“And if all this is true,” she taps her lips with her index finger, “we’ll play along with that moron Brian for a bit…” I don’t like the look in her eyes, they look just like her crazy brother’s.
“He wants the leading role so we give him the fucking leading role.” All that’s needed is an evil nemesis laugh to fit the expression on her face.
My jaw drops. Not exactly the plan I was expecting … I was more for NOT giving him what he wants. I blink a few times slowly.
“Eh … we stab your brother in the back then?” I just want to make sure we’re spread on the same PB&J. Mel waves her hand.
“Ug … it’s just a role … there will be more. And it’s not as if Enrique needs the money … or the fame for that matter.” Okay, I didn’t think about it like that. It’s true … it’s just a stupid part in a stupid movie …
But our contract states that I must help Enrique get the part … and if he ever finds out that I worked with Brian, he’ll never forgive me. I will lose him forever. And if he gives up the part … it means he doesn’t need me anymore. That thought right there scares me the most.
“Yeah… that’s gonna be a fun conversation. Hey, Enrique … you have to give up the role … so Brian can get it … but I can’t tell you why. Yep, I’m really looking forward to that,” I mock sarcastically, my eyes getting wet.
I swallow down the tears and bite my lip to forcefully keep them down. Mel turns her head and looks at me … the psycho look subsides into a soft warm one.
“Don’t worry … our family is strong enough to survive this … so as soon as we’re sure I’ll tell my brothers. But we’ll need Brian to give us more time until Logan comes back, without him knowing our plan.” She taps her finger against her lip, thinking deeply.
“Ah … I know … we can use my sister’s sickness … I’ll tell Brian that I can’t focus on all this right now because of Leyla’s chemo. I’m sure he would extend the deadline.” Or I desperately hope he will.
“What deadline?” The abrupt intrusion of his voice behind me actually jolts me off the sofa this time, bruising not only my ego but also my butt. Toss … these guys for sure need bells around their necks … the whole lot of them. They have a tendency to sneak up on people … and they’re great at it might I add.
The documents! I quickly look at Mel; she’s similarly surprised, but her hands are behind her back, probably hiding the wretched papers. I slowly take a deep breath and then turn my head to face our unexpected guest. He’s now standing next to me with a huge grin on his face, undoubtedly enjoying my uncomfortable, embarrassing tumble … or maybe he just likes me crouching at his feet.
“So … ” he looks at me with teasing eyes and for a moment I’m lost, “what deadline?”
I realize we haven’t answered him yet and I scutter unflattering back onto the sofa … my knees not able to hold my weight successfully right now.
“Eh … ” I look at Mel to help a sister out, but she seems to orbit in space somewhere “eh … Leyla’s … eh … birthday,” I say the first lie that jumps into my head. “We’re planning a party for Leyla’s birthday.” He knows that, stupid.
Mel agrees overeagerly; looking like a bobblehead doll; eyes big. That girl has to work on her lying skills … shit. Me? I don’t have a problem … you quickly learn to lie like a pro when you’re in an orphanage. But I must admit … lying to these guys are not so easy; especially the twins. It’s as if they have supernatural senses or something.
“Really? That’s news to me … it’s not as if you’ve not been planning this for weeks,” Enrique scrutinizes us with that multicolored gaze that leaves me breathless and wanting every frickin time. I hate myself for being such a wimp. For my lack of self-control whenever he’s around.
“Eh, yes … but it’s gonna be a surprise … eh … ” I look at Mel, pleading for her to help.
“Yep, a surprise … eh … party … to … okay I know now … to reveal the gender of the bean.” My eyes grow into probable saucers. I know they planned to have a gender-reveal party … but so does everybody else. They all know. It’s not a surprise.
“You’re acting strange … ” I can see clearly that he’s doubting us.
“Hormones … ” I lie again, watching his face pull irrevocably sour. He’s definitely not buying any of this … I can see it in his expression; in his eyes. He drops his phone on the coffee table, next to the empty envelope.
“I need to get back to the club … just came for a shower,” but judging from the look in those eyes, he could just as well have said ‘We’ll talk about this later.’
Then his expression changes again … and just like that he winks at me causing the now-familiar ache to form down under. Ug, Aria, you’re pathetic.
“You could always join me … ” he teases and I snort annoyed … more at myself because I would not mind joining him. I seriously would not – and I know he knows it. He laughs and leaves the room. Dick! I pout, pissed at my body for betraying me so easily.
“Thank hell,” Mel sighs and quickly runs to grab the envelope, shoving the papers inside; thrusting the envelope back into my bag. She wipes some imaginary sweat from her forehead.
“I’m gonna tuck in. Go wash your man’s back … we’ll sort this shit out in the morning. And don’t worry, Enrique is going to be fine … I’ve seen the way he looks at you,” she whispers softly with a wink before leaving down the hall. Is it true? Can he maybe fall in love with me too? And for the first time in my life, I feel as if there’s some hope. Hope for me to be happy; to love and be loved.
I get up to go join Enrique, just as his phone beeps. I pick it up without thinking.
Amanda: I’m waiting in your office like always (heart emoji)(eggplant emoji)
My hope explodes; in full force; the blast wave shattering my heart on its path of destruction. I fall back onto the sofa, still clutching the phone, I roll myself into a little ball of rubble; incapacitated; destroyed; back in reality – Sport will never love me!