Page 81 of Saving Blood

“She said you were very handsome, ‘hermoso,’ and if you didn’t screw up too bad, maybe I should take you back.”

I turn to the woman. “Gracias.”

The woman smiles, and Maxine adds, “You need to learn the language.”

“If you come back with me, you can teach me.” I lean into Maxine’s ear. “I know I screwed up, but I can’t go on without you.”

She mashes her lips together. “I know why you did what you did, and I understand. I lied, and then you had to hear the truth from Hector.” She looks away from me. “I get it, a man like you wouldn’t be able to get past it.”

I furrow my brow. “Get past what?”

“What Hector said.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the bullshit he was spitting out. And what do you mean, a man like me?”

“A man who wouldn’t want to think he had to share with someone like Hector Rodriquez.”

“Fuck. Is that what you think of me? You think I would let a bastard like Rodriquez get to me?”

“Then, why?”

I run my hand through my hair for probably the tenth time today. “I sent you off to save you from me.”

“Save me?”

“Yeah, after losing Javi, I couldn’t let that happen to you.” We move forward again. “Because what happened to Javi was my fault, and I realized the same thing could happen to you too. I figured getting away from me was the best thing for you.”

“Well, you figured wrong—and now you know what’s best for me?”

“I admit I was pissed you didn’t tell me, but I’d never blame you because I’ve done . . .” I hold her gaze for an extra beat.

She stares, waiting for me to finish.

The line pushes us forward, and I stay glued to her side. “Can we please get outta here?”

“Not unless you promise to listen to the truth about what happened with Hector.”

“I don’t give a shit about what he said.”

“But I do, and I did keep it from you, and now, I want you to know everything about me. The good and the bad.”

“All right.” I move off the line, but she stays.

“One more thing.” She looks deep into my eyes. “You promise to do the same. Twice you’ve tried to tell me something about your past and stopped. I want to know the good and the bad about you too.”

“You sure about that?” My truths are way worse than hers, and telling her might scare her, but she’s right. We both have to come clean if we’re to go on.

“I’m sure.”

“Buena suerte.” The woman behind us smiles at Maxine.

“Gracias,” Maxine replies, then lets me lead her to my bike.

MAXINE

I rest my head on Blood’s broad back as we speed through the streets heading back to Tijuana. It feels good to be hugged up against him again. To revel in the ripple of his muscles as he commands the huge Harley. He is one with the machine, and the power radiates through him, making me remember my first ride with him a few weeks ago. We’ve moved forward in so many ways since then, but I’m not foolish enough to think we’ve quite climbed every hurdle.

When we pull into the lot behind The Tropics and dismount, Blood’s expression is somber. We walk into the back of the club and up the stairs to his apartment. He closes the door behind us, exhaustion shadowing his face.

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