The Last Round (5 page)

“Cool, I’m excited. See you tonight, Natalia. If anything changes, just shoot me a text or call. This is my number.”

I hold back a grin. “Okay, see you later.” I state, after paying the cab driver and exiting the car.

The cab peels off, leaving me on the driveway with my luggage. I stare at the ranch-style, single-family home I grew up in. There are so many memories in this home, both good and bad. Most of the memories are with Julian, especially on the nights he sneaked through my bedroom window. Thank God my father never caught him—we’d both be six feet underground right now.

Although, I was technically raised in Bensalem, I have always called myself a Philly girl. I giggle, knowing Julian would argue with me over this. He used to say, “You’re not a true Philly girl, unless you were raised in Philly.” See, Julian is from North Philly, which he calls “The Hood” or “The Bad Land.” His aunt Miriam worked for Bensalem High and he used her mailing address to get into that school. His mother didn’t want him in the Philly public school district. That’s how we met.

Even from the very beginning, when we were friend-enemies, I used to love screwing around with him. He hated it. I had always found him so interesting; I needed to know why Julian Rios was the way he was . . . or maybe still is. Maybe that’s my problem. I’m constantly trying to figure him out, even after twelve years of being together.

There was only a year difference in age between Viviana and I and she loved to poke fun she was the oldest, but I argued it was only by twelve months and to not get her panties all in a twist. Since she’s been in Bensalem High School a year before me, she pretty much knew just about everyone. My sister and I were always close; we didn’t need friends, because we had each other. But I must admit, I was a bit jealous when she started high school and we were in separate schools for an entire year, because of the friends she made.

I clenched my tray, my gaze scrolling the cafeteria when I spotted Viviana seated at a round table with three other girls. They were all giggling over something. I held back an eye roll, making my way toward them, and took a seat. Viviana looked up, smiling.

“How’s your first day going, Natalia?” she asked.

“Okay, I guess.” I shoved a shiny red apple into my mouth. I bit down while looking around the cafeteria and spotted Julian Rios. He was on a bench table, sitting alone. I nudged my head toward him. “What’s his story?” I asked.

All the girls, including my sister, looked his way.

“Who? Julian?” one of the girls asked. I think my sister mentioned her name was Tracy or Tammy. I couldn’t quite remember, but then again I truly didn’t care.

I continued to stare at his profile as my sister went on. “That’s Julian. He’s pretty much a loner. From what I hear, he wasn’t always that way. He changed, no one really knows why; we all think maybe daddy issues or some crap like that. Last year, he beat a kid so badly and was almost expelled. But his aunt works here, so they gave him a week suspension and when he came back, no one bothered to look his way. He doesn’t even smile.”

“Huh,” I huffed out. That was where she was wrong. I witnessed his grin earlier, after he called me cute. And his smile had my stomach in knots.

“Yeah. It’s a shame, all those good looks just wasted. None of the girls even dare to approach him either. He gives off this don’t fuck with me vibe. So, we all admire him from afar,” Tammy or Tracy said. I should really find out her name.

I stood, pushed myself up from the chair, and grabbed my tray. “Where are you going?” Viviana asked, her tone filled with worry.

“I’m going to chat with this Julian guy.”

“Do you have a death wish or something?”

My gaze tore from Julian and focused on my sister. “Y’all make it seem like he’s some alien. He’s human just like us. Besides, we share the same locker.”

All three sets of eyes widened. “What?” In unison, their mouths dropped open in a perfect O.

I laughed, shook my head, and tread toward Julian. My smile brightened with each step. This should be fun. His head was bent low as his fork stabbed into a baked potato.

Placing my tray down, I took a seat across from him. “If that was a living being lying on your plate, I’m sure you’d be charged for aggravated assault or even attempted murder. What has that poor potato done to you?”

He lifted his head, eyes meeting mine with a raised brow. He seemed both amused and annoyed I interrupted his train of thought.

“I eat alone,” he said, eyes tensed. Then he shoved a fork full of the loaded starch into his mouth. His tongue darted out and wiped clean his perfect lips. I wonder what it would be like to kiss Julian Rios.

“So do I!” I sounded a bit too bubbly, even for myself, but with a wide grin, I nestled further into the seat, crossed my legs, and reached for my apple. “We can eat alone together.”

“Why do I have the feeling you’re gonna make my life miserable?”

“But quite the contrary; by the time I’m done with you, you’re gonna want me part of your life every waking second.”

He scoffed. “I find that very difficult to believe.”

“Listen. I’m a freshman. You’re a junior. We have two long years together. Unless you switch schools, I’m all for bugging the hell out of you until you fall irresistibly in love with me.”

He pointed a plastic fork at me. “I’ve seen girls like you on The First 48. You’re one of those psycho obsessed chicks, right? I’m gonna have to get a restraining order, aren’t I?”

I never laughed so hard in my life and for a moment the cafeteria went quiet. Only the sound of my hooting bounced in the space. I froze and looked around along with Julian. I focused my gaze back on him, leaned in and whispered, “Everyone is staring at us.”

Julian moved in closer. “Because you’ve just crossed over dangerous grounds.”

Squinting, I mouthed, “You don’t scare me.”

“You scare me.”

A soft grin touched my lips. “Good.”

“Natalia! Oh, my baby girl!” I snap out of the memory and look up. My mother, with a broad smile and with arms wide open, runs down the walkway. I drop my purse on the ground and run toward her until we meet in the middle.

