Through My Window (Hidalgos #1)(4)

Dani keeps that goofy grin on her face.

“Why are you so discouraged? We’re talking about Ares . . . your crush since you were seven, or something.”

“I told you how he treated me.”

“But he treated you, Raquel. He talked to you; he noticed your presence in this world. That’s a start! It’s much better than just looking at him from afar like a creepy stalker.”

“I don’t stalk him!”

Dani rolls her eyes. “Really? Are you going to try to deny it? To me? I’ve seen you stalk him from the shadows.”

“Of course not, it’s pure coincidence that I see him in the distance when I walk around town.”

“Walking through town or hiding behind a bush?” she teases.

“Anyway,” I change the subject. “You’re supposed to help me, I need to find a way to stop him from using my Wi-Fi. I don’t want him to get away with it.”

“Why don’t you change the password?”

“So he can just hack my computer again? No, thank you.”

Dani takes out her makeup and looks in the mirror to adjust her hair. “I really don’t know what to say, girl. What if we ask Andres for help?”

“Are you kidding? And for the last time, Dani, it’s André, no S.”

“Whatever.” She takes out her lipstick and starts to apply a bright red color to her lips. “He’s good at computer stuff, right?”

“Do you really have to do that here?” I ask, even though she does it all the time. “And yes, I guess so; he helped Francis with his computer project.”

“There you go.” Dani puts her makeup away and stands up. “See how I always find solutions for you?” I open my mouth to speak, but she continues. “In fact, do you know what my advice is?”

“Get over it?”

“Yes. You’re wasting your time, really.”

“He’s just so . . .” I sigh. “Perfect.”

Dani ignores my last statement. “I have to go to the bathroom; I’ll be right back.”

She turns and walks away, earning a few stares from the guys that she passes. Dani is tall and has a great curvy body. I can honestly say that my best friend is one of the hottest girls at my school.

I take a sip from my straw, finishing the last of my OJ. It’s hot as hell outside, but I rejoice in it. I don’t want summer to end because that means classes will begin and, to be honest, the idea of entering my senior year of high school scares me a little.

Thoughts of Ares invade my mind again, and I remember his voice as well as his arrogant smile from the night before. I know he doesn’t have the best personality in the world. As I’ve watched him, I’ve come to realize how cold and meticulous he is. He barely smiles and doesn’t usually talk much, preferring curt answers and gestures. It’s like he’s a robot, incapable of feeling. Part of me is hoping that I’m wrong and he’s actually a sweet person on the inside or something.

I scroll through Instagram until I see a post from Dani’s brother, Dean. He goes to the same school as Ares and plays on his soccer team. He posted a picture of the guys at practice on a public field near my neighborhood. It’s a chance to see Ares from a distance.

After settling the bill, I lean against the wall in front of the bathroom to wait for Dani, running my fingers through my long, light brown hair to check for tangles. I shuffle my feet impatiently until my best friend deigns to come out.

Dani raises an eyebrow. “You already paid? I thought we would have dinner here.”

“Soccer practice.”

“You’re going to abandon me here to go see a bunch of beautiful, attractive, possibly shirtless guys?” she jokes.

“Do you want to go?”

“No, stalking guys from a distance isn’t my thing. I’m more into action and you know it.” She winks.

“Stop rubbing your experience in my face.” I pretend to sound hurt.

“Stop being a virgin.” She sticks her tongue out at me.

“Maybe I’m not anymore.” I also stick out my tongue.

“Yeah, sure, stop saving your virginity for that crush of yours.”

“Dani! I’m not saving anything for him.”

She averts her gaze. “Of course, of course, go away. God forbid you miss the chance to see him shirtless because of me.”

“He never takes his shirt off,” I mutter.

Dani laughs. “He’s making you go crazy, naughty girl.”

“Dani!”

“I’ll shut up. Go, I have things to do anyway, don’t worry.”

With my cheeks on fire, I leave the café, and head toward the field.

Once I arrive, I buy a pineapple milk shake—my favorite—and slip on my dark glasses. I flip the top of my hoodie over my head to cover my hair and sit in the stands out front to enjoy the view. Other than me, there are four girls sitting there—they are probably the players’ girlfriends or just their friends. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen one of them kissing one of the guys before. It’s so hot, I’m roasting inside this hoodie. It was a poor choice of camouflage on my part.

The boys are spread out across the field doing routine stretches. Although this is the soccer team from an elite private school, they have to practice here during the summer while some kind of yearly maintenance is performed on their own field, or at least that’s what Dean told Dani. Ares jogs around the field, wearing black shorts and a green T-shirt with the number five on his back. His black hair flips in the wind as he jogs. I watch him like a fool and forget all about our interaction last night.