Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Alonzo
I ’d steeled myself for a massive blowup once my parents got home, but what transpired was more of a prolonged sputter rather than an all-out eruption.
I credited it to my sisters being there with their partners, not to mention the lingering high of Tala’s engagement.
If it took one of my siblings getting hitched for Papa to lay off me, I might bug Gabe about putting a ring on Luna’s finger too.
I had gotten off easy, but I had no doubt the issue would come up again when the celebrations were over. So, I’d enjoy the reprieve while it lasted.
Our extended family reunion had gone on longer than usual thanks to Tala’s announcement.
She’d shared it after we finished our traditional lunch and secret Santa gift exchange, and while our cousins argued over the karaoke mic, the titos and titas took turns interrogating Tala and Jason and checking out Tala’s ring.
Our most shameless tita remarked that the diamonds were smaller than she expected, proving she really didn’t know Tala.
I excused myself so I could make it to my shift and powered through the next six hours on espressos and a sandwich. During my break, I found a text from Tala telling me they’d pick me up for siblings’ night.
My translation? They were staging an intervention for me.
If that was the case, I was just glad we could do it in private.
The official story I’d given was that I was burned out from school and needed a quick break.
While it was partially true, it didn’t explain my sudden departure and radio silence.
I figured my sisters convinced Papa to take it easy on me and let them do the talking.
Was I taking advantage of my privilege as the youngest child? You bet.
At Tala and Jason’s condo, we raided their liquor stash and took our spots in their huge living room.
Luna and Gabe sat on one side of the sectional, with Tala and Jason on the other, while I sank into an armchair opposite them.
Trying to prolong the inevitable, I swirled my glass of whiskey, letting the ice cubes clink.
When I looked up, everyone was staring at me with varying degrees of concern.
I took a long drink for some courage.
Just get it over with, man.
“Dani cheated on me.” My words echoed in the silence. It was the second time I’d said it, yet it didn’t feel any easier than the first.
After what felt like ages, Luna asked, “What?”
Tala’s eyes were wide, her voice soft as she said, “Lonzo, I’m so sorry.”
Jason leaned across the table to clap his palm on my knee. Gabe frowned. “Do you want me and Jason to step out for a while?”
I shook my head. “It’s alright. You deserve to know too, since you had to cover for me and all. She admitted it when I picked her up for our date.” I huffed out a breath.
“That’s…” Luna’s voice drifted off. “I can’t think of the right words to describe it.”
Fucked up. That’s what it was.
“You left for La Union after you talked?” came from Tala.
“Yeah. I got in the car, drove, and ended up at the bus station. Next thing I realized, I was halfway to Juana with no change of clothes and no place to stay. It was like my brain blanked out and my body operated on autopilot.”
“I understand what that feels like,” Jason murmured as he swept his hand up and down Tala’s thigh.
“Like driving more than forty hours across the country in the dead of night?” Luna asked him.
I snorted. “Epic.”
Jason had done exactly that after he confessed his feelings for Tala, but she shot him down. When Tala tried to reach him, he was on his way to Santa Mila, where his basketball team was based.
“ Anyway . Sorry for interrupting,” Jason told me.
“Nah, that’s basically how I ended up in Juana. I’m sorry for worrying you guys.”
“I’m just glad you’re home safe,” Tala said. “Did she explain what happened?”
“She was on vacation with their family friends. The son works at their company too, and apparently, they were at a club and one thing led to another. I almost wish it had been a random stranger.” It would have been less painful than knowing she’d chosen someone she was already close to.
“Damn,” Luna breathed out. “You know him?”
“Yeah. I always thought he had a thing for Dani. She swore what they did was a mistake, but I bet her parents would love it if they got together. He’s like a son to them.”
“So where does that leave you guys?” Tala asked.
My breath whooshed out of me. “I don’t know. She wanted to work things out, but I couldn’t stay there and listen to her anymore. So I left.”
Silence.
“Sometimes, it’s better to step away from the situation when you’re unable to think straight.” Gabe’s words drew everyone’s attention to him. He didn’t talk a lot, preferring to listen, which made the things he said more impactful.
“I agree,” Luna said as she took his hand. “I think the question is, what do you want to do?”
“Get a time machine and convince Dani not to go on that trip.” I made it sound like a joke, but I meant it. If only that was an option.
The scary thing was that even if I could turn back time and we went to Juana as planned, I couldn’t know for sure that she wouldn’t still end up cheating down the line. She and Aaron were together so often, they’d have plenty of opportunities. Maybe it wouldn’t even be Aaron.
My foot bounced. “What would you guys do if you were in my place?”
They looked at each other.
Luna bit her lip. “I’ve talked to Gabe about my insecurities with him being older and, you know, super hot?—”
Gabe raised his brow at her.
She giggled softly and went on. “So he knows I worry that he might wake up one day and realize he prefers someone else. I told him to tell me straight out instead of trying to hide it from me. And that cheating was a dealbreaker.”
He shook his head and smiled. Like he found the mere idea of it impossible to comprehend.
I couldn’t imagine him doing it either. Then again, I’d thought the same about Dani.
“What about you?” I asked Tala.
“Same,” she answered instantly. “With Jason’s and my history, trust is really important to us. But our situations are different. You need to decide based on what you feel is right for you.”
Part of me wanted to give Dani another chance.
We’d been through a lot, and based on the texts she kept sending me, she still wanted to be with me.
We were in the same friend group, which meant we’d have to see each other anyway.
Besides, didn’t true love necessitate forgiveness?
What if she was the only person meant for me and I missed out on my only chance of love because I gave up too easily?
But every time I thought of her, her confession echoed in my ears. I pictured her with Aaron all over again, and I didn’t see how we could move past that—or if we should even try to.
“Am I stupid if I consider giving her another chance?” I asked them.
“No,” Tala answered. “It’s a big risk though.”
“Just be careful if you do, okay?” Luna added. “I don’t want you to disappear on us again.”
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. Her words unleashed the memories I’d tried to lock away. Memories of Cam’s hot mouth on mine. The sound of her moans as she ground her hips against me.
Focus, Alonzo.
“I’m planning to meet up with her later this week, so I still have time to figure it out,” I told them, though I already knew which way I was likely to go.
“Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help,” Luna offered while the others nodded.
“Thanks,” I said. “So, did I miss any wedding updates?”
If I was looking for a sign that my sisters understood me, I got it when they obliged my obvious topic switch.
They launched into a discussion on their plans for handling the news when it broke to the public and options for the wedding date.
I listened and gave my input, agreeing that late June to early July sounded good.
Through it all, I watched my sisters with their partners and how they shared an undeniable connection. How they seemed truly happy and genuinely themselves while being attached to someone else. That saying about your partner bringing out the best in you? I saw that reflected in them.
Once, I thought it was the same for me and Dani.
Too bad it didn’t feel like that anymore. I doubted I’d ever feel that way again.