The Play (Briar U, #3)(57)

Dad waves a big paw. “Go on.”

“Promise,” I order.

They both mumble a promise to stay quiet.

I release a breath. “Nico and I broke up a couple weeks ago.”

When Mom’s mouth snaps open, I slice my hand down to karate chop the air. Her mouth closes.

“I know this isn’t something you want to hear,” I continue, “and believe me when I say I didn’t expect it to happen. As far as I knew, we were happy together and our relationship was on track.”

Dad growls. “What did he do?”

I let this particular interruption slide. “He cheated on me.”

Silence falls.

“Was it… was it a drunk mistake at a party?” Mom actually has the nerve to sound hopeful.

“Even if it was, that’s still unforgivable,” I say firmly.

“Well, it’s far more forgivable than if he—”

“Three different girls,” I interject, and her mouth slams shut again. “One of them was my friend, one was the sister of his co-worker, and the third was a random girl he met at a bar when he was out with friends.” He fessed up to the third indiscretion via one of his text diatribes. “Four, if you count the girl he cheated with in high school—” Another lovely text confession, although that one was more of a confirmation. “So, no, there’s no hope and no forgiveness. I’m officially done with him. Maybe one day I’ll be able to be his friend again, and the only reason I’d even consider that is because of our families, not for myself.”

“Oh, Demi,” Mom says sadly.

“Obviously I’d never ask you guys to stop talking to Dora and Joaquín, but…” I hesitate, wringing my hands together. “I know we invited the Delgados to visit for Christmas, but—and I’m begging you here—maybe we can ask them not to come…?”

Dad, who reacted protectively when I revealed Nico’s infidelity, now looks uneasy. “But everything has already been planned, sweetheart.” I know my father well—he doesn’t want to look bad in front of his friends.

“I get it, but I’m asking you, as your only daughter, to please put my well-being first when it comes to this. I can’t spend Christmas with Nico and his family. I just can’t. The breakup is still too fresh and it would be so awkward. It would…it would hurt me,” I say softly, and then avert my eyes because I hate showing vulnerability in front of my dad. He’s so strong that falling apart in front of him feels like a crushing failure.

But the words have the desired effect. With tears clinging to her eyelashes, Mom stands up and comes over to hug me. “Oh, mami. I am so sorry.”

As I hug her back, I watch my father, who’s still trying to rationalize Nico’s actions. “You truly don’t think you’ll give him another chance?”

“No,” I reply through clenched teeth. “I can’t.”

Dad’s expression flickers with unhappiness. “I’ve known that boy since he was eight years old. He always had a good head on his shoulders.”

“I thought so, too.”

“Surely there’s more to this story. Perhaps Nico—”

“He cheated on me, Daddy.”

“And I’m not excusing it,” he says quickly. “I promise you I’m not. All I’m saying is, maybe there’s more to the story. Maybe Nico is having emotional problems we’re unaware of, or substance abuse issues, or—”

“Or maybe he’s just a fucking asshole,” I snap.

Dad’s eyes narrow. “Language.”

“No, I’m not going to watch my language, and I’m not going to stand here while you seriously try to persuade me that my serial-cheating ex-boyfriend is worthy of another chance. No way, Dad. I’m not getting back together with him and I’m not excusing that kind of behavior. We’re over.”

“Maybe in the future—”

A cry of desperation is ripped from my throat. “Oh my God, no! We’re done. And please, please don’t invite them for Christmas.” My stomach churns as I imagine having to spend the holidays with Nico’s family. I always thought my father had my back, but at the moment it seems as though he’s genuinely torn between me and Nico. And I’m his daughter.

Without another word, I stomp out of the kitchen and hurry upstairs to my bedroom. It’s not ten seconds later when my mother appears in the doorway.

“Demi, baby.” She sees my wet eyes and holds her arms open, and like a little kid I fall into them.

“Why is he being so stupid?” I mumble against her huge boobs.

“Because he’s a man.”

My answering giggle is muffled.

“Do you want to talk about it some more?” Mom offers, rubbing soothing circles on my upper spine.

“No, there’s nothing else to say. But what I’d love for you to do is go downstairs and tell Dad to stop whatever the hell this is. Tell him if he wants Nico back, he can date him himself.”

She laughs quietly. “I will pass that message along. And I want you to know, yes, we are having a tough time believing that Nicolás could do something like this, but the pain in your eyes tells me that boy hurt you very badly, and anyone who hurts my baby…” She trails off ominously, her brown eyes becoming deadly slits. “Are you sure we can’t invite them for Christmas so I can poison their food?”