Angel’s eyebrow went up.
“Yes... yes... I swear. Okay, talk to you later.”
She hung up and turned around. She looked a little surprised that Angel was standing there. “That was Sydney.”
Angel’s expression softened and he nodded, walking around the island to get another slice of pizza. “What’s going on with her?” he asked, without turning around.
***
Sarah bit her lip wincing, thankful that his back was turned at the moment. She knew she’d said the next time he referred to Sydney as a female she’d correct him, but somehow now didn’t quite seem like the right time or place.
Something told her Angel’s studying would be shot and she didn’t want to be responsible for him not playing on Friday.
By now, Angel had turned around and was facing her. Careful to not further the already growing lie she had to think about her wording. “Sydney accepted an early music scholarship to Columbia University, in New York.”
Angel’s eyes narrowed a little. “And she didn’t think you’d be happy?”
He walked over to join her. She’d already sat down where they’d been studying.
“Well,” She cleared her throat. “I was quiet for a second when I heard Columbia ‘cause Syd always said UCLA was the ultimate goal. So, Syd thought maybe I was upset because Columbia was so far. But I’m actually getting use to the distance between us. Besides with technology being what it is now. It’s almost like we’re not even apart. We talk so much on the phone.” As soon as she said that last part, she was wishing she could take it back. She kept forgetting Angel would eventually know about Syd, and little details like that would only make it harder for him to understand.
“Yeah,” Angel nodded. “Then there’s e-mail. No matter how far away, I’m sure you two will keep in touch.”
Sarah was getting nervous about the whole wording thing. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep doing it before Syd’s name being repeated so much began sounding weird. She tried changing the subject.
She nodded her head in agreement. “I’m starving.”
Alex and Eric walked in. Angel stood up and walked over to the pizza. “Is it over?” Angel asked.
“No, it’s halftime.” Eric said
Angel put two slices on a paper plate then grabbed another for himself. Alex and Eric were already eating their pizza leaning against the counter. Sarah was thankful for the interruption, but her relief quickly turned into dismay.
Angel set the plate down in front of her then grabbed a soda out of the fridge.
“So, Sydney’s a musician uh?” He handed her the can of soda.
She took it and nodded, refusing to refuel the conversation. He came around and sat back down next to her. “What does she play?”
She took a long drink of her soda and looked at Alex and Eric. They were both eyeing her. “Saxophone.”
“Really?” Angel seemed surprised.
“That’s a turn on.” Alex said, just as Romero walked in.
“What’s a turn on?” Romero asked. He took a slice a pizza and stood next to Alex.
“Her friend plays the saxophone.” Alex said.
“Really?” Romero asked. “A girl?”
She was about to shake her head, but didn’t get the chance. “Of course, ass.” Alex shoved Romero. “Like I’d say that about a dude.”
Angel and Eric laughed. Sarah wanted to groan. The testosterone in the room was suffocating.
“Really?” Romero said “A chick that really knows how to blow huh?”
The guys all laughed. Sarah sunk in her seat. This was a nightmare, now they were all in on her lie. She felt Angel rub her back. He mistook her look of despair for annoyance. “Easy,” he said. “That’s her best friend.”
Romero peered at her “Oh yeah? Well, introduce.”
“She likes playing the saxophone Romero, not the piccolo Pete.” Alex grinned.
Eric almost spit out his food and even Sarah had to laugh.
“She’s in Arizona,” Angel said, getting up for more pizza. He looked through three empty boxes before finding one with any in it. “We’ve gone through three pizzas already?”
Alex looked at him wide eyed. “You guys are fat. Those were extra large too. There’s only four of us.”
“I had some, too.” Sarah said, holding her hand up.
Alex looked at her plate unimpressed. “Sweetheart, I hawked slices before the pizza even made it to the kitchen.”
Romero walked over and leaned on the sink in front of her. “Arizona, uh? Well, have her come down for a visit.”
“Dude, get the hell out of here!” Alex said
“What?” Romero protested.
