“So help me god, Karl. Lola is like family to Sofia. She’s like her little sister. She’s under my protection—”
“I’m right here, you know,” I say. Bren just blinks. I walk up to Karl and lace my fingers through his, leaning on his arm sweetly. “It’s okay, Bren. I’ll talk to Sofia soon. As far as Karl and me, we’ve just started spending time together and are getting to know each other. There’s no reason to overreact.”
“Karl—”
But Karl cuts him off before Bren can say anything else. “You wanted me serious about the band and to stop the partying, right? I’ve spent all my evenings with Lola. No parties, no going out except with her. We’re starting guitar lessons soon, and I’m even dabbling in some lyric writing. I’ll be showing you drafts soon. Lola and me, we’re . . . like she said, getting to know each other,” he pauses and scratches his jaw thoughtfully before continuing, “in a serious way.”
Bren blinks, but there’s a hint of surprise in his eyes. “You’ve been warned,” he says, then turns to me. “Sorry, Lola. It was nice to see you.”
“Yeah, you too.”
“Call Sofia, please. She’s raising hell at home.”
“I will.”
15
LOLA
After one more glance to make sure I didn’t forget anything in my room, I seal the last box with packing tape and carry it to the living room. I thought this moment would come when I was ready to leave Kansas City, but because I still have a month and a half here, it doesn’t seem quite as devastating as I thought it would.
Isael is on his play mat on the living room floor, one hand wrapped around Addy as they watch cartoons with the volume on low. I smile, watching the back of their heads, his covered in wispy, light brown curls, hers in straight black strands that shoot straight up in her ponytail, almost like a cartoon character. After setting down the box on the counter, I grab my cell from my back pocket and snap a picture of the sweet moment.
I don’t let myself get teary-eyed about not getting to watch them grow up or even visit them again. I can’t go down this rabbit hole because I still have a few weeks to enjoy them both.
Sofia looks up from her spot on the sofa where she and Ileana sip tea together.
“You sure you aren’t moving too fast?” Sofia asks.
I shake my head. “We’re just having fun,” I say. “Promise. And I promise Karl Sommer isn’t going to break my fragile little heart.”
“That’s not what I—”
“Has it ever occurred to you that he’s not using me and that maybe I’m using him? Maybe after a four-year-long relationship, I just want some fun with no strings,” I say in a huff. “Moving in with him is just convenient. That’s all. I’m still going to move to Mexico; this is just a temporary detour.”
I don’t miss the way Sofia and Ileana eye each other, but both give me the courtesy of biting their tongues. They already said their piece when I first told them my plans to move in with Karl. I’d let Sofia scold me as if I was still a little kid, but after they both calmed down and vented, I regained my composure. They both seemed impressed, and when they realized I wouldn’t be moved from my decisions, they agreed to be supportive—even if they didn’t entirely mean it at the time.
“Are you ready?” Ileana asks.
I nod. Ileana takes me into one of her signature soul-soothing long hugs. The kind of hug that comforted me when Mom was no longer here to do it. I squeeze her tight in my arms. When we break away, her eyes are glassy despite her face-splitting grin.
“When you get settled, I’ll come help you cook and have a little housewarming. Just us and Sofia, and the band.”
“And the kids,” I add, looking over at the toddler pair in front of us.
“Isa,” Ileana calls. “Yourtíais going. You have to say goodbye.”
Isael’s little head turns to the side only a millimeter, one eye still on the television. Instead, I go to him and kneel next to where he’s sitting. I hug him from behind and kiss the top of his head. “I’ll see you soon,mi terremoto,” I whisper next to him. He is entirely ignorant this is goodbye for now and that soon it will be goodbye for good.
I smile at the back of his head and ruffle his curls with one hand. I wish I still had the bliss of innocent ignorance.
Knowledge isn’t always better, and being sheltered provides a sense of security, even when it’s a false one. And the harrowing fall to the realities of life . . . well, the landing from that fall is astoundingly painful.Stay a kid, Isael. If you can.
* * *
Brenand his security guard stand outside the Escalade where they wait for us. When they see us, Andreas, Sofia and Addy’s security guard, approaches me to grab the box from my hands and places it in the trunk. The moving truck already picked up everything else yesterday.
Andreas has a look about him that would almost have him pass for Karl’s brother. He’s not quite as tall but nearly as handsome and with a similar length of blond hair. I’ve barely met him, though, so I don’t know if their personalities are shared as well.