My heart flutters wildly and a huge grin spreads across my face.
“The other guy she brought home was apendejo.” Abuelo shakes his head and takes a seat on the chair.
Maddox goes rigid against me, and his face falls. “She brought home another guy?”
I should interject, but I decided to play along. “Yeah, he was the CEO of a million-dollar company.”
“Oh. I didn’t know you dated anyone.” His throat bobs. “Which company is it?”
We all shake with laughter and Maddox looks around, dumbfounded.
“We’re just messing with you, babe.” Tiptoeing, I press a kiss to his cheek. “I never brought home another guy, nor have I been in another relationship.”
“That wasn’t very nice. It felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest,” he says, shooting me a glare.
“I’ll make it up to you later,” I whisper, low enough that only he can hear. The corner of his mouth lifts into a smile.
Mom brings out the bowl of yuca frites and beckons for us to sit down.
“Ms. Delgado, this is fantastic,” Maddox says, taking a large bite of the lechón asado.
“Thank you, Maddox. I’m so glad you are enjoying it. How’s basketball going?” Mom asks. “That’s so incredible that you’re playing for the team you always wanted to play for.”
“Yeah, it’s a dream come true. One of my teammates, Chandler, is out due to injuries, so we’re short one person. It’s been tough, but we’ve been able to keep our number-one ranking.”
“The championship will be yours this year. I’ve been watching you play. I haven’t seen anyone play that well since Kyrie Lyons,” Abuelo says.
“Gracias, Señor Delgado. That means a lot to me.” Maddox’s grin widens.
Maddox has always looked up to Kyrie, so I know how much that comment means to him.
“I’m so happy that you followed your dreams, Maddox.” Mom smiles. “Andmi rosa, once your clothing line takes off, you will be filthy rich and able to retire me.”
“And I can drop out of school and live off of you,” Ollie says with a mouthful of food.
Mom slaps him on the back of the head, and everyone breaks out in chuckles. “You are still going to school, young man. You can make your own money.”
Ollie groans and rolls his eyes, grabbing a handful of yuca frites.
“Plus, if you drop out of school, you won’t be able to see your little girlfriend,” Mom says.
Ollie’s cheeks turn a deep shade of red and he slinks lower in his seat.
“You have a girlfriend? Since when?” I set my fork down, eyes wide with shock.
“We always catch him talking on the phone with some girl late at night,” Abuelo says, a teasing smile gracing his lips.
“I don’t have a girlfriend. Amaya and I are friends.”
“Friends who talk on the phone late at night?” I eye him curiously.
“Fine, I have a crush on her,” Ollie groans. “But she’ll never go for me. She’s the prettiest and most popular girl in school.”
“And you’re just as great,” I say. “I’m sure she likes you too, but if you choose to do nothing about it, you’ll be stuck in the friend zone forever.”
“But what if she rejects me?” Ollie stares down at his plate, pushing the food back and forth with his fork.
“Do you know how many times your sister rejected me before she said yes?” Maddox says, pulling a chuckle from everyone. “I wouldn’t be here now if I didn’t keep trying. I know it’s scary to ask out a beautiful girl. I was so nervous when I approached her, I felt like I was going to throw up.”
