[Moreno Brothers 01.0] Forever Mine

by Elizabeth Reyes

“I didn’t see you guys.” Her scandalized expression when she saw them surprised him. This wasn’t the first time he was ravenous for her in front of them.

  “My bad.” Angel smirked, pulling out of the driveway. “I forgot anyone was back there.”

  “I was just talking to you before she got in the car, ass,” Romero protested.

  Angel chuckled, lacing his fingers into Sarah’s and placing their hands together on his lap. Sarah stared straight ahead, a bit too rigid. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. He hoped she wasn’t mad.

  The ride to the bowling alley was a fairly quiet one, except for Romero protesting about the music. Angel hit the off button to shut Romero up and glanced in the rearview mirror for his reaction. What he saw was Sofia resting her head on Eric’s shoulder.

  “You tired, Sofie?”

  She sat up immediately. “No.”

  Angel glanced at the clock on the dash. It was only eight. “She falling asleep on you, Eric?”

  Sarah shifted in her seat, brought his hand up to her lips, and kissed it. He immediately forgot about Sofia and smiled instead. He was glad she wasn’t mad. He had to remember even though he couldn’t care less what anyone thought about the crazed way she made him feel, Sarah was a bit more modest.

  When they got to the bowling alley, Angel took Sarah aside. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. “You mad?”

  Her confused expression relieved him. “About what?”

  “Nothing.” He kissed her, feeling kind of dumb. “Never mind.”

  He should’ve known something like that wouldn’t have made her mad. Whatever it was, she was over it now. She looked at him weird but didn’t ask anything else.

  There were a lot more people there than Angel had expected. He knew Fridays were busy. They turned the lights down and played music, but this crowd was huge. Most of the guys from the team had showed up, and, apparently, Sarah and Sofia had invited the track team because there were a lot of them there as well.

  Sarah and Sofia walked away to mingle with their friends from the track team. Angel didn’t mind. He was still holding out hope her friends on the team would talk her into joining and she’d decide to stay. There were only a few more weeks before she was leaving, and it killed him. But he wouldn’t dwell on that and ruin the night.

  Romero handed him a soda and put his arm around his shoulder. “Happy birthday, big guy.”

  Angel sipped through the straw cautiously. He knew better. Sure enough, it tasted like gasoline laced with some soda. Angel coughed. “What the fuck?”

  Romero laughed and so did the other guys standing around him. “It’s your birthday, man. Don’t be a pussy!”

  Someone always snuck in something to pour in the soda. And he knew the guys were going to try to get him wasted because it was his birthday. But he had other plans for later that night. There was no way he was missing out on that.

  These things were always the same. Everyone was underage, so the only chance anyone had of getting a buzz was to sneak stuff in. He was sure half the people there were packing. Angel didn’t even like hard liquor. The only thing he’d ever go for was beer, and even then it was one or two at most. But he didn’t want to disappoint the guys, so he pretended to keep drinking. He knew they were all drinking the same crap and, before long, no one would notice when he dumped it out.

  They’d been there almost two hours, and Angel couldn’t believe people were still arriving. The place was almost too crowded. Angel could tell Sarah was trying to give him his space with the guys. She’d come over and hang with him for a little bit then walk back to mingle with her girlfriends.

  He didn’t have a problem with her staying by his side the whole night, but he knew Sarah. She wasn’t having it. Giving him his space for some inane reason had always been important to her.

  Alex showed up late, but Angel appreciated it. He knew this kind of party didn’t even compare to the parties he was attending now that he was in college. Yet here he was, looking happier than ever to see him.

  “Happy birthday, little man.” Alex shook his hand then pulled him in for a bear hug. Angel groaned when Alex purposely squeezed him hard. Only Alex could make him feel small. He cut him loose and looked around. “Damn, this place is packed.” Alex looked pleased.

