Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

T he Party Is Just Getting Started

Macklin

To say I am freaking the fuck out is an understatement. I keep wanting to bring up that I am in love with Ruby and then someone else drops a bomb. My first instinct was to run after Ruby. She is the woman I love, and I wanted to be there to support her. I stayed back with Abuela instead because I knew Hayden had Ruby and Abuela needed me. She was terrified of them not forgiving her. Even though I tried to convince her otherwise, she wouldn’t believe it until they returned and reassured her that family wasn’t made of blood relatives but of those who stick by you through thick and thin. Abuela has been that for all of us.

I was worried about the vibe at Christmas dinner being off, but everyone was in a good mood. Thankfully, Vicky, Riley, and their friends stayed at the opposite end of the table. Luc was chill about everything that went down the night before, but Hayden felt bad. I could read it on him. Not that I would call him out though because he would just shut down.

Everyone was laughing and enjoying good food. Even though we didn’t know Mario’s family well, it was still a nice atmosphere. Everyone complimented Abuela about her delicious dishes and Mario’s turkey was good too.

After dinner, everyone is helping to clear off the table and set up dessert. Everything has been going fairly smooth until Jocelyn, who’s been throwing back quite a bit of wine, starts winking at Luc. I lean over to him since he is sitting beside me. “Please tell me you don’t plan on going for a round two.”

He shakes his head. “Nah, bro, feel bad about last night. Those girls were playing hardball, but I’m a guest here. I plan to chill. Don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

His words remind me how I felt for the longest time. Like I was a third wheel with Hayden and Ruby. That it was only a matter of time before they realized they didn’t want me as a part of their family anymore. Now I was a part of them, and I was risking everything. My plan was to come clean tomorrow morning after we opened gifts.

After dinner, we move to the family room to sit by the tree Mario’s son decorated last minute this afternoon. Mario is pouring spiked eggnog for everyone and won’t take “no thank you” for an answer.

“I’m okay, Dad,” Camila, who is Ana’s partner, says. “Someone needs to stay responsible.”

“Responsible is overrated,” Riley argues. She is clearly very tipsy.

When Jocelyn practically sits on Luc it feels like things are getting out of hand.

Mario breaks out into a Christmas song in Spanish and Abuela follows along. It feels good to see her happy. When Mario’s son, Carlos, and Ana chime in everyone is smiling. Vicky leaves the room and returns a few minutes later. Summer is now sitting in her seat and Vicky goes to sit by Hayden. It almost feels like they planned the move. Vicky grins at Hayden and he makes a point of keeping his hands in his lap.

“Well, it’s been a great night but that eggnog has knocked me out, Papa,” Carlos says, standing and stretching. He looks to his wife, Lucia, and they all bid us a good night.

“Wait, the party is just getting started,” Riley protests, and she stands up. “I want to make a toast.” She holds up her glass of eggnog. Ruby gives me a look and shrugs.

“What is it, honey?” Ana asks.

“You forced us to come stay at this shit show,” she says to her mom.

“Sorry, Riley has clearly had too much to drink,” Ana apologizes.

“Riley, it’s time for bed,” Camila insists.

“No, Mom. We wanted to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s and Mama insisted we come here. Did you hear what went down this morning? They aren’t even her grandchildren. Oh, and get this. Those two are fucking.” She points between me and Ruby.

“What are you talking about, Riley?” Abuela asks, looking confused.

“Riley, come on, let’s go.” Camila wraps her arms around Riley and tries to move her away. “I’m not drunk. I know what I’m saying,” Riley insists and some of her eggnog spills on the carpet. She curses and apologizes to her grandfather.

“Get some sleep, Riley,” Abuelo tells her, frowning. “I’ll take care of the carpet.”

“I’m not making up a story. Fucking Vicky, Summer, and Jocelyn were having a little too much fun last night with Hayden and Luc,” she goes on.

“Riley, shut the fuck up,” Vicky shouts. “I swear you’re the worst cousin ever. You’re such a backstabber.”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Hayden stands. “What the hell is going on here?” He looks to me.

I stand too. “Bro, I’ve been trying to tell you for some time, but you were out of town,” I begin.

I don’t even know what is happening when Hayden lunges for me. Then he punches me across the cheek. I don’t even try to defend myself because I knew this was coming. He pounces on me and begins to punch me in the stomach. Luc tries to get him off me, but Hayden is enraged. Abuela begins to yell for him to stop, but he’s so angry it’s like he is in his own world.

Finally, Luc holds him back. “Take a deep breath, bro. You don’t want to hurt Mack.”

Hayden whips his arms out of Luc’s grasp and turns on Luc. “Did you know about this?” he asks him.

“Yeah, bro,” Luc says regretfully.

“So I’m the only one who didn’t know you were fucking my sister?” he spits.

I lunge for him and punch him in the face because he isn’t going to talk about Ruby that way.

Ruby shrieks.

“Guys, please stop. Please,” she begs as she cries. Seeing her tears makes me retreat.

“Hayden, please just listen to me,” she pleads to her brother.

Hayden is breathing hard and his eyes are wild. He’s out of control and it’s all my fault.

“Fuck this,” he says. He charges downstairs.

Ruby goes after him. “Ruby honey, you need to give him space,” Abuela calls after her.

She nods and turns to me and I take her in my arms.

“You two have a lot of explaining to do,” Abuela says to both of us. Ruby pulls out of my arms. Her face is red and her nose is runny. She goes to the bathroom.

Hayden comes back upstairs wearing a jacket. He’s carrying his suitcase and is holding a bag across his shoulder.

“Merry Christmas,” he says to everyone. Then he heads for the door.

Abuela reaches out to him. “Don’t leave, Hayden. Let’s work this out,” she pleads.

“There’s nothing to work out here. He crossed a line,” he declares, eyeing me like I’m the devil.

Every negative thought I’ve ever had rushes to the surface. I’m not good enough. I shouldn’t be here. I’m no one. I have no family.

When Hayden walks out of the door, the wind gets sucked out of me. I can barely stand and I stumble to the couch and bury my head. I hear Abuela whispering with Ruby. She’s crying and saying she loves me, but none of it matters. The room clears out and I hear Mario muttering to his family to give us space, but it isn’t space I need. I head downstairs and pack my bags. It’s Christmas Day. Hayden probably went back to campus, which means I don’t have anywhere to go and not much money to my name, but I’ll figure it out.

When I head upstairs with my suitcase, Abuela is waiting for me with a determined look. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” she demands.