Chapter 6 – Analyse
Chapter Six
ANALYSE
Ineed to get to Seb before Libby’s big ol’ mouth makes its way to him—so much for checking things off my to-do list today.
I turn the key in the ignition, and the sound of the next episode of my favorite podcast fills the car.
“The thing about small towns is that secrets don’t stay buried—unless, of course, someone makes sure they do.”
I take a deep breath, pulling out of the driveway, gravel crunching beneath my tires.
The host’s voice is smooth, calming my nerves as I prepare myself for this conversation I’m about to have.
I chew on my bottom lip, practicing what I’m going to say, preparing myself for what he might say in return.
As I’m hyping myself up, I can’t help but to feel frustrated. Why do I feel like a sixteen-year-old on my way to tell my dad that I crashed our car? Seb can’t tell me shit. I may be his baby sister, but I haven’t been a baby in a long time, and who I date—or pretend to date—is none of his business.
I pull up in front of Seb’s house and freeze when I see a familiar car idling in the driveway. Mateo. What the hell is he doing here?
I glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror, trying to wipe the hangover off my face with a quick swipe of my sleeve. Then I step out of the car, walk over, and tap on Mateo’s window. He’s looking down at his phone and jumps at the sound. Dramatic.
He steps out of his car and says, “You scared the shit out of me.”
I cross my arms. “You scare easily.”
“Only when it’s you, baby.” He winks.
I roll my eyes, but the corner of my mouth twitches before I can stop it. “Cut it out, Mateo. What are you doing here?”
“What?” He grins, leaning against his car. “Can’t a guy stop by to see his girlfriend?”
“This isn’t even my house. What are you doing at Seb’s—and why are you just sitting here in your car?”
“Anna called me.” He rubs the back of his neck.
“Fantastic.” I fold my arms tighter and glance toward the house, my stomach churning. I can’t tell if it’s the lingering hangover or the looming conversation, but either way, I feel sick.
“She said Libby’s been running her mouth, and that you were coming to talk to Seb.” Mateo shifts his weight, his eyes scanning mine.
“So she told you to come save me?” I raise a brow.
“You never need saving, preciosa—and she didn’t tell me to do anything.
” He steps closer, voice low but steady.
“I came because I wanted to.” He pauses then adds, “And even if you don’t need saving, we both know how Seb gets, I wasn’t going to let you do this alone.
” He shrugs, but there’s nothing casual about the way he’s looking at me. “We’re in this together.”
I stare at him for a moment, unsure what to say. Finally, I settle for a mumbled, “Okay,” and walk toward Seb’s door.
Before I can knock, the door bursts open and Maya comes flying out, running straight toward me. But at the last second, she skids to a stop—her eyes lighting up when she spots Mateo.
“Mateo!” she squeals, launching herself at him.
He laughs, bending down to catch her easily. “Hi, princesa. Did you miss me?”
“Yes!” She wraps her little arms tight around his neck. “We played dress-up, did puzzles, baked cookies, and watched movies!”
“I’m glad you had fun.” He gives her one last squeeze before setting her down gently. “But I think someone else is waiting for a hug.” He tips his chin toward me.
That’s all it takes. She pivots and runs the last few steps into my arms. “Mami!”
I scoop her into my arms with a laugh. “Hola, mamita! Te extrané muchísimo, bebesita”
She snuggles in closer, her curls brushing against my cheek. “I missed you, too!”
I press a kiss to her head, warmth spreading in my chest. “I have to go in and talk to Tio, is he inside?”
“Yup,” she says with a pop of her lips.
I get inside and glance around—and I see so much of Mari here.
It’s beautiful. For so many years, Sebastian was alone.
Heartbroken. Just…getting by. And then Mari came back.
She put the light back into his world, and I’m grateful every damn day for it.
What’s better than having one of my best friends as my sister-in-law?
I know I talked all that shit on the way over, but I can’t help but feel nervous. Seb always has a way of making me feel like a kid again. I spot Mari first and exhale loudly.
Mari laughs. “Girl. Good thing you’re here, because I’ve been trying to distract him from looking at his phone.”
“So you know, too?”
“Of course, I do. Libby told Hilda and Hilda called me right away. Now, why you didn’t tell me is the real question.”
I begin twirling a curl around my finger. “I wasn’t sure there was even something to tell. I was feeling it out.”
“I get that. Go talk to Seb, he’s in the back building a bookshelf for my library—but I want all the juicy details later.” She reaches for Maya’s hand and says, “Come on, Maya, let’s go eat cupcakes!”
