Page 32 of Sweet Little Lies
Chapter 12
Mica
“Hey, is everything okay? We heard on the news about Alvie. Oh my God, Micaela. Why didn’t you call me or something? I would’ve been there for you.”
Ainsley called me just as I was getting ready to head out the door to Lance’s. I’d spent all afternoon at the hospital with my family, as well as talking to the police regarding the incident, and finally had to leave. I couldn’t take it anymore.
So, I came home, showered and gathered up my books to bring with me to study at Lance’s. Although, I’m not sure I’m in any frame of mind to study tonight.
And after that kiss in the hospital parking lot, I’d prefer doing more of that tonight. Much, much more.
I know Ainsley is worried about me and my family. She’s my best friend and we’re both slogging through our nursing program together. She’s had her own family drama to deal with in life, so I know she’d understand what I’m going through.
But in all honestly, I just didn’t know what to say. I’m still numb – from the near drowning accident, all the aftermath and then the scene between my mother and Lance. That kiss in the parking lot that made me forget everything – even my surroundings – and turned me into ala puta. A slut.
At least, that’s the look of disgrace that my mother gave me when she read me the riot act.
“I’m so sorry, Ainsley. It was just so crazy after everything happened. I’m still in shock.”
“Oh honey, do you want me to come over tonight? I can be there as soon as my shift is over.”
When Ainsley and I first met, I had no idea that were so much alike or had such similar situations. You’d give one look at the beautiful face and body of Ainsley Locker and you’d think she had it all going for her. But she has had to work just as hard – if not harder – than me to get through life. She works two jobs, cares for her teen sister, and does all of that without the support of her mentally ill mother.
“No,mi amiga. You have enough going on. You need to spend time with Cade and Anika,” I persuade. Because it’s the truth. She never has enough alone time with her fiancé or younger sister. “And anyway, I’m heading over to Lance’s for dinner and studying.”
She pauses. “We saw him on TV being interviewed on the local news station. They’re calling him a hero. He saved Alvaro?”
My smile, although weary, turns upward at the corner of my lips. “Yes. He is a hero.”
My Knight in Shining Armor.
“Wow, that’s incredible. I’d never guess he had it in him to do that.”
“He was amazing, Ains. He remained so calm during the entire thing. And I’m the one who is supposed to know what to do in times of crisis, but I just cried the whole time. I broke down and was a mess. Thank God he was there with us.”
So much of the memory of how it all transpired is blocked from the shock I was in today, but I do remember watching Lance’s face as he performed CPR. He was so purposeful and self-assured. Like he’d done it a hundred times and was practiced in the art of saving people. I was in awe and plan to make sure he knows it tonight.
“Mica, I need to ask…is he…are you two together now? I mean, that last time I saw you both was when you left our engagement party together. Is something going on between you two that I should know about?”
I laugh. She has no idea. And I don’t either. I don’t even know how to explain it to myself, much less my friend. How do I put into words how I feel about Lance?
“Don’t worry,mamacita. If anything happens between us, you’ll be the first to know.”
She sighs. “Okay. I hope so. I love you both to bits, but I worry about Lance, you know. Sometimes he’s…”
“Unpredictable. Si, I know.”
She laughs, but it’s laced with concern. “That boy has the biggest heart and has been such a good friend to Cade and me. You remember when he intervened and worked to get us back together, right?”
“Yeah. That day out in the quad. I remember.”
And boy, do I.
That was the first time I felt weak in the knees over a guy. He towered over us, his conditioned body tan and fit, his hair still a little wet from his recent post-workout shower, and he smelled so good. A soapy mixture smelling faintly of leather and man. He’d been talking to Ainsley, trying to convince her to give Cade another chance after they’d briefly split up. Lance wanted Ainsley to come over to their apartment that night. And all while he spoke, I stared at him with a dreamy contentment. The way fangirls worship the guys ofOne DirectionorShawn Mendez.
Like they are the only stars in their universe.
Lance had openly flirted with me that day and I acted like a smitten teenager. Because I was. He was this untouchable basketball player who had swarms of groupies. And I was just…a daughter of a Mexican immigrant who had a crush on a unicorn of a man that she could never have.
