DECEPTION - A Family Affair (4 page)

Pulling into her drive way she noticed Nate waiting for her on the front porch.  He was handsome in his all American way.  He looked like a blonde Ken doll with his almond shaped blue eyes.  When he saw her pulling in he gave her his charming smile.  She was in no mood for company to night but she did promise him to workout at the gym and then get a quick bite to eat.  Peeling herself out of the car and gathering her bags she dragged herself up the walkway that needed some TLC.  The cracks were increasing another expense to worry about.

“Hey, what took you so long?  By the look of you it appears you had a strenuous day.”  Nate stated as he examined her appearance.  “I heard the news about your student.  I’m so sorry.”  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he grabbed her bags.  Unlocking her door Mace her brown lab mix greeted her happily.  They walked into her living room and she just plopped herself down onto the old sofa.  Nate the sweet heart that he is went to let Mace out back.  She lived in the same house where she was born and now she was all alone.  The house needed some work but she only kept up with the daily maintenance since her father was no longer capable and now the house was left under her care.  She doesn’t have the heart to change a thing in it; it’s as if she expects her father to return home any day.

“You have no idea what kind of day I had - too damn emotional for my blood.”  She looked up at him; he put down her bags beside the sofa and stood while he listened to her tell him about her day even though she left out the part of her encounter with Marco.  She wasn’t ready to talk about it; this was a major event and she just wanted to ignore it for the moment.  “Would you forgive me if we skip today’s workout and head straight to Lucky’s?  I could go for a nice glass of wine with a triple-decker turkey club.  Doesn’t that sound enticing?”  She pleaded with her puppy dog face as her bottom lip protruded out.  Who could resist?

“Looking for comfort food huh?  It sounds good to me I have a couple of calls to make on my cell so why don’t you change and then we’ll go.”  He grabbed his phone from his pocket and went out to the back deck to talk about one of his latest properties he listed.  Nate worked at his father’s real estate business in town and will eventually take over the business one day.  He really works hard at it working around the clock seven days a week always trying to live up to his father’s expectations.

Marisol dragged herself to her room to look for her jeans.  She thought about Nate and how their friendship had blossomed through the years.  She knew they both used each other as shields and created a facade to everyone in town but they were content with how their relationship is for now.  Thinking back how many times she can remember Nate, Marco and herself causing a ruckus in town?  Marco’s dad nicknamed Nate, “El Gringo”.  They had a lot of laughs and Angelo always trailing behind their tracks.  She laughed thinking about the time Angelo was sprayed by a skunk trying to sneak up on them and was outsmarted by the little creature.  He cried and had the audacity to blame them for it.  Those were the days…

Finally deciding on the white sweater that buttoned down the front with jeans and her black cowboy boots. She went to find Nate who was still talking on his phone rolling his eyes at her.  She couldn’t help but laugh, Nate was the theatrical one of the group.  She went and fed Mace who was more than grateful for his bowl of food.  He amazed her with his enthusiasm over food.  Nate came back in the house asking if she wouldn’t mind delaying dinner for another hour.  He had to go check on a vacant property that appears to have some damage due to the rain.  He wanted to verify the extent of the damage.  It was always an adventure with Nate.

****♥****

As Marco followed Angelo home he tried to gather his wits.  Seeing Marisol again really shook him up.  It’s been a very long time and seeing her again felt like it was just the other day he left town like a fugitive in the night.  She was even more beautiful as a full grown woman, a woman he didn’t quite know, he only knew the girl Marisol from his boyhood past.  His days began and ended with her by his side, he even remembered her scent and now twelve years later it felt like they were strangers.  He knew coming home after all these years was going to be complicated.  His father’s heart attack was the reason for his return.  The time he lost being apart from his family were lost forever, he missed out on so much.  Nothing will ever keep him away again.  He only wished the man behind his pain and loss will burn in hell.  The time for retribution has finally arrived.  He may have forgiven his father but it will be a cold day in hell before he forgives William.  He felt every muscle tense within his body and decided he needed to whine down a bit, maybe take Cisco out for dinner and catch a couple of beers for himself.