“No, I’m serious. Get out of here." Alex said.
Angel laughed sitting back down next to Sarah. “Yeah, get out of here I gotta study.”
Romero leaned over closer to Angel and looked at him very seriously. “Donde estan mis bolas?”
This time it was Sarah that almost spit up her food. Angel rolled his eyes.
Eric had already walked back to the den. “It’s back on!” he yelled.
Alex and Romero each grabbed a slice to go. They weren’t even out the door when Angel was all over her again. She sat there kind of limp. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “You feeling tired?”
“No.”
Just underhanded and deceitful.
He pecked her a few more times. “Maybe Sydney can come and visit sometime. We can all go out. Don’t worry I’ll handle Romero.”
Sarah hoped he didn’t hear her thunderous gulp and forced a smile. “Yeah, maybe.” Not in a million years.
This was totally out of hand. She had to think of a way to fix this. Fast.
CHAPTER 13
Angel scored an eighty on his Spanish quiz and was happy to be in the game that week. It was an important one, too. They were playing their rivals, and both teams were in the running for the playoffs.
Sarah sat in the stands with Sofia, Valerie, and Val’s friend Monica. Angel’s parents had flown out earlier that evening to Florida for Alex’s game the next day. Sofia was Angel’s responsibility until they got back. Rather than leaving her alone at the restaurant tonight, Angel got the go ahead to close up early and have her tag along with them.
Sarah didn’t mind having her along for the night. She liked Sofia, and ever since Sarah started practicing with the track team they’d gotten a lot closer. Sarah felt bad though. The relay team never even came close to the times Sarah put on the board when she stood in for the fourth place runner during practice. The coach was always going on and on about how heartbroken he was that she wouldn’t be sticking around for next semester. She’d started to keep some of the comments to herself because Angel would get so annoyed by them.
The entire week passed without incident and now the game seemed to as well. There were a few guys from another school who sat near the girls. One of them was hitting on Sofia, making Sarah a little nervous. She’d looked out onto the field several times but as far as she could tell Angel hadn’t noticed anything.
When the game was over, Sarah stood against Angel’s Mustang in the parking lot. Valerie and the girls, including Sofia, talked to the guys they’d met at the game over by Valerie’s car, parked just a few spaces over.
Angel had given Sarah the keys to his car in case she and Sofia wanted to sit in it while they waited for him after the game. Sarah had the door open and the radio on. She motioned to Sofia to come over, and she did right away. “What?”
“You’re making me nervous,” Sarah whispered, trying not to sound like a nag.
“Why?”
“You don’t think Angel is gonna be mad if he sees you hanging out with all these guys?”
“That’s Alex,” Sofia smiled. “Angel’s not so bad. He won’t be thrilled, but he wouldn’t do anything unless the guys are being stupid and they’re not. They’re really nice.”
Within seconds, Sarah r
egretted having called Sofia over to her. The guy who seemed most interested in Sofia followed her, while everyone else followed him. Now they were all standing around Angel’s car, five guys and four girls. Although none of them were nearly as intimidating as Angel and his friends, with two of them being short and chunky, and another looking like he was too young to be with them. Sarah knew Angel still wouldn’t be happy about it.
The one interested in Sofia, was the taller, better looking of the bunch. Sarah noticed Valerie was a little miffed about it. Sarah looked up and saw a group of guys walking toward them. It was dark and they were still pretty far but Sarah could tell it was Angel, Eric, and Romero just by the way they walked.
When they got close enough, Sarah made eye contact with Angel. He glanced at her then at the group of people standing around his car. Sarah was the only one standing away from everyone, he raised an eyebrow, but smirked.
She knew he couldn’t possibly think she’d be dumb enough to stand around his car flirting, but was still nervous for Sofia. She was off toward the front end of his car talking to the guy who’d been hitting on her all night.
Romero made the first comment. “What is this, a fucking party?”
Sarah saw Eric speed up when he saw Sofia talking to that guy. “What are you doing over there, Sof?”
