Twisted Tides (Forged Hearts #2)

Chapter Thirteen

EVIE

“Through Glass” by Stone Sour

I ’ve spent most of my days stalking Cherry after I found out she was harassing my sister and her friend while they were shopping. I saw her in the shop talking to my sister with a snarled expression, like the bunny boiler that she is. That girl is certifiable, and I swear if I didn’t need her alive to lead me to Julian, I’d dispose of her properly.

I’m torn between following her to see what she is up to, but then I would have to leave my sister. I immediately call Mateo, but he isn’t in the area, and I’ve lost that god-awful box red-dyed hair of a disaster walking out through the crowded city streets.

“Ugh.” I stomp my foot, causing a woman to startle, jumping back and cursing at me under her breath. I see Liv laughing, arm in arm with her best friend as they enter a restaurant to have lunch. I’ve become an intruder in their life. I am no longer my sister’s best friend; I am just a lonely woman looking through the glass and watching what should have been my life, too.

My nights are not spent any better. My mind is consumed with pining over Jameson or watching him from afar. The holidays are approaching, and I’ve never felt more alone.

At least I have my brother.

Mattie and I have plans of our own. He was invited to spend the holiday with the older gentleman who he plays chess with. I am supposed to meet him today, and I am glad that my brother has found a friend, albeit a seventy-year-old elderly one. Apparently, he is alone for the holidays as well, so it seems like the logical choice, throw in being by the shoreline and we will take it. I am hopeful that this will be our last year in hiding.

Walking along the boardwalk, I see Mateo on the pier overlooking the water. I stop where I am to take in the sight of him. He’s tall, over six feet, with a solid build. The guy is not someone I would describe as lean, more so the type that is built for cage fighting. He is ruggedly handsome with his olive complexion and soft, wavy hair that falls into his eyes. His dark brown eyes stare at you with the innocence of a child, but I have also heard Mateo with some of his conquests and innocent is something he definitely is not. I also know he wasn’t afforded that luxury, having grown up in our family and being a soldier for our uncle.

At times, something about this appearance is familiar, but it is probably because I have spent more time with him in our hunt for Julian and to keep our sister safe.

Some college-age girls pass by him and attempt to gain his attention, giggling as they pass. I smile at them, wondering if my brother would have had a girlfriend like that. If he had gone to college instead of working for our uncle, he would never be free to choose his path.

He senses me approaching and turns, his eyes soften when he sees me, and I can’t help but skip a little as it turns into running towards him. He laughs, shaking his head at my antics.

“You’re late.” The lines around the corner of his eyes show his increasing age and sun-kissed skin, and he places his hand over his eyes to shield them from the bright Texan rays.

“I was busy,” I counter, a pout forming.

He rolls his eyes along with his head and then shoots me a look that screams bullshit. “Does it by any chance have to do with a certain guy named Jameson?”

I stab my pointed fingernail into his solid chest. “None of your business, Mattie.”

He leans away from the pier, standing tall as I fight the sunshine reflecting off the water to stare up at him.

“Right, then. Let’s go. I want to introduce you to my friend.”

I loop my arm in his as we approach their frequent meeting place.

The bell chimes above the door as we enter the cafe, and I am immediately hit by the aroma of rich coffee mixed with the scent of cinnamon. From the entrance, I can see an elderly gentleman placing a cup of coffee on the table by the widow. He beckons us with his hand as he sees us approaching his table. My mouth immediately starts to water. I grab Mattie’s arm, and he halts midstep. He looks back at me quizzically.

“Nothing,” I state. “I just want to know if you’d like a coffee. I am going to grab one for myself, and I see your friend already has one.” I gesture with my hand over to his friend, who is now smiling at us and watching our interactions with amusement, his smile reaching his kind eyes.

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll take an iced coffee, nothing in it.”

I nod. “Right,” I counter, “a black iced coffee to match your soul.” I smile cynically, my full lips pulled wide, displaying my straight white teeth.

“Ha. That’s a real knee-slapper, sis. Har-har.” He smacks his outer thigh for emphasis.

Turning I head to the counter, whipping the ends of my shorter hair across my cheek, not acknowledging his stupid joke. I scan the menu that is displayed across the counter, squinting at the almost illegible scrawled cursive-colored chalk, until I see the Mexican latte that makes my mouth water.

I order a kolache to go along with my latte and Mateo’s black iced coffee, then move down to hang out by the end of the counter while I wait for my order to be ready. I click on the dating app and notice a message from Jameson. My heart races with anticipation.

Jameson

When can I see you again?

I stare at it, knowing I can’t see him again, but I want to. I left my mask there the last time with the full intention of never returning, but I am going to make a liar out of myself, and that man will be my sole reason.

Eve

I’m still trying to figure it out.

I bite my lower lip, thinking about it. I begin to type and then backtrack and stop. Do I lead him on? What if I can’t see him ever again, and it makes me a liar? Without second-guessing whether I should see him again, I reply.

Eve

Soon, hopefully. Very soon.

I click out of the app and place the phone in my pocket, my emotions somber. I hate this and the way it makes me feel.

My order is ready, and I see the handsome guy in front of me. He is smiling at me. He seems… I pause, trying to find the right word for him.

Sweet.

