Addicted to You (14 page)

I stood and followed him to where I'd set my bag. As I reached for it, I noticed a pile of mail with an invitation to Grandma's party opened and sitting right on top.

“Oh.” I picked it up. “Are you going to make it?”

“Uh—” He scratched his head. “Wasn't sure if I was invited.”

I half laughed, half stared at him in confusion. “I'm holding your invitation right here.”

He slid his baseball cap on, then readjusted it. “It was only addressed to Landon.” His eyes flicked in my direction.

“Oh.” I flipped over the envelope, tucked around the invitation. And sure enough only one name had been printed across the envelope. Why would Luis do that? “It was meant for both of you. Just a typo from the printer.” I smiled. “You know Grandma would be mad if you didn't show up.”

His smile finally broke. “Yeah, she would be. And nobody wants the wrath of Diaz women to come down on them.”

“Exactly. So I better see you there. Your whole family.”

“We wouldn't miss it.”

I glanced back at the invitation, noting the date was next Saturday. Guess it was time to message Luis for details, since he clearly had no plans to contact me.

“Everything okay?” Colby asked.

I thought about sharing how Dad had gone over my head in the planning, but feared he might think that was the reason he didn't get invited. So instead I smiled. “Just a little bittersweet, I guess. I'm gonna miss Grandma when I move.”

“She'll miss you too.” He smiled. “We all will.” I stared up at him, and he quickly added. “But I'd be happy to take her to visit you. Anytime.”

“Thanks.”

“That's what friends are for.” He nudged my arm then headed to the door.

My heart fell like lead in my chest.

Friends.

It had been almost a week since I'd seen Colby or Landon. But we'd messaged back and forth about Grandma's party. Probably because they needed clarification considering how very
not
Grandma the entire occasion seemed. After multiple attempts to reach out to Luis, I'd finally gotten the details. Dad had rented out the only “nice” restaurant in town for a private event. While it wasn't formal, it was expected that we'd be dressed up. Which was question number one from Colby. It was also a surprise party, and my job to get her there. Question number two from Colby, whose mom almost spoiled the surprise when she ran into Grandma at the grocery store.

And though nothing about the plans sounded like something Grandma would enjoy, I stayed quiet. After all, seventy was a milestone birthday. Dad had invested a lot of money in the party, the least I could do was be supportive. Though I really didn't understand why I had to be kept in the dark for so long. But I also refused to ask too many questions or raise objections, partly because it was pointless this late in the game, but mostly because for once, I wanted Luis to see I'd grown up. I wasn't immature, nor was I a child. It was stupid how much that mattered to me, but it did.

The night before the party, I'd thrown out the idea of a nice dinner to Grandma. After much protest on her end, and a little begging on mine, she agreed. Though she wasn't happy about me footing the bill for dinner, I'd insisted it was my birthday present for her. Once she was on board, we made plans to spend Saturday shopping for a nice outfit for dinner. It would keep us busy and avoid any possible run-ins with Luis, who was to arrive that day.

So after breakfast, we drove an hour away to the nearest mall. And though I hadn't been able to plan the party I would've for Grandma, the day we spent together was completely worth the rest. We shopped, tried on a million different dresses, ate lunch, and shopped some more. I worried that she'd be worn out before we even made it to the party, but never once did she slow down. In fact, it was finally me who called it a day.

“Grandma,” I huffed. “No more walking!” I laughed and shook my head. “I can't keep up.”

“But
mijita,
you need a nice necklace for your dress.”

With a smile, I shook my head. “I'm sure I can find one at home. But if we don't stop now, we'll never make it to dinner.”

“Let's reschedule then.”

Oh crap. “No! Those reservations were hard to get.”

“I don't need fancy restaurants. We can go to Eddie's.”

“Uh, I eat there all the time during my shifts. I need something different. We're going. No arguments. But really, let's head home and rest for a bit,” I pleaded.

She smiled and patted my cheek. “Of course.” She stared at me, then sighed. “Seventy birthdays and this is by far my favorite.”

“Aw, Grandma, it's not over yet!”

“I know,
mijita.
Te amo, y gracias.
”

“I love you too.” I wrapped my arms around her. “And thank you. For everything. I could never repay you for the things you've done for me.”

“You do. Every day.”

I willed the tears to go anywhere but down my cheeks.

When I pulled back and saw the glossy sheen in her own eyes, I laughed. “No crying on your birthday.”

She sniffled a little. “Tears of happiness don't count.”

