Playing the Player

by Lea Santos

  “Amen,” the group chimed.

  Madeira knew not to interrupt when the Bees were on a roll, especially when it involved their opinions about men. She’d be invited back into the conversation eventually, and then she’d share her news.

  “But we’re not talking about men right now. We’re talking about women, and it appears, at least in my granddaughter’s case, they’re just as bad. Who would’ve ever imagined.” DoDo released another sigh. “Oy yoy yoy.” She waved a knuckle vaguely in Madeira’s direction. “Not only is this one as perfect as can be expected, she’s perfect for Grace. Cut from the same cloth, these two kids. Madeira’s no smarter about women than Grace is—”

  “Hey!” Madeira protested.

  “But they could make each other happy if Graciela would open her damn fool eyes.” DoDo tied a knot and snipped off the thread.

  “It’s her heart that needs opening, Dolores,” Isabel said. “I don’t think any woman could look at our Madeira and not see a woman she could love.”

  “She’s sure got a hot tushie,” whispered Anna Moreno, the smallest at four foot eight, with a personality to match her diminutive stature. Realizing that she’d spoken aloud, she covered her mouth with a gnarled hand, blanching until her rouge stood out in two mauve blotches on her papery cheeks.

  When the rest of the women burst into gales of laughter, mortified Anna scuttled off to the powder room in search of her lost composure.

  As though just now remembering Madeira was actually in the room, Marilyn blinked. “Say, were you trying to tell us something, querida?”

  “Actually, yes. I do have news.”

  All the women glanced up at once. Even Anna peered around the corner from the hallway. “Say it,” she whispered.

  “I’ve asked Gracie to meet my family.”

  After a communal inward gasp, DoDo prompted with, “And?”

  Madeira smiled at each woman in turn. “Keep in mind, it’s just a casual barbecue. Nothing major.”

  “And?” they asked in unison.

  “And…” She drew it out, reveling in giving them a large dose of their own medicine “She said yes.”

  The women exclaimed their pleasure over this new development, but DoDo regarded her warmly and wisely without speaking. When the prattle died down, she told her, “I knew she’d come around eventually, my stubborn girl.”

  Magdalena snorted. “Not a moment too soon.”

  Madeira cocked her head to the side, unaware there’d been a time clock running. “Why’s that?”

  DoDo flicked her side of the gorgeous quilt, causing a ripple to ride its width toward her. “Because we’re almost done with the commitment quilt for you two crazy kids, m’ija. Why else?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Algo es algo; menos es nada.

  Half a loaf is better than no bread at all.

  Madeira had to admit, the quilt had thrown her.

  She wanted Gracie with an intensity that awed her, and she loved her—no doubts there. But commitment? And a quilt to go with it, no less? Hell, she’d just gotten Gracie to agree to a casual “date” and hadn’t even dared to use the D-word in relation to it.

  DoDo and the Bees were getting way ahead of themselves. The last thing Madeira wanted to do was make Gracie think she was in cahoots with them. She needed to tread lightly. One casual date was all she asked, and the implications of a commitment quilt—an item she was sure the Bees had just made up to serve their purposes—at this juncture could very well ruin everything Madeira had worked so hard to cultivate.

  Her jaw clenched, despite valiant efforts to remain calm. If the unexpected pressure of that quilt had spooked her, she could only imagine what it would do to Gracie, who still considered Madeira nothing more than friend material, and definitely not someone with whom she’d snuggle beneath a commitment quilt.

  Jumbled thoughts and uncertainties had put Madeira on guard since that day with the Bees, and as a result, she’d dragged her feet about telling her family that Gracie would be accompanying her to the barbecue. The last thing she and Gracie needed was coercion from both families. The only problem was, she hadn’t mentioned any of this to Gracie, and the time on her luck-o-meter had just run out. In five minutes, they’d be at the barbecue—their first non-date, no expectations…date. But thanks to Madeira, Gracie had no idea she would be the surprise of the day, the center of attention, the object of bald curiosity and speculation.

  Not to mention pressure.

