16. Michael
Michael
the following week
“ H elloooo, big brother!” my sister sings out so loudly that I have to hold the phone away from my ear. Vivian’s still asleep in bed— our bed—after yet another night that I couldn’t resist worshiping her body. That woman is damn perfection. At this rate I won’t sleep til I’m dead.
Worth it though.
“Hey, hey there, baby sis,” I grumble good naturedly as I stretch the phone cord out so I can reach the coffee maker. Good thing I sprung for the extra long coil. “How you doing?”
“Oh, I’m just fine,” she practically purrs, and I curse under my breath. I can already tell where this is headed. “I heard from a little bird that you are bringing somebody up for family dinner this weekend.”
I laugh despite myself. “That little bird wouldn't happen to be named Paquita, would it?” My grandmother can’t resist any bit of gossip.
“Never heard of her,” she teases. “So who is this girl? Where did you meet? Is she taking good care of you? Is she someone I’m going to have to beat up?”
I swear that girl never takes a breath when she’s excited, and especially when it comes to relationships—mine, hers, or the neighbor next door. She is a walking romance book, always looking for everyone’s happily ever after while still fiercely defensive of everyone she cares about.
Her big heart has also had the misfortune of being unlucky in love, so I know she’s just looking out for me.
“ ?Parra el carro, hermanita! I haven’t even had my coffee yet,” I say to stop her tirade.
“ Mira , Miguel, you can't be upset with me for wanting to know more,” she huffs out. “You haven't brought anybody home since prom, which was like a decade ago.”
“Look who’s the comedian now,” I tease back. “I'm not that old.”
“Might as well be.” She grunts and I visualize Isabella blowing the top of her bangs back in frustration.
“But seriously, who is this chick? We haven’t met anyone you’ve dated in forever.
” She pauses, and I can almost guess what she’s going to ask next before it spills out of her mouth. “Wait. No way. I-is she your one?”
I hesitate a moment, debating how to answer her. Just because I already know doesn't mean I'm ready to share it with everybody else yet.
Especially not until I’ve had a chance to tell Vivian how I feel.
It had only been a few days since the bowling alley incident, and although I was pretty certain of her affection for me, I’d used every chance I could to make my feelings for her crystal clear.
Flowers and her favorite coffee at work, cooking for her every night, followed by foot rubs to relieve her tender feet from ten- hour shifts.
Hoping that she’ll see my devotion through more than just words; actions always speak louder anyway.
I’ve been neglecting my regular weekend visits, so when Paquita called to check on me, I told her I’d be there this Saturday.
And possibly bringing someone with me. Even though I’d called her girlfriend to my co-workers, I wasn’t about to reveal that to my grandmother just yet.
It would become a big deal and put more pressure on Vivian when we got there.
Besides, girlfriend seemed such a superficial term for what Vivian meant to me.
They’d see right through it once they met her and saw her effect on me.
When I broached the topic of a visit to Vivian, she’d gone completely still, before trying to play it off with a laugh. “Baby, don’t you think it’s a bit early to meet the parents?”
Tamping down the lust that always shot through me with her term of endearment, I swallowed and adjusted myself, not bothering to hide how my body reacted.
Something about the way she said baby —the way she claimed me with her words—got me rock hard in seconds.
Hell, anything she did got me hard. It was like a 24/7 boner when she was around.
She smirked, noting my “problem” and reaching for me, but I wasn’t going to let her distract me from the conversation.
“Not at all, mi amor,” I told her, taking her hands and kissing each of her wrists before pressing our lips together.
She moaned and tried to deepen the kiss, but I pulled back.
I needed her to see that I was serious about this.
“I want you to meet my family and my friends. They’re going to love you. ” Almost as much as I do .
I wanted to cement our relationship as much as possible. It only made sense for her to meet everyone sooner than later. They were going to be her in-laws anyway.
Vivian’s eyes still held too much trepidation for my taste. “Michael, I don’t know about this…”
“It’s just overnight,” I promised her. “Just the family getting together like they always do; we’re just joining them. No pressure, te lo prometo ,” I said as I cupped her chin and indulged in her sweet lips once more, cutting off her protests.