Grandma and I both managed to sneak in a nap before her party, and I was grateful because I'd been exhausted. But now, completely refreshed, we were dressed and headed to the restaurant. A little nervous bubble had settled in my stomach. I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but it seemed to be a combination of wondering how Grandma would react, seeing Colby all dressed up, and…Luis. It had been years since his last visit. And it hadn't been a good one.

I'd spent a long time in the shadows of my parents' failing marriage. I'd listened to arguments, followed by silence that was even scarier than the yelling. Where there should have been compassion and encouragement dwelled passive-aggressiveness. Holidays were filled with contempt. Weekends were filled with resentment. Until eventually, every day, I walked around wondering who would finally throw the last stone. I'd never imagined it would be me.

Though that was long ago now, Luis still resented me for it. Honestly, my whole family seemed to. Except Grandma, of course. When I chose to stay in Port Lucia after the divorce to finish high school, no one argued it. No one cared. Good riddance, right?

From that day on, Luis harbored more than his fair share of resentment for me. Not because I stayed, but because I started it. He came home once. My high school graduation. I don't know exactly how it started or why he became so angry, but that was the night he exploded. I was childish. Selfish. Spoiled. I'd ruined our family. On and on it went. He berated me, while I apologized. Because though a part of me knew our family had been wrecked for years, I still felt responsible for the ultimate outcome. It was bad enough they divorced, but when they moved as far away as they could from Port Lucia, well, that came back to me.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I immediately spotted Colby's truck and the little black sports car which had been Luis's college graduation gift. Unlike me, he had full support from Dad. A free ride to college. Housing paid for. Money in the bank. Dad never offered it to me, and I'd never ask. Instead I took out student loans and worked my ass off. I went to community college because it was affordable. It embarrassed Dad that I hadn't had “the motivation or dedication” to attend a major university. Mom, on the other hand, couldn't care less. As long as I found a way to support myself, she was indifferent. Secretly, I think she liked that I was always in opposition to Dad. But only because she'd lived under his control for so long; she enjoyed watching me do the very opposite. Unfortunately, it wasn't really my choice either way. I did what I had to. That was it. Nothing more. I'd spent the last few years trying to fly under the radar, but here I was tonight, faced with the past in the form of my brother.

“You feeling okay?” Grandma placed her hand on my forehead.

I smiled. “Yep. Just hungry, I think.”

“Me too.”

I was glad Grandma seemed distracted enough to not notice the parking lot was full of familiar vehicles.

“Well, let's go eat then!”

I parked the car and we both headed to the main entrance. As we walked I shot a quick
We're here
text to Luis, per his instructions.

Grandma reached for the door.

“Let me get that.” I positioned myself out of the way so when it swung open she'd be the first to step in, and as she did, the room filled with a joyous “Surprise!”

Grandma grabbed her chest, and my heart leapt with the realization that we probably shouldn't surprise a seventy-year-old, but then settled as she said with a huge smile, “Isla, you shouldn't have.”

“She didn't. Dad did,” Luis said as he strolled forward. He leaned down and gave Grandma the customary hug and kiss on the cheek, but nothing about them held any actual emotion. “Happy birthday.”

And over his shoulder, I caught her mouth turn down in a slight frown. She pulled back and her mouth tilted back up into a smile. “Is he here?”

“No. Business.”

I watched my brother, amazed at how much he'd turned into Dad. Cold. Emotionless. Not that I'd ever expected much from him, but sometimes I'd get lost in memories of the two of us as kids. Laughing. Sneaking up to watch scary movies late at night. Eating junk food we weren't allowed to have before bedtime. It hadn't always been this bad.

“Isla.” He nodded at me. No hug. No surprise. “Well, Grandma. Say hi to your friends. Dinner is in half an hour.”

When he glanced back at me, I bit my tongue and forced my expression to relax. I looped my arm through Grandma's and with a big smile said, “What an amazing turnout! Where should we start? Oh look, there's Ms. Mitchell.”

As her friends started to surround her with birthday wishes and greetings, I slipped away, needing a moment to decompress. Luis had more than lived up to my expectations. I stepped out back to the covered patio and stared at the ocean, letting each roll of waves wash away my frustration and anger and hurt.

“You okay?”

Colby's voice enveloped me, like a blanket of security. I needed him more than ever right then.

“Not really.”

His arm went around my shoulder and I leaned into him. “I know.”

