“Oh, I don’t know…maybe not get charged with a felony and expelled three weeks before graduation? And then having your father cover for you, paying off cops to pretend none of it happened—except your expulsion, of course.”
Poor Uncle Kai got his ass kicked, I’m sure of it.
“Papáis a traitor.”
“He’s loyal to me above everyone else, including you. ButnowI have to suffer too—after being away for three days.”
Remi grimaces. “Gross.”
I step between them when Aunt Amalia pinches the bridge of her nose and drags in a long, steadying breath.
“I’m sure they’ll let her finish the year online or something,” I say, trying to offer a bit of optimism.
“That’s not the point.” She steps around me, the tension in her shoulders easing as she takes Remi’s hands in her own. Her voice is tender but firm. “Listen,mi amor, we’ll talk about it later. I just got back, I missed you, and the last thing I want is to argue.”
Remi’s chin lifts like she’s ready to fire back, but then her eyes flicker, guilt bleeding through. She squeezes her mother’s hands instead of pulling away.
“Fine,” she mutters, barely above a whisper. “Maybe I shouldn’t have hit him…but he did deserve it.”
Aunt Amalia’s lips twitch, not quite a smile, but not quite disapproval either. Her gaze hardens, carrying the same cold glint I’ve only ever seen when she talks about her past as a mercenary.
“Deserving it doesn’t always mean you get to act on impulse, Remi. That’s the difference between surviving…and getting caught.”
With a shrug, Remi grabs her mom’s face and plants a quick kiss on her forehead.
“I’ll remember that next time,” she says, then snatches my wrist and drags me toward the exit. “Mamá, close up Sloane’s for us. Val just murdered a picture of Cole, and she needs some air.”
“Really?” I laugh, letting her tow me along.
“Oh, and please do fuck your husband already. He’s been a miserable mess without you.”
Aunt Amalia’s eyebrows shoot up. “Remi!”
We grab our gear and spill into the parking lot, barely able to stand upright.
“That was foul,” I manage through the laughter, tugging my helmet on. “And thanks for the unwanted visual.”
This is us. How we’ve always been. Getting into and out of trouble together, laughing until our stomachs ache, until we’re on the verge of peeing our pants. No matter the years that pass,some days we’re still those same carefree girls…before cheating boyfriends and burdens and the heaviness of the world caught up to us.
She slides her helmet on, and we sync our speakers.
“At least yours is just a visual. I’ve had courtside seats my whole life. Don’t get me wrong—I love that they’re still so obsessed with each other. It’s cute as fuck. But no one wants to see their parents playing grab-ass at every turn.”
Our bikes roar to life, vibrating under us as we pull onto the busy street.
“You forget who my parents are?”
“Fuck, that’s right. Uncle Derek is such a simp.”
We burst out laughing again, weaving through traffic until we hit the open stretch, speed washing the city off our backs. Then the chatter fades. When our helmets go quiet, I can’t tell if Remi’s lost in thought or just reveling in the wind and the rush of the street beneath us.
My own thoughts betray me, drifting to Cole. I know I never loved him—not the way my dad loves my mom, not the way every couple in our family would bleed, kill, or die for each other. I fooled myself into thinking those kinds of feelings could grow with time. His betrayal stings, but not because I lost him. It’s because he reminded me of what I never had.
“Do you think…” My voice cracks slightly, even through the comm. “Do you think that’ll ever be us? Falling so madly, so deeply in love?”
She’s quiet for a moment, her exhale brushing static into my ear before she chuckles softly.
“You? I’m sure of it. Me, on the other hand—doubtful.”
