Chapter 14 – Mateo
Chapter Fourteen
MATEO
I’m just trying to get through the damn day. That’s it.
I’m running on four hours of sleep, I forgot my protein shake on the counter, and my shoulder’s been acting up since yesterday’s drill. But I figure if I don’t move my body soon, I’m going to crawl out of my skin—so I hit the gym.
I’m halfway through my warm-up set—lat pulldown, shoulder twinging in that annoying way—when I feel it. That familiar weight, like someone’s watching me. I glance up.
Shit. Letty.
She’s posted up by the front mirror, tight black leggings, sports bra, hair tied up with two perfect curls hanging down her face. She catches my eye and smiles. Slow. Like she’s been waiting for me to notice her. Fuck me.
I turn back to my set, keep going, pretend I didn’t see her. But it’s too late.
A second later, I hear her voice behind me. “Wow. Look who decided to finally show up.”
I don’t answer. I finish the set, keep my focus straight ahead.
“Mind if I work out with you?”
I wipe the sweat from my brow, still not looking at her. I’m not a total asshole. I don’t want to be rude to her, but I wish she’d take a goddamn hint.
“I guess,” I mutter. “Just…don’t get in my way.”
She grins like the cat that caught the canary. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I move to the free weights and start loading the bar for a shoulder press.
Letty grabs a set of dumbbells and sets up beside me, just close enough that I can feel her eyes on me.
I focus on my form, count my reps in my head, and try to ignore the perfume cloud creeping into my airspace. Two sets in, I feel her step closer.
“Damn,” she murmurs, placing a hand on my bicep mid-rep. “You’ve been putting in work, huh?”
I shift away, rack the weight, and glance down at her hand. “Don’t do that.”
She pulls her hand back slowly, batting her lashes. “Relax, Mateo. It’s not a crime to appreciate good arms.”
I don’t answer. I grab my towel and turn back to reset the weights. I keep working out, trying to stay in my lane, trying not to snap at Letty as she tosses out flirty remarks between sets. But then—
“Yo, Mateo!” a voice calls out.
I turn, towel in hand. And there he is. Nico. Strutting toward us, looking every bit the asshole that he is. What the hell is happening today? I just wanted to work out in peace.
He stops a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes flicking from me to Letty, then back. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Letty smiles too big. “Hey, Nico.”
I look between them. They know each other? Letty doesn’t offer an explanation, just keeps that damn smile plastered across her face.
Nico’s smirk sharpens. “What? Small town. Everyone knows everyone, right?”
Letty steps back, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I ran into Nico at the Fall Festival. We had some things in common.”
The way she says it makes a knot in my gut pull tight.
“You’re working out together now?” Nico asks. “That new? Or just…picking up where you two left off?”
I don’t know what this guy is going on about. Picking up where we left off? Did I hit my head? Is it the lack of sleep? Either way, I’m confused and getting more annoyed by the second.
I exhale slowly through my nose, the towel clenched in my hand. “We’re not working out together.”
Nico chuckles. “Looked like it. Especially when she had her hand all over you.”
Letty doesn’t deny it. Doesn’t say a word. Just crosses her arms and looks down at her sneakers.
I take a step forward. “What do you want, Nico?”
He shrugs. “Just saying hi. Seeing what my daughter’s mom’s boyfriend is up to. I mean, I’d hate to find out you’ve got side pieces.”
My fists clench. “Watch your mouth.”
Nico smirks. “Touchy, touchy. Didn’t mean anything by it, man. Just looking out for Analyse. She deserves to know what kind of guy she’s with.”
The way he says it makes my blood simmer. “You done?” I ask, jaw tight.
He takes one last look at Letty, then me. “For now.”
Letty adjusts the straps on her sports bra, still not looking at me. “Sorry. I didn’t know he was gonna show up.”
I stare at her. “Sure.” And I walk away.
I grab my bag, slam my water bottle into the side pocket, and head for the exit, not bothering to look back.
Later that night, I decide I’m going to see my favorite girl. Maya. That kid can turn a bad day into a good one within minutes.
I knock twice, and the door opens before I even lower my hand.
“Hey,” Analyse says, voice soft, already stepping aside to let me in.
