Page 27 of Bang Buddies With Benefits
Hernando had this sixth sense for finding us and tagging along, and I could tell he was interested in me, but I only had eyes for Mateo. The timing was never right, though, and Mateo was a grade above us and one of the stars of the football team, which meant girls flocked to him in droves.
For a long time, I’d let the idea of losing his friendship get in the way of confessing to my crush, my infatuation, my head-over-heels love.
The locks on Yolanda’s sedan slid free with the press of a button, and I yanked open the passenger door. As I searched the floor and then dove into the back seat to do the same, my memory reel played on fast-forward, zipping through to finding out that Mateo was going to accept the full-ride football scholarship to Texas A&M.
I’d kicked myself over not letting him know how I felt sooner. And so, I stormed over to his house and yelled at him over having to find out from my family instead of him that he’d taken the scholarship.
Mateo hugged me tight, told me he was sorry regardless of the fact we both knew he’d done nothing wrong. Then he kissed me.
Like really, really kissed me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of light beneath the seat. The console dug into my gut as I fished free the sequined purple high heels with the large, blingy bows on the toes. I hit the call button as I rushed back and informed Yolanda of the good news.
She instructed me to head to the DJ stand, and I broke record speeds racing there. After handing off the shoes to Lorenzo, the present caught up with me. I cast a glance toward the table where I’d left Zac, reprimanding myself for not sending him help before getting swept up in the past.
Apparently, the joke was on me, because as he lifted Gabby in the air, the few inches of tattooed forearms exposed by his rolled-up sleeves flexing with the motion, I was the one who needed help. A mushy sensation rolled through me, turning my internal organs into a gooey, melty mess.
Those epically chubby cheeks of Gabby’s indicated she was smiling, and Zac grinned right back at her as he seated her on the edge of the table. He pulled funny faces, and damn evolution for that kick in my ovaries, and how it whispered Zac and his big, strong, dudeness would provide the perfect DNA for offspring I never planned to have.
“He’s good with her.”
I jolted at Yolanda’s words, the momentary spell broken. “Bold choice, handing our niece over to a stranger.” As we were wrapping up the meal, my sister and her husband had excused themselves and disappeared. I suspected they were sneaking in some baby-free time while babysitters abounded, and for some odd reason, my family assumed my date fit in that category, too.
“First of all, that was Rosa, and second, he’s not a stranger. He’s your booooyfriend.” Yolanda bumped her hip into mine, the move so unexpected, I barely caught myself, the motion driving the heel of my stilettos into the grass.
I waited for the instant regret, but a laugh spilled out instead. I righted myself and bumped her right back. My sisters never could keep a secret, especially, Angélica, so I’d often confided in Yolanda when it came to boys and my crushes. The urge to spill beckoned but was immediately doused with the reminder that she was the first person I’d told about liking Mateo—although she’d rolled her eyes and informed me the entire neighborhood was aware we’d end up together.
Old wounds reopened, the intrusive ache demanding I didn’t forget what was at stake. For tonight he could act as my boyfriend and give me an excuse to avoid dancing with Hernando, who’d want to rehash our past with Mateo, as if that were the perfect way to kindle a connection between us that would lead to the same kind of fire.
That flame was permanently extinguished. Not the one that would forever burn within the recesses of my soul for Mateo, who’d gone from the first boy to the first—and last—man I’d ever love.
My fiancé.That title ripped the scab right off, leaving me standing there trying not to bleed out.
Zac was just my octopus penis. He threw it my way whenever I needed it, and that was that. If anything, how altruistic was I that I didn’t want him swimming off to die?
With my thoughts and emotions back on track, I rounded the dance floor. Mariana had just slipped off her flats, and Lorenzo extended a hand so she could step into the sparkly, purple heels.
“Sorry,” I said as I slid into my seat next to Zac. “I didn’t realize that my family had turned you into a babysitter.”
Gabby clapped, her big eyes conveying I was supposed to follow, so I did.
“At first it felt as though someone had handed me a bomb that was about to go off, but after a minute or two with some fussing and panicking—all me, by the way,” he said with a laugh. “Gabs and I came to an understanding. I’d keep her in constant motion, and she’d take it easy on me.” He bounced her in the air, and she giggled. “Isn’t that right?”
Oh, God, it was happening again, that leap in my nether regions.He called her Gabs, for Heaven’s sake.I’d take soaking through my panties any day. Anyway, I was trying like hell to convince myself of that.
Gabby squealed, a loud noise that could turn into cackling or crying, depending on Zac’s reaction time. He lifted her above him, and were my relatives not coming back because they thought it’d convince Zac and me to get to mating? I mean, we would, but there’d be preventative contraception in place.
Okay, that’s tipping the scales toward paranoia. It’s Mariana’s special day and they’re watching her dance with her dad, the way I should be doing.
I twisted in my seat to do just that, only out of the corner of my eye, I caught a white blur—the jostling had caught up with Gabby’s all-milk diet, and projectile spit up was the result.
Zac dodged in time for it to miss his face. The shoulder of his shirt, however, was now decorated with a trail of chunky white.
Afraid he’d get upset at Gabby, I sprang into motion. Silverware rattled together as I unfurled my used linen napkin. I dipped the cleanest end I could find in my glass of water and turned to dab at the spot. “Don’t worry. It’ll come out. I can even wash it once we get to my place to make sure of it.”
Zac shifted Gabby to his other arm and caught hold of my wrist. “Hey, it’s okay. I appreciate the help, but there’s no need to panic. In case you’ve forgotten, I run a bar. This is far from the first time I’ve been puked on. Hell, if I had to choose…”
That was the moment Mamá chose to reappear. Her eyes widened slightly at Zac’s musings—or perhaps it was his use ofhell.