We stood that way for several minutes. He didn't ask questions and I didn't offer explanations. I'm sure he'd witnessed the exchange between Luis and me. Everyone probably had.

“I guess I should head back in.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Okay.”

I lifted my chin and stared up at him. He looked adorable. All dressed up, sans ball cap. Though personally, I liked Colby in his trademark hat. It was part of what made him
him.
But I definitely appreciated this look as well.

Then his arm shifted as he turned me to fully face him and leaned down. And for the first time ever, he made the first move. He kissed me. And it would be a lie to say it wasn't one of the best moments of my life.

It was a sweet kiss too. Unlike most of the other heated ones we'd shared. He wasn't drunk. He wasn't looking for sex. It was just a kiss. Then it was over.

His smile graced only one side of his mouth, making it seem like he couldn't decide if he was happy or sad. Then he tucked my hair behind my ear and said, “You should get back to your grandma. It's time for dinner.”

I nodded, at a surprising loss for words.

“I'll meet you inside.”

“Okay.” Then I slipped out of his arms and walked away, because what else was I supposed to do, considering I'd forgotten how to talk?

I made my way back into the room and smiled when I discovered Landon already seated and surrounded by a few elderly ladies. I had no idea what it was about him, but women over seventy adored him. He was kind of adorable and charismatic, though. I guess it made sense.

Still grinning, I looked to each side of him and raised an eyebrow.

He smirked. “Great party.” He winked and I knew he was referring to his senior entourage.

“Well, I guess I'll just find a seat way down there…somewhere,” I teased, pointing to the other side of the room.

“What? I saved you and Colby seats right here.” He pointed to the now vacant spots at his table. At the announcement of dinner, the ladies had finally gotten up and said their goodbyes.

I settled in next to him and whispered, “Wow. I feel popular by association.”

He chuckled, then leaned in and raised one eyebrow. “To be honest, I only came for the ego boost.”

A laugh that sounded way more like a snort than anything else burst out of me. I slammed my hand over my mouth. “Sorry. That was funny though.”

“You're a great audience, Isla.” He took a sip of his water and shook his head like I was crazy. “Always make me feel like I'm actually kind of funny.”

“You are funny.”

He glanced at me, his smile fading. “So Luis…I didn't know he'd be here.”

“Yeah, it was kind of a surprise to me too until about two weeks ago.” Considering Luis and Landon had been friends back in high school, I doubted he cared about the visit like I had. “Did you get a chance to talk to him?”

He shrugged. “Said hi. But, you know, Colby was with me so—”

I waited for more but Landon's words stopped as someone stepped up to our table. I expected it to be Colby but was surprised to see it was Luis.

“Can we talk?”

I stared at him, my mouth probably hanging open. And once again tonight, I was actually speechless. “Uh, sure?”

Luis stared down at me like I was the stuff you scrape off of shoes. “Outside.”

“Yeah. Of course.” I jumped up like some ridiculously obedient dog and followed him to the patio where I'd just been with Colby. Way to ruin the memory.

But just as we got to the patio doors they opened and Colby stepped through. Everything suddenly felt off. Colby's shoulders tensed. Luis's posture went rigid. The two stared at each other.

Colby's gaze swung to me. His jaw ticked. He turned back to Luis, gave him a once-over, then marched away. And I thought Luis had nailed the look of disgust.

I glanced over my shoulder and watched Colby walk away, looking like he was ready to punch a wall, or Luis….

Luis pushed open the door and spun to face me, practically towering over me.

“So I'm to assume you invited him?”

“What? Y'all did. He had an invitation.”

“No. We invited Landon. Not Colby.”

“That's just stupid.”

He glared.

“Grandma loves all the Callahans. It's her party. They should
all
be here.” I rolled my eyes, ready to change the subject and find out from Colby what the hell that had been about, since I knew Luis wouldn't tell me. “So what did we need to talk about?”

“We're talking about it. Dad and I didn't go through all this trouble, create guest lists and whatnot, for you to go over our heads and make arrangements without discussing it with us.”

“Are you serious right now? It's one more person. Who, as I said, should have always been included.”

“He's not welcome.”

“He's my best friend.”

“It's not your party.”

“It's not yours.”

Luis finally sighed. “I don't even know why I'm trying to have an adult conversation with you.”

“You're not. You're reprimanding me like I'm a child and in case you haven't noticed, I'm not one.” I crossed my arms and firmed my stance. He may have the upper hand when it came to family business, but no way would he drag Colby down for absolutely no good reason.