Page 52 of Winning Match
“I’m starting to realize that if I didn’t have that shadow, I wouldn’t be half the player I am. I wouldn’t have as much drive, as much ambition. I don’t think I’d be as hungry.”
“Maybe,” I say softly. “Maybe not.”
Ale glances back to the road. “The truth is that for all the times I’ve resented being Rubén García’s son, I couldn’t imagine not belonging to my family. To not having a significant legacy to continue. Does that make sense?”
I roll the back of my head along the headrest to look at him. “That makes perfect sense. I was a little nervous about meeting your dad. The things people have said about him, the things I read about him, I thought he’d be this larger-than-life character. And he is,” I rush to add. “But he’s also human. He’s a dad. Deep down, Ale, I think he just wants you to be happy.”
Alejandro scoffs lightly and I squeeze his thigh. “Trust me, I’m an old soul,” I add.
“Yeah, I’m sensing that.” He grins at me, his eyes dancing with amusement. “It’s cute though. You’re going to peak in your eighties, Marlowe. How many people can say that?”
I toss my head back and laugh. “I’ll be running the Sewing Circle by then.”
Ale snickers.
“I had fun today,” I continue. “Being with your family…I needed that connection. I wish I could visit them again.”
Ale’s head whips toward mine. “You can. Any time you?—”
“No,” I cut him off. “That would be unfair. I don’t want them to let me in when I’m going to leave in two months. I’ll already be saying goodbye to you and Bianca…” I trail off, realizing how quickly my life here snapped into place.
And not out of obligation or expectation. But out of…natural circumstances. Bianca and I clicked, the opportunity to live together was kismet. Alejandro was the guy who slid his credit card across the bar top that evening—it could have been anyone. His father is known for being a hard-ass and yet, he comforted me this afternoon without realizing it.
In one week, I’ve settled into Valencia like I’ve lived here for years. It doesn’t make any sense; it shouldn’t feel so effortless. And I know that going home is going to hurt—even if I want to do it, even if I have to leave.
Alejandro is silent. What is there to say?
He presses his palm down on mine, keeping my fingers trapped. I relish the heat of his skin and turn my eyes back to the window. We drive the rest of the way in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts.
“You know…” Ale breaks the silence, as if recalling something, as he turns into the Ruzafa neighborhood. “Your cheesecake was a hit.”
I snicker, appreciating the levity he’s reaching for. “I can’t believe how much your dad liked it!”
“I think you’re going to give my sister’s husband, Avery, a run for his money. Apparently, Papá is really warming up to the Americanos in his old age.”
I laugh, but it dies in my throat when we turn onto my street, and I note the swell of paparazzi gathered in front of my building.
Ale’s eyes narrow and he swears. “Mierda. This is a large group of paparazzi. Fans too.”
“We’re garnering more attention lately.” I flip my hand under his, threading our fingers together and squeezing.
A muscle pops in his jaw, and I can tell he’s bothered. Worried. “Is it like this every day?”
“No, there’s never been this many cameras before. Usually, it’s just a few people, and Bianca does a great job of managing them.”
“You shouldn’t have to put up with this.” He frowns, glancing at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought this was…just part of the process.”
“I’ll line up some security before I?—”
“No, please. There’s no need to do that,” I rush out, not wanting to deal with security. “This will blow over. There are more people here now because they must have been waiting for us to return together. That one paparazzo this morning took photos of us leaving.”
Ale sighs and double-parks his SUV. Striding to the passenger side, he pulls open my door and reaches for my hand.
“Keep your head down, Marli.”
I do what he says as he pulls me through the throngs of people. He says a few things in Spanish and the crush of the crowd dissipates, letting us pass and slip into my apartment building.
