Below the belt.
The New Year’s Eve/birthday party was a combination of both family and friends. Some of the family from Mexico had even come over for it. Normally, Sofia’s parents spent the entire week after Christmas in Mexico, but this year, they’d come home early for the party. They brought aunts and uncles home with them. The house was already bustling that morning when Sofia left for the restaurant. They’d only be open a half day and since it was Angel’s party, so Sofia agreed to go in so he could stay home and get everything together with Sarah.
Sal hadn’t arrived when she left that morning. Alex only went into the restaurant to pick up the food for the party. She dreaded Sal telling Angel and Alex about Brandon following her. The only good thing was she wouldn’t be there when he did.
On her way home, Sarah called her. She slowed down, wondering if maybe she was going to ask her to bring something else home from the restaurant and she’d only driven a few blocks so far.
“Sofia, where are you?”
“I just left the restaurant.”
“Don’t come home yet.”
Sarah’s tone alarmed her. “Why?”
“Brandon’s outside. I thought Alex was gonnah Selirah kill him. He hit him pretty hard, but Brandon still refuses to leave. He’s so drunk.” Sofia’s felt her stomach cave in. She pulled over when she heard the women in the background. Her mom and aunts shrill voices talking a mile a minute, telling Sarah to make sure Sofia didn’t come home yet. “I know, I know, she’s not,” Sarah assured them.
Sarah must’ve walked into another room because the noise subsided. “The whole neighborhood is out there, Sofie. It’s such a scene. He showed up asking to see you, and Alex unloaded on him. Thank God you have so many uncles here. I don’t know how else they would’ve stopped Alex. I’ve never seen him so mad.”
“Oh my God.” Sofia was suddenly overwhelmed with dread. “Why won’t he leave?”
“He’s drunk. Even with a fat lip and a his eye nearly closed shut, he just keeps saying he wants a chance to explain and that he wasn’t leaving until he talked to you. Hold on, Sofie.” She heard the women in the background again, only they seemed a bit calmer. Sarah was obviously walking through the house. Sofia waited, trying to listen for clues as to what was going on. After what felt like an eternity, she heard Sarah ask someone. “Did he leave?” Suddenly she heard a lot of men’s voices, and Alex cursing. “He left, Sof. You can come home now.”
“Yeah, tell her to come straight home,” she heard Sal say.
Sofia didn’t hang up until she got more information from Sarah. Apparently, Alex and Angel were already pissed because Sal had told them about Brandon following her. But they both promised to stay cool until after the party. Then a few hours later, Brandon showed up slurring, demanding to see Sofia. After hanging up, Sofia noticed the couple of texts from Eric.
Getting close to New Year’s over here. The party’s not half bad but it’d be better if you were here. How’s everything over there?
The second one was worse. Since she normally responded almost immediately, he’d waited fifteen minutes after the first and wrote.
Is something wrong?
She covered her face with both hands. Would this nightmare ever be over? She thought long and hard before responding. She hated not telling him something of this magnitude, but she also didn’t want to ruin his New Year’s Eve.
Everything’s fine. I do need to talk to you, but it can wait until tomorrow.
She’d barely turned on the ignition, when her phone rang. Seeing his name on the caller ID made her cringe. She slipped the earpiece in, took a deep breath and answered.
“What happened?”
Sofia didn’t even know where to begin. She started by telling him about her talk with Brandon at the beach, leaving out the part that he followed her, but Eric didn’t miss a beat. “How’d he know you were there?”
“He said he followed me because he wanted to know if I really believed what my brothers were saying about him planning the whole thing last summer.”
“And you said?”
She didn’t know what she dreaded more, getting home to a houseful of people who were no doubt just waiting to interrogate her, or having to answer this question. “Eric, he swore he didn’t, so I just said I believed him.”
“Do you really?” Eric’s raised his voice. “After everything he’s done, you’re still falling for his shit?”
“I just didn’t see the point in arguing, Eric. What difference does it make if he thinks I believe him or not?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Sofia was quiet for a moment. She’d never tell Eric Brandon had given her the opportunity to tell him to stop, but she was so sick of being labeled naïve. What happened that day was not planned, and she knew it.
“You believe him. Just say it.”
“You weren’t there, Eric. Can you give me a little credit that I wouldn’t fall for some stupid plan?”
“Unfuckingbelievable.” Eric rarely cussed in her presence. “All right, he didn’t plan it. Anything else I need to know? Like why you kept this from me, again.”
Feeling a little irritated by his tone and unwillingness to give her any credit for having half a brain, her tone changed as well. “Because I called Sal right after and asked if I should tell Alex and Angel. I was afraid of what they’d do, and he said to wait. Told me to wait until after New Year’s Eve. I was going to tell you tomorrow. I didn’t wanna ruin your night. Okay?”
He was quiet for a moment then asked. “Is that it?”
She took a deep breath loud enough Eric heard it. Sounding even more agitated, Eric asked, “What, Sofia? Just tell me everything. My night’s already ruined, anyway.”
“He showed up at my house today drunk. I wasn’t there. I just found out about it right now. I worked all morning.”
