Angel frowned. There was always something. “On what?”
“On you.” She seemed to hold her breath.
It took a second for it to sink in. But when it did, he pulled her into his arms. She was startled but laughed. “Don’t play with me, Sarah. You’ll really stay?”
Her eyes welled up again. “You want me to?”
Angel smiled, bringing his hands to her face, and touched his forehead to hers. He stared in her beautiful eyes before kissing her tenderly. He’d missed her scent, her lips, her taste so much. He was never letting her go again.
Sarah pulled away and gazed in his eyes. “I love you, Angel.”
Hearing her say it for the first time choked him up. “Say it again,” he whispered.
Her eyes sparkled and she laughed. “I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Chapter 30
Sarah lay there, tracing the engraving on the chain around Angel’s neck with her fingers. She glanced at her wrist and smiled at the charm bracelet. She’d taken it off and refused to even look at it the entire time they were broken up. She almost mailed it to him, when she’d lost all hope. Something in her heart wouldn’t let her, and she was glad now she hadn’t.
After a week of being back together, they still couldn’t get their fill of each other. Angel had made sure he closed the restaurant every night ever since, and Sarah was right there with him each night. She wondered if his parents had any idea of the things they did in that back room.
Angel lifted himself up on his elbow and played with her hair. “How’d you get so close?” He stared in her eyes. “You and Syd?”
Ever since they’d been back together, Sarah made it a point to keep any talk of Sydney to a minimum, and up until now, Angel really hadn’t asked too much. She knew once the dust settled it would be coming, and now here it was. She had prepared herself. She wasn’t keeping anything from him again—no matter how uncomfortable.
“Well, I told you we moved a lot when I was little. So I never had any friends. As soon as I made them, I had to leave them. By the time we moved to Flagstaff, I’d given up making friends. Then Syd befriended me.” She smiled, remembering. “He didn’t have any friends either; though he didn’t admit it at first. He was really chubby.”
“Sydney was fat?” Angel seemed amused by that.
Sarah smiled, trying not to roll her eyes. “Yes, he got pretty big in middle school. I just never made many other friends ’cause I wasn’t sure how long we were gonna be there. Then my mom told me her job was made permanent and we were staying put. By then, Syd and I had already gotten pretty close. Since my mom was always gone, I spent a lot of time at his place. It became my home away from home, and his family treated me like their own.”
Angel’s eyebrow lifted. “And he never made a move?”
Sarah shook her head. “Never. Like I said, he was real heavy for a while there and very self-conscious about it, and I was self-conscious about my teeth.”
“Your teeth? You have beautiful teeth.”
“Yeah, now, after three years of braces. They were a crooked mess before. So me and Syd were a couple of self-conscious misfits who leaned on each other for years.” She smiled again, thinking of the memories. Angel was staring at her, so she went on. “Anyway, middle school was when I started nagging him about losing weight. That’s when I started running. It all began to get him to lose weight. We started to run every day; that’s when my love for running began. By high school, he’d lost so much weight. Then he stretched and that really helped. We joined the track team together, and now you’d never even know he was so heavy.”
Angel chuckled. “Yeah, I would’ve never guessed he was a fat ass.”
Sarah frowned but was glad Angel wasn’t being uptight about it. Angel leaned over and kissed her sweetly. It amazed her how happy it made her just being with him.
He kissed her some more, and then it came. “Babe, I know he’s your friend. And I’m gonna try my damnedest to be as understanding about this as I can, but I need to know everything. I can’t have you keeping things from me again, especially when it comes to him. So if he ever calls you, I don’t need to know everything you two talk about. I just don’t want you keeping it from me.”
He must’ve seen something in her expression or felt her tense up because he stopped then asked, “What?”
“You want me to tell you every time he calls?”
Angel’s eyes narrowed. “How often does he call, Sarah?”
Just like that, the complete honesty thing went out the window. Sarah knew it was wrong, but with that look in his eyes and the tone of his voice, there was no way the truth was going to fly here. Telling him their calls were daily was out of the question. “Well, he doesn’t do the calling every time, but we talk a few times a week.”
Sarah saw Angel trying to stay poised. He rolled his neck like he always did as if that would somehow release the tension. As far as she knew, it never worked.
“I’ll work on it,” she added quickly.
“What does that mean? I’ll work on it? Is it really that big a sacrifice?”
“No, but you just don’t understand—”
“I’m trying to.” He laid his head back, putting his hand behind his head.
Sarah lifted herself onto her elbow. “Is once a week too much?”
He stared at her but said nothing, and now it was her turn to do the kissing. She leaned over and pecked his lips then kissed the dimple that formed on his cheek with his furrowed expression.
He put his free hand behind her neck. “Sarah, babe, I don’t want you to think I’m being insensitive. I get he’s your longtime friend and all. It’s just gonna take me some time to get used to this.”
Sarah kissed him a little longer this time. “I know it is. We’ll make this work. We have to ’cause I don’t want to be apart from you ever again.”
Angel smiled and pulled her to him with both arms now. “I love hearing you say stuff like that.” He kissed her long and deep then stopped to add, “And yeah, I wanna know every time you talk to him.”
