Immediately, she shook her head. “No,” she said and saw the instant relief in his eyes and felt him exhale.
“Good,” he said, but that intensity was still there. “I don’t want this to be an issue in the future, so I want this to be clear now, Sarah. I’ll deal with Syd.” The intensity softened for a fleeting moment as the corner of his lip tugged. “Well, we’ll play that one by ear. With him, I’m at least willing to try. But Leo . . .” His eyes went hard again. “That’s not even up for discussion. If I so much as hear you’re responding to his texts or emails—”
“I won’t,” she said, touching his chest because the furrow of his brows was getting deeper with every word he spoke and she didn’t want him to get worked up for no reason. “I’ll block him if I have to. I’ve already set most of my online stuff to private.” She shrugged.” I did after Leonardo told me he’d looked through all my photos and watched most of my videos several times before I’d even contacted him. It was kind of creepy to know any stranger could be watching them. But after yesterday”—she leaned her face against his chest and listened to the accelerated pace of his heart—“nothing would be worth going through that again.”
This was no time to start a debate, so she wouldn’t, but this was completely different from her relationship with Sydney. Even Sydney had warned her yesterday, when she told him that her final goodbye with Leo ended with him telling her not to be a stranger and drop him a line if she ever needed to talk, that doing so would be disastrous. Now Angel was leaving no doubt that it would be.
Angel winced, touching his temple with a frown, and at first, Sarah thought maybe he didn’t believe her. Then she realized he was wincing in pain. “You’re head still hurting bad?” He nodded, holding both hands at either temple. “You shouldn’t have gotten up so early.”
“I couldn’t sleep, not knowing we had to talk.”
“Well, we talked enough for now,” she said, pulling him by the hand toward the sofa, but he tugged back.
“Alex will be gone all day,” he said. “I think he’ll be okay with us using his bed as long as we clean up after.” She followed behind him, holding his hand. “And wash the sheets.”
“No way,” she gasped, tugging at his hand.
He turned to look at her as he continued walking into Alex’s room, and for the first time that day his dimples made an appearance. But it wasn’t for long because he instantly frowned as if smiling alone made his head hurt.
“We’ll just lie down for a while, but I really do need to release some of this pent-up stress.” He smiled as he lifted the comforter on Alex’s bed.
Sarah kicked off her shoes and slid in after him but didn’t lie down because a picture on a corkboard Alex had in his sparsely furnished bedroom caught her eye. He had only a few other things on the board, but this one was right smack in the middle. It was a photo of him and Valerie at the beach, and Valerie was wearing his letterman’s jacket. She still had it in her possession.
“Was that back in high school?”
Angel glanced at it with a squint. “Is that Valerie?”
Sarah tilted her head, giving him a scolding glare. “Yes, that’s her.”
Smirking, Angel made an exaggerated pained expression and pulled her down with him. “It’s this headache,” he said, kissing her softly. “I think it’s affecting my vision.”
Sarah rolled her eyes but wrapped her arms around him, glad that they were past the uncomfortable subject of Leonardo, but she still wanted to add one final thing in hopes that this could somehow hammer the lid shut on this subject for good.
“My dad’s dying,” she said, making Angel freeze and stare at her. “At least that’s what Leonardo told me. He said Joseph told him he has advanced staged prostate cancer and he doesn’t want it treated so he won’t be around for long.”
“I’m sorry,” Angel said, and she could tell he didn’t know how to else to respond to that.
“He’s the man who fathered me, Angel. That doesn’t make him my dad, and while I feel for anyone who’s sick, whether I know them or not, I’m not sad about this. For years I wasn’t even sure if he was still alive.” She shrugged. “Anyway, Leonardo thought it might be something I’d want to know. That maybe I’d want to try and meet him before he’s gone or even know when he passes so I could attend the services. Maybe then I could meet some of the other relatives. But I don’t want to. I don’t even have the slightest desire to meet him before he dies.”
“Are you sure?” Angel asked.
She nodded, tracing with her fingers over the necklace around his neck she’d given him so long ago. He so rarely ever took off. “After thinking about it all day yesterday, I decided I don’t need to go looking for relatives who’ve known about me since I was born and never once came looking for me. He did get out five years ago and apparently made no effort to come looking for me. Why would I want to meet a man who couldn’t care less about me either way? I have everyone I need in my life now, and I really do feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
“Well, if you change your mind—”
“I won’t,” she said with a smile. “I was a fool to think I needed more.”
“I love you,” he whispered, kissing her hand. “Forever and always.”
“Forever and always,” she whispered back.
~*~
Angel
Since Angel’s gut had been right on the nose about Leo, he felt certain it was about Sydney as well, only this time he was determined to not let it come up and bite him in the ass when he least expected it. This time he’d be ready. He kept saying he’d have to have a man to man with him eventually, and now that they’d gotten past the whole nightmare of Sarah’s fake brother, Angel wanted his issues with her “like-a-brother” squared away as well.