She told him everything Sarah had told her. When she was done, his only response was, “And you still believe him?”
As if her day could get any worse, when she didn’t respond immediately, he hung up on her.
***
The celebration was just beginning to pick up momentum, and all Eric could think of was heading back to his dorm. He was in no mood to party. Aware that his dad was already annoyed that he’d taken off to make a phone call, Eric knew making an exit now wasn’t the best idea. His dad knew just who he was calling. Still, Eric was livid. There was no hiding the change in his mood when he walked back into the banquet room.
Jennifer’s expression when he sat back down was the opposite of his father’s glower. “You missed it.”
Eric lifted a brow, not really interested in what he’d missed, but still asked. “What?”
“The dancer.” She pointed at one of the many dancers in costume dancing around the room. “She came over and made your dad dance with her. It was hilarious.” She laughed, taking a sip of her fancy mixed drink.
Eric couldn’t even smile. “Yeah. I’ll bet. He can’t dance for shit.”
v height="0" width="48"> “Hey, I heard that.” His dad’s scowl was now a silly smile. “I think I did pretty well. Didn’t I?” He turned to Tina, who giggled, but agreed he had.
The music changed to something even more upbeat and both Tina and Jennifer danced in their seats. His dad stood up. “C’mon, lets go dance. You guys too.”
Eric was about to say no. He was in no mood for dancing, but Jennifer stood up eagerly. He grudgingly downed the drink he’d been babying for the past half hour. Jennifer slipped her hand in his, and they all walked onto the dance floor.
As much as he tried to snap out of the horrendous mood Sofia had put him in, no amount of dancing was doing it. He leaned into Jennifer’s ear, taking in the sweet smell of her hair. “I need another drink.”
She nodded her head. “Me too.”
Again, she slipped her hand in his. His dad lifted his hands in question when he saw them start to walk off the dance floor, but smiled and winked as his eyes caught Eric holding her hand. Eric almost rolled his eyes, but Jennifer was watching him.
Eric took a shot at the bar then they took their drinks and walked over to the one of the balconies that overlooked one of Madrid’s most famous plazas.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Jennifer gazed out into the mass of people out there dancing and celebrating. Seemed the entire city was out for the night.
Gently removing his hand out of Jennifer’s, Eric leaned over the balcony. “Yeah, it is.”
The fresh air helped him relax a little, but very little. He still couldn’t get over the fact that even after everything they’d gone through that summer, and the scene Brandon had caused tonight, Sofia was still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It absolutely made him wonder what the hell else she was willing to do for the guy and why.
He downed his drink in record time and was ready for another. It had been almost a year since he’d had so much as a buzz. Now felt like as good a time as any to get hammered. “I’m ready for another.”
Jennifer’s eyes widened when she saw his empty glass. “Wow, that was fast.”
Eric shrugged. “What’s New Year’s Eve without a good buzz, right?”
Several shots and drinks later, Eric was in more of dancing mood than ever. By the time the countdown started, he and his dad were two of the loudest at the party. His dad had been buying round after round of shots. As they rung in the New Year in, everyone hugged and kissed. His dad hugged him hard. “I’m glad you’re having fun, son. You know I only want you to enjoy life, right? That’s all I want. ‘Cause I love you, no other reason.”
Before his dad got too mushy, Eric nodded and pulled away. “Yeah, I know dad. I love you, too.”
After their rather long embrace, Eric turned to Jennifer and gave her a fast hug. The smell of her hair lingered even after he pulled away. He quickly turned to Tina and hugged her, too. The band played a slow song and his dad and Tina took to the dance floor, holding each other closely.
“You want another drink?” He turned toward the bar.
Jennifer tilted her head and gave him a look that made him feel guilty. “I like this song.”
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Eric hesitated, but took her hand anyway. They walked out to the dance floor. She wasted no time wrapping her arms around his neck, and pressed her body against him. He’d had a looser embrace in mind, but at this point he had no choice in the matter. She’d all but draped herself on him and leaned her face against his chest. Feeling her breasts pushed on his chest, he thought of what Sofia would say if she saw them. He held her gently, but in no way wanted to encourage anything inappropriate.
The song was finally over and people clapped. Eric took advantage to undo their embrace and pulled away to clap. They started up another slow song. No way was he doing that again. “I need a drink and some air.”
No sooner had he said it, and her hand was in his again. Her behavior, most likely alcohol induced, was sobering him up. With that in mind, he ordered a beer instead of hard liquor. Jennifer ordered another fancy mixed drink.
“Remember.” Eric shot her a warning look. “Those kinds of drinks tend to sneak up on you.”
Jennifer giggled. “Too late!”
They headed back outside to the balcony. As soon as they reached it and Eric rested his elbow against the rail, Jennifer leaned into him. She seemed a little dizzy and Eric held her up. “Whoa, you okay?”
She did a little more giggling and moved her hair away from her face. “Maybe I better not drink this.”
Eric took the drink she held up and placed it on the rail. “Yeah, maybe not.”
