Page 47 of The Fallacy of True Love
“But he’s cute. I bet he could also lift you to the ceiling.”
I hated to agree, but there was a big possibility he could. The guy was stacked.
“Joey girl,” I said in my most serious voice. “Just because a boy is cute and tall and strong, it doesn’t mean he’s worth kissing. Remember that, okay?”
You should remember that yourself, my conscience told me.
Jo nodded solemnly. “But he’s nice too.”
“People can be nice and still not be good for you.” It was the nice ones who ended up hurting you the most because you never saw it coming. I’d learned that lesson once and wouldn’t let it happen again.
“Does that mean we won’t see Tito Ally again?”
“I don’t know,” I murmured, wishing I could say no for sure. Hating that a part of me wished otherwise. “But we don’t need a man to carry us, do we?”
She frowned. “Well, you can’t carry me up to the ceiling.”
My five-foot-one self could not deny that. But it didn’t mean I had to concede. “I could if I stand on a ladder. There’s always a way, Jo. We just have to find it.”
Alonzo
I stared at the hand that Gabe had spread on Jason’s fancy card table. “Again?”
Gabe shrugged, but one corner of his mouth tipped up as Luna let out a dramatic groan. “Pusoy,” he said.
“Against all of us?” I compared the four sets of cards, confirming what I’d guessed.
“It was a lucky hand.”
“You’re always lucky,” Luna grumbled.
Nodding, Gabe said solemnly, “I am. I have you.”
Now it was my turn to groan.
Meanwhile, Luna beamed at him and Tala chuckled.
“Seriously, man?” I shook my head. “I thought Jason was the cheesy one.”
“Oh, that’s tame compared to what Jason comes up with,” Tala said. “But it still amazes me, coming from my grumpy best friend.”
“Blame your sister,” Gabe told me.
“I gladly accept the blame. Also, that was a good one, professor.” Luna gave him a peck on the cheek, and I ducked my head under the guise of counting out the money I owed Gabe.
Between the two of them, Tala and Jason’s engagement high, and my parents’ steadfast devotion, I felt drunk on love—and not in the good way. Nothing reminded you more of your shitty relationship status than being surrounded by couples who were clearly doing it right.
I excused myself from the next round, calling Jason in to sub for me. Then I headed to the bar to grab a fresh beer and a snack. The sounds of a random New Year’s countdown party on TV settled into the back of my consciousness as I tore open a bag of chicharon.
“I’ve been waiting for someone to open that,” Gabe said from behind me.
I offered the deep-fried pork rinds to him. “Why’d you stop playing? You were on a streak.”
“I thought we should give your parents a turn.”
“Ate L was getting extra competitive, huh?” I asked before biting into the crunchy snack.
He chuckled. “We both needed a break. She’s coaching your mom.”