“Yessss!” she excitedly screams.
I stand there for a moment, not quite ready to make a move, when I hear someone clearing their throat and jump. I turn to see Mateo waiting for me. Shit. I forgot he was here.
“Do you need more time?”
“Let’s just get this over with.”
I see Seb hammering away and wonder if maybe I should’ve waited until he didn’t have a weapon in his hands. Would he really hit Mateo? No. Maybe not? I don’t know.
Seb looks up and smiles. “Hey Lyse. I wasn’t expecting you this early.” Then he looks at Mateo, and confusion dawns on his face. “Mateo? What’s up, man? I wasn’t expecting you at all.” He chuckles.
“Seb, I need to tell you something,” I say nervously.
He immediately stands straight. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay!” I say quickly. “It’s nothing like that. I just need to tell you about…”
“About…?”
“Me and Mateo,” I mumble.
“Come again? I have no idea what you said.”
“MateoandIaredating,” I say quickly.
“Lyse, I really need you to speak up here.”
Mateo jumps in and says, “She said that she and I are dating.”
Seb whips his head to Mateo. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“I said—”
Seb interrupts. “I fucking heard what you said. Is this your idea of a joke?”
I sigh. “He isn’t joking, Seb. Mateo and I are really dating.”
Seb looks really pissed. He’s just standing there, staring at us, looking as if he’s seconds away from exploding. He looks over at me, and I know he’s going to go off.
“Analyse, what the hell are you thinking? You’re my little sister. He’s my best friend. This is a bad fucking idea.”
“Seb, please. I’m a big girl, I can make my own decisions. I know what I’m doing.”
“You know what you’re doing.” He laughs. “She knows what she’s doing.” He’s pacing back and forth now. I can barely make out what he’s saying, but I can feel his anger rolling off him.
“Cono, Sebastian! Ya, me estás dando un maldito pique,” Mateo snaps.
“Yo te estoy dando pique? Yo?! Mira, cabrón—”
“The both of you shut the hell up!” I yell. “Mateo, I don’t need a savior, and, Seb, I don’t need you acting like you’re my goddamn father. You’re pissing me off!”
“But, Lyse—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” I say, cutting Seb off. “Listen to me closely, because I’m only saying this once—I can date whoever I want. I can do whatever I want.”
Seb opens his mouth to speak, but I lift a finger and say, “I know that you love me, Seb. I know that you care about me and only want what’s best for me.
But you have to let me make my own decisions.
Even if you think it’s a mistake, you have to let me make my own mistakes.
I love you, and I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me and Maya.
But let’s get one thing straight—you don’t get a say in this.
And if you make me remind you of that one very specific summer secret and tell Mom about it, I absolutely will.
Don’t test me. You know she taught me how to pinch your ear in a way that makes you cry, and I won’t hesitate to do it right here in front of everyone.
So maybe just be a good brother and give us your support, okay? ”
Seb’s face softens. “Okay, fine. I get it. I’m sorry. I just worry, you know? But I’ll support you. Of course, I’ll support you. You’re my baby sister,” he says, pulling me in for a hug.
He looks at Mateo now, and says, “I’ll support you guys, but I swear, Mateo, if you hurt my sister, you’re dead.”
Then he leaves the room to go play with Maya before I leave with her. That conversation actually went a lot better than I expected. I feel guilty about lying to him, but we’re already all in on this, no turning back now.
I’m lying on the couch, Maya cuddled up on top of me, fast asleep, her curls a wild mess.
These are the moments I look forward to.
Being a single mom isn’t easy, even with all the support in the world.
Things can get really hectic, not leaving me with a lot of downtime.
So when we have these quiet moments, just her and I—I relish it.
I look down at her little face, eyelids fluttering, lips pouting, soft even breaths. She looks so peaceful.
It’s been two weeks since Mateo and I told Sebastian that we’re dating. I haven’t seen either of them since. Mateo and I have been texting each other here and there, but I’ve been so busy helping the town plan the Fall Festival that I haven’t had time to do much else.
Unsurprisingly, Nico hasn’t turned up either.
So much for wanting to be back in our lives.
I don’t know if I’m irritated or relieved.
I know he’s still in town, because the people of this town can’t keep a secret if their lives depended on it and they’ve been muttering about him all around town.
Maybe all of this worry, all of this waiting, was for nothing.
This weekend is finally the Fall Festival—Maya is so damn excited, and admittedly, so am I. She’s excited for the pie eating contest where she’s certain she’ll beat Alejandro, and I can’t wait to get an apple cider donut in my hand—or maybe two donuts.