Aaron lifts both hands. “Fine, be an asshole. I was only trying to help.”
“Right, well, the only help I need is a lift to Roman’s. You going to help with that or not?”
He scowls, but nods. “Come on. But just so you know, screwing random girls isn’t going to solve your problems. And getting involved with chicks like Sarah Draven is going to come back and bite you in the ass. I would know.”
Six
My palms are sweaty. My knees weak. I don’t know what to say to him. How to break the news or even start a conversation with the guy, so I do the smart thing and avoid him. Okay, it’s also the cowardly thing to do, but it’s not like I have a lot of options here. I only manage to make it two days before I’m faced with speaking to Emilio though, and like all the times before, as soon as I see him, it’s like everything around me stops.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says, taking me completely by surprise as he sits down at the lunch table. It takes me a second to realize he’s not talking to me. His words are directed toward Allie, who is seated beside him, but hearing his voice has goosebumps breaking out across my skin. “Who’s the new new chick?” he asks, his tone suggestive, but he’s still not looking my way and it bothers me. It’s not like we’re strangers. He can say hello. Just as easily ask me for my name instead of asking Allie when I’m literally sitting right in front of him.
Roman smacks him upside the back of his head as he claims his seat on Allie’s other side, but there’s a smile on his lips that says he’s not actually pissed. “Lay off Allie’s new friend,” he comments, not making eye contact, but this time I don’t take it personally. Given all that I’ve learned about the Devils of Sun Valley High and how uncommon it is for anyone new to be welcomed into their inner circle, Roman’s quiet acceptance of me is enough.
“This is Bibiana,” Allie says. “Play nice.”
“Bibiana. Hmm…” Emilio says my name as though testing its flavor. The corners of his mouth curl on either side, his expression almost savage as he finally deigns to look at me.
His chocolate brown eyes lock on mine and I freeze like a deer caught in headlights, unable to tear my gaze away as he rakes his bottom lip through his teeth, electricity crackling between us. Was it always like this? I think back to the night we met. The chemistry between us. I swallow hard because yeah, it felt just like this. An imaginary cord stretched taut between us.
Dominique drops his tray beside me, claiming the seat to my left while Kasey claims the seat to my right, pulling my attention away from Emilio and effectively shattering the moment.
Emilio turns to Dominique, ignoring me now as the two dive into a conversation about the upcoming game. Listening in, I learn the Devils made it to the playoffs. No surprise there. They finished their season undefeated, so making it all the way and going to state is their next objective.
Roman joins the conversation, leaving Allie, Kasey, Aaron, and I to talk amongst ourselves. I try to push Emilio from my mind, but every few minutes I can feel his eyes boring into me. His gaze like a physical caress, only when I turn to look at him, he jerks his attention away.
“Hello, Earth to Bibi,” Allie calls, and I force my gaze away from him.
“What’d you say? Sorry, I got a little lost in my head.”
She smiles. “Right. I was saying, what do you want to do this weekend? We’re dragging Aaron along, too.” My eyes flick to his as I consider her question.
“Uh…” Crap. Now isn’t the time to tell them I have a son, but I can’t very well go out on weekends with him either. I’m a mom, and yes, my mom watches him while I’m at school, but I don’t like the idea of dumping Luis on her just so I can hang out with friends. I’m his mom. I’m the one who should be taking care of him. He’s my responsibility.
I don’t want to lose more time with him either, especially when I’m already not seeing him during the day most of the week. It’s made him clingier then usual, and he’s only going to be my baby a little while longer. Soon, he’ll be a toddler. Then a little boy. The thought alone makes my chest ache. He’s growing up too fast.
“Why don’t we do something at my place?” I suggest. “Movies, junk food. Something casual?” I’ll come up with a way to let them know about Luis between then and now. Hopefully it’s not a deal breaker for our friendship. Monique loves Luis and Allie seems nice. With any luck, she’ll love him too.
Allie’s eyes brighten at my suggestion. “Yes! I love that idea. You guys in?” She looks between Kasey and Aaron.
“I’m in. What do you think, little sis?” Aaron asks, ruffling his sister’s hair.
“Urgh, don’t do that,” she whines, smacking his hand away as if she’s annoyed, but I don’t miss her affectionate smile. “Yes. I’m in. I could use a low-drama night and some junk food.”
“Perfect. I’ll text you guys the address. Let’s plan on, I don’t know, seven-ish?”
Everyone nods just as the lunch bell rings and we all rise to drop our trays in the waste bin as we head to our next class. I lose track of the others in the crowd, not really worried since I’ll see them again—save for Kasey—fourth period, when a hand wraps around my arm and pushes me into an open classroom door. I stumble forward before whirling around, hands fisted at my sides and ready, only to find Emilio behind me.
He closes the door, pressing the lock and leaning against it as he folds his arms over his chest and gives me a once-over before quirking a brow. “Pretending we don’t know each other?” he asks, a sinful expression on his face. The bell rings again and I grit my teeth together. I’m already behind. I shouldn’t miss any of my classes without a damn good reason, but Emilio doesn’t look like he’s going to just let me brush past him. He looks like someone who has something they need to get off their chest, though I can’t imagine what it is—I’m supposed to be the one with something to share.
I swallow hard and take a few steps back, managing to put some much-needed distance between us. My heart is racing in my chest, my palms suddenly sweaty. “I’m not pretending,” I tell him. “I just didn’t know if I should mention—”
“That we fucked.” The gravely quality of his voice grates along my senses. “That I buried my dick inside of you three times before you vanished. Poof. Like a ghost.”
My brows furrow and I take another involuntary step back. He sounds angry, almost. But that can’t be right. He has nothing to be angry about. At least, not yet.
Emilio pushes off the door and stalks toward me, that’s the only way I can describe it. His eyes are bright, practically glowing, as he closes the distance between us, a predatory glint in his eyes.
“You running from me, mariposa?”
