Page 39 of Never Again
“I was thinking a board game spot,” Carlos replied.
Carmen did a little shimmy. “Woo-hoo! I feel like kicking some butt tonight. Let’s do it.”
He laughed at her.
“Are you laughing at me or with me?” she asked.
“At you, because you haven’t changed. You always talk as if you’re the baddest thing to hit board games, but you suck at playing them.”
“Oh really? When was the last time you saw me play a game, huh?” she asked.
He thoughtfully frowned at her. “I guess it’s been about three years.”
“Exactly. I assure you, my abilities have improved.”
“We’ll see about that,” Carlos said ominously.
“Yes, we will.”
Carlos hadto give Carmen credit for her braggadocio. After three games of Monopoly where Carlos won one game and their opponents won one game each, a hilarious game of Go Fish, and a particularly sad moment when Carmen failed within three minutes of playing Operation, his suspicions were confirmed. Nothing had change. She still sucked at games.
“I don’t know what happened,” she said glumly as they left the restaurant.
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m serious.” She looked so hurt, arms crossed, lips downturned.
Carlos chuckled. “It’s okay to suck,miamor.” He opened the car, and she glared at him.
“You make me so sick.” She climbed into the SUV and slammed the door without waiting for him to close it.
Carlos climbed in the driver’s side and closed the door. “How about a kiss,” he whispered, leaning closer.
Carmen jerked back. “Nope.”
“Come on. Why are you punishing me?”
“Because you’re making fun of me and don’t believe that I’ve improved.”
“I do believe you. Now can I have a kiss?”
“You’re lying.”
“Maybe a little bit.” He held his forefinger and thumb close together.
She took his hand. “You’re not supposed to lie to me. Not even a little bit.”
Carlos paused. Her words pricked his conscience, but he hid his reaction. “You’re right,” he said softly.
“Of course I am. I always am, and you’ll do good to remember that,” Carmen said haughtily.
“I’ll try.”
By the time they arrived at her apartment, they were both silent because the reality of him going back to Atlanta the next day loomed before them. They remained silent while they undressed and changed into nightclothes in Carmen’s bedroom. Carlos didn’t want to say goodbye, but he had to. He also needed to have a serious talk with her. He needed to tell her everything about what he’d done and how sorry he was that he’d done it.
He stuffed folded clothes in his bag on the bed in a disorderly fashion, snapped the suitcase shut, and set it on the floor. Carmen looped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her cheek against his back.
“I don’t want you to go,” she moaned.
