Chapter Twenty-five

When Ash told me who we were meeting at the front gate, I nearly lost my shit. I was so fucking nervous I had to change my outfit three times.

Who the fuck does that? No, what kind of guy does that?

I don't know what to do with all these feelings. They are fucking with my head. She is fucking with my head. I wanted to punch him in the dick, but I knew what Ash was doing. This whole fucked up situation affects us both. Ash loves her like a sister and missed her just as much as I did. But when I saw the light return to his eyes the moment he mentioned her name, a sense of jealousy ran through me.

Before I dismember my brother's body for trying to take my girl away from me, I realize she needed him as much as I needed her. Not in a romantic way, but as a brother. I remember how heartbroken Shorty was when Josiah was hardly at home. She missed him.

In the end, I think he knew we would look after her. Regardless, she wanted her brother and not just when she needed him, but just because.

When she first stepped out of Tia's car at the game, I felt the world stop turning. The way her tight jeans snugged against her curves giving me a perfect view of her ass. She frees her bouncy curls.

Fuck. She's breathtaking. I can't keep my eyes off her. I am fucking addicted to her.

Whenever the wind blew in my direction, I could smell her sweet fruity-floral aroma, making my eyeballs roll in the back of my head.

It was fucking intoxicating.

Shewas intoxicating.

Ash and I drove together while Shorty drove with Tia to the pizza joint.

"So, what, are you going to ignore her all night?" Ash questions me, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel matching the beat to the song. I lay my head back against the head rest to avoid his question.

"Seriously?" He laughs. "You finally have her back and this is how you're going to waste your second chance?" He looks away, shaking his head in disapproval.

"I don't want to fuck this up."

"Would you get over that shit already? It's not your fault what happened. It's none of our faults. We were fucking kids, man. Let her decide if she wants anything to do with you, with us. Just don't push her away. She doesn't deserve that shit. She's been through enough."

He's right. She doesn't deserve that or anything else that would cause her even more pain.

I drag my hands down my face. "She's a mom, Ash. A fucking mom. She went through that all on her own. We could've been there for her.."

"Yeah, but we're here now and that's all that matters."

We drive in silence the rest of the way to Francisco's. Tia's little Camry pulls into a narrow parking lot outside the pizza place. The building looks like a mom-and-pop shop—old fashioned with a lot of character. I wonder what our lives would've been like had we stayed behind.

Ash follows and parks two cars behind Tia.

"Motherhood suits her." Ash breaks the silence.

I turn toward the passenger window, taking in the beautiful sight in front of me before responding "Yeah, she is."

"Then don't fuck this up." Ash says in an earnest tone. He opens the door and slams it shut.

"Damn. This is a sexy ride, boyz." Tia seductively purrs the s to a z, delicately running her perfect manicured fingers down the side of his Audi. Ash chuckles and drinks her in as he skims her body from head to toe. By the hungry look in his eyes, I know what he's thinking. She's a challenge to be reckoned with, which is exactly why he won't back down. He'll pursue her until she finally gives in.

"Maybe you can give me a ride sometime, Papi chulo." She winks at Ash as she sashays her hips toward him.

"I'll give you something to ride, baby." He grabs her by the hips and pulls her against his chest. She squeals but doesn't remove herself from him.

Shorty laughs while walking toward the green wooden double doors. Tia giggles when Ash releases her.

"Are you sure you can handle her, brother?" He shrugs, giving me a cocky grin.

I laugh to myself.

He's so fucked.

As soon as we walk in, we are sucked into a warm and friendly family like setting, from the upbeat Spanish music pouring out of the jukebox to the warm blue and red palette that spreads all throughout the walls, tables, and chairs. A huge Puerto Rican flag hangs on the arched dark wood trim above the cashier's desk.

We're greeted by a young hostess. Her name tag reads Marisol. When she sees Tia and Shorty, her face lights up like the Fourth of July. She screams and runs around the desk and dives into Shorty's and Tia's arms.

"Ah! I can't believe you are here! It's been sooo long since you've been here, girl." She continues to sway the girls from side to side. She pulls away and yells at someone behind her shoulder. "?Dad! Mira quién está aquí!"

A minute later, a tall middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair emerges from the kitchen wearing a white apron plastered with spots of red sauce.

He wipes his hands on his apron and walks over to the girls with a huge smile full of happiness and love. The way a father looks at his daughter.