  There was too much alcohol floating around. That was never good. He’d already noticed some of the employees’ stern expressions. There was only one security guard, an older guy in his fifties, and he had had a hard enough time breaking up a verbal altercation earlier between two girls. Of course, it didn’t help that there were a bunch of idiots around yelling, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

  Angel had kept his eye on Sarah most of the night, but when Alex got there, he lost her in the crowd. Romero walked by and Angel tugged his shirt. “You seen the girls?”

  It was obvious Romero was already lit. “Yeah, I’ve seen lots of girls.”

  “I mean Sofie and Sarah, stupid.”

  Romero struggled to lift his eyebrows. Angel could tell he’d be no help. “Not sure about Sarah, but Sofie’s with Eric.”

  “Where’s Eric?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Angel frowned. Why the hell did he bother? Just as he gathered his thoughts, a commotion erupted behind him. He turned around and fists flew. He backed up and before he knew it, cups and food were flying through the air.

  Everyone scrambled, girls screamed, and more got involved in the fight. Angel searched frantically for Sarah and Sofia. He felt a hand on his shoulder and jerked it off defensively, but it was Alex.

  “Where’s Sofia?” His concerned expression matched what Angel was feeling.

  “I don’t know.” Angel was pissed he’d let the girls out of his sight. It was chaos. People were being shoved around. Angel and Alex pushed their way through the crowd.

  “There’s Sarah.” Alex pointed.

  Angel saw her and rushed to her. She was with Valerie, but Sofia was nowhere around. Sarah’s alarmed expression eased up the moment she saw him. He took her hand as soon as he reached her. “Where’s Sofie?”

  She shook her head. “I dunno. We got split up when everyone started pushing.”

  “Keep moving people!” The security guard and a couple of the bowling alley employees were making everyone exit.

  They had no choice but to go outside. They all stood in the parking lot, anxiously watching the flood of kids continue to pour out of the exit.

  What the hell was he thinking bringing Sofia tonight? Angel felt Sarah squeeze his hand. He spotted Eric in the crowd coming out the doorway but no Sofia. He noticed Eric held his arm out behind him, and as the crowd thinned out, he saw Sofia was on the other end of his arm, holding his hand. Angel exhaled as blissful relief set in.

  “There they are!” Sarah lifted her hand in the air to get their attention.

  Eric saw them and walked through the crowd toward them, never once letting go of Sofia’s hand. When Eric reached them, he clapped Angel on the shoulder with his free hand and a fat grin. “Dude! Is this a birthday or what?”

  Angel shook his head, and they made their way back to the car. Alex and Valerie were already there. “Where to now?” Alex asked.

  The group party was over as far as Angel was concerned. He had his own plans. They were—after all—celebrating his birthday. “I’ve had enough action for one night,” Angel lied. “I’m gonna take these guys home.”

  “What?” There was a note of disappointment in Eric’s tone.

  “It’s not even eleven,” Sofia added.

  Angel pulled Sarah closer to him by the waist, and she leaned her head against him. “Yeah, Sarah’s tired.”

  Sarah’s head jerked up, and she punched him playfully on his side. “Don’t lay this one on me!”

  Angel tried but couldn’t hide a smile. “Sarah, babe, you’re supposed to play along.”

  Alex pulled the keys out of his pocket. “Here.” He tossed them at Eric. “Take Sofie and stupid over there home. Valer
ie has something to show me.”

  He flashed a wicked smile, and Valerie elbowed him. “Don’t make it sound like that.”

  Romero walked up to the crowd. “Hey! Where’s the party?”

  “You better not throw up in my car,” Alex warned and walked away with Valerie.

  Romero looked confused. “Your car? I’m going with Angel. Right?”

  He turned to Angel.

  “You’re over there.” Angel pointed to Eric and Sofia, who had started walking away. They were walking toward a still rowdy crowd in the parking lot. “Be careful, Sof.”

  Eric took Sofia’s hand again and showed Angel. “Don’t worry. I got this!”

  “You okay with that?” Romero said, pointing at Eric.

