Abuela nods slightly, keeping her eyes on me.
I stuff my face with another bite of pastry and chew slowly but even when I’ve polished it off, Abuela’s and Marlowe’s eyes are trained on me.
I sigh and throw a hand in the air. “I was invited to train with a team in Alicante.”
“Squad Alicante Atléticas?” Abuela asks, well versed in all things fútbol since her entire life revolved around it. She was also born and raised in Alicante.
“Sí, yes,” I say.
Abuela beams at me. “Enhorabuena, Carlita! This is wonderful news.”
“Carla!” Marlowe shrieks, reaching out to pull me into a side hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
I nod, feeling miserable.
“Why are we not celebrating?” Marlowe asks, her eyes shifting between Abuela and me once more.
“Do you think I’m relying on Luca too much?” I ask.
“No,” they reply in unison.
“But I’ve been so wrapped up in him that I’ve been…distracted. And now, with the girls’ final game approaching and this opportunity to earn a spot on a club team and play professionally again…”
Marlowe peers at me. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Yes, cariño, put the dots together for us,” Abuela demands.
“Connect the dots,” I gently correct her.
“That,” she agrees.
“I think I’ve come to rely on Luca too much. I’m making him the center of my world. I feel so…caught up in him. It’s like being off-balance half the time. I mean, I stood by his car in a parking lot in the middle of the fucking night with a 104 degree fever to see his smile,” I nearly wail.
Marlowe snorts as Abuela grins.
“That’s called…being in love,” Abuela spells it out.
“And it’s beautiful,” Marlowe gushes, her cheeks tinging pink. “It’s the best feeling. Like free-falling.”
“Until you crash and burn,” I point out.
“You’re too cynical,” she shoots back. “Enjoy it. Savor it.”
I shake my head. “The timing is all off.”
“It’s always going to be off,” Abuela offers.
Marlowe nods in agreement. “Do you think the timing was good for me to fall in love with your brother? With everything I had waiting for me in Rhode Island? With everyone I love counting on me?”
I pick at my pastry. “What if I can’t focus on the training sessions the way I should? What if I mess up my chances because I’m too busy daydreaming about Luca?”
Marlowe shakes her head. “Loads of people have successful careers and stable relationships. Look at?—”
“Don’t say Alejandro. You and he are outliers, not the norm,” I protest.
Marlowe shrugs. “Being successful in your career doesn’t mean you have to be miserable in your romantic life.”
“I was never miserable,” I say, indignant.
