Page 22 of Before Dawn

Arnoldo leaned back in the chair, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips as he poured himself a glass of gin. “What a life we’re living.”

We gathered in Dillon’s living room for our usual hangout, the atmosphere relaxed despite Ronan and Lucio’s absence.

“Lucky bastards, the lot of us,” Alex chimed in, raising his glass.

Dillon turned to him, curiosity in his gaze. “Are you ready for fatherhood?”

Alex took a slow, deliberate sip. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready, but I’ll wake up every day trying.”

Arnoldo’s expression softened. “I’ve always wanted a kid, you know? Never really worked out that way for me.”

I smirked, reaching for a handful of pretzels. “I wonder why.”

Arnoldo frowned. “I’m not following.”

In unison, we all chimed in, “Manwhore.”

He threw up his hands. “Raise your hand if you’ve only slept with one woman,” he challenged.

No one moved.

“Unfair question,” Dillon said with a smirk.

“What’s unfair is picking on me because I’m open about it,” Arnoldo argued.

Dillon arched an eyebrow. “Maybe you could be more discreet.”

Arnoldo scoffed. “Mikkel sleeps around, so does Ronan, even you, Dillon.”

“Fuck off, Reyes,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve been celibate for years.”

“That’s true,” Alex added.

“Vouching for him?” Dillon and Arnoldo asked in unison.

“Always,” Alex smirked. “Jealous?”

“Of course I am. Times like these, I miss Lucio,” Arnoldo muttered. “He would’ve been on my side.”

Alex laughed. “Sure, he would’ve.”

Dillon took a slow sip of his scotch. “I’m not interested in sleeping around anymore.”

Arnoldo shrugged. “How convenient.”

Their bickering faded into the background as I leaned back, absentmindedly tracing the rim of my glass. The noise around me dulled, replaced by the image of her.

Next time, I had to get her name.

“Suarez,” Alex’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I blinked, clearing my throat. “Qué?”3

“We’ve been calling you. What’s on your mind?”

Arnoldo smirked. “Or should we say, who’s on your mind?”

I rolled my eyes. “Métanse en sus propios asuntos.”4

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