Page 313 of As the Rain Falls
My experience with Lucia and Angelina tells me that you can’t just tell someone they’re being stupid; you have to let the realization come to them in the first place. At least, Mateo seems willing to admit he might’ve fucked up a little.
“This one guy from my neighborhood,” he explains, slowly straightening up. A thin layer of sweat is coating his forehead, making him look sickly. “Man, I think I’m in trouble. I knew he was in some deep shit, but I just didn’t know he was close friends with—”
A car parks behind mine.
I glance over just as Caleb jumps out of the backseat. Maria’s driving, her feathered costume taking up enough space for two. He tugs his sleeveless shirt up, leaving it draped around his neck, and then spots us.
“Mateo?” He gestures wildly, grinning happily.
I know Mateo and Caleb used to be good friends.I also know that since things got worse for Cassandra, Mateo picked a side, and clearly, it wasn’t Caleb’s.
So, why is he grinning at us now?
Acting like nothing happened?
“Puta merda.” I hear Mateo groan under his breath. “Beckett, please don’t hit him.”
I snort a little, but my jaw tightens.
My mind flashes back to Cassandra sobbing in my arms because of what he did to her, and that simmering anger starts to boil.It was really just a matter of time before our paths crossed. Le Portisa small town, and for the first time, I am thrilled by the fact.
“Beckett?” I roll my eyes and glance back at Mateo. He takes one hard look at me, then groans something in Portuguese I don’t quite understand. “Seriously, man.Don’thit him; it’ll just get you in trouble, and we’re here to have a good time.”
“Yeah?” I shift my gaze forward. “Are you having a good time, right now?”
Mateo gulps down, taking the water bottle when I hand it to him. My gaze shifts from him to Caleb, putting two and two together as the other steps closer, holding out his hand towards me like we’re friends.
Antony told me Caleb works at Silvio’s, didn’t he?
“You were out with him last night,” I state matter-of-factly. “Caleb gave you the free drinks, didn’t he?”
It’s why he doesn’t remember just how many he must’ve taken. Mateo never had to actually pay for any of it.
The curly-haired boy shakes his head.
“No, he put them on my tab. I’ll pay him back, I swear.”
I snort, finding his statement just a bit too innocent. “What are you now? Some kind of wannabe alcoholic?”
He gapes, shocked, “What? No! I never… Ineverdrink.”
“Yeah, that checks out.” I close the door to the car, forcing him to lean against it. “Seems to me like you shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a fucking corner store beer.”
“Wait, Beckett!” Mateo tries to reach out and grab my arm, but I’m already turning my back to him and facing Caleb.
“Beckett Evans, my man!” Caleb drawls, lines creasing at the corner of his eyes as he finally reaches us. “I’ve been meaning to call you!”
I hum, curling my right hand into a fist.
“You have?” I say smoothly. “What’s up?”
“Nothing too terrible. Maria and I are headed to a pageant. She’s one of the runners-ups.” Caleb motions to his car, and I nod quickly, not sparing her a single look. “How’s Cassandra?”
And I don’t mean to do this, to start a fight in public, but my right arm flies before I can think twice. I swear, it’s only because he mentioned her name first.
My knuckles crash into the side of his face, making Caleb stumble back. Before he can trip over himself, I grab his shirt and yank him forward and upright.
Then, I hit him again.