Sarah was just going to have to cut down on the talks with Sydney because lying to Angel was a thing of the past. She wouldn’t be making that mistake again. They made love again, and then Angel took Sarah home without another word about Sydney.
***
Angel’s heart almost stopped when Sarah called him, crying. He couldn’t make out a word she was saying. But then he heard her laugh in the midst of all the crying. “She’s getting out the day after tomorrow!”
For weeks, they’d been waiting on the date, and finally Sarah’s mom was being released from jail. Angel couldn’t be happier. Sarah’s mom would be there for her during the coach’s trial.
“I told you, baby, believe.” It was late in the evening and a school night, but they still stayed up and talked. At first, Sarah had the insane idea that she was going to Arizona alone to pick up her mom like she had when they were broken up. There was no way Angel was going to let that happen.
Sarah’s aunt couldn’t take the day off on such short notice, so Angel made arrangements and drove Sarah himself. Her mom wasn’t being released until late in the afternoon, and Sarah suggested they stop at Sydney’s to visit for a little bit, saying Sydney had invited them. Angel wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, but for Sarah’s sake, he pretended to be fine with it.
When they reached Syd’s place, Sarah turned to him. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
Not really, but he may as well get it over with. As far as he was concerned, Sarah was a part of his life for good now, so if Sydney was part of hers, he had to get used to this. “Yep, I’m good.”
She leaned over and kissed him before getting out of the car. Angel walked around and met her at the sidewalk. Sydney was already standing on his porch with a blond girl.
He met them at the bottom of the porch steps, greeted Angel first, and introduced him to his girlfriend, Carina. Then he turned and greeted Sarah.
; “I missed you, Lynni.”
Sarah let go of Angel’s hand to hug him. “I missed you too.”
Angel watched as Sydney embraced her long and hard. “God, you look good.”
He focused on not grinding his teeth too hard and tried not to frown. Sydney looked up and met Angel’s eyes even as he still held Sarah. “I guess happiness will do that to you, huh?”
Sydney’s mom made them lunch, and they ate in the backyard under the patio. Sarah and Sydney talked about the track team she’d left behind in Arizona, and she filled him in on the details of her mother’s early release. Angel glanced at Carina, who, like him, hadn’t said very much, and he wondered if she was as unsettled about their relationship as he was.
They didn’t stay too long, and Angel guessed it was because Sarah sensed his discomfort, even though he did his best to try not to cringe every time Sydney called her Lynni.
Sydney hugged her just as hard when he said goodbye. This time Angel turned away casually, not wanting to see the way Syd’s hands caressed her back. He was thankful neither professed their love for one another, or he may have snapped.
Sarah squeezed his hand as they drove away. “Thank you for that. I know that couldn’t have been easy.” She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it.
“Why does he call you Lynni?” Angel didn’t want her to think he was angry, but he couldn’t help asking.
She shrugged. “From the moment I met him and I introduced myself as Sarah Lynn, his first remark was, ‘You look more like a Lynn than a Sarah.’ After a while, it turned into Lynni.” She kissed his hand again. “Does that bother you?”
Angel decided to just be honest. “I hate it.”
Sarah laughed. “Why?”
He turned to look at her brilliant green eyes staring at him. “Sounds too damn sweet.”
Sarah told him about her mom not liking it either, but after years of trying to correct him, she’d given up. Sarah was Lynni to Sydney and always would be. Great.
When they got to the women’s detention center, they were still early. Sarah’s mom wasn’t done being prepped and handling paper work. They sat on a cold hard bench in the lobby. Sarah leaned against Angel, and he put his arm around her. He could tell she was anxious, and he kissed the top of her head. “Almost done, sweetheart.”
She nodded. A good hour later, her mom finally walked out, and they stood up. Angel was surprised at the lack of resemblance. Her mom’s hair was light brown, and she had very dark eyes. The one thing that she did have was Sarah’s smile.
Sarah rushed to her and hugged her. After holding her mom for a few minutes, Sarah turned to introduce her to Angel.
Angel reached out to shake her hand, but her mother hugged him hard instead. When she pulled away, she examined him thoroughly. “She was right, kid. You are a doll.”
“Never been called that before.” Angel smiled.
He took the bags her mother carried, and Sarah’s mom locked her arm in his then locked the other in Sarah’s arm. All three began the walk down the corridor. “So what do you say, kids? Let’s forget the past and go start our new lives in California.”
Angel and Sarah glanced at each other and smiled. Yeah, Angel liked the sound of that.
Epilogue
The musicians made their way through the restaurant, taking requests. Sarah sat with her mom, aunt, uncle, and Valerie in one of the bigger booths. Angel’s parents had thrown a graduation party, so the restaurant was open to guests only.
Sarah’s mom squeezed her hand, and Sarah smiled. Her mom looked nothing like what she’d looked like when Sarah first visited her in jail. She’d gained weight and looked healthy and vibrant.
Her mom had been right there for her during the coach’s trial. After Sarah pressed charges, several other girls stepped forward to accuse him of the same thing. All in all, he was tried on several different counts ranging from sexual molestation to attempted rape. But many others testified that he’d acted inappropriately with them as well. It took the jury only two hours to deliberate.
