Big Chicas Don't Cry(78)

Especially professional soccer.

The game had been a nail-biter, and for ninety glorious minutes, I’d been able to not think about how sad I still was about Welita and how pissed off I still was about Mari.

After the game, we’d stopped to pick up dinner from a taco truck and sat down at one of the few nearby tables.

“Soccer, beer, and tacos really are the best combination,” I said and took an enthusiastic bite of my carne asada taco.

Adrian laughed. “I know. You’ve told me this about a million times already.”

“Still true, though.”

He nodded. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

I wiped my mouth and grinned from ear to ear. “Thank you, Adrian. I really needed this.”

“You’re welcome. I’m just happy to see that smile again.”

Warmth bloomed inside me, filling me up with such light and happiness and . . .

Mierda.

I really was in love with Adrian. And it was his own damn fault.

Even though we’d had that blowup on the day that Welita died, he’d been there for me. I’d gone straight to his apartment after my fight with Mari and just bawled like a baby. He listened to everything and then made me tea.

Adrian had turned into the perfect nonboyfriend boyfriend. How on earth could I be expected to resist that?

Suddenly, I wasn’t hungry anymore. I took a sip of my beer and tried very hard to not look like I was head over heels for the guy sitting across from me.

“I still can’t believe you’ve never been to an LAFC game,” he said, still oblivious to the tornado of shock and embarrassment currently wreaking havoc on my insides.

“My dad’s been wanting to get tickets for a while, so I guess I was just waiting on him. It’s kind of our thing.”

Adrian put down his taco. “Oh, shit. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

I waved my hand at him. “No, it’s fine. It’s not like we can’t go to another game. Actually, now that I think about it, I should just buy the tickets and surprise him too.”

The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. What had I been waiting for? Why was I waiting to do anything anymore? If this crappy year had taught me anything, it was that I needed to take control of my life. In more ways than one.

Well, except when it came to Adrian.

He was my boss, and he was my best friend. Our relationship was already crossing the line into bad idea territory. I had no business throwing romantic feelings into the mix. I didn’t want to risk this . . . what we had right now in this moment.

“Is there anything you and your dad like to do together?” I asked.

Adrian shrugged. “Golf, I guess. Well, I mean he likes to golf, and he likes it when I go with him. But I suck at it, so I really don’t get why he keeps inviting me.”

“He just wants to spend time with you, that’s all. I bet he’s really happy that you’re back in town.”

“I guess. Although, he’s still trying to convince me to go work for him. And if we’re golfing, I’m trapped in that little cart and have to listen to all the reasons why my life would be better if I worked at Mendes Market. Why is it that parents always think they know better than you?”

That made me laugh. “Right? But it’s not just them. My tías, cousins, and even my abuela have an opinion when it comes to my life.”

Adrian nodded and then polished off his last taco. “Speaking of your family, have you talked to that one cousin?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m still too mad.”

“Erica.”

“What? I get to be mad. She slapped me, remember?”

“Because of what you said.”

Why had I told Adrian about what happened at Welita’s funeral? He was just as shocked as I was about what Mari did. But, of course, now he was going to be logical and reasonable. I both hated and loved that about him.

“Fine. Maybe I was being a brat, but so was she. Gracie insists that something else is going on with her, and she thinks what happened between us is somehow because of whatever drama she has going on right now. But that’s the thing with Mari—she is the OG Drama Queen. People get me mad every day. Doesn’t mean I’m going around slapping their faces.”

“Even though you want to,” he added.

“Even though I want to,” I confirmed.

“Fine. Erica, you have every right to be mad at her . . . for now. All I’m saying is that maybe Gracie is right. Maybe it’s time to figure out why she did what she did.”

“We’ll see,” I said and pushed my plate away. The subject of Mari really did make me lose my appetite. And I hated that it was because deep down I knew Adrian was right.

Dammit. Why couldn’t he make it harder to love him?





Chapter Forty-Seven


SELENA


It was just after seven on a Friday night when I finally pulled into my driveway. It had been the day from hell, and all I wanted to do was soak in a hot bath and binge some mindless TV.

But the guy sitting on the bench on my porch obviously had other plans for me.

Nathan.

“Why aren’t you in New York?” I said as soon as I climbed the steps to meet him.

“I’ve been in San Diego for the past two days and decided to drive up and see you before I fly back tomorrow.”