35. Joaquín
Chapter 35
Joaquín
New Year’s Eve
“C ome on,” Thiago nudges my shoulder from the driver’s seat stuck at a light ten minutes from Cora’s house. “Cora says this is a low-key thing. Gabby is supposed to be here with Mireya. So nothing more than apple cider and champagne for midnight, nothing too crazy. Maybe you’ll kiss her for the new year, you know, start fresh.”
I roll my eyes and turn my head to look out the window. Cora’s parents let her host a NYE party every year, but this year, in order to have Gabby come, she made it kid-friendly. This will be the first time I’ll see her since that night. Weeks, and it’s been fucking Hell without her. I’ve been off work for the season and sitting at home has been a complete shitshow.
I’ve finally found a therapist that takes my insurance and will start sessions with them after the new year. I’m fucking trying.
I know I can’t lose her. I will do whatever it takes.
I let out a breath and speak. “Is Nate going to be here?” Things have still been tense between us after I rearranged his face. But he texted me a few days later, telling me he understood where I was coming from and says he didn’t hold it against me.
“Cora said she invited him,” he shrugs, “but I don’t think he’ll come if he can’t get his dick wet or drink.”
* * *
The car slows as we pull into Cora’s street, a string of colorful lights adorning the houses like a neighborhood celebration. The cold air bites at my skin as I step out, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters more right now than seeing her.
“Just... remember what you said, man,” Thiago adds, his voice turning serious. “Don’t fuck this up. You’ve been moping for weeks. She’s been patient, but she’s not going to wait forever.”
I give him a half-smile, rubbing my hand over my face. “Yeah, I know.”
I’m trying. I’m really trying. But all I can think about is Gabriela and how her absence has felt like a weight I can’t shake. Even with my attempts to get my shit together—therapy lined up, focusing on improving myself—it’s her I want. It’s always been her.
We walk up to the door, and I can already hear the laughter and chatter spilling out. The sounds of a small crowd, the kids running around, the smell of something baking in the kitchen. It’s warm, welcoming. Everything I’ve been craving for weeks.
Cora answers the door, her usual grin flashing. She hugs me immediately, and I notice the way her eyes flicker to Thiago, like she’s got something to say to him later.
“Joaquín, you look like you haven’t slept in days,” she teases, her voice light. “Are you sure you’re ready for this craziness?”
“I’m fine,” I lie, but it’s hard to keep the cracks from showing.
She gives me a skeptical look but doesn’t press. Instead, she steps aside to let us in. “Mireya’s already running around somewhere with some of my cousin’s kids,” she says, gesturing toward the living room. “But… Gabby’s in the kitchen, trying to make some last-minute appetizers.”
I freeze at the mention of her. Gabriela.
My heart picks up.
Thiago nudges me again, more playfully this time. “Go on. She’s waiting.”
I swallow hard, trying to keep myself together. This isn’t just another night. This is the moment I’ve been preparing for—trying to make up for everything I’ve done wrong. Trying to show her I can be who she needs me to be.
I step into the kitchen, and there she is. Bent over the counter, carefully arranging a platter of sliced fruit. Her dark hair falls in waves around her face, and when she turns, it’s like time stops for a second. Her eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, everything feels... right again.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moves.
Gabriela sets the platter down and takes a slow breath. She looks beautiful, even more so than I remember, and that goddamn ache in my chest won’t go away. Her expression softens as she meets my gaze.
“Hi,” I say, the word coming out a little hoarse. Nice, get it together, Joaquín.
“Hi.” She smiles, though it’s tentative, like she’s still unsure of where we stand. She wipes her hands on the dish towel and stands straighter, though she doesn’t move closer. The distance between us feels like a mountain.
I take a small step forward, wanting to close that gap.
“Thank you for letting me come tonight,” I say quietly, hoping she can hear the sincerity in my voice. “I... I’ve missed you. I miss this. You didn’t have to. I know Cora would have been more than happy to tell me to fuck off.”