I follow his gaze that lands on Shorty. She doesn't hesitate for a second and walks right up to him with open arms. He hugs the hell out of her and kisses the top of her head. He pulls her away just enough for him to look at her. "Es tan bueno verte mija," he says quietly for her ears only. "Espero que la vida te haya estado tratando bien." She nods and gives him another hug. He lets her go and hugs Tia. He looks over her shoulder and takes notice of Ash and me.

You'd think we would feel out of place, but I don't. It feels as if this is where I am supposed to be.

He holds his hand out to me. "My name is Francisco, and I am the owner of this place," he proudly says in his deep Spanish accent.

"It's nice to meet you, sir." I shake his hand and my eyes drift to Shorty who is staring at me with affection. I give her a wink, enough to make her blush.

"Hello, sir." Asher shakes his hand and smiles.

"Any family of Tia's and Sadie's is family to us. Please. Sit and enjoy. The food is on us," he says as he claps his hands, gesturing us towards a booth in the back by the window.

"No, no podemos aceptar Cisco." Hearing Shorty speak Spanish sends a jolt of electricity to my dick.

Fuck.

Whatever she says doesn't convince him otherwise, so we follow him to our booth. Ash and I sit across from Tia and Shorty. Surprisingly, the evening isn't as awkward as I thought it would be. The conversation between the four of us flows so naturally. We talk about stupid shit and laugh our asses off while trying to name all the states in three minutes.

After thanking Francisco for the delicious and authentic food, we walk out to the parking lot. Tia and Asher walk ahead while I walk closely beside Shorty. So close that our arms begin to brush against one another.

"Are you hanging out with Tia tonight?" I tuck my hands into my jean pockets.

"Um, no, I'm staying over at Abuela's tonight," she says while brushing the curls out of her face. "Thank you for coming with us. It meant a lot to me."

"Thank you for inviting us." I playfully nudge her arm with my elbow. Once we're standing beside Ash's car, I tilt my head to get a better look at Shorty. "Am I going to see you again?" Her eyes swirl with emotion as if she's contemplating her answer. Before she can deny my ass, I say, "I'd love to spend more time with you and Sophie. I'll behave," I promise with a playful smile, crossing my fingers together.

She turns away from me, fidgeting with her jacket and giving me a clear view of her cleavage . I wanted to cover her up while we were sitting at the booth. No one should be getting a view of her tits or any other part of her body. God. I'm such a pathetic possessive asshole claiming a girl who doesn't belong to me.

Yet.

"Yeah, I'd love that." She looks up and gives me a soft tender smile. My heart does a little happy dance.

Fuck yes!

"Let's go!" Tia snaps her fingers in the air.

Shorty shakes her head. "I'm not a fucking dog, Tia."

They both burst into a fit of giggles, making us laugh with them.

Shorty starts to walk away, but I reach for her hand and pull her to me. I don't know what the hell I'm doing. We hold each other's gaze long enough for me to wrap my hands around her. She rests her head on my chest. I squeeze her, trying not to break her. I don't want to let go.

Stay with me, Shorty.

She looks up at me with her chin resting on my chest. I brush back a curl that fell on her face. My eyes move down to her lips and back to her eyes. I catch her doing the same to me.

I want to kiss you.

She's the first to pull away. I want to rub the ache from my chest.

"Bye, Doni."

"Good night, Shorty."

She waves goodbye and climbs into the car but not before she gives me one more glance. Then she shuts the door, leaving me alone and empty.

Tia walks over to me, peeks over my shoulder, and winks at Ash, then turns to face me. She raises on her tiptoes and places her lips to my ears. "If you break her heart, I will cut your dick off and feed it to you." She levels her face to mine. "You feel me?"

I nod because what the fuck am I supposed to say to that?

She pats me on the cheek and winks. "She cares about you." "She needs you. She won't admit it, but she does. I see the way she looks at you and the way her face lights up whenever she talks about you. She's been through a lot of shit, but I have a really good feeling about you. I know you're going to take good care of her. But I will kill you if you make her cry. She's done enough of that." And with that, she gets into her car and drives out of the parking lot but not before Shorty turns around waves with a big smile.

Why does it feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest every time she leaves my side? It's like the day we left but this time, she is in the car and I'm the one standing alone watching .