Page 64 of Your Biggest Downfall
Austin walked right over to her and sat in the empty chair Aunt Mae was just in.
“I know you . . .”
No. Please, Mami. Don’t actually know who he is.
“Oh, yeah?” Austin grinned.
I was too shocked to process any of this. Why was Austin here?
“You’re the famous hockey player, just got out of rehab.”
“Mami.” Itsked. “That’s rude.”
She huffed. “Look at me. I’m an old lady in the hospital with cancer.” She turned to glare at Austin. “What’re your intentions with my daughter?”
“Mami,” I exclaimed. “Stop it.”
Austin reached out and took my mom’s hands, locking them into his. “I like your daughter a lot,” he confessed, his voice so low that I could barely hear it from the other side of the bed.
But Mami must have caught every word because a wide smile spread across her face. “Does she like you back?” she asked.
Austin glanced up at me, smirking before turning back to Mami. “No,” he admitted, shaking his head. “But I’m working on it.”
Mami gestured around the hospital room. “Coming all the way here is a good start, son.”
I let out a skeptical breath. “Is it?”
Mami shot me a look of indignation. “Yes, it is. He ran all the way here. Look at his curls, all sweaty on top,” she said, tugging at his hair for emphasis.
Austin and I laughed, but I stopped abruptly, swallowing hard when I noticed the way he was looking at me. The playful smirk was gone, replaced by a look so intense it made my breath catch. His gaze was full of a deep, undeniable longing.
He looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered. His unspoken emotions pulled me in, making it impossible to look away.
He returned his gaze to Mami’s, and I wanted his eyes back on me.
“Do you think she’ll let me take her out?” he murmured to her.
She coughed a few times, and I frantically stood up, checking her wires to make sure everything was okay.
“Yes,” she muttered. “She will if she knows what’s good for her.” Mami’s deep green eyes glanced my way. “I can feel it in his soul, my love. He’s a good person.”
I swallowed... hard. She had no idea I was the girl in the photo or that I lost my virginity to him in a bathroom while highon cocaine. She had no clue and never would, but there was so much more to being a good person.
“Are you asking?” Mami asked Austin.
“Of course I am.” He put his hand over his heart like somehow she hurt his feelings by suggesting he wasn’t serious.
“Say yes,” she croaked.
I shook my head and sighed. “I’m here with you now, and tomorrow I have to go to work?—”
“Thank goodness I’m here to save the day.” Aunt Mae’s voice boomed as she entered from the hallway.
Austin stood up and shook her hand.
“I’m Mae, Cecilia’s sister.”
“Hi Mae, nice to meet you,” Austin replied.