Gabby tilts her head, and there’s a flicker of something in her eyes—reluctance, maybe? Or maybe hope? “Mireya asks about you,” she says softly, not exactly meeting my eyes. “I think about you.” I can hear the straining in her voice.
Fuck, I don’t want her to cry.
Her lips press together, and for a moment, I’m sure she’s going to tell me to leave. To go away and not come back. But instead, she just looks at me.
“I’m trying,” I add quickly. “I’m not perfect, and I know I’ve hurt you. But I’m trying, baby. I’m really fucking trying.”
She doesn’t respond right away. Instead, she crosses her arms, looking at me with a gaze that’s both soft and guarded.
“You’re trying, huh?” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “What does that even mean, Joaquín? Because you’ve said that before, but actions speak louder than words. I’m just... I’m not sure if you know what trying really looks like.”
I flinch at her words, but I don’t let them stop me. I can’t. “I know. I haven’t shown you enough. I know that. But it’s not just about saying it. It’s about changing, proving I can be the man you need. I’ll prove it, Gabby. I’ll prove I’m worth your trust again.”
She takes a step back, clearly torn, but also unwilling to let me off the hook that easily. “I want to believe that. I do. But I can’t keep going in circles with you, Joaquín.”
Her words sting, but they also light a fire in me. I have one chance, and I’m not going to waste it.
“Let me show you,” I say, my voice firm and steady. “Just... don’t give up on me. Not yet.”
For a long, quiet moment, she just watches me, her eyes studying mine like she’s looking for any sign of deception. But then her gaze softens. She looks... tired. Worn down.
“Okay,” she says finally, her voice almost too quiet to hear. “But I can’t promise anything, Joaquín. I’m not going to put my heart out there again unless you prove it to me.”
I nod, relief flooding through me, but I don’t speak. I just take a step closer, giving her the space to make the next move.
And then she does something I wasn’t expecting. She reaches out, gently brushing her fingers against my arm. A simple touch, but it feels like the first step toward something new. Something better.
“We’ll see where this goes,” she whispers.
I swallow hard, fighting back the urge to pull her into my arms right then and there. But I know this is bigger than just a moment.
I’ve got time to prove myself now.
* * *
“Five, four, three, two, one... HAPPY NEW YEAR!” The room erupts into cheers, and as the clock strikes midnight, couples around me embrace, exchanging soft, celebratory kisses.
Gabby, holding Mireya in her arms, leans down to kiss her sister’s cheek. Mireya giggles, squirming, clearly delighted by the chaos of the night. Thiago and Cora are lost in each other, their embrace tender, their lips meeting for a quiet, sweet kiss. The sight makes me smile—it’s good to see them happy, especially after everything they’ve been through.
But as much as I try to focus on the happiness around me, my eyes keep drifting back to Gabby. Her smile, the way she’s looking at Mireya, her soft laugh—it’s the kind of warmth I’ve been missing, the kind of peace I crave.
Having had enough of the growing tension in my chest, I mutter to Thiago, “I’m just going to grab another water. Be right back.”
Thiago gives me a distracted nod, his arm still around Cora, and I head toward the kitchen, hoping the quiet will help clear my head. But just as I’m about to reach for the fridge handle, the front door slams open with a force that shakes the walls, and I spin around instinctively.
It’s Nathan.
I can already see from the way he stumbles in—wild eyes, unsteady on his feet—that he’s had one too many. His breath reeks of alcohol, and his movements are sloppy as he staggers into the room.
“What the fuck, Nathan?” I mutter under my breath as I move toward him. I don’t need this right now.
“Hey!” Nathan shouts as he sloshes past the door, swaying like a drunk toddler, clearly not in control of his body. He’s making a scene—loud, out of place. “I’m here! The party started , right? I’m just here to... celebrate!”
I walk straight up to him, grabbing his arm before he can stumble any further. He looks at me, blinks a few times, and then grins like he’s won some kind of victory.
“Nate, get the fuck out,” I say firmly, grabbing him by his shoulders, trying to steady him.