She’s barefoot in leggings and an oversize tee that says Yo hago lo que me da la gana. Yeah…that tracks. If there’s a more Analyse shirt out there, I haven’t seen it. Her curls are clipped up, a few stray pieces falling loose around her face. She looks tired, but still as beautiful as ever.
“I brought something,” I say, lifting the brown paper bag in my hand.
Maya appears like a blur behind her, squealing, “Florecitas!”
I hand the bag over, and she snatches it excitedly. Analyse raises an eyebrow at me as she closes the door.
“She asked for them the other day.” I shrug.
“You’re ridiculous,” she says, but her lips twitch like she’s fighting a smile.
“Only a little.”
We settle in the living room, Maya sprawled across the floor with her coloring books while we sit on the couch. The TV is on low in the background—some baking competition show. We sit down on the couch, and Analyse begins opening the can of Florecitas. I can’t help but stare at her.
She’s radiant. End of the day, hair a little messy, and she’s still the most beautiful thing in the room. Hell, in every room.
“You okay?” I ask, my voice low.
She turns to me, eyes soft. “Yeah. Just a long day. The kids were wild. Full moon energy or something.”
I chuckle. “Want me to bring them in for a drill? Firefighter bootcamp?”
Her eyes light up. “They’d love that. You might regret it, though.”
“Nah,” I say, nudging her shoulder with mine. “For you, I’d risk it.”
She holds my gaze for a second longer than usual. There’s something in her expression, something I can’t name, but it makes my chest go tight in the best kind of way.
Maya eventually yawns, dragging her blanket toward the couch. “I’m tired, but I don’t wanna go to bed yet.”
Analyse scoops her into her arms. “Go brush your teeth, mamita. I’ll come tuck you in.”
“Okay,” Maya says sleepily, with a full mouth of cookie crumbs.
While she’s in the bathroom, Analyse gathers her blanket and wipes down the crumbs.
“You’re good at this,” I murmur. “The mom thing.”
She shrugs. “Most days I feel like I’m winging it.”
“You’re doing better than most.”
“You’re just saying that,” she says quietly.
I stand, close the space between us, and gently place both hands on either side of her face. “Lyse,” I say, my voice low but firm. “I need you to listen to me carefully, okay? Are you listening?”
She nods, eyes wide, unsure.
“You’re an amazing mother. Every single thing you do—every single move you make—is with Maya at the center of it. You love in a way most people forget how to. Completely. Unshakedly. So I want you to say it.”
“Say what?”
“That you’re amazing. Say it.”
“Mateo…” she starts, shaking her head, “I don’t think—”
“Nope. Not letting it go. Say it.”
She lets out a breath, almost a laugh, but then— “Fine. I’m amazing.”
“Louder.”
“I’M AMAZING!!” she shouts, smiling now, despite herself.
I grin, brushing my thumbs across her cheeks. “Good girl. Now don’t you ever forget it.”
When she comes back from putting Maya down, I’m leaning back on the couch. She sinks into the cushion beside me and tucks her legs under her. She pulls a throw blanket over both our laps without asking.
I glance down at her. “This part of the fake dating package?”
She smirks, not looking at me. “Don’t get used to it.”
Too late. Way too damn late.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, watching some guy panic over burnt cupcakes.
I don’t know when it happens exactly, but her head ends up resting on my shoulder.
It feels good. Like it belongs there. I don’t move.
I just let myself feel it. The warmth of her.
The rise and fall of her breath. The quiet.
Then—her phone buzzes on the coffee table. She doesn’t move right away. But then she straightens up a little, reaches for it, and unlocks the screen. I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. Her smile fades. Her whole body stills.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
She nods too quickly. “Yeah. Just…I forgot I have an early morning tomorrow.”
“Oh.” I sit up, pushing my blanket off my lap. “Right. I should go, then.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry…I’m just really tired.”
I stand. “It’s fine. It’s late. I should get going anyway. Thanks for letting me crash your night.”
“Thanks for the snacks,” she says, walking me to the door.
We stand there for a second, the porch light soft above us. She’s got her arms crossed over her chest now.
“I’ll text you tomorrow,” I say, even though I’m already sure something shifted.
She nods. “Okay. Drive safe.”
The door closes behind me. I stand on the porch for a beat, staring at the wood grain of her door. What the hell just happened?