“So, I signed up for the class so I would feel more confident in case something like that happened again.” She shrugs and then Selena chimes in.
“That’s exactly why I asked Andre to offer a class like that. There are a lot of women who need to know how to protect themselves or at least how to escape in that type of situation.”
Sydney nods. “I’m eternally grateful for what I learned with you, Javi.”
“Glad to hear that,” Andre adds as the energy shifts around the table. But my mind is still reeling with the fact that Sydney faced a situation similar to my sister’s and I wasn’t able to protect her. I know it happened before she and I ever crossed paths, but knowing that detail now instills that protective need in me again to provide that for her as well.
“I’m sorry you experienced that, Princess.” I lean over and rest my head on her shoulder as I pull her into my arms. I can feel everyone staring at us, but I seriously could not give a fuck. My need to hold her right now outweighs the questions I’ll have to answer later.
“I’m fine, Javi. I have my concealed carrier’s permit now too, so at least I’m packing heat in case it happens again.” I lift my head in surprise as she winks at me and snickers from the rest of the table hover between us.
“Damn. I’m at a loss for words right now.” I keep my eyes trained on hers as we bounce our eyes back and forth between each other’s. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you.” She presses her lips to mine and then focuses back on her plate, as if her revelation didn’t just crack the last brick of the wall I built around my heart. This woman is the exact opposite of who I thought she was, and I’m a fucking fool if I ever thought I had a chance at resisting her.
I think I just fell in love with her today.
“Your father would be proud that you’re helping women in that way, Javi. And you too, Andre. You’ve created something profound in that gym.”
I scoff and then direct my attention back to my food, which suddenly doesn’t seem so appealing. “I don’t know about that, Mom. I haven’t exactly lived an exemplary life.” This was what I was afraid of—my mom divulging too much, giving out too many details. I know I’m going to have to confess everything to Sydney eventually, but I want to lay it all out there when it feels right.
“It’s not about being perfect, Javi. It’s about owning our mistakes and learning from them. You have done that, and no matter what you might think, I’m proud of you. And I know your father would be too.”
Flicking my eyes over to her, I see hers glossed over with unshed tears. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Alright, before everyone starts crying and ruining the evening, how about we tell embarrassing stories about Javi so Sydney feels like part of the family!” Selena exclaims, clapping her hands together.
“Uh, I veto that idea,” I interrupt while holding one finger up.
My sister continues, ignoring my request completely. “Remember when you made Javi carry a light bulb around the house all day because he kept leaving his light on in his bedroom? Then that night while he was finishing his dinner, he carved ‘I hate my Mom’ into the kitchen table…”
Sydney practically chokes on her food. “Oh my God! Javi!”
I throw daggered eyes across the table at my sister while she beams at me with a pleased grin. Turning to face Sydney again, I simply shrug. “I was pissed.”
“You know,” my mother breaks into the conversation with a grin on her face, “that lightbulb idea was your father’s. I just enforced it because he was working that day and we agreed that would be your punishment if we had to ask you again to turn your light off again.”
Everyone chuckles, including me. “Well, it worked.”
As Selena and Sydney proceed to clean the kitchen, my mother corners me in the back of the house as I make my way down the hallway to use the restroom.
“Javi,” she whispers.
“Yeah?” I answer, turning to face her head on.
“I like her, son.” Her genuine smile allows pride to radiate through my chest.
“Me too, Mom.”
“Does she know about …”
I let out a frustrated sigh while running my hand through my hair that’s in need of a haircut again. “Yes, and no. She knows that I did time, but she doesn’t know why.”
“And why haven’t you told her?” Chastising me with only a look, I feel as if I’m a teenage boy again.
“Because I don’t want to change her perception of me. Regardless of why I did it, the truth of the matter is that I beat a man within an inch of his life and caused permanent damage to his hearing. I went fucking crazy, Mom, and I don’t want that to scare her off.”
“I see. But I also know that Jesus deserved what happened to him. I think any open-minded human could see your reasoning for what you did.”
“Yeah, well, when it’s the girl you’re falling for … I guess I don’t want to take my chances.”
“You’re going to have to tell her eventually, Javi. Secrets are like ghosts in a relationship. You don’t know they’re there until they make themselves known, and then you’re suddenly confronting a presence that commands your attention. You can’t avoid it forever.”
Pulling my mom into my chest, I hug her tightly. “I know, Mom. It’s going to change everything though. Especially with her dad …”
“Are you worried about her father? What does he have to do with this?” We separate again as she anticipates my answer.
“He’s a judge.”
“I see. Well, not everyone ends up with