He was found guilty, and after all the counts were added up, he’d be doing at least thirty years before he’d even be up for parole. Angel couldn’t have been happier. But Sarah couldn’t help feeling bad for the guy. He was so young, and his life was ruined. She’d kept those feelings to herself though and celebrated along with everyone else.
Sofia winked and smiled at her from where she was sitting with her parents, holding Eric’s hand. After Sarah had helped convince Angel, Sofia and Eric doubled with her and Angel to the prom. When she turned seventeen a month ago, she was allowed to date. Of course, Eric staked his claim the moment he found out.
Angel and Alex had been doing their best to not give them a minute alone. Sarah winked back and giggled. They’d never know just how sneaky little sister could be.
When Sydney walked in with Carina, Sarah stood up to go meet them. She hugged Carina first then Sydney. His fingers ran through hers as they stood and talked. Sarah turned to see Angel walking toward them, and quickly dropped Sydney’s hand. Old habits die hard.
“How’s it going, man?” Angel shook Sydney’s hand and clapped his shoulder.
Then he turned and hugged Carina.
Angel asked them about the drive and pulled Sarah gently to him by the waist. He was getting better with the whole Sydney thing, but a lot had changed. It was inevitable. Sarah stopped calling Sydney her best friend—at least around Angel. The calls had been down to once a week ever since their talk. Angel’s patience only went so far.
Sarah had only gone back to Arizona the one time when they had picked up her mom. But since then, Syd and Carina had come out to visit several times, and each time got a little better.
They walked over to the bar to get drinks.
“So is your mom finally getting used to California?” Sydney asked.
Sarah told him about her mom having a hard time adjusting. “Yeah, she is now, even got a job. Angel’s parents said she could work here at the restaurant. She starts next week.”
“She won’t be doing the books though.” Angel smirked, handing her a soda.
Sarah glared at him, appalled, and he kissed her. “I’m kidding.”
Sarah rolled her eyes and continued. “We won’t be at my aunt’s very long though. We’re getting an apartment real soon.”
“Do you still babysit?” Carina asked.
“No. The restaurant has been real busy. I’ve been working here so much I just haven’t had the time.”
“That’s right. Lynni told me business is booming.” Sydney turned to Angel. “You guys ever think of opening up another one?”
Angel squeezed Sarah’s hand. He still hated to hear Syd call her that but was beginning to accept that it wasn’t going to change.
“Actually,” Angel said, “that’s kind of the plan. After school, Sarah and I want to open up our own restaurant. My dad already said he’d help us, but not until we finish school.” He turned to gaze in Sarah’s eyes. “The wedding’s first though.”
Sarah and Angel would both be attending San Diego State in the fall. She had been so close to going to New Mexico for a time that Angel had been beside himself. Just a few weeks ago, though, they had gotten news of her scholarship to San Diego, and now everything was perfect. She would stay in La Jolla and work at the restaurant part time.
Sydney smiled. “Lynni told me, if it were up to you, you’d be married already.”
Angel frowned. “Yeah, everyone jumped all over that one. It’s cool. I’ll wait ’til we finish school, but no longer than that.”
The musicians started singing Sabor a Mi, a slow, romantic Mexican favorite. Sarah smiled at the sight of giant Alex next to petite Valerie. Those two were still going back and forth. Sarah didn’t get it. Alex looked at Valerie very much the same way Angel looked at Sarah, yet he was still doing the disappearing act on Valerie all the time. They’d go for a good few weeks being inseparable, then he’d be gone with just a few short texts to chec
k in with her, and Valerie was certain he was with someone else.
Some people got up to dance, including Eric and Sofia. Angel tugged Sarah’s hand. She put her drink down, and he led her to the dance floor. Angel bumped Eric hard before putting his arms around Sarah.
“You’re an ass.” Eric chuckled.
Sarah rested her head against Angel’s strong shoulder and closed her eyes. His grip tightened, and he kissed her head. Never in all her wildest dreams as a little girl could she have imagined being this happy. She was finally home.
Get a sneak peek into Sarah and Sydney’s childhood friendship in this free short:
Forever Mine Mini Prequel
New to Elizabeth Reyes? Can’t get enough of her writing or The Moreno Brothers? Well, you’re in luck!
For a very limited time, Alex and Valerie’s prequel When You Were Mine, is also FREE!
You can also get a delicious taste of her other bestselling series 5th Street by reading Noah, the first in that series for FREE too!
Click the covers below for links!
When You Were Mine
Noah
Also by Elizabeth Reyes
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“I’m not jealous, but what’s mine is mine. End of story.”
There’s a difference between whom we love, whom we settle for, and whom we’re meant for.
Things sizzle when these fighters meet their romantic matches outside the ring.
The mean streets of LA have never been so sexy.
When mystery meets romantic thriller, things get wild.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my husband Mark for believing in me and giving me my space, so I could write for hours and hours. I would also like to thank my kids for their patience and understanding that mom's room is also her office and allowing me to hole up in it for days at a time. I love you all for your continued support!
[Moreno Brothers 01.0] Forever Mine Page 27