“I’m not just saying this because I’ve been drinking, but I think you’re incredibly sexy.” She traced his lips with her finger.
Eric smiled, feeling a little nervous, and pulled her hand gently away from his lips. “Alright, maybe we should get you some water.”
“No, Eric, I’m serious.” She stood up a little straighter and leaned into him again. “When my sister told me I was going to be hanging out with her boyfriend’s son, I was worried about who’d I’d be stuck with. But when I saw you, I could hardly contain myself.”
“I’m flattered.” Eric had to admit it felt good. But he was careful about his response. He knew no matter how mad he was at Sofia, doing anything with Jennifer was out of the question. “You’re not too hard on the eyes, either. Trust me, if I didn’t have a girlfriend, I would’ve already been trying to get to know more about your situation.”
Her lips curled and she stared him down with a wicked smile. “Well, my situation is, I live in New York, not California like my sister. We only see each other on rare occasions. That’s why I decided to tag along with her on this trip. So I don’t mind that you have a girlfriend, because after I leave Spain, it’ll probably be years before I see you again.” She licked her lips, tracing a finger down his chest. “Assuming, that is, that Tina and your dad stay together.”
Having never been in this position, Eric wasn’t sure what the best way was to respond. Before he could, she leaned in and pecked his lips.
Eric backed away. “Jennifer—”
“Call me Jenny.” She stepped forward again.
With the rail behind him, he had nowhere else to move. “Jenny, my girlfriend would absolutely mind—”
“Don’t tell her.” She pressed her body against his, still smiling as her hand grazed over the front of his pants.
Eric flinched. No way was he going there. As much as he loved Sofia, Jennifer was sexier than hell and he was, after all, a man. There were certain parts of his body that would have a harder time rejecting her, if rubbed the right way. He switched places with her, making her the vulnerable one against the rail. “Listen, sweetheart. I’m sure any guy would jump at the chance to be with you—”
“But not you.”
Her offended expression tugged at him, making him feel like a jerk. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
After the awkward conversation, things went from bad to worse. Jennifer grabbed her drink, insisting she needed it. A few big gulps later, she brought her hand to her mouth and said she needed to find a restroom, fast. She didn’t make it, throwing up in her hands just before she got to the door. Eric held the door for her as she ran in. A few minutes later, two very concerned-looking women walked out asking if he was the sick young lady’s boyfriend.
“I’m a friend of hers,” Eric replied. “Is she okay?”
“No,” The heavier of the two said. “She’s in there throwing up, and sobbing in between.”
Wonderful. Eric glanced around until he spotted his dad and Tina. “Lemme go get her sister.”
He was glad the two women walked back in the restroom. He hated to think of Jennifer in there alone. Tina rushed to the restroom as soon as he told her. He and his father followed right behind.
Before his dad could say anything, he explained about the last drink she shouldn’t have had, but did anyway. He didn’t mention why, though. They sat outside by the closest table to the restrooms waiting. The party was nowhere near being over. There were people dancing on chairs and tables still. Even his dad was still drinking.
Tina finally came out of the restroom. She glanced at Eric then asked if she could speak to his dad alone. His dad stood up and walked a few feet away from the table where Eric sat. The music was so loud there was no way Eric could hear what they were saying even from that close a distance.
Their talk was brief and Tina hurried back to the restroom. His dad turned to him not looking pleased. When he reached the table, he didn’t sit down. “You couldn’t have hung out with her for just one evening without bringing up Sofia?”
Nothing annoyed Eric more than when his dad played his relationship with Sofia down as if it wasn’t as serious as he knew it was. “Dad, she didn’t want to just hang out. And for the record, I hadn’t mentioned Sofia until she started coming on to me.”
“Would it have killed you to just go along for the evening? Damn it, Eric, you humiliated her.”
As bad as Eric felt about humiliating Jennifer, nothing topped the disgust he felt for his dad at that moment. Go along for the evening? He stood up. “I’m sorry about that. I’ll apologize, but I can’t just go along with another girl for the evening, Dade eng . Sofia and I are in a committed relationship.”
His dad didn’t even try to mask his irritation. He downed what was left of his drink and put the glass down on the table. “Yeah, well maybe someone should’ve reminded her of that this past summer.”
Eric felt the air sucked out of him. The blow couldn’t have been any lower. His dad must’ve seen it in his face because immediately he started back-peddling. He tried putting his hand on Eric’s shoulder, but Eric backed away.
“Son, I’m just saying—”
“I think you should stop talking. You’re drunk and you’re already pissing me off.” He started to walk away.
“Eric, you’re devotion for her through all these years has been unwavering, and she cheated on you. You don’t think that pisses me off?”
Eric turned to look at him, ready to go off on him.
“Son, I’m sorry, but anyone that hurts you, hurts me and as far as I’m concerned she doesn’t deserve you.”
Before he said anything he’d regret, but more frantically, before his dad said anything else to remind him of how Sofia had once ripped his heart out, he walked away. His dad called out for him, but he didn’t stop. If his dad said even one more thing to put down Sofia, he’d snap for sure.