****♥****

She accompanied Nate on his excursion and an hour later they finally were sitting at her favorite comfort place “Lucky’s”.  It felt like home to her, the relaxed atmosphere with little lighting and nostalgic movie pictures hung on the walls giving it a rustic feel.  She was savoring her wine and let out a big sigh.  Nate just stared at her enjoying her moment of peace.  He was telling her funny stories of his latest clients and she couldn’t help but let loose and just let out a good genuine laugh.  The mood was about to change before she could take another sip of wine.  Nate noticed Marco and Cisco enter the restaurant when he paused in the middle of his sentence causing her to look at the direction of his stare.  It was then when she saw them and her stomach leaped and decided she needed more wine. 

Nate jumped up from his seat and spoke out to his long lost friend, “Hot diggity dog, look who woke up from the dead.”  Both friends shook hands and hugged and Marco again found those bewitching hazel eyes staring upon him.

As they pulled themselves apart Marco looked his friend up and down who still wore his khaki colored pants and blue oxford shirt and replied with pride in his voice. “Look at the Gringo all grown up, looking all important.  I see your face all through town in fact I almost sat on your face today it was plastered on the street bench.”  Everyone laughed but it was true where ever you went in town Nate and his father had advertisements of their faces displayed everywhere. 

“The man still has jokes.  I can’t believe you are here in town, you have a lot of explaining to do buddy.”  Nate replied as he pointed his finger at Marco’s chest and then focused on Cisco, “Hey bud, you hanging out with this clown?  Why don’t you guys join us?” 

Marco didn’t know how to respond, a part of him wanted to move to the furthest end of the restaurant and the other part of him wanted to stay to find out the extent of Nate and Marisol’s relationship.  He knew he has no right but couldn’t overcome the knot in his stomach at the thought of them together.  He then noticed Marisol’s look she gave to Nate regarding his insane invitation.

“I want to sit next to Marisol, I like Marisol.” Came right out of Cisco’s mouth and became quite excited as he took his seat next to Marisol. 

She blushed as she caved in and gave Cisco a kiss on the cheek.  “You are too sweet and I would love for you to sit with us.”  Cisco turned red and smiled so hard you would think his face would crack.  Marco watched the scene before him and grinned on how his brother shared the same taste in women. 

Nate grabbed Marco’s arm and guided him to come join them. “Come on join us really, I can’t believe you are here in the flesh.”

As Marco took his seat he greeted Marisol. “Hi Marisol, it appears we meet again.  Looks like Cisco here has a bit of a crush.”  He grinned showing his perfect white teeth, all Marisol could think of was why he had to be so freaking gorgeous and how was she going to survive the night.  Nate glared at her with a questioning look; she left that bit of detail out of their earlier conversation.

She nodded her head graciously and smiled at Marco as they looked into each other’s eyes.  It was Nate who broke the spell, “Well how the hell are you?  I’m so sorry about your dad?  How is he doing?”  It was Marisol who was taken by surprised she was unaware Freddie was ill.  Cisco looked clearly upset and just stared at his hands.  Before realizing it she placed her hand on Cisco’s hands to give him some reassurance with a gentle squeeze.  Marco observed the display of affection wishing those were his hands she was caressing.

Shaking his thoughts from his mind he finally replied.  “My father is hanging in there, thanks for asking.  The heart attack was pretty severe so he’s not out of the woods yet, we’re taking it a day at a time.  Cisco and I came out to get a bite to eat so Mom could get some rest.”  Marco seemed really concerned but kept up a strong appearance for his brother’s sake.  Their parents sheltered Cisco he has always been shown love and tender care but most of all he has been well protected from any harm they had control over. 

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t aware of it but knowing your dad he’ll be making jokes and dancing on his feet in no time.”  Marisol stated and Cisco got excited. 

“Pop likes to dance.  He dance and sings all the time.  Marco never sees Pop dance but he came home now so Pop has to dance for him.”  Cisco was wiser than people give him credit for.  Marco just stared towards the waitress that was heading towards our table. 

