Page 71 of Bound and Blitzed

He turned sharp, assessing eyes on me. “For now,” he replied, his tone cold.

“Papá!” Valentina exclaimed.

The temperature in the room dipped after that. No matter how hard Valentina and I tried—card games, more bottles of wine, Christmas cookies—we were unsuccessful in initiating any type of warmth or Christmas revelry. Instead, I decide to turn in early and let Valentina have time with her family.

As I say good night to the Garcias, they thank me politely.

I ready for bed and hear the family switch from English to Spanish. Their voices lose some of the chill and sharp edges of the day. Instead, they fill with humor and start to flow with ease.

By the time I slide under the duvet and open a book, there are shrieks of laughter and the familiar rhythm of storytelling. I listen to Lena’s laugh, her voice, her joy. It bowls into me and gives me pause as I wonder, when was the last time I heard her sound that animated in a group setting?

Sighing, I try to focus on the words on the page. After ten minutes, I give up. I’m more interested in knowing what’s causing my wife to giggle and clap her hands in joy. Will I ever share that kind of familiar ease with her? Will her family ever embrace me the way mine has welcomed her? Will the Garcias accept our marriage?

I hate that I truly don’t know. I hate that when I close my eyes for sleep, my wife isn’t in our bed, and that old restless energy returns.

“I don’t want to leave you,” Valentina says, wrapping her arms around me.

I cradle her against my chest, bending to kiss the tip of her nose. As much as I don’t want her to leave, I refuse to stand between her and her family. The Garcias have been with us just shy of twenty-four hours and I am not sad to see them go.

“It’s only for a few days.” I deepen our kiss, feeling myself harden as Valentina moans. “Your family misses you.”

“Well, I’ll miss you.” She pouts.

I smile and brush her hair out of her eyes. “I’ll miss you too. But I have a game that day. We’re leaving for Boston the night before. I’d hate the thought of you being alone in the condo, or freezing your ass off in Boston, when you could be with your parents and siblings.”

“I know,” she agrees.

I squeeze her delectable ass. “Go. Have fun. And I’ll see you when you get back.”

I wrap an arm around her waist and tug on her small suitcase, rolling it from our bedroom to the foyer where Valentina’s family waits for her.

“I don’t even have a dress,” Valentina grumbles.

“We can rectify that!” Valentina’s mother promises.

“Have a great trip,” I say, holding out my hand to Mr. Garcia.

He shakes it firmly, squeezing my hand hard. “Have a good game.” It’s as cordial as he’s been to me, and I now understand my sister’s, my coach’s, and my teammates’ warnings. Rueben Garcia is tough as nails and doesn’t give a goddamn inch.

While this makes him a worthy opponent, it also makes him a difficult father-in-law.

I shake hands with Alejandro, who has been quiet today. I’ve felt his eyes assessing my relationship with his sister, but he hasn’t commented. I hug Mrs. Garcia in farewell and kiss Carla’s cheeks good-bye.

When the Garcias move into the hallway and call the elevator, I turn toward my wife.

I give Valentina one last, long kiss good-bye. “Send me pictures,” I whisper.

She wrinkles her nose but bites her bottom lip adorably. “If you’re lucky.”

I snort and tug on the end of her hair. “I already am, Lena.”

She smiles and leans back in for another kiss. “Good luck at your game.”

“Have fun at the gala,” I reply.

“Jesus! It’s only a few days,” Alejandro comments.

Valentina rolls her eyes. “I’ll see you soon.”

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