I smile and grab my items from him with a thank you, pocketing my kolache for later, and tipping my cup at him. I approach the table where Mateo and his elderly friend sit, setting up their chess game. I hand Mateo his coffee.

“Thanks. Evie, I want you to meet Ramón Martin. Ramón, this is Evie, my sister.” He looks between us and smiles.

“Evie, it’s very nice to meet you,” he says with accented English.

“Likewise, Mr. Martin. My brother seems to enjoy your company. I hope he isn’t too much of a chore to entertain. He’s quite serious, you know.” I place my head on Mateo’s shoulder, letting him know that I’m joking.

He pats my hand, resting on the table lovingly. Mateo laughs, pointing at my drink. I look at him as though he’s lost his mind.

“Please,” Mr. Martin replies, “call me Ramón.”

“Okay, Ramón. It’s very nice to meet you.” I look over to Mateo who is fixated on my cup before returning to my conversation.

The elderly gentleman graces me with a smile.

“What’s the matter with you?” Mateo startles me away from my pleasantries. He turns my drink around and I look at the guy’s number written in black marker on the side with his name.

I look over to the guy at the counter and he is staring at me, face flushed with embarrassment. I turn back to look at the name.

“Dylan,” I say aloud. I shrug and take a drink of my coffee. It’s delicious, and the burst of spicy cinnamon chocolate hits my taste buds with a flourish.

I am struck with a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of a time when I was young during the Christmas holidays in Mexico. My abuela would make the best hot chocolate over the stove by melting a thick, dark Mexican bar of chocolate. She’d allow me to stir the tantalizing concoction until it was fully melted, mixing in some milk and a little sugar and a dash of spicy red pepper at the end that always made my mouth water in anticipation.

I remove the lid on my coffee on autopilot, still submerged in my visions, blowing on the top to cool the caramel-colored liquid as I take another drink from my cup.

“Mmm,” I hum in appreciation.

Ramón breaks me from my trip down memory lane, and I look at him, realizing he said something. “What was that?” I ask.

He places his chess pieces on the board and lifts his chin toward the guy who gave me his phone number.

“I’d throw away that number away if I were you,” he says nonchalantly.

I cross my arms over my chest defensively, look at Mateo, and then back at him. Sitting back, I kick one foot out in a relaxed pose.

“And why is that, Ramón?”

He sits forward as if he has some secret to tell me, and I find myself leaning forward, mimicking his position as if he is one of my friends from high school.

“I saw his wife with their baby in here the other day…” He lets that sink in, and I immediately sit up straight, my nostrils flaring.

“So he’s a cheater?”

He places his hands up defensively.

“Hey, I don’t know if it is his wife, but it sure seemed like it, especially when she left with the kid waving its little cute chubby hand in the air, saying, ‘Say bye to Daddy.’”

Mateo almost chokes on his iced coffee, and I glance at him, daring him to breathe another word.

“Geez, calm down. I wasn’t going to call him, but now I’m annoyed that his name and number are on my cup.” I point at the offending cup with my hand. I look at the scribbled marker, and a thought comes into my mind of taking his number and giving it to an escort service who…

Mateo has his hand on my arm, stopping me from plotting and scheming the downfall of Dylan, the barista.

“Evie, whatever you are thinking, let it go.” His penetrating gaze reminds me so much of my sister’s. She would give me a similar look when I wanted to take revenge on someone or get even. I nod once and smile up at him.

“No problem, Mattie. It’s already forgotten.” I glance over at Ramón.

His look tells me he isn’t so sure, but he nods at the chessboard and speaks to Mateo. “Are you ready to lose, buddy?”

After Mattie and Ramón played a few games resulting in Ramón sweeping Mattie best two out of three, we say our goodbyes, and make plans to get together again soon. We are in the car driving to our apartment, which resides between the beach and the city. It was a compromise for both of us because we knew where we wanted to be and where we had to be. Conflicted, we opted for the halfway mark, much like we do with everything in our lives. Breaking the silence engulfing the car, I look toward Mateo, his expression one of contemplation.

“Mattie?”

His eyes crinkle in confusion as I pull him away from wherever his mind is. “Yeah, Eves?”

I fidget with my hands. “I like your friend. He, um, seemed… nice.”

His eyes soften. “Well, he seems as lonely as we are, so I thought maybe we could all get together and maybe not be so lonely together.”

I nod in understanding.

He takes his eyes away from traffic again, sparing me a quick glance. “You look like you want to ask me something.” He poses this as a statement when it’s more of a question.

I swallow, done with the motions and vulnerability, deciding to take a chance. “I’d really like to see Jameson.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know, Evie. He’s friends with Eduardo. The whole point is to keep you hidden, to keep Emma safe.”

I attempt to bite my nails in frustration but just end up stabbing my lip. I look down at them and frown—maybe a little too pointed. I flick my hand out, admiring my filing job. “Okay,” I almost whisper.

He pulls my hand away from my mouth. “Maybe wait a little while longer, yeah? See if he can be trusted. Maybe feel him out by talking to him first. The holidays are coming, so get to know him and size up his character.”

I smile, now having something to look forward to for the first time in a very long time. “I could do that.”

He smiles back at me. “Just keep me posted, okay?”

I happily agree because this gives me hope—hope that I could be something more than what I am now, hope that I could be something to someone. So, I grab my phone out of my bag and I send a message—one of many that will get me through the time and the holidays until I can see him again.