  Madeira’s throat constricted. Should she warn Gracie before they arrived? Part of her thought yes, the other part no. Why bring on a certain end before they’d even had a chance for a beginning? If Gracie had any idea how pivotal this non-date was, she’d scurry back to the safety of square one before the first burger was flipped.

  Whatever possessed Madeira to plan their first non-date with family?

  If it were just the two of them, Madeira could maintain the no-expectations friend act as long as Gracie needed to hear it. But Madeira had been so damned eager to bring Gracie into her life, her family, that she hadn’t stopped to consider the implications. Just because Gracie would officially become the first woman Madeira had ever brought home, and just because no one actually knew she was coming, just because her entire family would realize immediately that Gracie was vitally important to her and would likely bring it to Gracie’s attention…well, those minor, unmentioned details shouldn’t ruin their day.

  Right?

  Guilt set free a colony of bats in her empty cave of a stomach, but she pressed her lips together to keep from blurting a confession. She hoped to slip Gracie casually into the family setting as if she’d always belonged, and prayed that no one would blow her cover. Perhaps the whole thing would end up being no big deal.

  Uh-huh. Sure.

  If Madeira knew her family, a big deal was both inevitable and an understatement—precisely why she hadn’t warned them in advance. That, and well…Gracie threw her off balance. She wanted to do exactly the right thing where Gracie was concerned, but damn it all, she had no idea what “the right thing” was.

  Shit.

  She might have really screwed up this time.

  “Is something wrong?”

  Gracie’s voice from the passenger seat startled Madeira, and she took a silent moment to gather her thoughts.

  Confess?

  Lie?

  She simply had no clue.

  “Nothing,” she lied through a forced smile. “Why do you ask?”

  “Well…” Gracie drew out, as though the answer were obvious. “I asked you a question about the barbecue—twice—but you didn’t seem to hear me.” She regarded Madeira with objectivity in her expression. “Maybe we should talk about whatever worry has you so preoccupied before we get to your sister’s.”

  Madeira glanced at her, chagrined, and realized the only way out of this dilemma was honesty. Gracie had given her an opening she couldn’t ignore without destroying this non-date attempt even more than she already had. Now or never. She eased out a long breath. “We should talk, actually. I wasn’t exactly honest when I said nothing was wrong. I’m sorry.”

  Gracie’s expression clouded. “Don’t be afraid of being truthful with me. If you’ll recall, we’ve sort of been in this thing together from the beginning.”

  Madeira met Gracie’s open gaze, pleading for her understanding. “Okay. You’re right. I’ll just say it.” She blew out a breath. “My family doesn’t know you’re coming with me today.”

  Gracie’s warm brandy eyes widened. “Why not?”

  “I didn’t tell them.”

  “Maddee, Jesus!” Gracie threaded her fingers into her hair. “I can’t just show up uninvited. That would be rude.”

  “No, you misunderstand me.” At the four-way stop, Madeira reached over and squeezed Gracie’s shoulder. “The more the merrier at these events. That’s not the problem.”

  She didn’t look convinced. “What then?”

  Madeira clenched her jaw and
gazed unseeingly out the front window as they crossed through the intersection. How to put this? “My family is likely to make a big deal about this…this—”

  “Date?”

  She blinked in surprise. “I didn’t know you thought of it as a date.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? You asked me to go with you, I said yes. That’s a date in my book, Maddee.” Gracie’s eyes narrowed. “I suppose that scares you?”

  “Of course not.” One corner of her mouth lifted. “I thought it would scare you.”

  Gracie laughed, relief replacing wariness in her expression. “We’re idiots. You know that?”

  Madeira shook her head. “If I’d known you’d react like this, I would’ve talked to you about it last week.” She pulled to the curb in front of Toro’s. “Gracie, it’s just a barbecue. But be prepared for everyone to treat you like my…girlfriend. I didn’t tell them because it would’ve given them a week to prepare their battle plans, but I can’t promise an innuendo-free day.”

  “So, I’ll feel right at home?”

  Madeira chuckled. “Probably so.”

