Chapter 4
GAbrIEL
The instant my ass hits the seat, I’m out of there without so much as a glance over my shoulder. I head to the Pier knowing my boys are waiting for me. They offered to come with me, help me deal with my shit. But I declined the offer.
We grew up together. Know each other inside and out. They know what things were like for me after Carlos died. And they know the bullshit my parents pulled today.
But as much as I love my friends and know they’ll always have my back, their pity is the last thing I want or need. Which is what I’d get if they were there. If they saw the indifference on my mother’s face. The rejection in my father’s eyes.
It’s bad enough I had to see it. I don’t need it taking up space in anyone else’s memories beside mine.
It took some convincing, but we all agreed to meet up at Pier 39 instead.
Julio and Felix’s bikes are parked near the boardwalk when I arrive, along with an unfamiliar car that is way too expensive to be here. And who might you belong to?
My brows furrow as I pull up beside it, and before removing my helmet, I take a quick look through the windows. I wouldn’t say we’re on the wrong side of town per se, but this sure as shit isn’t the ride side where you expect to find rides like this.
For being so nice on the outside—a sleek silver Audi RS 5—the inside is a disaster. Clothes, coffee cups, and random shit like a hairbrush and a crap ton of books litter the inside. It’s like a bomb went off in there, letting me know this is a chick’s car for sure.
Removing my helmet and dropping it on my seat, I head down to the Pier, keeping my eyes peeled for whoever the Audi belongs to. We don’t own the boardwalk, but it’s been abandoned for so long that just the idea of outsiders being here makes my shoulders stiffen.
I shouldn’t have been worried. As soon as I turn the first corner, I spot Julio and Felix, and standing beside them is one person I didn’t expect to see. “Alejandra!” I call out and she turns, a wide grin on her face, and she jogs toward me. I should have known the car belonged to her.
She throws herself into my arms and I spin her in a circle. She laughs before I put her down, brushing strands of dark brown hair out of her face.
“What are you doing here?”
She mock punches me in the shoulder. “That’s a stupid question,” she tells me. “Where else would I be on a day like today?”
The reminder makes my smile dim, but not for long.
“None of that,” she admonishes. “I drove four hours to hang with you three. Today we’re going to have fun.”
Felix chuckles, coming up behind her and throwing an arm around her shoulder. “I’m surprised Roman let you escape,” he jokes.
Her lips press together and she gives him a conspiratorial look. “He might not know I left.”
This time it’s Julio who barks out a laugh. “Please tell me you’re kidding?”
She shakes her head. “You know how busy he is. It’s pre-season and they’re doing two-a-days.” She shrugs. “He won’t even notice I’m missing.”
Julio shakes his head and pulls out his phone. Brave man. He’s not wrong to call Roman. Not after what went down a few years ago. He has reason to worry about her. We all do. But Allie’s got a knack for revenge pranks and no way am I looking to put myself in her line of fire.
Allie gasps, reaching for the phone, but Julio holds it up in the air high above his head.
“You wouldn’t?”
He smirks. “Yeah, baby girl. I would. You know how he worries.”
Before she can make a grab for the phone again, I pull her into my arms, her back to my front, and wrap my arms around her, locking her arms across her chest.
She tilts her head to glower at me, and I meet her sour look with a grin. “He’s just looking out for you,” I remind her, resting my chin on her head. “It’s what familia does.”
She softens at my words, relaxing into the embrace, and I give her one last squeeze before releasing her, confident she’ll let Julio make the call she knows she should have already.
There was a time when we couldn’t touch Allie like this.
When casual contact was met with a flinch or a sharp inhale of breath.
She’s better now, thanks a lot to her overprotective boyfriend—Roman.
It’s a debt the three of us can never repay him for. Bringing her back to us. Making her whole.
“Fine,” she grumbles. “But if you’re snitching, you three owe me— “
“Way ahead of you,” Felix interrupts, pulling out a handful of mini obleas con cajeta from his pocket.
Allie snags two from his hand, quickly unwrapping the candy and biting into the sticky caramel with a groan. “So good!” she says around a mouthful of sweets.
Julio pats his shoulder in thanks and walks off to make his call, leaving me to frown at my best friend. “Where do you even hide all these?”
His mouth twists into a mischievous grin. “I have sisters,” he says. “I make it a point to always be prepared.”