35
NICO
Me: I know you said you’re still “thinking about things”, but could possibly think about those things over dinner with me?
Mi Reina: That’s not possible with you around.
Me: Why? Because I’m so devilishly handsome that you lose your mind?
Mi Reina: You’re the devil, alright.
Me: And you’re my angel. Please? Just one little dinner. We both need to eat.
Mi Reina: You can’t keep using that as a reason to get me alone. Alligators need to eat but I don’t see you inviting one to dinner.
Me: Alligators don’t give me as much of a challenge as you do. What do you say?
Mi Reina: Not tonight.
A nother week sitting on the outs, another week begging her to forgive me. I need to work some magic if I expect to be celebrating Christmas with her. I’ve got ten days to win her back.
Diva: Yo, love machine. You get your girl to forgive? Have you two kissed and made up.
Me: Not yet.
Diva: Are you making progress, at least?
Me: Maybe
Saint: Woah. Slow down there, Sally. All these words. I can barely keep up. said with intense sarcasm
Diva: Is there anything we can do? I mean, I know she doesn’t know us well, but I know you would never cheat on her. The rest is in the past.
Me: You would say that.
Diva: What do you mean by that?
Saint: I’m pretty sure he’s talking about the San Fran thing.
Me:
Diva: Nico. I thought we talked it out. It’s all good, remember?
Me: You and Saint talked, I listened.
Saint: We agreed. We all made mistakes. But what matters is that we can forgive and move past it.
Me: You two made mistakes that betrayed me. I made a mistake that hurt Val, not either of you. I didn’t put your careers in jeopardy. So don’t come over here with that “forgive and forget” bullshit.
Saint: Bro. Come on. We’re brothers.
Me: Yeah, and brothers don’t step on each other to get ahead. Gotta go.
Little G: Any luck, slick Nic?
Me: She’s talking to me, so I guess that’s progress.
Little G: It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Remember that.
Me: Wow. Such wise words that I have never heard before in my life.
Little G: Yeah yeah. Keep up the attitude and I won’t tell you the secret to winning back your girl.
Me: There’s a secret? How? Tell me.
Little G: Because I’m such a good sister, and because you promise to hook me up with that thick linebacker Rocky, I’ll let you in. The secret lies with the best friend. Get in good with the bestie, you’ll win back the love of your life.
Me: One - you will NEVER date any guy who plays in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, or any other professional sport. Or semi-pro. Those guys are even worse than the pro’s. Two - I’m supposed to suck up to Lucy and hope she helps me instead of hurting me?
Little G: Oh ye of little faith. Just trust me. Call her bestie, and you can thank me later. I accept thank you’s in the form of trips to Greece and rich single men.
Me: If Lucy doesn’t chop off my balls, I’ll send you a fruit basket.
Me: I know I have no right to ask, but I really need your help.
Lucy: Who says you have no right? I’ve been waiting for you to grow a pair and call me.
Me: Huh?
Lucy: You want your girl back, don’t you?
Me: More than anything.
Lucy: Okay then. Let’s get her.
Me: You look beautiful today, mi Reina.
Mi Reina: How would you know? You haven’t seen me.
Me: I don’t have to see you to know it’s true. You’re always the most stunning woman in any room you step foot into.
Mi Reina: Oh boy. There he goes again. Cheese maker.
Me: I’ve told you before, I only speak the truth. Here’s another truth…I love you, Valentina. And until you tell me to never speak to you again, I’ll just continue to irritate you in the way that you love so much.
Mi Reina: Lucky me.
If things go as Lucy and I planned, I’ll be holding my girl in my arms by the end of night. Then who’s the lucky one.
I walk into the restaurant and pause behind a couple that stands at the hostess station.
It’s always the same bit at Chachi’s. Loud music, festive lights, people laughing after too many margaritas.
I understand why it’s Lucy’s favorite, but this is everything Valentina would rather avoid unless it’s a business situation.
When the networking is done and she no longer has to wear the face of professionalism, I’ve come to learn that she really just wants to be a homebody and shut herself off from the world.
I teased her once that she was allergic to people and she didn’t even bat an eyelash or disagree. If it weren’t for the carefree attitude I unleashed, I’d say she is devoid of emotion. But I’ve seen behind the curtain and I know she is not what she projects.
“H-hi. Welcome to Chachi’s. Dining in?” The hostess’s eyes are wide and the Christmas lights flash in her giant orbs.
“I am actually meeting someone. I believe she said she’s in the bar.” The woman’s face falls hearing I’m meeting a woman, as if she had a chance.
Actually, she may have six months ago, but other women don’t even pop up on my radar anymore.
She passes me a tight smile and I walk past her, walking up the three steps to the vibrant bar and stand in the corner, looking around for my girl.