  Gracie patted her hand. “Look, I can handle the pressure. As long as you and I know where we stand on things.”

  Madeira studied her, wanting so much to kiss her, wanting so much for them to be a true team, wanting, wanting, wanting. “Where do we stand on things, Gracie?” she asked in a soft tone.

  Gracie chewed the inside of her cheek for a moment, eyes downcast. Palpable uncertainty filled the car. They circled each other like wary boxers, neither wanting to lower her guard enough to throw the first punch.

  “How about we simply enjoy the day? No expectations, no worries.” She offered her hand. “Deal?”

  Madeira slid their palms together, wishing Gracie had said she loved the idea of being referred to as Maddee’s girlfriend. But, hell, she’d take what she could get. She’d become a very patient woman in the past month or so of loving Gracie. “Deal, as long as you promise not to hold my family’s comments against me, whatever they may be.”

  “That’s fair. You haven’t held any of DoDo’s or Lola’s antics against me.”

  “Speaking of that…” Madeira swallowed, deciding to play the honesty card one more time “Did you know DoDo and the Bees are working on a…commitment quilt?”

  Gracie groaned. “I should’ve figured. DoDo is bound and determined to pair us off, and since I’m older than Lola, I’m the first target. Listen, I’ll talk to DoDo about it. I hope they didn’t scare you too much.”

  “Why would you think they scared me?”

  Gracie laughed. “Because you’re way too much like me, Maddee. I know.”

  “DoDo told the Bees that I’m no better with women than you are.” She brushed the backs of her fingers down Gracie’s cheek. “I’m afraid we have bad reputations, fierita.”

  “You know, hon, that’s not really a news flash.” Gracie smiled sweetly, and Madeira’s heart soared.

  She turned off the engine and swung the keys around her index finger. “Well, unless you have anything else to add?”

  “Nothing. We’re cool.” Gracie smoothed her hands together. “Let the games begin.”

  They headed up the walk, laughter, music, and the spicy rich aroma of grilling meat wafting over the fence to welcome them. The party was well under way, which was Madeira’s standard arrival MO when it came to social events. She used to joke with her friends that the party never really started until she arrived anyway, so she might as well make a dramatic entrance. Today’s tardiness was more a matter of calculated self-preservation. She needed to act as normal as possible. If she had showed up on time and brought a woman, Toro and the rest of them would start cracking “whipped” jokes immediately, shaming her in front of the only woman whose opinion of her truly mattered.

  God, Madeira shook with the yearning to reach for Gracie’s hand, but gut instincts warned her not to. Nevertheless, she guided Gracie onto the flagstone path that wound around the side of the house with a light touch at the small of her back. Palms moist, heart pounding, she scanned the crowd over the privacy fence.

  Mamá and the twins sat on the glider swing at the edge of the redwood deck. Iris and her best friends Paloma Vargas and Emie Jaramillo occupied the picnic table, heads pow-wow style, as usual. Toro stood with Paloma’s partner, Deanne, nursing cervezas and grilling meat, and various children ran about the yard, screeching and laughing with Emie’s partner, Gia. Simon and Lisa wouldn’t arrive until after their daughter, Alex’s, softball game a little later.

  To the untrained eye, this gathering would appear as unthreatening as a church picnic, but all Madeira could see was a lion’s den. She turned to Gracie, her little lamb to the slaughter, feeling cruel for pushing her into this. “Last chance for escape. We can take the coward’s way out and go to a movie.”

  “Don’t be silly. I can’t wait to meet everyone. Everything will be just fine.”

  “I’m going to remind you of those words when the pressure gets heavy. Here goes, then.” She took a deep breath and reached for the latch. The hinge groaned inordinately loud and long as she pushed open the gate. Staving off the urge to hide her behind her back, to delay the inevitable, Madeira stepped aside and allowed Gracie to enter ahead of her. She wouldn’t make the mistake of acting ashamed of Gracie when inside she felt the exact opposite.

  “We’re here,” she called out, more tentatively than usual. “Let the party begin.”

