Page 115 of Grace on the Rocks

“Double quinceañera,”Diegosaid, his voice strained. “IknowI’mnotPapi, but will you let me present you,Gray?”

More crying.Weswas going to kill her.

“You look so beautiful,”Diegowhispered, and she shoved him away, then pulled him back for another tight hug. “God,I’vemissed you, manita.”

“Missed you,” she agreed.Shehadn’t let herself realize quite how much she missed him until now.

When she finally stopped crying and caught her breath,Westried to retouch her makeup beforeDiegoled her out the living room door to the porch, which was positively covered in white and silver and pearl pink balloons, as well as a large, star-shaped piñata.Heled her down to the beach, where the whole town started to cheer.

Bryan emerged from around the side of the house, dressed up all dapper in his kilt and vest, andGrace’sknees almost went weak.Bothhe andWesleywere grinning like anxious idiots, despite the presence of his parents and sisters and cousins.Shewanted to jump into his arms, to make sure he knew how much she cared and then demand just how exactly his reception, his moment, had turned into a party for her.Beforehe got close enough,Eòghannstepped between them and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“You look amazing,” he whispered. “Don’tbe mad at them.”

“I could never,” she said.

Next,Bryan’smother squeezedGrace’shands and whispered, “Happybirthday,” without any awkwardness over having soldGracea vibrator just a few days before, and thenGreatAuntEilidhpushed in, grinning wickedly as though she knew all about the vibrator, though maybe it was just because of the gorgeous dress and the rhinestone tiara she placed inGrace’shair.

“Thank you,”Gracewhispered, trying not to descend into tears a third time.

Taking charge as usual,Caitclapped her hands for attention. “Wehave tamales and polvorones,” she said, glancing toGracefor confirmation of her stilted pronunciation and gesturing towards dozens of powdered sugar cookies. “Andmy daughter will be devastated if her homemade piñata is still intact by the end of the night, but first—dancing!”

AtCait’scue,Lùcasjoined some other boys beside the patio, where they had a few guitars and a drum kit set up, and they began to play “Party” byBadBunny, which madeGracelaugh.

“You need dancing shoes,”Diegosaid, taking a knee to slip a pair of strappy heels onto her bare feet.Thenhe offered his hand for a dance.

“How are you here?” she whispered, fighting yet another round of tears.

“MacNeil called.Icame.”

“Simple as that?”

“Simple as.”

“Don’t you have a gameWednesday?”

He shrugged. “I’mmarked uncertain on the injury report.”

“I knew you were favoring your right knee.Howbad is it?Whydidn’t you text me back?”

“I was in the middle of a secret mission.I’llbe fine,” he said, hugging her close like maybe he needed it just as much as she did. “Willyou?”

“I thinkIaccidentally fell in love with your friend,” she admitted, and it felt good, and also terrifying, to say it out loud.

“I think he accidentally did too,” her big brother whispered. “He’sa good dude, but if he hurts you,I’llkill him and dump his body in the ocean.”

She laughed at the old threat and rested her head on his shoulder, with a pang of sadness for the distance that had grown between them and the rest of their family, but also with a swelling heart for this giftBryanhad given her,Diegoright here in her arms.

Then his cell phone rang.

“Seriously?”Graceteased, as he fumbled for it, a little surprised when he accepted the call instead of turning off the ringer.

But then he held the phone down to her, and there were her parents, one on each side of the screen, all the way from sunnyPensacolaandLaVicenta.

“¡Feliz cumpleaños, bebita!”

“Happy birthday, my beautiful girl!”

Grace, of course, started crying again, but her big brother was there with his arms protectively around her.Theyspoke for a few, all too brief minutes, and when they hung up,Diegosqueezed her tight.

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