Is someone dying? Being kidnapped? Stubbed their toe against their bed frame?
With my heart ready to lodge in my throat, I scramble out of bed, but my feet get tangled in my comforter. Attempting to rush toward my door and unable to extricate myself from those knots, I faceplant on the floor and groan.
It’s way too early for this shit.
I was having such a nice dream. Did it involve Alara? Fuck, yes. Was my brain reminiscing about our sensational kiss? You bet. Were my hands exploring her body? Well, I guess we’ll never know, because of whoever decided it was a good idea to yell on a Saturday morning.
Storming out of my room, I rub the fatigue out of my eyes and pound on the bathroom door, from where Valentina is shrieking like a fucking banshee.
“Val,” I grumble, dropping my forehead on the wood. “Is there a spider?”
“Worse,” she replies, with dramatic suspense.
“A snake?”
“Be for real,” Gaby mumbles from behind me. I turn around to find her standing in the doorway to her bedroom, her pastel pink robe tied around her waist and her hair completely disheveled.
“Valentinaaa.” I knock again. I’m not in the mood to have my patience tested today. “Mierda. ¿Qué chingados pasa?You did not wake everyone in this house surely just to piss us off.”
The door abruptly opens and Valentina rushes past me with a towel wrapped around her body and another one in her hair. The expression she wears tells me she’s angry for some reason. “There’s no hot water. Happens at the beginning of every month and I’m so tired of this.”
Slamming the door to her room, Valentina disappears and leaves me in a haze of confusion. I raise my brows, cross my arms over my chest, and wait for Gaby to explain.
“What did she mean by ‘it happens every month?’”
Gaby yawns, waving a dismissive hand in the air. “Mama has probably forgotten to pay the bills. It’s been like that for a while, but I’m sure she’ll have it fixed by Monday.”
I frown. That doesn’t make sense. With the money I monthly transfer, they should be able to get through the month without a shadow of struggle. I even give them enough to put some savings aside. Unless . . . Has Mom been lying to me about how much she truly needs from me? “Wait, what? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you’re already doing too much for us, D.” She turns to go back into her room. “We don’t want you to worry about the bills or the water or whatever needs fixing here. It’s not a big deal.”
It’s not a big deal?As if I don’t feel contrite enough as it is. My family has been relying on me for years, and I had no clue they’ve been struggling financially. What the hell have I been doing wrong?
I am such an egotistical piece of shit. My focus has beensolely on competing and becoming the best, and I’ve completely neglected my family.
Gaby is already closing the door by the time I process the information. She peeks her head out and smiles widely. “Happy birthday, big bro.”
Yeah. Happy fucking birthday to me.
I head back to my room, still tired and in dire need of rest. Slumping onto the mattress and allowing myself a few minutes of calm before I have to worry about my family, I reach over to the nightstand and unplug my phone from its charger.
There’s a series of notifications lighting up my screen, but there’s only one text message that I open.
A picture of Alara lying on her couch with Tabby curled in her neck fills my screen. She looks fucking perfect. Hazel, sleepy eyes brightened by the morning light streaming through the window. Lazy smile and a dimple on her right cheek. Silky brown hair I want to wrap my fist around.
Pretty girl:Happy 26th, superstar. Have the best day. Don’t get yourself in trouble :)
A broad smile blooms on my face as I shift to lie on my back. I stare at her picture again, just because she’s completely mesmerizing and I’ve never seen someone quite as pretty as her. Saving it to my gallery, I reply.
Me:Thank you, beautiful. And me? Getting in trouble? Not my style.
What are you up to today?
She doesn’t instantly reply, and while I wait, I feel my eyelids getting heavier and heavier. I toss my phone to the side, giving myself permission to go back to sleep. Because I’m allowed to be selfish today.
I fall asleep with a smile on my face, the memory of Alara’s lips on mine sending me into a deep slumber where sweet, sweet dreams erase all my worries.
Mom is busy unloading the groceries when I walk into the kitchen a few hours later. I’m assuming she went to her yoga class this morning, which would explain why she didn’t hear Valentina’s mad scream.
