Julia’s breathing slows and her body relaxes against me as she falls asleep in my arms. She may not realize it yet, but she’s going to need a crowbar if she wants to pry me out of her life.
17
Julia
Iwake up in a warm, cozy haze. A heavy arm is draped over my hip and I can feel Mateo’s breath whispering over my hair as he exhales deeply. I peek up at him, fighting the urge to rub the bristles on his jaw. He hasn’t shaved in a couple days and it’s giving him a rugged, bad boy vibe that is working for me in a major way.
Smiling to myself, I nestle back into my pillow. This feels so good, I might just stay in bed all day. Or at least I would, but I really have to pee. I pad softly to the bathroom, closing the door carefully so I don’t wake Mateo up. I’m just washing my hands when I hear a little thump from the front of the house.
Peeking out of the bathroom, I can see Mateo still passed out in my bed. I toss on a shirt before sneaking out of the bedroom to investigate the sound.
The living room is empty, but in the front entryway I catch Luis, just stepping out the front door, his bag in his hand.
“What are you doing, sneaking out of my house like a teenager?” I ask, making him jump.
“Julia! You scared me.” Luis puts a hand over his heart.
“Where are you going?”
“I told you I was going to go home,” he says kindly. “My shoulder feels fine.”
“I just want to make sure you’re really healing okay. I don’t want you to be on your own just because…” I trail off because I don’t think there’s a delicate way to say ‘I’m shacking up with your son.’
Luis chuckles, setting his bag down before wrapping me in a big bear hug. “You take good care of me, kiddo. I couldn’t love you more if you were my own flesh and blood.”
He steps back and rolls his shoulder. “Look, no pain. You don’t have to worry about me. I left the dopey pills in your cabinet and took the steroids. I’ll be good. I promise.”
“Fine,” I sigh, crossing my arms. “If I catch you in that bakery, there will be hell to pay.”
Luis gives me a little salute, picking up his bag. He shouts over his shoulder as he walks down the drive. “Tell Mateo I’m going to have his room painted. He’s going to have to find somewhere to stay.”
“Subtle,” I call after him as he gets into his car, giggling.
The now-homeless Mateo is still sleeping when I crawl back into bed with him. I have to get ready to meet Janelle soon, but I want to take advantage of every last second before I do.
“Creeper,” he mumbles without opening his eyes. “You watching me sleep?” The corners of his mouth twitch.
“No,” I lie. “You had something on your face.” The corners of his mouth twitch.
“Unless it’s your pussy, I don’t care.”
“You’re filthy.”
“You love it.”
He’s right. I love every dirty thing that comes out of his mouth.
“It’s ok, I guess.” I yawn dramatically as he glares over at me.
“You like to push my buttons,” he grumbles.
“So much.”
“Get over here with that smart mouth,” he demands, pulling me on top of him.
I try to squirm away. “We don’t have time. I have to be at my lawyer’s office in an hour.”
“That’s an eternity. I bet I can make you come at least four times.”