Page 98 of Winning Match
Alejandro García is here. In Providence, Rhode Island. In my bedroom.
What the hell is going on?
“I’m here because…” He pauses, sitting back on his heels. Reaching for me, Ale takes my hand and gently leads me to the side of my bed.
We both sit and he keeps my hand clasped between us.
“Marlowe,” he says seriously. “I’m here because I love you. I’m in love with you and it’s the most terrifying, exhilarating, wonderful thing I’ve ever known. I fucked up big time when I pushed you away. I was scared—so fucking scared and lost in my head. I couldn’t figure out how we were going to work and tried to end us before we truly had a chance to figure things out. And I’m sorry. I hated leaving you in that flat. Every second in Barcelona was agony.”
“You lost?”
“I played like shit. I couldn’t think about the game. I just kept seeing your face, the hurt in your eyes. And knowing I put it there…” He brushes my hair behind my shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He looks me straight in the eyes, his hand resting on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Marlowe. And I understand if you can’t forgive me for what I put you through. But, mi niña, I want to be with you. You are it for me—my end game. I love you, Marlowe, and I am begging you for a chance to prove it to you.”
I sniffle, wiping my eyes dry, as the truth of Ale’s words clang in my mind. His eyes bleed with sincerity and remorse. The touch of his hand as it slides from my shoulder to my palm, his fingertips pressing against mine.
“You broke my heart.”
“I know.”
I pull in a breath. “But I-I love you too, Ale. Hopelessly so.”
“It’s not hopeless. It’s hopeful. And I love that about you, too.”
“My dad broke his hip,” I admit, glancing down at our intertwined fingers.
“I know.” He pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly, hugging him. I rest my head against his shoulder and suck in a breath, feeling the confusion, the hurt, the loss of the past three days ease. Ale presses tiny kisses to my hair. “I’m here for you, Marlowe. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
I pull back, my eyes snapping to his as a thought crosses my mind. “Wait, you have something this weekend. A charity event. Alejandro! You’re supposed to be?—”
His chuckle cuts me off as he shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. That’s what I’m trying to tell you—you’re it for me. Whether you want to give me another chance or not, you are the most important person in my life, Marlowe. And I will never not show up for you again.”
I blink, letting his words sink in. They cut the ties that bind me to self-doubt. They soothe my constant questioning about my sense of judgment. They ease something deep inside that always kept me on the periphery.
“I have something for you,” Ale continues, his voice quiet. He releases me for a moment as he digs into his backpack and pulls out a small package. “I gave these to Abuela, and we came up with a concept. She made this for you.” He pinches the ends of my hair as if he can’t keep his hands off me. “I hope it’s okay; I hope you like it.”
My eyes hold his, questioning, as I slowly unwrap the package.
My eyes catch on the silky fabric and familiar patterns, and I gasp. I lift my hands and the scarf flutters. “Alejandro, these are…these are my mother’s clothes.”
“Sí,” he murmurs, his eyes never leaving my face. “I-I know they mean a lot to you, Marlowe, and that night…I never felt so helpless.”
“You kept them.”
He nods. “I asked Abuela for help…”
“This is—it’s gorgeous,” I breathe out, lowering the stunning scarf—various colors and patterns and fabrics—stitched seamlessly together to make a statement. To carry a piece of my mom with me. “Thank you, Ale. Truly, thank you.”
He smiles, that dimple I love popping. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it,” I admit, biting my bottom lip. “I love you.”
He sobers and dips his head toward mine. “Does this mean you can forgive me? Give me another chance?”
“I want to. I just don’t know how we make the logistics work…”
“I don’t care about that, Marlowe. I’ll fly here every month to see you. Just tell me you’ll give me a shot. Please, mi niña, let me love you.”
I stare into the depths of his bottomless eyes and nod. “Only if you let me love you back.”
