Broken Ties (The Ties Book 2)

2: Concerns

Isabella

Since Mateo left, I got the kids settled and took a shower. I can’t stop thinking about Daniel coming to the hospital. To occupy my mind, I make some homemade brownies for my patients and coworkers to take to work tomorrow. Ten minutes after putting my first batch of brownies in the oven, Andres calls me and asks to open the gate for him. This visit is unexpected, but I open the gate anyway. To ensure I don’t overcook my brownies, I take them out of the oven and meet Andres outside. He’s still wearing the same clothes from my birthday party yesterday.

“Dre, what’s going on? Why are you here?” I ask.

“Mateo called me,” he answers. “He asked me to stay here with you.”

“Why?” I anxiously petition.

“You haven’t talked to him yet? I’ll let him tell you why. I think it’s for the best,” he awkwardly smiles at me.

Okay, that’s weird, but I guess it’ll be nice to have Andres keep me company while Mateo’s gone. Mateo said he’d call me after getting to San Diego. I hope everything is alright.

Andres and I walk back into the house. I have another batch of brownies to make, so I lead him to the kitchen. My phone is ringing and I rush to answer because it’s Mateo calling.

“I wasn’t sure if you were gonna answer,” Mateo softly chuckles.

“Sorry,” I exhale, “I left my phone in the kitchen. Matty, honey, is everything okay?”

“Isa, is Andres there with you?”

“Yes, I was outside with Dre, that’s why it took me a while to answer. He just got here, but he won’t tell me what’s up. Mateo, what’s going on?”

“Before I do that, tell me what got you so upset before I left,” he counters.

I’d rather tell him in person. He’ll rush back home if I tell him about Daniel coming to my job. “I don’t wanna get married while I’m pregnant,” I lie. “I never had an actual wedding. Daniel and I got married at the courthouse. My family wasn’t very supportive, so there was no need for a wedding ceremony. I wanna have a big wedding and I don’t wanna have on a maternity dress.”

“That’s what made you so upset,” he asks in a confused tone.

It’s partially the truth, but it’s definitely not the reason. I deflect and laugh it off by blaming it on the pregnancy and he believes it.

“I mean, it’s no problem, mami,” he continues. “We can wait if that’s what you want, baby. I’m gonna marry you, regardless. We’re gonna have a big wedding too. Isa, you had me worried.”

“Now tell me what’s going on and why is Dre here,” I demand of him.

“It’s because I saw Daniel at the gate on the camera feed and I don’t want you to be alone,” he explains, and my heart drops.

There’s dead silence. Not only did Daniel show up at my job, but he also came to my home!

“Isabella? You still there,” Mateo asks.

“Yes. Sorry Matty, I’m just- I’m in shock. Daniel was at the gate? How did he find us?”

“Mami, I don’t know, but I asked Andres to stay with you until I get back. I don’t want you to leave the house.”

“Matty, I have to go to work, and Benny has to go to school. How long will you be in San Diego? How’s your dad?”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be here. It’s pretty serious. He could die, mami,” he chokes. “He hasn’t even woken up yet.”

He sobs and my eyes fill with water. I wish I could be there for emotional support. I hate hearing him cry like this, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

“I’m so sorry, honey,” I try to soothe. “Now I wish I could’ve gone with you. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now.”

“Isa, I have to head back into the hospital now. I love you,” he sniffles.

After hanging up with him, I partially regret not telling him about Daniel coming to the hospital. I don’t want him to worry about me and his father. He has enough on his plate with his father alone.

Andres

I’ve been with Marisol since Isabella’s birthday yesterday. We spent all last night and today at her place on her couch chatting. I learned she’s a veterinarian, and she’s very passionate about her job and animals.

I didn’t expect to like her this much. She’s sweet, funny, quirky, and beautiful. Her personality makes me feel so warm and fuzzy. I never really paid any attention to her before. That’s probably why I never realized she had a crush on me. I thought it was all just banter during our brief exchanges when she’d flirt with me over the years. Her long brunette hair falls below her shoulders to the middle of her back. The freckles on her warm toned face make her adorable and every time she smiles, her dimples pop and it causes butterflies in my stomach.

“You know, Mari, I’ve really enjoyed my time with you. You’re a special woman,” I admirably tell her. “I’m sorry I never realized you liked me.”

“I’ve enjoyed our time as well,” she says timidly. “I’m still mad Bella told you about my crush on you.”

“I wish she would’ve told me sooner. Who knows how tangled up we’d be by now,” I laugh and slide closer to her.

“Really,” she squeaks and turns bright red.

“Hell yeah! You’re very smart, responsible, sweet, funny, and most of all, beautiful. I can see myself being with you and wouldn’t mind having you as my girl.”

I inch closer to her and put my hand on her cheek. After cupping her face in my hand, I slowly press my lips against hers. She quietly moans when I open her mouth with my tongue and stick it inside. She leans back on the arm of the chair and I climb on top of her. We continue making out, and I open her legs with mine.

I softly massage her breasts, making her moan again. She has huge breasts for someone with such a small frame. She traces her fingers down my back. As my bulge presses against her, I feel the heat from her core. I want her, but I don’t want it to seem like I’m forcing myself on her or that I’m moving too fast.

“Marisol, we don’t have to do this if you don’t wanna,” I cautiously voice.

“Andres,” she smacks her lips, “I’ve been wanting you since I first laid eyes on you. Please, don’t stop,” she alluringly implores.

