“
I kissed Alex,” I blurt out.
“Alex? ¡Benditaǃ Was that before or after the Colin breakup?”
I wince. “I didn’t plan it.”
Isabel laughs so hard and loud, I have to take the phone away from my ear. “You sure he didn’t plan it?” she asks once she can get words out.
“It just happened. We were at his house and then we were interrupted when his mom came home and saw us--”
“What? His ma saw you guys? In his house? ¡Benditaǃ” She goes off in Spanish, and I have no clue what the hell she’s saying.
“I don’t speak Spanish, Isabel. Help me out here.”
“Oh, sorry. Carmen is gonna shit a brick when she finds out.”
I clear my throat.
“I won’t tell her,” Isabel is quick to say. “But Alex’s mom is one tough woman. When Alex dated Carmen, he kept her far away from his mama. Don’t get me wrong, she loves her sons. But she’s overprotective, just like most Mexican mothers. Did she kick you out?”
“No, but she pretty much called me a whore.”
More laughing from the other end of the line.
“It wasn’t funny.”
“I’m sorry.” More laughing. “I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when she walked in on you two.”
“Thanks for your compassion,” I say dryly. “I’m hanging up now.”
“No! I’m sorry for laughing. It’s just that the more we talk, the more I see you as a totally different person than I thought you were. I guess I can understand why Alex likes you.”
“Thanks, I think. Remember when I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen between me and Alex?”
“Yeah. Just so I get my timetable straight, that was before you kissed him. Right?” She chuckles, then says, “I’m just kidding, Brittany. If you like him, girl, go for it. But be careful, because even if I think he likes you more than he’ll admit, you should keep your guard up.”
“I won’t stop it if something happens between me and Alex, but don’t worry. I always have my guard up.”
“Me, too. Well, except for the night you slept at my house. I kinda fooled around with Paco. I can’t tell my friends ’cause they’d give me shit.”
“Do you like him?”
“I don’t know. I never thought about him that way before, but being with him was kinda nice. How was the kiss with Alex?”
“Nice,” I say, thinking about how sensual it was. “Actually, Isabel, it was more than nice. It was fucking incredible.”
Isabel starts laughing, and I laugh right along with her this time.
”
”