She pulls me in to a tight hug. “Mami, I missed you so much.” We stand this way for a few moments before she pulls away first.

“Look at you. You’re skinny, Natalia! Come on, let’s get some food in you.”

“Mom, I’m fit, not skinny. I had to lose weight for the role I’m playing. I said this to you.”

“Well, you better be hungry, I have all your favorites. Arroz con habichuelas y ensalada!”

“Of course you do.” I laugh. My mother is so predictable sometimes.

She helps me with my luggage and we go in. I drop all of my things in the living area, and then we follow the aroma of the delicious food.

I look around the kitchen. She remodeled it a couple years ago and it’s still an adjustment to get used to. It looks great with the tall white cabinets, sleek grey and white marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances, but it’s not the kitchen I grew up in. I miss the old one. “Where’s Viv?” I ask, settling onto a chair by the table.

“She couldn’t get out of work early,” her face saddens. “Viviana is having trouble at that place and just isn’t happy there, Natalia. I wish she could just leave, but she hasn’t found anything yet to replace it. You know, she will be here tonight, and is so excited to see you.”

“I have dinner plans at eight. I have to leave here at five to settle into my hotel, find something to wear, and get ready. You know how traffic is.”

My mom pouts. “Oh? But you just got here. You can’t cancel your dinner plans?”

“It’s with a co-worker. We’re going to discuss our roles and it’s the first time we’re meeting each other as well.” I adjust myself in the seat. “Besides, I’ll be here for four weeks. We’ll have plenty of time together.” My mother nods and I continue, changing the subject. “How are you?”

She grabs a plate and begins piling it up with food. “Good, taking it one day at a time. All my test results came back and I’m healthy and stronger than ever.”

A sense of relief rushes out in one breath. “That’s great! I’m happy to hear that.” She had a lump on her breast that her doctors were afraid of. Thank God, it’s nothing serious. I lost my father a year ago from a heart attack and it was probably the worst feeling in my life. I cannot imagine losing both my parents so young. Especially now, with everything going on, I need my mother more than ever.

She sets a plate before me. Just as she promises, I have a pile of red rice and beans, salad and pork. “Mom!” Eyes widening, I gape at the food. “I’m not Julian, this is too much food.”

Waving a hand, she takes a seat beside me. “You need it. Look at you.”

“I’m playing a role of a young woman who suffers from a mental disorder. I had to lose the weight! It’s part of the character.”

“Well, eat what you can,” she urges.

I dig in and take my first bite. I may die from a food-gasm. I savor every bite, every flavor, and spice. Julian always said my mother should have opened her own restaurant. She argues she cooks with love, so her children and family have happy bellies.

“Julian called.”

I flash my eyes open and place the fork down. “He did? What did he want?”

“Well, you know he always calls me just to see how I’m doing, but he also asked if you were here. He wanted to know where you’ll be staying.”

Swallowing, I wipe my mouth with a napkin. “You told him?”

“What was I supposed to do? Lie? He’s your husband; you need to talk to him.”

I suddenly just lost my appetite. I’m not mad at my mother, but I just wish she could stay out of some of this. “Mami, what’s going on with my marriage is between
Julian
and
me
. I wish you didn’t tell him where I was staying.”

“Hija, it’s not like he’s going to fly down and bang on your hotel door.”

She has no idea; laughing at how ridiculous it sounds, I arch a brow. “I know my husband. He would.”

“Are you afraid of him? Would he hurt you? Has he ever put his hands on you?” she rushes out in one breath.

“Oh, God no!” The panic in her eyes softens. “He may break things and punch a wall, but Julian has never placed his hands on me. Ever.” I assure her.

Shoulders relaxing, she reaches for my hand. “What do you want me to do? You want me to call him back and tell him I made a mistake, you’re staying in another hotel? You want me to tell him to give you your space?”

My hand rests on top of hers, a thumb caressing her soft skin. “No, it’s okay. I’ll handle this.”

“You should call him. He sounds worried.”

“I will. I’m not going to ignore him forever. I just wanted a moment of peace. I just wanted to spend a few hours with you and forget everything. I just wanted, for a short moment, to pretend my life isn’t crumbling.”

“Oh, baby girl . . .” Her hands cradle my face, which is the exact replica of hers. “Your life is not crumbling. Everything will work out. You hear me? You just have to have faith and everything else will fall in place.”

I nod. I hope so.

Julian

I KNOW A
few things. I know Natalia is in Philly. I know she’ll be staying at the Rittenhouse. I know she’s at her mother’s right now. And I know for a fact, she’ll guess I’m on my way there.

My flight doesn’t take off for another hour, and as I sit here and wonder what the hell I should do, all that comes to mind is the past. The reason why I fell in love with her and the reason why I’m not going to let her go. I can’t help but wonder if I should give Natalia her space. Maybe she needs this time apart to think.

Mind heavy, I lean back in the chair and remember how it used to be.

Week one. Natalia talked a lot, and with no choice I had to listen. She told me she was the youngest and her sister was the oldest. Her mother was pregnant with a third child, but the baby didn’t survive. Natalia also told me her father worked as a Sergeant for Bensalem Police and her mother worked in Center City in the district attorney’s office as a clerk. She said how much her sister, Viviana, and she were completely different, not only in their appearance, but also in their personalities. Where Natalia was outgoing, Viviana was the shy one. Natalia had the darker features, with a natural tan complexion and dark brown hair, with light golden eyes. Viviana’s skin was milk white and her hair was a light brown, almost blonde in the summer, with hazel eyes.