After Sarah mentioned one time too many that she’d been up late talking to Syd about problems he was dealing with, with his ex and his new life in Los Angeles, Angel decided enough was enough. He could deal with knowing Sarah was being there for her good friend like she’d explained he’d so often been there for her—as long as he didn’t have to worry about there being other motives behind Sydney’s annoyingly frequent calls.
He and Sarah had been on the phone late in the evening when, once again, Syd called on the other line. Not wanting to be too pissy about it, Angel hung up but told her to text him when she was off the phone. Over forty minutes later, he finally got the text from her saying she was off the phone and to say goodnight.
Angel picked up the phone and dialed. No more dicking around. He was getting this over with tonight. Sydney answered after the first ring.
“Angel, what’s up?”
He knew Sydney must be wondering why he was calling, and it was late, so he got right to it. “I need to talk to you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said, sounding concerned. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine . . . I think,” Angel said then paused. “I know you and me talked about this, years ago—that time you came down and we talked at the restaurant and you assured me I had nothing to worry about when it came to you and Sarah. You said your relationship with Sarah has always been a platonic one. And while you love her, it’s different than being in love with her.”
Angel waited for a response in vain. The fact that Sydney was saying nothing made him nervous. He thought maybe by now he would’ve interrupted him and said something to reassure him that what he’d said back then still stood. But he didn’t, so Angel went on.
“I gotta tell you, man—and I’m just being honest here—I never bought that shit for a minute. So when she told me you dropped your girl for her, you gotta know what I was thinking, right?”
“Yep,” Syd finally said, and Angel waited, but Sydney didn’t say more.
“So am I right?”
There was no immediate “no” from Syd, and Angel stood up from where he was sitting. He fucking knew it!
“Look, Angel,” Syd said, exhaling. “I’m gonna be honest with you
now. It’s up to you if you wanna tell her this. Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I’ll leave it in your hands. Okay?”
Syd stopped as if waiting for a response from Angel, so he shook his head, confused. “Okay?”
“Dude, of course I was in love with Sarah. How could I not be?” Angel froze where he stood, completely speechless. “When she left for La Jolla, I had every intention of waiting for her to get back so I could tell her. She was going through so much shit I didn’t want to add more complications to her life especially because she was so adamant that we were just like brother and sister. I even admitted to Carina way back in the beginning that I was in love with Sarah, but once she started seeing you and I heard in her voice the way she spoke of you—what you made her feel and how she went from talking about that being the worst time of her life to it being the best because of you—I knew I’d waited too long. I didn’t stand a chance. So I had a choice to make. Either I told her I was in love with her and couldn’t deal with seeing her with someone else and lose what we’d had for so many years or keep my mouth shut and accept it. Accept that she’d never be mine and keep the best friend I’d ever had.”
“So you’re still in love with her?” Angel almost regretted asking now. His dumb ass never even considered the possibility that Sydney would admit this. “Is that why you broke up with Carina?”
“Nah, man, I love Sarah, yeah, but Sarah’s in love with you—so much so I’d never even hope that something might go wrong between you two, because I know she’d be inconsolably miserable, and I’d never want that for her. My admitting to Carina way back before I got serious with her that I was in love with Sarah was my biggest mistake. She never got past it especially since Sarah and I stayed so close all this time. Look,” he said, suddenly sounding very serious, “I wish nothing but happiness for Sarah, and I’m genuinely hoping you two are together forever, because I know it’s what she wants. But let me be clear about one thing, Angel. I ain’t going nowhere. So it’s up to you if you wanna tell her everything I just told you and open up a can of worms or just believe me when I tell you that you have nothing to worry about. Sarah’s yours, man. Has been since day one and will be forever. I’m under no illusions of thinking that’ll ever change.”
Angel stood there, stumped. Was he pissed? Was he worried? He wasn’t sure how the hell he felt about this. “Huh,” he said because it was the only thing he could think of to say.
Sydney chuckled. “I always knew we’d be having this conversation someday, and I always figured you’d have something to say about it.” He laughed now. “But it sure as hell wasn’t that.”
Angel sat on his bed now, feeling like he needed to make a threat of some kind—warn Sydney if he ever got any ideas he’d come after him because it this were anybody else it’s exactly what he’d be doing—but with Sydney it felt unnecessary.
“From what Sarah’s told me about you, I think you’re probably trying to decide whether you should kill me or not.” Sydney laughed. “I tell you what. Why don’t you sleep on it? Just keep this in mind while you’re trying to decide. Even if you two broke up tomorrow, I wouldn’t dream of trying for something more with her than what I have now, and it’s not because I’d be afraid of ruining our friendship. In hindsight, I fucking wish I’d had the balls to chance it back before she met you, even if it meant risking our friendship. But I wouldn’t now. You know why?”
“Why?” Angel asked, still not sure how he felt about all this.
“Because once she met and fell in love with you, I knew I could never compete with that. You don’t compete with the love of someone’s life, and you’re hers. Believe me when I say I know Sarah. Okay? She’d never get over you. If you could just see it as clearly as I do, you’d know. She’s yours man. All yours. Forever.”
