The woman didn’t even have to be naked and I fantasized about her. And then she told me a little bit more about why she became a lawyer, causing something in my mind to shift where she was concerned. I never knew that Sydney Matthews’ father wasn’t her real dad, and come to find out, we share a loss deeply rooted in our childhood.
Losing my dad was the worst thing that ever happened to me, the catalyst that sparked a bomb that erupted my life as I knew it.
I remember that morning before he left for work like it was yesterday.
“I don’t want to go. The girls are so mean to me.” My sister whines as my mother hoists her backpack on her back and smooths down her hair.
“You can’t avoid school because some little girls are acting like brats,” my mother counters. “Besides, Javi will be there in case something happens.”
“That’s right.” My father steps in, bending down in front of my sister so he’s eye level with her. His cowboy hat rests on his head, his skin darkened by the sun he slaves away in all day. “We are a family and we protect one another, stand up for each other. Always. That never changes, no matter what.”
His eyes find me standing next to him as he nods his head, asking if I understand his words. So I reciprocate, knowing that my father is bestowing a trust in me at a young age to watch over my sister and my mother, a responsibility that I know is not given lightly. “Especially us men, right Javi?”
“Si, Padre.”
“You are a Montes, Javi. You protect your own, even if it’s against little niñas at school terrorizing your sister. Be there for her, and your Madre, always.”
I bob my head up and down again as a wave of responsibility passes through me, transforming me from a boy into a man with his words. His dark brown eyes sear a promise between us before he stands, kisses my mother and sister on the cheek, pats my head, and leaves our home.
Little did I know that would be the last day I ever saw him.
“Thank you for everything.” A small voice pulls me from my trip down memory lane. Jessica, one of the girls in the class comes up to me, batting her eyelashes suggestively. I’m no stranger to girls coming on to me on the job, but I have absolutely no desire to feed into her games.
“You’re welcome, Jessica. Take care. And if you’re interested in a monthly membership, please talk to Bethany up at the front desk.” I dip my head to her in parting before walking around her and toward the door to get prepared for my next class.
I dodge Sydney as I leave since we have agreed to keep contact between us minimal at the gym. But not saying goodbye to her stirs up something deep in my gut, something that feels like missing her, especially since we hadn’t yet scheduled our next rendezvous. After last week, I wasn’t sure she would want to continue our arrangement when Gerald, my parole officer, surprised me at the gym. Impromptu visits are customary, but the fact that he showed up and Sydney was standing right there was a wake-up call, causing me to pull back from prying more into her life.
It reminded me that by asking her questions, I was inviting her to do the same, and there were so many details about my life that Sydney didn’t need to know, things that would probably make her think twice about the arrangement between us. And even though it makes me sound like an ass, I didn’t want to sacrifice the incredibly satisfying physical relationship we started by bringing my past mistakes into it. If Sydney really knew who she was sleeping with, I’m almost positive she’d think twice about it.
After my last class ends and I head home, my stomach is growling at me for sustenance. Reaching into the fridge, I grab some grilled chicken from the other night, some brown rice, and some fresh veggies to sauté for a quick meal. I not only try to eat healthy to maintain my physique, but after eating prison food for two years, I will never take vegetables for granted ever again.
Just as I’m about to turn the stove burner on, there’s a knock at my door. I’m not expecting company, but that doesn’t mean that Andre and Selina hadn’t decided to pop in and say hello. They tend to keep to themselves mostly during the week since we’re all busy working, saving most of their pop-ins for the weekend, but I wouldn’t put it past them to drop by unannounced.
Much to my surprise, I open the door to reveal Sydney standing in front of me, freshly showered, but wearing a black trench coat with a bag of takeout in one of her hands. My eyes travel down her body, pausing to appreciate the tan skin of her legs peeking out beneath the hem of her coat and the black stiletto pumps strapped onto her feet.
Then I see the logo on the bag of food and my mouth crawls into a sly grin.
“I see you found Dingxiang’s,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest as I study her and the sexy smirk she has on her lips.
“Well, it was the only Chinese restaurant near the gym, so I assumed it had to be the place you were talking about last week.”
Fuck, that’s right. I did mention a restaurant that would put Panda Express to