  “Don’t be stupid.” Angel frowned. “Go catch up before he leaves your ass.”

  If it were anyone else, Angel would’ve felt weird about it. But he knew Eric had Sofie’s back as usual.

  Romero took off after them. “Hey, wait up. Hold my hand too, Eric!”

  Sarah laughed, and Angel turned his attention back to her.

  Sarah’s grin teased and challenged him at the same time. “So, what about me, Birthday Boy? Where are you taking me?”

  Angel’s heart thudded. He knew exactly where he was taking her.

  *

  As soon as they entered the restaurant’s back room, Angel pulled Sarah into a long passionate kiss. He was ready for her. Hell, he’d been ready for her all night.

  After a few minutes, Sarah pulled away for air. “Wow,” she said breathlessly.

  “Yeah, wow.” Angel smiled.

  He was about to kiss her again when Sarah put her hand on his chest. “Wait.” She pulled away and hurried to her purse sitting on the counter. “I have something for you.”

  Angel wasn’t happy. He’d told her not to spend any money on him. He knew whatever small amount she was making from babysitting she was saving for when she went back to Arizona. “Sarah, babe, I told you—”

  “Shush, I wanted too.” She held out a small box with a silver ribbon around it.

  Angel grinned sideways and took the box. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back toward the bed. They sat down, and he began to open it. Sarah shifted next to him. Her excitement amused him.

  He opened the box and pulled out the silver chain. He could tell she was anxious for a reaction, but she looked so cute he wouldn’t say what he really wanted to say—she shouldn’t have spent this kind of money on him. “I like it.”

  He kissed her again. “Read the engraving.”

  Angel flipped it over. Forever yours ~ Sarah.

  “I wanted you to have something to remember me every day when I’m gone.”

  When I’m gone. Damn, he hated the sound of that. She was crazy to think he needed anything to remind him of her. The thought of her never left his mind anymore. But he smiled anyway and took her in his arms. It was time now for the gift he’d waited for all night.

  Chapter 19

  Sarah was alarmed when she saw the time on her clock. Her cell phone was ringing, and it wasn’t even 6 a.m. Who’d be calling this early? She reached over and looked at her phone. It was Sydney. She flipped it open, not sure what to expect.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Lynni.” He sounded calm enough.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “Sorry for calling so early. I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?” In all the years she’d known him, she knew the only times he couldn’t sleep were when he was stressing about something. She sat up and plopped a pillow behind her.

  “Nothing’s wrong.”

  Sarah knew that tone. “Sydney, you’re stressing about something. You should know better than to try and hide it from me.”

  There was silence on the other end then a sigh. “I can’t stop thinking about you and Angel,” he said. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay coming back here?”

  Sarah frowned. It had been over two weeks since she and Angel had made love for the first time. She kept it from Sydney for a while, not wanting to betray Angel by sharing something so intimate with anyone else. But about a week ago, she hadn’t been able to keep it to herself anymore.

  Angel told her how much he loved her every day now. It was killing her that she couldn’t say it back to him. So, she’d broken down and told Sydney, crying in the process. Ever since, Sydney had been beside himself, skeptical about her being able to come back to Arizona. But she’d been trying her best to convince him that she could and would. There was no way she’d let on that just the thought devastated her.

  But she had to go back, no matter how much she wanted to stay now. She just wouldn’t be able to live with herself. How could she tell him she was turning her back on him now because of a guy that she’d known for just four months? Albeit they’d been the best four months of her life, she just couldn’t do it.

  She’d never forget the way Sydney cried that awful day she found out she had to move. She’d cried for him almost as much as she’d cried for herself.

  “Sydney, I already told you. I can do this. Me and Angel are still going to be together, even once I move back.”

  “Are you sure? You two haven’t been apart for even a day since you started going out.”

  Sarah squeezed her eyes shut. She knew he was right. It was going to be hard, harder than when she’d left Sydney. Still, she had to do it.

  “I’ll be okay, Syd. I made it this long over here, and remember how I didn’t think I could?”