  “Eh, Mosq—” Toro’s astonished gaze jerked from her sister to the woman at her side. Torien’s mouth snapped shut and she froze. In fact, everything froze.

  Talk stopped.

  Laughter silenced.

  Movement ceased. Just for a moment.

  Gracie took a small, faltering step, then stopped, her shoulders lifting with a deep, steadying breath. The smile she flashed at Madeira had reassurance at the corners, and when she winked, Madeira knew everything would be just fine. Still, Madeira stood there with a dry throat, unsure of the next step.

  Not Gracie, though.

  Spine erect, head held high, she moved forward and introduced herself to Madeira’s mother in beautifully accented, perfectly executed, and obviously practiced Spanish.

  God almighty, Madeira loved this woman.

  *

  Grace had more fun with Madeira and her family that day than she’d ever had on a date. She especially liked the fact that she didn’t feel compelled to hover nervously by Madeira’s side the whole time. Everyone made her feel so welcomed, every bit of her “meet the family” nervousness had faded within minutes of their arrival. She spent time with Maddee’s mother and little sisters, joked with Torien, and had a long tattoo conversation with Iris and her engaging friends. Every so often her eyes would meet Madeira’s across the yard and the result was nothing short of electric.

  Her attraction to Madeira grew with every subtle exchange, each moment together and those spent apart. As the afternoon passed, she grew more aware of Maddee on a visceral level until she felt almost overstimulated. She took a seat on the empty glider, partially to rest her tired leg but mostly to gather her wits. She was dangerously close to exposing her true feelings about Maddee. That scared her.

  “Hey. You look pensive.” Iris flashed that oft-photographed, world-class smile as she approached, a longneck beer in each hand. She offered one to Grace.

  “Oh. Thanks.” Grace tucked her hair behind her ears, then reached for the bottle. “I’m not exactly pensive.” She considered it, and something inside her knew that she could be honest with Iris. “Well, maybe a little pensive.”

  Iris tilted her chin toward the glider. “Is there room for another person there?”

  “Of course.” Grace slid to one side as Iris settled next to her. “My leg aches when I’m on my feet too long. I try to take frequent breaks.”

  Iris’s forehead crinkled with concern. “Do you need an ice pack or painkillers? Something?”

  Grace shook her head and saluted with the bottle.
“This is more than enough. Thanks.”

  “So.” Iris rested her own bottle along the arm of the glider. “Any desire to discuss what has you so lost in thought?”

  Grace sighed. “What else?” She stared off toward Madeira, who sat on the picnic table with her little sisters flanking her, joking with Torien. A pang of envy struck her as she watched her take Reina in a headlock and give her a noogie while the teen shrieked—at least until their mother rapped Madeira on the head with her knuckles in playful reprimand. Maddee seemed so different in this milieu. Then again…she didn’t. If Grace replayed the tapes in her mind, she could see that Maddee had always been playful, kind, and full of life. “I’m…envious.”

  Iris tracked her line of observation. “Envious, huh? I’m sure Mad would give you a noogie if you asked nicely.”

  Laughing, Grace turned toward Iris in surprise.

  “I’m just kidding. I know what you’re saying.” Iris regarded her, one long arm extended across the back of the glider. “She cares about you, too, you know.” It wasn’t as though Iris was trying to play matchmaker. Her statement came off as matter-of-fact, informational.

  Still, Grace shrugged off the reassurance, far too melancholy considering how perfect the day had been. Iris might think Maddee cared, but Grace had an inside scoop on the mind of a player. “I’m a challenge to her, Iris. That’s different than being cared about.”

  “You might very well be a challenge, but if so, it’s exactly what she needed.” Iris took a long swig from her bottle that still managed to look ladylike and graceful. “I’ve seen her come alive since you’ve been around.”

  “That’s not my doing. It’s her job. She loves her job.”

  “Do you really believe that, Grace?”

  Grace’s throat closed; she couldn’t answer. “Do you know what happens once a challenge is met? It ceases to be interesting, and the person moves on to the next exciting challenge.”

  Iris nodded. “In some cases, sure.” A beat passed. “I don’t believe that would happen with you two.”