Fraternizing

between them that Jensen had to move out tore away at me like crows on a carcass.

“I’m so sorry, Alex.”

He looked over, the scowl now back. “Do not apologize for his shit. If he couldn’t handle us, then that’s his fucking problem. I’m not going to own his reaction.”

“I know, but—“

“There is no but. Either he’s on our side, or he isn’t. I’ve gone too long without being completely happy, and I’m done with that shit. Dropping the dead weight on the way does nothing but make things easier for me.”

I had no words. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. As much as I wanted to jump for joy, scream from the rooftops, and bask in the glow of our happiness, the black cloud of being a ‘home wrecker hovered over me, raining on my parade.

After only twenty minutes or so of driving, Alex took the Bristol exit, surprising me.

“Do we need gas?” I asked, unsure of where we were headed. He hadn’t mentioned anymore stops for the day.

“Nope. I have one place I want to take you before we head back to hell.”

“What is it?”

“Sit back and relax. You’ll see when we get there.”

He took a few turns, passing shopping centers and a sign that read: Welcome to Santa Ana before making a left that took us into a residential neighborhood. We passed an abundance of older, single family homes, and Alex pulled up to a nice white one, trimmed in navy blue with two large, navy blue doors. There were cars for as far as the eye could see. My stomach rose to my throat as the realization of where we were hit me.

“Are we at your family home?”

He smiled at me, unbuckling his seat belt before leaning over and unbuckling mine.

“Yes we are.”

I could have fainted. I didn’t think we were ready for this. Everything I had heard from him about his family detailed the immense love and appreciation he had for his mom, sister, and grandmother. If he was going to bring a girl home to meet them, I thought for sure the L word would have been used and cemented before treading such dangerous waters. Tiny beads of sweat instantly coated my hands as my stomach began to twist.

“I’m sharing my life with you. This is a big part of it.”

He hopped out of the truck and came around to my side, opening the door and taking my hand to help me out.

“Don’t be nervous. They’re going to love you.”

He kissed me hard then took me by the hand, shutting the door behind me, and leading us up the paved walkway to the front door. Alex guided me through the house without even knocking. It probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway, since music was blaring from the backyard and no living soul could be found inside of the house. As we walked through, moving at a brisk pace, I took notice of the homey feel, the family pictures on the wall of a young Alex clear up to adulthood. He looked like he was always an intense guy, and for a second I smiled, catching a glimpse of the little boy that had turned into this remarkable man.

I held tight to his hand as we reached the back door. Seeing the multitude of people sitting, drinking, and partying in the yard made me a bit squeamish. He stopped just before opening the door and looked at me. “You ready?”

“Not really,” I stammered out, feeling my legs tingle and grow weak. He gently kissed my forehead, then held tighter to my hand as he turned the knob and stepped out onto the patio. The earth stopped moving as all eyes swung to the door, landing on Alex and me. The blaring music was the only reminder that a party was going on because by the reaction that our presence elicited, you would have thought the royal couple had just stepped in.

A beautiful, youthful looking woman was the first to step forward. Her caramel complexion, long, luscious, dark brown hair, big brown eyes, and figure to die for had me in awe. She looked like Alex, so I knew she was either his mom or his sister. And the fact that I couldn’t immediately tell made me smile just a bit.

“It’s so good to see you, mijo,” the woman said, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace. He let go of my hand, hugging her back and picking her up off the ground. When he placed her back down, she reached up, framing his face in her hands and smiled. “I haven’t seen this handsome face in forever.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Mama.” An accent that I had yet to hear was coming through loud and clear.

“I’m so glad you came. But you didn’t tell me you’d have a guest with you.” Her big, coffee brown eyes swung over to me, appraising me while her mouth curved into a warm smile.

“I know. But I’m so glad that you two get to meet. Mama, this is Cassie Bennett, my girlfriend.”

I reached out my hand for hers, which she completely bypassed and pulled me in for a hug instead. I was caught off guard, a bit taken aback, not expecting such a warm welcoming.

“It’s nice to meet you, Cassie. I’m Imelda, Alejandro’s mom.”

It was so nice to put a face to the name. After everything Alex had told me about him and his childhood, I wasn’t expecting his mother to be such a radiant looking woman. His story was enough to give me grey hairs.

“It’s very nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Cruz.”

“Imelda is fine,” she said, stepping back, a look of pride plastered to her face. “Stay right there. I’m going to get Adriana.”

She took off in a flash. I looked to Alex who had pulled me close, kissing my forehead.

“You tried to give me a heart attack,” I mumbled.

“What do you mean?” he asked, feigning innocence. He knew exactly what I was talking about.

“Bringing me to meet your family. This is something you want to prepare for.”

“Hey,” he said, turning serious, “they see how much you mean to me. They have no choice but to love you.”

Before I could go back at him, Imelda came back with Adriana, a petite young girl, about my age, a shade lighter than Alex with hazel colored eyes, and long, light brown hair. She had a nose ring, a tongue ring, and a few tattoos covering her upper arms. She looked a lot like Alex as well, only less refined. She had a bubbly personality, grinning from ear to ear as she made her way over to us.

“Cassie, this is my daughter, Adriana, Alejandro’s younger sister.”

I once again reached my hand out for hers, which she too bypassed, engulfing me in a fervent hug.

“Alex hasn’t brought a girl home in so long. I didn’t think he was even interested anymore,” she joked, laughing as she pulled away.

“It’s really nice to meet you, Adriana.”

“So how did you and Alex meet?”

I froze for a second, ill prepared to answer that question. Luckily, Alex answered, simultaneously wrapping his arm around my waist.

“We met in Twentynine. Cassie is a Marine.”

“Oh shit, really? No offense, but you don’t look like a Marine. You’re really pretty.”

I laughed. Between her comment and Natasha’s a few nights before, I wasn’t sure what the standard for a female Marine was supposed to be.

 “Well, thank you—I think. But there are actually lots of beautiful females in uniform.”

“I just haven’t seen any, that’s all,” she said, brushing it off. “Anyway, I’ll let Alex take you around because curious eyes are on you two. Everyone wants to know who Alex’s mystery girl is.” She leaned closer to Alex and muttered, “You better get her to Grandma before she chops your balls off.”

Alex grinned, but the comment made me nervous. His grandmother sounded like a hard-nosed, no nonsense woman, and the warm and fuzzy reception I’d gotten from Imelda and Adriana just didn’t seem likely.

“I have to take you to meet Guadalupe, the glue that holds this family together, my grandmother.” He started to walk, but I stood still for a second longer, my eyes begging him to prepare me. “What’s the matter?”

“Alex, your grandmother. She doesn’t sound like your mom and sister.”

“She’s a tough old lady, but loving. You’ll see. No formal handshakes, just hug her.”

I swallowed as he began walking. We passed tons of people, all of them greeting us with friendly hellos for Alex and assessing looks for me.