Page 55 of Not For Keeps
Mari shoots her a look. “Anna.”
“I’m just saying,” Anna continues, raising her hands. “That was his reputation. Until, like, five minutes ago.”
“Yeah, well,” I mutter, “maybe he’s changed.”
Anna shrugs. “Maybe he has. Maybe he hasn’t. I really, really hope for your sake he has. But guys don’t transform overnight.”
Mari folds her legs under her. “But they do grow up. And I’ve seen the way Mateo is with Maya. With you.”
Anna points at me with her mug. “And you’ve changed, too. Don’t act like you haven’t. All that talk about how you guys were just feeling things out, taking it slow. Blah, blah, blah. You caught feelings. Real ones. Big time.”
I don’t say anything. I just pull the blanket tighter, desperate to shield myself from the truth.
Anna reaches over and grabs my hand. “So, ask yourself this, Lyse. Is it worth throwing this all away over a text from a girl who wants what you have?”
I blink down at my phone in my lap. “I just don’t want to be that girl,” I whisper. “The one who defends a guy who’s playing her.”
Mari squeezes my knee. “You’re not. You’re the girl who’s scared. And you have every right to be. But you also have the right to fight for something if it’s real.”
Anna exhales through her nose. “We’re not saying trust him blindly. We’re saying trust yourself. You know Mateo. Does that picture feel like him?”
I shake my head. “No. It doesn’t.”
“Then that’s your gut talking,” Mari says. “And your gut’s usually spot-on.”
There’s a long pause. The only sound is the soft clink of Mari setting her mug back down.
And then Anna says, “Okay. But also…if he did cheat, we slash his tires. Obviously.”
Mari nods solemnly. “And key his truck.”
A laugh breaks through my chest. “God, I love you both.”
“We’re here for you.” Anna grins. “Always, baby. Even when you’re spiraling.”
Mari smirks. “Especially when you’re spiraling. Anyway, what does Mateo have to say about all of this?”
“I haven’t spoken to him about it,” I admit quietly.
“Analyse Josephine Garcia! Are you kidding me?” Mariana nearly shouts, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“I know, I know.” I groan, covering my eyes with my hands.
“Lyse, how do you expect to get to the bottom of this when you haven’t even spoken to him?” Anna asks, exasperated.
“I know I have to speak to him about it. But I’m scared.”
“Sweetie, what are you scared of?” Mari asks gently, her voice softer now.
I stare down at my mug, watching the steam curl into the air. “I think…” I pause, trying to find the right words. “I think I’m scared that maybe I’m wrong about him. That I let myself fall for someone who isn’t who I thought he was. And if that’s true, then…” My throat tightens. “Then I have to admit that I let my guards down for someone that wasn’t worth it.”
Anna reaches over and places a warm hand on my knee. “That doesn’t make you foolish, Lyse. That makes you human.”
“But it still hurts,” I whisper. “Even the idea of it hurts.”
Mari sighs, leaning her head against mine. “Then let’s find out the truth—so you’re not sitting here letting fear make the story up for you.”
I nod slowly, my heart pounding. “Yeah. I’ll talk to him.”