“She's… special,” I admit to Isabella. “ Very special to me. And I don't want you guys to plan anything elaborate. She’s kinda skittish as it is and if you say anything, they’re gonna pull out all the stops.” If my mom gets an inkling of exactly how special Vivian is to me, she’ll start planning the wedding.
Not a bad idea, but I guess I should ask my girl first, right?
“This is just me coming up to see you guys and bringing my girl with me.”
“Your girl,” she says. “That sounds pretty serious to me. I can't remember the last time you called someone your quote, unquote, girl .”
“She’s mine,” I confirm. “Trust me.”
“Okay, well, I won't tell mom to bring out the baby photo albums yet.”
I groan, smacking my hand to my head. “Hell, no. You know she said she would only ever do that for the one.”
“But what you’re saying sounds like—”
“I know what I’m saying.” My voice lowers, not wanting Vivian to walk in on something she’s not prepared to hear yet. “And yes, you’re right. On all counts.”
Her squeals pierce the earpiece, and I have to hold it away from my head again.
“Shh! Damn, Isabella!”
I can hear her gulp down her excitement. “I’m here, I’m here, I’ll be quiet,” she says, her voice softer this time, and I guarantee she’s dancing around in the kitchen in those pink house slippers she loves to wear on the weekends.
“Listen, this is still new, okay? I don't want to scare her off just yet. Please try and talk to Mom. Can’t have Vivian running for the hills before she even gets a chance to know you,” I beg.
Isabella might be a hopeless romantic, but we take care of each other.
We always have, with our dad working so hard and Mom being sick.
I’ve got six years on her and have always taken the lead as big brother.
But she holds her own as the peacemaker and nurturer in the family.
If anyone can persuade my excitable mother to show some restraint, it’s Isabella.
“Okay, okay.” she begrudgingly agrees. “I won’t say anything, and I’ll try to keep Mom under control… as much as I can anyway,” she says with a laugh.
I grin. “That’s all I’m asking for,” I reassure her.
“I’ve got your back. Are we inviting Sebastian and Connor too?” My two best friends have been coming over for Sunday dinner for as long as I can remember, and I can’t wait to introduce them to my future wife. My wife . Damn, that sounds so good to my ears.
“Yes, definitely. I’ve already talked to Paquita and asked her to make a really big roast for everybody. I sure do miss her cooking.”
“See, there’s one benefit of you coming home. I actually get to have all the food that I want from Grandma.”
“ One benefit? You mean you don’t love it when I sample all of your cakes and tell you which ones suck?”
“Stop it.” She laughs. “You love my baking.”
“That I do, baby sis. But I also want to make sure you’re staying out of trouble.”
“ No sé de qué estás hablando. I’m an angel,” she says, trying to pull off an innocent voice.
“Sure, sure.” I grin. “Seriously, though… is there anyone I have to beat up?” Her dating history has been abysmal.
That beautiful, generous heart means she cares even when she shouldn’t, and it makes her blind to the faults in others.
Frankly, she has shit taste in guys. I threatened to interrogate any prospective dates after the last douchebag because I don’t want her to get hurt again.
But now I’m not there to help. It tugs at my heart, but she’s a strong young woman; she’s had to be.
So I have to trust that she’ll take care of herself and know that I will beat the shit out of anyone if she needs it. Wouldn’t be the first time.
“I’m not seeing anyone right now,” she says quietly.
“It’s not because of Jonas, is it? Is he still bothering you?”
“No, you don’t have to worry about him.” She sighs. “He’s with Lucia now.”
“ The one he cheated on you with? ” My neck stiffens.
“Yeah… and they’re having a baby.”
My throat emits a low growl thinking of that piece of shit who wined and dined my sister, only for her to find out he had a chick on the side…
the entire fucking time . My mom had adored Jonas, thought he was so attentive, always lavishing Isabella with flowers and taking her out to dinner.
But then again, she’s wanted to see her daughter happily married off for just about forever and isn’t the best judge of character.
My dad is better at weeding out the bad seeds, but his work hours prevent him from being around enough to vet the guys Isabella dates.
If he had, I’m sure he would’ve seen right through the fucker’s pretty-boy mask.