“Never. He’s your brother. No one will ever be good enough for you. And you’re in love, aren’t you? Anyone with a pair of eyes can see that.”
I opened my mouth to say something but Cara came back before I had the chance. Would I have admitted the truth, or deflected?
“So, Cara. How is your relationship with your family?” Estephan asked.
Cara gave a soft smile. “We aren’t as close as I’d like us to be. They live in Maine, but I try to visit a few times a year when I can. And I talk to them almost every night. I’ve been very blessed in that aspect and I hope to add to my loving family some day. I know that sounds so cheesy, but it’s true.” She shrugged.
“Good. family is very important to us, right, V?” I nodded my agreement.
Cara took my hand again and smiled. “I know. That’s one of the things I really like about Vera.”
Well, damn. How fucking sweet was she? I didn’t know what to say so I just sat and smiled like a love-struck weirdo.
I blinked when I started hearing clapping and cheering and looked up to realize Lia had scored the winning goal.
She ran up immediately after the game was over and hugged Miguel before wrapping her little arms around my waist.
“Did you see me, Tía? I scored the last goal!”
“I did, mija. You did so good! I’m so proud of you.”
“Cara, did you see me?”
Cara nodded, smiling brightly. “I did! You were amazing out there! You could really be a pro!”
“Did you know I used to play as a kid, Lia? You’re a lot better than I was, though.”
“Yeah, papa told me! He said you could’ve been a professional someday. I want to be just like you, tía!”
“That’s a good goal to have, Lia. She’s pretty amazing,” Cara said with a smile. “Why didn’t you become a professional?”
I shrugged. Surprisingly not as upset about it as I used to be. “Family comes first. I quit to take care of my abuela when she had her stroke.”
“That’s really amazing. Do you miss it?”
She caressed my shoulder and looked at me with sad eyes. “Not really. Now I get to watch my little niece kick ass on the field.”
“Vera! Language,” Cara admonished.
“Oh, it’s okay, daddy says ass all the time. Tía, Cara, will you kick the ball with us?”
I looked at Lia in surprise. She called Cara, tía. I was nervous at how Cara would take that. I didn’t know if she even knew what it meant, but I didn’t want it to scare her away.
I looked over to Cara, to gauge her thoughts on what Lia had said, but all I could see was Cara looking at me.
“You don’t have to?—”
“That sounds fun. I’d love to, Lia. I’m not very good though.”
“That’s okay. We can teach you.”
“Are you going to be okay without me?” She asked, placing a hand on my shoulder with a smile.
I smiled and nodded, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She turned her head at the last second and landed on my lips instead. I had to force myself not to deepen the kiss since I knew my entire family was watching us.
When we parted, I looked towards everyone who was most definitely staring at us and cleared my throat.
“Gross. Let’s go tía, Cara. Did you know tía means auntie?” Lia asked.
