Through My Window(Hidalgos #1)(37)

“I’m sure more than once you wished someone would take you that way, hard and fast.”

For God’s sake, I need to get away from Ares urgently. My breathing becomes rapid and inconsistent, the water moves in small waves around us. “You’re crazy.”

He uses his now-free hands to remove the wet hair from my face. “And you’re beautiful.”

My world stops. I don’t breathe. I don’t move. I just lose myself in the infinity of his eyes.

“Ares! Raquel!” Samy calls from the shallow end of the pool. “It’s time to play.”

Ares clears his throat and starts to move over there. When we reach the shallow end, I break away from him. Before I can get close to Samy and Apolo, Ares leans over to say something in my ear. “I can be your Christian Grey anytime you want, you perverted little witch.”

I freeze, and he moves toward the group as if nothing happened.

That crazy Greek god!





TWENTY


   The Game




“Raquel! Raquel! Raquel!”

I never thought that the first bet I would ever make in my life would involve alcohol. Apolo, Samy, and Gregory are around me at the edge of the pool, offering me a shot of tequila. And I hesitate. The truth is that I feel a little dizzy. I’ve lost count of how much I’ve consumed so far, and that’s not good. Especially since I’m in the pool.

Resigned to my fate, I take the small glass and drink it. The tequila runs down my throat, setting everything on fire on its way to my stomach. I grimace. Apolo gives me a high five. He’s already had a few shots. Apparently, when he’s home, his brothers are more permissive about him and alcohol.

“I’m surprised,” Samy admits, smiling.

I’d like to say that she’s a bad person who hits on Ares every chance she gets, who throws shade at me, or says things to make me feel like someone who doesn’t belong here, but I can’t. Samy has only been nice to me. Even though it’s obvious that she likes Ares, I don’t feel any anger toward her. Samy hasn’t done anything to me.

Gregory takes his drink and coughs, taking a deep breath. “Each time feels easier and easier. It doesn’t even burn my throat anymore.”

“That’s because you’re already drunk,” I say, patting him on the back.

I look at the deep end of the pool and see the stupid Greek god talking to Marco and Luis. They look very serious. Embarrassment comes over me when I remember how I danced. Are they talking about me? Oh God!

I splash my face and the warm water feels good against my cold skin. Small waves form as we swim and they move and crash against the back of my arms.

“We should play a game.” Gregory offers, shaking his hair, spraying us all with droplets.

Apolo considers for a moment. “Something like hide-and-seek?”

Samy laughs. “No, something more fun! Like truth or dare, or never have I ever.”

I frown in confusion. “Never have I ever?”

“Yeah. I’ll explain the rules,” she pauses, going into full explanation mode. “For example, I start and say, ‘Never have I ever been drunk.’ Then anyone who has been drunk before has to drink.”

“What if you haven’t?”

“You don’t drink. It’s fun because you’ll learn what others have or haven’t done when you see them drinking or not. The suspense is great.”

“Okay, okay,” says Gregory. “But do we need more people or not?”

It’s just us, and Ares’s group over on the other side of the pool. The others left a little while ago. I have no idea what time it is. Gregory calls out, and the three boys swim toward us. We get out of the pool and my dress sticks to my body as I put it back on, but I’ve had so much to drink that I don’t care anymore. We sit on the wet floor in a circle. Apolo and Gregory sit on either side of me, Samy sits next to Apolo, then Marco, Ares, and Luis fill the circle. Ares is across from me. The bottle of tequila is in the middle of the circle. Samy explains the rules again to the newcomers. We all listen to her attentively, especially Marco.

“You know, if you’ve done it, you have to take a drink from your glass.” Samy takes some glasses and fills them full of tequila. “Take a drink if you’ve done it, but if you haven’t, then don’t drink.”

Ares lets out a derisive laugh. “What kind of game is this?”

Samy gives him a dirty look. “I’ve already explained the rules, so just play. Any brave ones?” No one. Samy sighs. “Cowards, I’ll begin,” she says, taking her glass. “Never have I ever snuck out of the house.”

She drinks and everyone else drinks, too, but not me. They look at me in surprise.

“What?” I say in defense. “I’m a good girl.”

Apolo gives me a look. “Even I, who is younger than you, have snuck out.”

Gregory pats my head. “Aw! You are a well-behaved little angel.”

Ares doesn’t pay attention to me; he’s too busy lighting a cigarette. The smoke is coming out of his mouth while he waits for Marco to take his turn.

“Never have I ever broken someone’s heart.”

“Ohhh!” Luis exclaims, amused. “I think we’ll all drink.”