Marianne was a new waitress at Lucky’s she just moved to the area from New York.  She came to take their orders and left again but not before she noticed the hot guy at the table.  She was all giddy and flirty Marisol couldn’t believe how much it annoyed her.  She just kept sipping her wine to calm herself down and ordered a second glass while she had the chance.  Marianne came back with their drinks in a matter of minutes.  Deep in thought she lost track of the conversation, when she began to focus in she heard Nate talking about the biking club they were members of.  Then as usual Nate’s phone buzzed and he once again excused himself to take the call that was so urgent.  Marisol didn’t know where to look or what to say.  She felt eyes on her when she looked up she met Marco’s deep stare.  The second glass of wine must have been affecting her senses; she was beginning to get sensations in her stomach.  She really needed to focus.

“You look good.  Looks like life is treating you well?”  He then took a big gulp of his beer not breaking his stare.

“I could say the same about you.  For me I’m good; life is good my kids keep me busy.”  Before she could elaborate the waitress returned with their food order while he choked on his beer giving her some satisfaction and it showed on her face as she smiled into her wine glass.

As the waitress placed the plates around the table, Cisco put his request in for barbeque and steak sauce for his chicken tenders.  Steak sauce was Cisco’s ketchup.  Marisol looked at her turkey club and she no longer had an appetite.  When she peeked up Nate returned to their table being apologetic.  “Marisol, I’m sorry I have to head out, the vacant property out in Lillington we just left does have a busted pipe, and I have an emergency crew meeting me out there.”

“No problem, we can wrap this up to go.”  She was ready to flee and thankful for a clean get away.

“Don’t worry about it we can take her home.” Marco said to Nate which it would have been nice if he would have asked her first. 

“Thanks man.  Marisol, honey there is no need to rush out when your food was just served.  Just ask them to wrap mine up and I’ll meet up with you afterwards.  I promise it won’t be that long.”  He then leaned over and kissed her cheek and turned to Marco, “Thanks I’ll make sure to stop by the hospital tomorrow, let me know if you guys need anything alright?  Bye Cisco and make sure you take care of my friend here okay?”  He smiled as Cisco shook his head yes wholeheartedly as he was munching away at his chicken and then Nate left leaving a wave of awkwardness.  If her eyes were able to shoot real daggers her friend Nate would be a dead man right about now.

“I promise I won’t bite?  I couldn’t let you sacrifice great food over a busted pipe now could I?”  He said in his most desiring way. 
Geez, does he have to be so charming?
  She asked herself.

“Don’t be funny, however, just so you know I am into vampires so beware.”  Finally taking a bite of her food she realized how hungry she actually was.  She hadn’t eaten all day with all the students in and out of her office.

He chuckled over her last comment.  “Vampires huh?”  He looked at her with a sexy grin and his eyes spoke volumes - thinking of places he could bite her no doubt.  Blushing she shifted her gaze back to her food.

“How many kids do you have?”  The words were out before he realized it.  He needed to know for whatever reason.  He was hungry to know everything about her even though all he desired before his arrival was to seek revenge on her and her father.   Now that he has seen her in the flesh it was going to be difficult to stay on course.

“I lost count after the first 100.  My students are the children in my life and if I can make a difference in any of their lives even if it’s as much as a handful then I’m happy.  Middle school years are a tough age group, they’re trying to figure out who they are, and their bodies begin to change and puberty is on the rise, too old to do the things they’re use to and too young to do everything else.”  She just kept rambling and the passion she has for her students showed in her eyes.  Marco let out a sigh of relief as her answer satisfied him more than he anticipated. 

“By the way how is Alex holding up?”  Her mood shifted to a more serious one when she remembered about Savannah.

“He is sad he lost his friend.” Cisco responded before Marco was able to swallow the burger he had in his mouth. 

“I know what that feels like, it’s like a part of your heart is ripped out from your chest but he’ll survive we all do.”  Marisol couldn’t help it the words just seemed to pour right out of her mouth although she regretted the hasty tone.  Marco froze and just stared at her but provided no reply while he continued to chew slowly.  Marisol then took the opportunity to get Marianne’s attention and asked her if she can pack up Nate’s food, it was then that she informed them Nate had already taken care of the bill and asked if they wanted dessert which everyone declined and began to head out shortly after.