Through My Window (Hidalgos #1)(67)

I should go, but this place is way out of town. A taxi would cost a lot, and I don’t want to bother Dani again. I know she would come, but I don’t want to interrupt her night, and I’ve already bothered her enough. Maybe I should just hold off until everyone gets tired, and we leave.

Taking a deep breath, I leave the cubicle. To my surprise, Natalie is standing in front of the mirror, arms crossed over her chest, as if waiting for me.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah.”

“I’d like to say that you’re the first girl I’ve ever seen cry because of Ares,” she sighs sadly, “but that wouldn’t be true.”

“I’m fine,” I say, washing my face in the sink.

“Whatever you say, little stalker.”

My chest tightens. “What did you just call me?”

“Little stalker,” she repeats. I freeze. “Oh yes, we all know about your stalker past. Ares used to tell us how his poor neighbor had an impossible obsession with him.”

I turn and run away from the bathroom, struggling to control my tears. I want to get out of here. I need fresh, clean air, and something to calm me down. I know Natalie was just looking for a way to get me out of her way, but that doesn’t mean her words didn’t hurt me. Ares hasn’t acknowledged me tonight, and the fact that he told his friends about my crush on him is cruel.

I exit the bar, and the autumn chill hits me. There are some people outside smoking and chatting. With shaking hands, I take out my phone and dial Dani’s number. My heart drops to the floor when I realize her phone is off. Hugging myself, I move down the street, still trying to call Dani and hoping she’ll answer soon.





- Ares -




Natalie keeps telling me about one of her trips, but my mind is distracted. Raquel has taken a long time in the bathroom, and I wonder if she’s okay. Maybe there’s a line to get in or something. Although Natalie went a little while ago, and she’s back.

I interrupt her story. “Didn’t you see Raquel in the bathroom?”

Natalie nods. “She was washing her face, but then I lost sight of her.”

I smile at her, looking at the seat where Raquel should be. Something’s not right. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I have a strange feeling in my chest. I stand up and walk over to Samy.

“Can you come with me and check on Raquel? She’s been in the bathroom for a while now.”

“Yeah, let’s go. I was thinking the same thing.” We go together, and she goes in while I wait outside. Samy emerges with a confused expression on her face. “It’s empty.”

Something tightens in my chest, and I recognize it as worry. Where is she?

She’s gone . . .

The thought crosses my mind, but I reject it. She has no reason to leave. Plus, she had no one to leave with. Samy seems to notice the confusion on my face.

“Maybe she’s outside or on the balcony getting some fresh air,” she suggests.

Without thinking twice, I leave Samy behind and look for Raquel all over the place.

She’s not here.

Despair comes over me as my mind begins to analyze every detail of the night, especially her nervous look, and how she looked for me with her eyes. Now I realize that her disappointment and sadness were so obvious on her face. Well, fuck, talk about realizing things a little too late. Out of breath, I walk out of the bar, my eyes desperately searching for her. I pray she hasn’t left, though I wouldn’t blame her. I’ve ruined everything . . . again.

Outside, there are two or three people smoking. I look at both sides of the street, it’s empty.

No . . .

She couldn’t have left.

I know that if I don’t talk to her now, I’ll lose her. She’s already forgiven me so many times. I know that no matter how big her heart is, it won’t be able to forgive me one more time. Running my hand through my hair, I take one last look at my surroundings, searching for her.

Raquel, where are you?





THIRTY-FIVE


   The Friend



- RAQUEL -




What a night!

Everything has become so complicated since Ares came into my life. He’s been like a little hurricane, destroying everything in his path. He’s had his sweet moments, but those are overshadowed by all the times he’s screwed up. How can he be sweet one second and then so cold?

I sigh, and my breath is visible coming out of my mouth. It’s getting really chilly. Maybe leaving the bar wasn’t my brightest idea, but anything was better than standing there holding it all in. I try to call Dani again, but there’s no answer. The tree behind me feels hard against my back, so I move away from it. And then I hear him.

“Raquel!”

Startled, I glance up the street and see Ares walking quickly toward me. His concern is evident on his face, but at this point I don’t want to care. I’d like to say I feel nothing when I see him, but I do.

When he reaches me, he wraps me in a tight hug. “I thought I wouldn’t find you.”

I stand still without raising my arms to return his embrace. He pulls away from me and takes my face in both hands.

“Are you all right?”

I don’t say anything, and I just take his hands off my face. He looks hurt, but he lets me. “You’re really upset, aren’t you?”