s party. We slept together again the next day. And the day after that, and then the day after that.Yesterday we stayed up all night having sex, even though I had to get up early to meet my parents at the airport.

My body is already craving him again. I’m addicted to it. I never thought I’d be sleeping with a jock, but I kind of understand now why so many women love athletes. God. All those rock-hard muscles. The sheer strength of their bodies. Yesterday Hunter lifted me onto his dick and fucked me standing up against my bedroom wall. Apparently everyone in the house heard the wall banging, and my sorority sisters teased me mercilessly about it this morning. But they’re happy for me. Hell,I’mhappy for me. I deserve good sex with a man who isn’t sexing up everybody else too. Every woman deserves that.

Nico’s family greets me warmly. His little sister Alicia flings her arms around my neck and shrieks, “Oh my God, it’s beenforever!” She’s thirteen and has always viewed me as a role model of sorts. I’m the one she called when she got her first period last year.

Dora greets me with smacking kisses and a bear hug, and then Joaquín steps forward to give me a hug.

“Damn fool,” he mutters.

I frownslightly. “What?”

His expression turns wry. “My son’s a damn fool.” He says the words softly, so only I can hear him.

My frown dissolves into a faint smile. “Yep.”

Nico still hasn’t come downstairs, thank the Lord. I hope he’s cowering in his bedroom. My family is ushered into the living room, where I’m fussed over by Dora and Alicia while Joaquín prepares drinks for my parents.

Then I hear his voice. “Demi.”

I turn slowly. Unlike me, Nico did make an effort with his appearance. He chose black trousers and a white shirt with the top button undone. His hair is slicked back and he’s fully clean-shaven. He looks really good, but the sight of him only evokes mild indifference. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since the night we broke up. I thought it might be awful when we eventually came to face to face. That my heartbeat would accelerate, that I’d experience a pang of longing.

But I don’t. If anything, I feel sorry for him. He almost looks like a little boy as he steps forward. He starts to open his arms, and I give a quick shake of my head.

“Let’s not do that,” I advise.

Disappointment clouds his eyes. “Come on, Demi.”

The next thing I know there’s a glass in my hand. Granted, it’s just a soda, and not the full-to-the-brim glass of tequila I would’ve preferred. But still. Mom to the rescue!

“Let’s help Dora with dinner,” she chirps as she whisks me toward the kitchen.

I follow her without a backward glance at Nico.

Dinner is awkward, at least for me. If it is for our parents, they’re not showing it.

Each time Nico speaks to me, I answer politely. But I don’tengage or elaborate on anything he asks. He reveals that he quit the moving company, and I don’t even blink because I don’t care. Then he talks about his new job as a line cook at Della’s Diner. I don’t care about that either, except to make a mental note to not eat there anymore. He’ll either spit in my food or mix a love potion into it.

After dinner, the men go outside on the bricked patio to smoke their Cubans, and the women tidy up. Old-fashioned, maybe, but that’s how it’s always been. Alicia and I load the dishwasher and then wash the bigger dishes by hand. She chatters on about the eighth grade and her friends as I pass her pots and pans to dry.

“I can’t believe you and Nico aren’t together anymore,” she whines. “I’m so sad.”

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