Through My Window (Hidalgos #1)(46)

“Wow, that was exciting,” Dani says, pressing her elbow into my ribs playfully as we walk down the bleachers.

“Yeah,” Apolo agrees. “I loved the game. Three–nil. That goalie deserved it after what he did to my brother.”

“We have to celebrate!” Carlos tries to take my hand, but Dani, like an expert ninja, slaps him, deflecting him. “Ow!”

“You deserve it,” I say, “ I don’t like being grabbed like that.”

“Understood,” assures Carlos.

I look at Yoshi, but he’s looking weirdly serious.

“Guys, we should go congratulate the players,” Apolo suggests.

Apolo’s idea doesn’t sound too good right now. I don’t want to face Ares. It’s one thing to be strong enough to stay away, and it’s quite another to have that dedication when he’s in front of me.

Dani notices my discomfort. “Nope, we’d better go to the celebration party.”

“Celebration party?” I ask, confused.

Carlos pats me on the back. “Aren’t you up to date with the social events, princess? It’s the party the team holds when they win.”

Of course, how could I forget the infamous Panthers’ parties? I’ve only been to one because Dean invited us. Unfortunately, on that occasion I was completely invisible to Ares. He was always in a crowd of people.

We walk past the field as we head to the parking lot. I can’t help but glance over to where the players are gathered, talking. Ares is there, completely drenched in sweat, his hair sticking to the sides of his face the same way his uniform is sticking to his body. How can he still look sexy when he’s all sweaty? I need professional help.

His eyes meet mine, and I freeze. He gives me a mischievous smile and takes the edge of his shirt and pulls it off over his head. A lot of players walk around shirtless, so no one thinks it’s strange. My eyes travel down his torso to where the word Witch has already faded. I bite my lip.

I hate my hormones.

Shaking my head, I look away and continue walking. I only manage to take a few steps before I crash into Yoshi. “Ow! I didn’t see you!”

“Let’s get out of here,” he says. Yoshi takes my hand, and I let him even though I just told Carlos off for doing the same thing. He drags me to the parking lot, where everyone else is already waiting for us in Dani’s car. Apolo has taken my place in the passenger seat, so I sit in the back in the middle of Yoshi and Carlos. They both smell great. I love it when a guy smells good. Ares smells divine.

Shut up, hormones!

The party house is located east of town, about ten minutes from my house. You can hear the music from outside, bass booming off the walls of the giant two-story building. There are groups scattered around the garden with plastic cups in their hands. I’m surprised to see so many people there already. They sure move fast when there’s a party.

As we head to the front door, I try not to cover my ears. Electronic music vibrates throughout the house. The main lights are off, and the only light comes from a few dimly lit colored lamps. The DJ is in the living room. He’s a thin guy with long hair and tattooed arms who looks completely focused on what he’s doing.

“Let’s get some drinks!” Dani grabs my hand so that we don’t get separated in the mass of people.

The kitchen is full of teenagers, but somehow Dani manages to get us all a drink. Taking a sip of whatever’s in that plastic cup, I can’t help but remember the last time I drank at Ares’s house, the tequila, his smile, his kisses.

No, no, Raquel.

I am here to distract myself, not to think about him.

As if Dani can read my mind, she yells, “Let’s dance!”

We head to the middle of the room and start shimmying to the rhythm of the music with our cups in the air. For a second, I let my mind fly away from any memories. I dance, I drink, I laugh at Carlos’s crazy movements, and at Apolo’s blushing face when Dani dances next to him. I’m free.

Yoshi takes my arm and turns me toward him. I play along, putting my arms around his neck and dancing with him, and then I make the severe mistake of looking up. Because when Yoshi’s eyes meet mine, the intensity in them takes my breath away. I’ve always thought Yoshi was cute, but something about this moment, maybe the mood or his closeness, fuels something within me.

“Pillow Talk” by Zayn Malik plays in the background and the soft, seductive rhythm makes us move slowly against each other. His hands slide down my waist until they linger on my hips. My lips open and he licks his, wetting them. I want to kiss him.

These sensations take me by surprise. Yoshi presses his fingers into my hips and leans into me until his forehead touches mine. His nose is touching mine. Memories of all the times we’ve shared come flooding back, all the times he has made me laugh, forget my problems, and how he’s always been there for me. He’s my best friend. Up until a few years ago, that was all I thought, but then that innocent boy transformed into a cute boy. I’ve been attracted to him more than once, but I never dared to do anything about it for fear of losing his friendship.

Yoshi sighs, closing his eyes. “Raquel . . .”

I tense up at the seriousness of his tone. Yoshi always calls me Rochi. He only uses my name when he’s talking about something very intense or delicate.

With my heart in my throat, I answer. “Yes?”