Angel stood up, feeling almost dazed. He’d known for years that Sarah was the love of his life and that he’d never get over her if he ever lost her. No matter how many times she said it to him, it seemed impossible to believe she could possibly feel for him everything he felt for her. The last thing he ever expected was for someone else to be pointing out that he was certain she was. Least of all Sydney.
To his surprise, when he looked in the mirror, he wore a crooked smile. “Forever mine,” he said without even thinking.
“Yeah.” Sydney let out what sounded like a defeated or maybe satisfied breath. “Forever yours.”
Epilogue
The gang decided to make one last trip up to Big Bear before the snow season was over. They spent the day on the slopes then walked around the picturesque little town, doing some shopping and sipping hot chocolate.
On their way back to the cabin after the exhausting but satisfying day, Romero insisted they drive around to see if they could get a glimpse of the training complex of Felix Sanchez, the current welterweight boxing champ.
“You’re not gonna be able to see shit,” Alex said as he turned on the road Romero asked him to. “It probably has a long ass driveway and is sitting way on top of a mountain.”
“You never know. I heard his property goes on for acres and acres. Some of it might be visible. I also heard he trains in the winter. He might even be up here now.”
“And what?” Eric asked from the middle seat of the crowded SUV. “You really think you’re gonna see him?”
“Hey.” Romero tapped the seat in front of him. “What’s with the negativity? I said you never know!”
Sarah sat on Angel’s lap in the back seat and was surprised by how he turned every peck she gave him into a long drawn-out kiss that had her tingling even in the crowded vehicle . “Stop,” she whispered against his lips as low as she could because Romero was right next to them. Leaning into his ear, she whispered, “You’re turning me on.”
His squirming and licking her neck made her giggle. “Hey.” Romero finally stopped arguing with Alex and Eric long enough to notice Angel and Sarah. “You two are fogging up the windows.”
Sofia who was sitting right in front of them laughed out loud.
“Check it out,” Romero said, wiping off one of the windows and pointed out.
“What the . . .?” Alex said, slowing down because of the sudden traffic.
There were television crews and news vans lined up all along the road. Some cars were pulling over just to get a photo in front of the gates to his driveway.
“I told you he’s up here,” Romero said. “These guys are probably all camped out here, trying to get a picture of him. He’s got that big fight coming up later this year.”
They finally made it through the mess of the traffic with Alex muttering the whole time about Romero’s stupid idea to go check out the complex. Eric and Romero debated the entire way about whether or not someone like Sanchez enjoyed that kind of attention. Eric thought it’d suck ass to not even be able go out and grab a bite without being hounded. Romero said it came with the territory and insisted from all the photos and footage he’d seen of the guy that he seemed to savor the spotlight.
When they finally reached the cabin, Sarah had hoped to sneak away into the bedroom to finish what Angel had started in the truck, but Sal reminded them it was their turn to cook.
“I got it, babe,” Angel said already pulling stuff out of the fridge.
“No, I can help,” she said, feeling less than helpful since Angel was a better cook.
“All right,” he said, pulling out the leftover barbequed chicken Alex and Valerie had made the night before, some tortillas, and a big bag of grated cheese. “Grab the avocados out of the fridge and make the guacamole.”
Sarah smiled in appreciation that he’d given her the easy task. She kissed his cheek then pulled the avocados out of the fridge. In the time it took her to cut up the avocados, dice everything that needed to be mixed into it, and mash it all up, Angel had already whipped up enough chicken quesadillas for everyone. They set everything up on the table and everyone dug in.
When they were all done, Sarah thought maybe they’d s
neak away for a little bit, but then Sal announced he’d found some old videos he thought they’d all get a kick out of, so they all gathered round the television and watched as a grainy video started of the three brothers when they were very young staring into a cradle. Angel was the littlest one on his tiptoes, trying to get a better look.
“Aw,” Sarah said, smiling big. “How cute! You were being all nosey.”
“Yeah.” Valerie laughed. “Even way back then they were already all up in Sofie’s business.”
There was more footage of the three boys horsing around and then Sofie as the little princess, prancing in her Disney Belle costume. They all laughed as videos spanned from such a young age through the years. Sarah couldn’t get over how much their young dad looked just like all three boys.
There was also footage of Romero when he was much younger and all of them on their bikes jumping off ramps in the front yard. Romero sped by the camera several times.
“Remember that?” Sal asked, pointing at the ramp Romero was circling in the video. “I don’t think we ever had a ramp you didn’t fall off of.”
“Or break,” Alex said with a frown.
The video moved on to their older years: their little league football practices and even video of Sofie and Eric hanging out off to the side while the boys played at the park on Easter. Sarah giggled inwardly at how clueless the brothers had been about Sofie and Eric being in love even way back when.
Then there was video of Sarah at her first Thanksgiving with the Morenos. “Oh wow.” She brought her hand to her mouth. “I didn’t even remember someone had been videotaping.”
She exchanged glances with Angel, remembering how that night had been their first time.