Her back is to me, but I spot her immediately.
It also helps that Lucy is facing me with a giant smile and eyes working to catch my attention.
I nod to let her know I see them, and creep closer to their table.
Just then a waiter walks up holding a tray of, you guessed, peach margaritas.
My girl's favorite. He sets each glass down but the fucker doesn’t leave.
He stands there, flirting with Valentina and leaning closer and closer to her.
His hand moves dangerously close to hers, and by dangerous I mean he’s about to lose that goddamn hand if he touches her. And when she laughs, I see red.
I stomp over to the table and stand right next to the dude. Valentina’s smile falls and the guy has yet to realize I’m there.
“I’d love to get your number. Maybe we can go out sometime,” he tells her, his voice slimy like he’s not just looking to grab a drink with her.
“Sorry, bucko. She’s taken.” The guy jumps and flings his head.
He rises to his full height but he soon realizes that the imposing stance he’s trying to give off falls flat.
“Nic,” Valentina hisses.
“I’ll take a water with lime. I’ve got a game this weekend so I’ve got to be in tip-top shape.”
“He plays football,” Lucy adds, helping me make my case even more.
The waiter looks at Lucy and nods, “Yeah. I know who he is.”
“And her boyfriend, in case you didn’t understand.”
“Lucy.” Valentina snaps at her but Lucy couldn’t care less as she takes a long sip of her margarita. “I’m so sorry. We’re good for now. Thank you.”
He looks me up and down as he walks away and I smile, knowing I’ve won and he’ll never have a chance. I pull out a chair and sit down, staring directly at my beautiful girl.
“Hi mi Reina. You look beautiful.” I lean over, angling to give her a kiss, but she turns her head and I land somewhere in the area of her jaw and ear.
“What are you doing here Nico?”
“Having drinks and dinner with two of my favorite ladies. Well, you’re my favorite. Lucy is a welcome bonus.”
“Hey,” Lucy pipes up then shrugs. “I guess that’s fair.”
“How did you know I would be here tonight?”
I reach over and rest my arm on the back of her chair. “I know your places. It was easy to figure out where you’d be on a Thursday night after a long week.”
Lucy’s eyes twitch nervously from side to side, trying to keep her participation in all of this hidden.
“Damn you, Lucy. You told him, didn’t you?”
“I’m sorry. You just–wait. You know what?
I’m not sorry. I’m tired of seeing you get in your own way.
You’ve been super cranky and sad, and enough is enough.
Quit being so stubborn and just let yourself be happy for once.
I know you miss him. Every time I mention his name, your face does this whole poor me thing and it’s played out, sister.
Just talk to the poor guy and get over it.
Jesus.” She chugs her margarita and slams down the empty glass while wincing, painfully.
“Dammit. Brain freeze. I’ll be back.” Her chair squeals as it slides across the wood floors and she stomps off.
Valentina sits quietly staring at her fingers wrapped around the stem of her glass. Heavy thoughts swirl behind them and I kind of feel bad for surprising her this way. I wasn’t trying to upset her, I just really needed to see her.
“I didn’t mean to ruin your night, but I miss you.
Over the last four months, we’ve only gone a few days without seeing one another.
Between games and all the extras as a “couple”, we’ve spent very little days apart.
And since Mexico, I’ve been lucky to kiss and hug you every day.
Do you know how cold my bed is without you in it? ”
She doesn’t budge and the only way I know there are signs of life in her is by how her fingers twirl the glass slowly.
“It’s not just my bed, Valentina. My life is cold and dark, and so lonely. You are my warmth, my sunshine, and I can’t thrive without you.”
“Nic, you’re pushing me and I just don’t know if I want to be pushed in your direction. I’m hurt and now I question everything you ever said. How do I know you’re being honest?”
I grab her hand and lay it on my chest over my pounding heart.
“Ask me anything. You’ll know if I’m lying.” She deadpans at me, but I refuse to back down. “Did I sleep with anyone while we were dating? No. Did I hide a secret from you? Yes. Do I love you? More than anything.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears and her jaw clenches, holding back the cry that threatens to spill. I see the love in her eyes. I know it’s there. But does she realize that? She may not recognize the feeling because she’s never had it before.
With my hand over hers, I stand from my chair and her eyes follow me. She cranes her neck to look at me and I gaze at my beauty. I lift her hand to my mouth, kissing it and closing my eyes, soaking up the moment.
“I’ll wait for an eternity for you. Whenever you’re ready.” I place her hand back on the table and walk away.
I descend the small stairs and before I disappear out of sight, I look back at her and find those gorgeous eyes fixed on me. I wink and see her cheeks blush, then walk away, knowing she’s within reach.
All she needs to do is hold out her hand. I’ll hold it tight and never let go.