  “Yeah, you’ve been fine—more than fine—because of him.”

  “Well, I’ll have you when I get home to help me through this.”

  There was a strange silence for a few long moments. “Lynn, in all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never heard you so happy. I’d hate for you to come back and be miserable.”

  “Impossible,” she said. “As long as I have you there for me, I’ll be fine.”

  She couldn’t help but let a yawn escape. She was so tired. The lustful stop at the restaurant had lasted much longer than they intended. She’d gotten home way after curfew. Luckily, as far as she knew, no one had noticed. Everyone was sound asleep when she snuck in.

  “You should go back to sleep,” Sydney said. “You sound really tired.”

  “I’m okay.” She yawned again.

  “No, you’re tired. Go back to bed. We’ll talk later.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Stop worrying about it, Syd. Everything will be just like before. It’ll be like I never left.”

  After she hung up and went to the restroom, she thought of the day ahead of her. Ever since the night she’d given herself to Angel and they’d agreed to continue the relationship even after she went back to Arizona, she’d been riddled with guilt. She had to tell Angel the truth about Sydney, and she almost had that same night. But she chickened out, not wanting to ruin the night. Sarah shook her head, remembering how she’d shamelessly used her mom to change the subject.

  Ever since, she’d made one excuse after another to not tell him. But she wouldn’t allow herself the pleasure of telling Angel she loved him until she came clean and told him the truth. And not being able to say it was killing her.

  It was going to be tense, but if he really loved her like he said he did, he’d understand. She fell back asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow again. Being an early bird, it startled her when her phone rang again, and she realized she’d slept for almost three more hours. It was Angel this time.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, babe, did I wake you?”

  “Mmmm.” She stretched her arms out. “Yeah, but it’s nice that it’s your voice I’m hearing.”

  “Don’t make that noise, Sarah,” he said. “It’s gonna drive me crazy all day until I can be with you.”

  “All day? Aren’t you picking me up early?”

  “No, babe. We’re short staffed today. It’s
so bad, me and Sofie got stuck dropping off the morning catering, and then we gotta go back to the restaurant. I won’t be able to pick you up ’til at least seven tonight.”

  “Hi, Sarah!” She heard Sofia in the back.

  Sarah frowned, upset with herself that she’d slept so late. She could’ve helped them with the catering. “You need me to help in any way?”

  “Nah, Eric’s gonna help out. We’re picking him up right now.” His voice got lower. “Besides, I kept you up late enough last night. I want you to rest up for me—for tonight.”

  Sarah beamed. Who needed rest? Her entire body felt great. She was ready for him now.

  “I hope you’re rested,” she said, “because I’m ready now.”

  “Stop it,” he whispered. “Shit, if I can get off earlier than seven, I’ll call you, so be ready.”

  “Okay.” She giggled.

  “I love you, babe.”

  She felt her heart being held hostage, unable to say what she wanted to so badly. “Okay, bye.”

  That's it. She absolutely was telling him everything tonight. Sarah dreaded it with every ounce of trepidation in her body, but she had to. She couldn’t go even one more day without telling him how much she loved him.

  Deciding that as long as she was coming clean, she’d also let Sydney in on the whole convoluted lie as well. Maybe he’d have some advice on how best to break it to Angel. She tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. She left a brief message only to say she needed to speak with him and was free of Angel for the day, so he could call her anytime.

  The rest of the day was spent doing laundry and going over what she’d say to Angel. There was no backing down this time. She rehearsed it over and over again. Every time she looked at the clock, the knot in her stomach got bigger and heavier. She tried calling Sydney a few more times, but each time was sent to voicemail.

  He’ll understand, she kept telling herself. He had to. She’d make him, and once she told him how much she loved him, he’d know he had nothing to worry about.

  Sarah was looking through her closet when she heard, “Hey, you,” and jumped, almost losing her balance. She turned and saw Valerie standing there with a smirk. “What’s with you?”