He waves a hand dismissively. “Nah, nah, man. Just… trying to… uh, have a good time!” He’s still grinning like it’s the funniest thing in the world, but his words slur as he struggles to stay standing.
I’m trying not to lose it. I don’t want to make this worse, especially not now. Not with Gabriela in the next room. Not with Mireya here.
“You need to leave,” I tell him, my voice low but firm. “Cora doesn’t need this at her house. None of us do. You’re way too drunk and there are fucking kids here. Go home.”
Nathan chuckles, though it’s more like a wheeze. He looks around at the party like he’s searching for something—or maybe someone. “Cora doesn’t care. Plus, I’m here to see someone else.”
“I said leave,” I snap.
Nathan’s just too far gone. He takes a step toward me, barely keeping his balance, and I brace myself for another outburst. “Where’s your precious Gabriela ?“ He mutters under his breath, shaking his head. “I’ve got a little secret for you, Quín. It was me.” He wavers, looking more and more like he’s about to fall over.
“What the fuck did you say?” I growl taking a step back.
Before I can stop him, he stumbles past me, almost tripping over his feet. I glance over and see Gabriela, who’s stepped into the doorway, watching the entire scene unfold. Her face is a mixture of disbelief and concern.
“Gabby—“ Nathan slurs, “Was it as good for you as it was for me? Cuz let me tell you...” He makes the chef’s kiss motion, “some grade A pussy you’ve got.”
“Oh my God,” Gabby’s voice is soft, realizing exactly what he is confessing to. “It was you.”
I grab him by his collar and drag him out the front door, down onto the front lawn and start beating him. Blinded by rage, landing punch after punch, I let him have every ounce of pain I have been feeling these past few weeks. “You fucking son of a bitch,” I feel hands on my back, attempting to pull me off.
“ Carnal ,“ Thiago and another guy grab ahold of me to pry me off of Nathan. “Stop before someone calls the cops.”
Nathan stands, wiping the blood from his face, laughing as he tries to steady himself. “I didn’t hurt her too badly. She was still wet from you coming inside her. So thanks for that. Her pussy was the best I’ve ever gotten to come inside, and what makes it even better is I went in raw. Only the best for your girl, Quín.”
“You’re fucking dead. Do you hear me?” I attempt to pull away from the men holding me back, but they grip me tighter. “ Voy a hacer que desees no haberla tocado nunca . (I’m going to make you wish you’d never touched her.)”
Nathan barely seems to register the threat, but after a few more seconds, he stumbles down the street, cursing under his breath as he goes. The silence left behind is heavy, but at least the chaos has stopped.
I take a breath, running a hand through my hair.
Gabby watches me, still standing by the door, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. She looks broken, and I would give anything to put her back together.
“Did Mireya see that?” I ask quietly. “Did she hear what he said?”
“No,” she replies softly, her voice calm but distant. “Nat kept her inside.”
I nod, feeling the weight of everything we just discovered.
Nathan raped her. One of my best friends violated her in the worst possible way. And I let him live.
Not for long .
“He is going to pay for what he did,” I promise, my voice steady, even though I’m not sure how I’ll do it yet. “I’ll make sure of it.”
She gives me a small, tear-filled tired smile, the kind of smile that’s meant to comfort but doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I know you will,” she murmurs.
And with that, she turns, walking back inside with everyone else. I stand there for a moment, the chaos of the night around me, not knowing how I am going to prove myself to her.
A whistle from behind draws my attention. A group of three guys standing at the curb next to a few Harleys motions for me to come over. All three of them are wearing MC cuts and smoking. “Is what the piece of shit said true? He raped Cora’s friend.”
I nod. “Gabriela, she my...” the man holds up his hand to stop me.
“You gonna let him continue to breathe air, Mano ? That shit don’t fly around here.“ He turns his face up in disgust. He holds out his hand to me, and I take it. “The names Diego, I’m Cora’s cousin, and Los Muertos Vivos would be happy to help you with this little problem.”