Angel didn’t notice Sofia until Eric said it and turned to them with a frown. The other guys stepped away immediately to let them get by.
Angel walked straight to Sarah and kissed her. “What’s going on?” His voice was hushed. “Who are these crumbs?”
Sarah turned toward the group. “I don’t know them. They’re just some guys the girls were talking to at the game.”
“The girls?”
She smiled and hugged him hard. “Yes, the girls.”
“Who’s that with Sofi?”
“I dunno.” She shrugged. “But they all seem nice enough. She said you wouldn’t be mad.”
Angel frowned, looking over at the boy and Sofia smiling. “Yeah, well, her ass better get in the car before I do mind.”
Sarah didn’t have to hear it twice, she turned in Sofia’s direction. She was going to tell her they were leaving but Eric was already there. She couldn’t hear what Eric said but whatever it was it made the guy she was talking to angry.
“Who are you?” the guy asked, with an attitude.
“Who the fuck are you?” Eric barked back.
Sofia jumped in between them, and in a second Angel and Romero were there. At first holding Eric back, then having to be held back themselves, when they saw the other guys headed toward Eric.
The girls tried holding them back. Monica helped Sofia with Eric, who was the most adamant. The poor guy tried not to, but still looked terrified. The guy’s friends managed to get him away before he got hurt.
Sarah struggled with Angel pleading with him, “Stop it, Angel. He was just talking to her, for God’s sake.”
When the guys were finally far enough away, Sofia let go of Eric, disgusted and walked to Angel’s car. She climbed in the back seat and slammed the door.
Angel’s head spun around and he was about to say something to Sofia.
“Let’s go,” Sarah said.
“She slammed my door.” He looked at Sarah exasperated.
“Let’s just go, please.”
Angel and Sarah walked back to the car. Romero and Eric followed.
Once in the car, Angel turned and glared at Sofia. “What’s the matter with you?”
“What’s the matter with you?” Sofia shot back.
Sarah sunk in the passenger seat. Eric stuck his head in Sarah’s window. “Who was that, Sof?”
“Nobody,” She crossed her arms in front of her.
Romero stuck his head in Angel’s window. “What happened?”
Sofia exhaled loudly sounding more like a groan.
“What’s that about?” Angel asked.
“How many brothers do I have anyway?”
Angel was about to say something, when Sofia put her hand over her face and shuttered. “Sofi?”
“Is she crying?” Eric stuck his head in further.
“She’s crying?” Romero asked.
“Alright!” Sarah sat up. “That’s it. All of you out.” She pushed Eric’s head out the window and shoved Angel to get him out of the car. His head clunked as it hit Romero’s.
“Ouw!” Romero yelped.
“Well, move your ass,” Angel said.
Angel got out and they all walked away grudgingly. Valerie and Monica were still there and they joined them.
Sarah turned around to face Sofia. “Are you okay?”
Sofia shook her head, her hand still over her face. Sarah reached over and rubbed her knee. Sofia’s big chest rose high as she inhaled and fell as she exhaled slowly. “They mean well.” Sarah offered.
“I know,” Sofia sighed. “But just once I wish I could be like any other girl and hang out with guys, without all of them turning into cavemen.”
Sarah chuckled. “They’re just not used to it, they still see you as their little Sofi. They’ll get used to it eventually.”
Sofia rolled her eyes and wiped her face. Sarah handed her a tissue. Sofia blew her nose and sat up. “You know what the stupidest thing is?”
“What?”
“They have nothing to worry about anyway.”
Sarah wasn’t so sure about that. She’d seen the way the boy looked at Sofia. “What do you mean?”
“I’m saving myself for one guy, and I’m beginning to think he knows it.”
Sarah’s eyes opened wide. “Really? Who?”
Sofia held the tissue to her nose, looking at Sarah apprehensively. She looked out the window to make sure the guys were far enough to not hear. “You promise you won’t tell Angel?”
