Victoria beams at Jared, ignoring my comment entirely. “Okay, now that you’re here, you have to meet everyone. Seriously, the whole family’s been dying to see who finally got Alli to bring a guy home.”
“Victoria!” I protest, but she’s already dragging Jared by the arm, steering him away with surprising force for someone so petite. Jared glances back at me, his face caught between amusement and mild panic. I laugh, falling into stride behind them. It’s adorable watching Jared get yanked into the mayhem of my family.
He handles it pretty well, shaking hands, smiling at everyone, and making small talk like he was born to do this. I can see why he’s so popular on the football team and gets all the attention that he receives; he’s got this easy charm that puts people at ease.
We stop in front of a group of my aunts, and Victoria launches into introductions. “TíaCarmen,TíaLorena, this is Jared, Alli’s boyfriend.”
TíaCarmen, a tiny woman with a crown of silver curls, beams up at Jared. “¡Mira nada más!He’s so handsome! Alli, you did good,mija. Better than Alex.”
Jared flashes a grin as he takes her hand for a shake. “Thank you, ma’am. Alli’s the one who’s out of my league, if you ask me.”
TíaLorena nods approvingly. “Smart and polite. We like him already.”
Jared chuckles, clearly enjoying himself, and I feel a knot I didn’t even realize was there loosen in my chest. He fits here, with my family, in a way I didn’t think anyone ever could.
Victoria pulls him toward the food table, where a feast oftamales,empanadas, and every other dish you could imagine is spread out. “You’ve got to try thetamales,” she says, loading up a plate for him. “My mom made them, so they’re the best.”
Jared slides his eyes towards me, question marks written all over his face. “Trust her.TíaMary’stamalesare legendary.”
He takes a bite, and his eyes widen in newfound appreciation. “Damn, these are amazing.”
Victoria laughs, clearly pleased with herself. “See? I told you. Stick with us, and you’ll get the full experience.”
The nerves that had been simmering beneath the surface finally start to ease. For once, I’m not worried about what’s coming next. There’s no anxiety creeping up. I’m just happy, right here, right now.
The party winds down, and I’m swaying just a little, barefoot after ditching my heels somewhere along the way. My third Corona and fifth shot of tequila have done their work.
Note to self: never drink with my cousins again.
Jared’s arm is wrapped around my shoulders, and the heat from the alcohol blurs everything, making the world feel like it’s spinning in pretty colors like the lights of a ferris wheel.
“You sure you’re okay?” Jared asks with evident amusement as he steadies me.
My vision is a little wobbly when I crack a smile. “I’m more than okay. I’m great. My family’s just… a lot. You know, like a sport, like football!”
I feel his chest rumble against my ear. “Well, I survived the game. Ready for the post-game wrap-up?”
I shake my head vigorously, nearly tripping over my feet. “Absolutely. Let’s just say I’m not sure if you’re brave or just really, really curious about my big fat family.”
He opens the passenger door for me, and I slide in with a grateful sigh. “I’d say a little bit of both.”
The drive back to my family’s home is filled with easy conversation, the radio playing softly in the background. Jared’s presence is like a reassuring anchor in a sea of alcohol-induced fuzziness. I’m pretty sure my brain’s been replaced with cotton candy at this point, but having him here makes it feel like maybe I’m not entirely lost in the world of “where am I, and how did I get here?”
When we pull up to my driveway, the house is draped in darkness, with only the porch light offering a faint glow. The driveway is empty; my parents are probably still at the party. Jared gets out and comes around to help me, my legs flimsy as I try to find my balance. I lean into him, the ground beneath me swaying like I’ve just stepped off a rollercoaster.
“This is it,” I say, slurring the words as I hold up my keys, the motion exaggerated. “Home sweet home.”
“I know this is your place, I’ve dropped Serena off before.”
Jared guides me inside, and I collapse onto the bed with a dramatic flop. “You know, for someone who’s supposedly not that drunk, you’re pretty adept at dramatic entrances.”
I laugh it off. “What can I say? I’m a woman of many talents.”
He sits beside me, pulling off my shoes with a gentle touch. “You’ve definitely got talent. But I think we need to talk about your family’s obsession with my looks.”
I roll my eyes, despite the way my heart flutters at his teasing. “Hey, don’t complain. It’s not every day you get to be the star of my family’schisme.”
Jared’s lips twitch with an easy grin, his eyes locking on mine. “And yet, here I am, taking center stage. Not sure if I should be flattered or worried.”