I take my shirt off and she unbuttons hers. My d**k gets hard when she reveals her torso to me. I’m preparing to unzip my pants when my phone rings.

“Hold on Mari,” I tell her and smile.

Mateo is calling me, so I answer the phone to see what’s up. After greeting him, Mateo tells me Isabella’s in trouble.

“What’s going on? Where is she now?” I question and sit up on the couch while Marisol gives me a concerned look.

Mateo tells me the situation. Much as I want to continue what I have going on here with Marisol, I can’t leave my little sister by herself.

“Don’t worry, chacho (my guy),” I tell him. “I’ll head straight there now. I’ll keep her safe.”

“What’s going on,” Marisol asks after I end the call.

“I’m so sorry to leave you, but Mateo said Isabella might be in danger. Daniel was at the gate to their house punching and kicking at it.”

“What? Go, it’s okay. No worries. Go look after my best friend,” she nods, trying to hide the worry in her dark green eyes.

This unexpected situation disappoints her just as much as it does me. Maybe the timing wasn’t right after all.

“You can come with me if you like,” I suggest. “They have a guest house we can stay in. Maybe we can finish what we just started.”

“No, I’ll stay here. I have to work in the morning anyway,” she says and smiles.

We exchange numbers and I kiss her before leaving. After Mateo gets back from San Diego, I’ll take her on a date and ask her to be my girlfriend. I head straight to Isabella’s house and call Isabella so she can let me in the gate. She opens it and when I pull up to the house, she’s standing outside and demands to know why I’m here. I don’t want to scare her, so I tell her she needs to talk to Mateo.

When we walk into the kitchen, her phone is ringing. Based on the conversation, she’s talking to Mateo. They chat, her eyes briefly water, and she hangs up. She lets out a deep exhale before going to check on her brownies. After putting a fresh batch in the oven, she bites her nails and stares at me. She only bites her nails when something’s bothering her.

“What’s wrong,” I ask her.

She runs over to me and explains, “Dre, I’m dying to tell someone this. I wanna tell Matty, but he has enough going on with his dad.”

“What is it? You know you can talk to me about anything, Bella Bear.”

She looks at me wide-eyed and pouts, “Promise you won’t tell Mateo?”

“I mean… Mateo and I are cool and all, but my loyalty will always lie with you, little sis. Digame (tell me).”

“Okay, so I’m actually not surprised about Daniel coming here. I mean, I’m not sure how he found me, but he showed up at the hospital yesterday and left me some tulips. My coworker Alyssa told me he was there again this morning, but I was running late, so he left.

Dre, I don’t know what to do. I wanna keep working, but if Daniel will start popping up at the hospital, then maybe I shouldn’t. I couldn’t tell Mateo this because I know he would’ve been worried, and he has enough to deal with right now.”

“Mateo called me to keep you safe. That’s what I’ll do. I can keep Maya and I’ll go to the hospital with you.”

“Are you sure? Don’t you have things to do?” She scrunches her face into a guilty expression.

“I’m on vacation. Most days I’m at mama’s house keeping her company. I don’t mind, Bella Bear. Plus, I need to bond with my niece,” I explain, and she looks relieved. “Hey, do you know how long Mateo’ll be gone?”

I need to know so I’ll know what to do about Marisol. I really want to see her again and take her on a date.

“I don’t know, Dre,” she exhales. “He said it was pretty bad and there’s a possibility his dad could die.”

“Damn. I’m so sorry to hear that. I can see why you didn’t wanna tell him about Daniel.” She goes back to the oven and takes out her brownies. “I’m goin’ to the guest house to call Marisol and let her know the situation,” I announce. “I was with her when Mateo called me to come here.”

She spins around and grins. “So, you two hit it off?”

“We did. You should’ve been told me she liked me. I like her as well.”

“Really, Dre?” She runs up to me again and exclaims, “That’s so awesome! My brother and best friend are a thing now!”

“We are, but we aren’t. I haven’t asked her to be my girlfriend yet. I will though. After I take her on a few dates.”

Isabella is so giddy. She squeals, “Oh my god! After the day I had, this is great news! I’m so happy! I have to find out from Jessi how things went with her and Josh.”

She continues grinning while taking her brownies off the cooling rack and putting them in a container. I ask her for the key to the guest house, hug her and bid her good night. After getting to the guest house, I call Marisol. It’s a little after 10:30, so hopefully she hasn’t gone to sleep yet.

Ring, ring, ring.

“Hi, Andres,” Marisol softly greets.

“Hey, sweet thing. Were you sleeping?”

“No, not yet. I was just thinking about you. How’s everything? Is Bella okay?”

“You’ve been on my mind this entire time,” I confess. “Bella’s fine. She’s a little scared to go to work, but I promised her I’d keep her safe.”

“I like how protective you are of her. I’ve always admired that about you.”

“When I make you mine, I’ll be the same way about you,” I tell her.

“Oh Andres, stop it,” she giggles and I wish I could’ve seen how hard I just made her blush.

“Please call me Dre, mami. Listen, I don’t wanna hold you up. I just wanted to check in with you before goin’ to sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay, Dre. Thanks for updating me. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

I fall on the bed after hanging up. I didn’t picture myself falling for her like this. Maybe I’ve been missing out by not being in a relationship, but I’ll change that soon. I prepare to fall asleep because I need to be well-rested to fulfill my role as bodyguard tomorrow.