Sarah nodded but gulped, not sure she wanted to know anymore. Sofia shut her eyes tight then stared at Sarah again. She whispered something but Sarah didn’t catch it the first time. Sarah peeked out the window to make sure they were still far enough, she saw Eric glance their way then back at Angel. She leaned closer to Sofia.
“What?” Sarah whispered.
“Eric.”
Sarah stared at her speechless. They both glanced out the window. Angel and Eric were on their way back toward the car. “Please don’t say anything.” Sofia pleaded.
“I won’t.”
What made her think Eric knew she was saving herself for him. Sarah wanted to ask a lot of things but the guys were too close. It’d have to wait until the next time they got a moment alone.
They went to the beach and made a bonfire. Sarah watched and observed the whole night, careful that Angel didn’t catch on. She couldn’t believe she’d never noticed before. Well, she had, but she’d never made anything out of it. It’d always seemed so innocent. It still did, only after what Sofia had said tonight, some things seemed a little questionable.
Eric lingered around Sofia the whole night. Sitting next to her, even went for a walk just the two of them, and Angel hadn’t thought anything of it. She wouldn’t have, either, before tonight. She always thought Eric was just being a sweetheart. Eric knew Angel was busy with Sarah, so he was just keeping an eye on Sofia, right?
Sarah thought about how it was always Eric who offered to give her rides to and from the restaurant. And how many times she’d spoken to Angel on the phone and he’d mentioned that Eric was there hanging out, early in the morning, or late in the evening, but always when Sofia was home. Still she thought of how Eric seemed so loyal to Angel and his brothers. She just couldn’t picture him actually doing anything with Sofia.
Between watching Sofia, and Eric, and being disgusted with Valerie’s outrageous behavior, Sarah had been pretty quiet the whole night. She watched Valerie who’d had way too much to drink, let Romero peck her softly on the lips. She’d been flirting with him since they got there.
“What’s wrong?” Angel asked.
Sara
h's eyes met his, and she shook her head. But he knew better. “You haven’t said much tonight. Something bothering you?”
Sarah sighed and motioned toward Valerie and Romero. Angel glanced up at them. Romero was sitting on an ice chest and Valerie was on his lap, giggling. He turned back to Sarah and shrugged.
Angel and his brothers obviously didn’t talk too much about their romantic affairs. Angel knew they’d gone out, but didn’t realize Valerie had finally gotten what she wanted. Just this past Wednesday she’d “bedded” Alex Moreno. And now here she was, shamelessly carrying on with Romero.
Sarah frowned. “What’s Alex gonna say?”
“Sarah, babe, I hope you don’t think Alex is really into Valerie. I mean, she’s cool and everything, but it really doesn’t matter with Alex. He’s never been into the relationship thing.” He chuckled. “I’m sure he’s making full use of his hotel room tonight.”
He must’ve seen the disgusted look on Sarah’s face because his smile immediately dissolved. “Of course, I think it’s appalling.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “I know he’s not into the relationship thing, but you don’t think he’s gonna be pissed at all, that she’s doing this with one of his friends?”
“Nah.” Angel shook his head. “Alex isn’t like that. He could care less. I mean, don’t tell Valerie that. I don’t want to hurt her feelings or anything. But I’m sure Alex had his fun, and is already on to the next. That’s just the way he is.”
Sarah stared at him. “That’s him, Sarah. Not me.”
“That’s not what I was thinking. I’m just hoping you’re right. I’d hate for his feelings to be hurt.”
“Trust me, Sarah.” Angel smiled. “I know my brother, he’s gonna be just fine with it.”
But Sarah remembered hearing him on the phone with Valerie, and how he called back just to ask what her plans had been that Wednesday. Something told her Angel might be wrong about this.
CHAPTER 14
Saturday mornings were always busy at the restaurant. Angel’s parents wouldn’t be back until that evening so Sarah offered to come in and help. Angel picked her up an hour before they opened. Sarah smiled when she saw Sofia in the car also. She was anxious to speak with her alone.
No sooner were they in the restaurant than Sofia pulled Sarah by the arm. “I’ll take Sarah to the back so she can try on one of the shirts.”