Breaking Down

Chapter 29

29

Gabi

Tyler had said he was okay with going to Brazil, but I thought he would delay it as much as he could. He surprised me by saying we could go as soon as I wanted—or found available tickets. So, I purchased two first class tickets to Brazil for the weekend. Meanwhile, I visited Branca at Hannah’s ranch. She was still scared and having some tantrums whenever a loud sound came near her. But Hannah assured me she was being well taken care of, and I believed her.

I had also visited Charlie at the hospital twice. When Tyler found out, he had asked me why.

“Because I want to,” I told him, deadpan. And it was true. I had been home sulking about my failed polo dream, so why not go visit his father who was lonely at the hospital? Besides, he was sweet to me.

Then, it was time to go to Brazil. Gui insisted on taking us to the airport—Tyler and me both. This way, Tyler wouldn’t need to leave his truck at the airport and pay the outrageous fees. My brother’s words, not mine.

At first, Tyler refused, but then he relented.

Gui and Hilary drove us to the airport, and as I expected, the entire g**g was there, waiting for us at the check-in area. I couldn’t help the wide smile and the sense of love that filled my chest as I looked at each one of them. Bia, Garrett, Leo, Hannah, Ri, and Pedro.

“They always come when you leave?” Tyler asked as we loaded our bags on the conveyor belt that would take them away to the airplane.

“Yes, but usually I stay away for a few months. I don’t know why they are here if they know I’ll be back next week.”

“Hm,” was all he said before taking our tickets from the attendant and reading through them.

I turned to my family. “You guys know I’ll be back in five days, right?”

“Bem, sim …” Leo started.

I put a hand on my waist and narrowed my eyes at him. “Spill.”

He looked at Hannah and she rolled her eyes. “The guys have sort of … like a bet. Gui and Ri think your father will freak out.”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“That he’ll send Tyler back and make you stay there,” Ri explained.

I chuckled. “As if he could stop me.”

“That’s what I said,” Leo said, his voice loud and proud.

I shook my head. “You guys are unbelievable.”

“In any case,” Hil started. “We came because we love you and we wanted to say goodbye and have a great trip, doesn’t matter if it’s only five months, five days, or five hours.”

I smiled at her. “Thanks.”

My brother embraced me. “I hope pai surprises me,” he whispered in my ear. Me too. “See you in a few days.”

I kissed his cheek. “Tchau.”

Tyler and I joined the long security line while my family stood at a distance, waving every few seconds and yelling, “we love you,” “come back soon,” “good luck,” and “have a safe flight,” in Portuguese.

It made me smile.

Beside me, Tyler shook his head.

“What?”

He glanced at me. “Your family.”

“What about it?”

He shook his head once again. “Nothing.”

“Oh no. Don’t start talking about my family, then stop. Just spill.”

“They are so f*****g tight.”

“What do you mean?”

“They seem to always be together and in each other’s business. It would drive me crazy.”

“You mean, it will drive you crazy, because, you know, we’ll continue going to my brother’s apartment and to my uncle’s and aunt’s ranch, and more.”

He groaned. “God, I hope they leave me alone.”

I frowned at him. “As far as I recall, the last couple of times we’ve been with them, you had a good time.”

One corner of his lips tugged up. “I wouldn’t say good time. But, yeah, it wasn’t that bad.”

I shook my head. I hoped he was joking about my family, because his previous statement didn’t sit well with me. I respected Tyler’s opinion. It seemed he wasn’t a fan of a close family, but he didn’t have to groan and complain about mine to my face. They were the most important thing in my life. It was them, with polo in a close second place. Without my family, I didn’t know who I truly was. I was a part of them, and they were a part of me. That would never change.

Not sure what to say, I chose to stay quiet.

And, despite our new agreement to be friends, that was how we remained for the next twenty-six hours—always side by side, but only talking to each other when necessary.

That all changed the moment we picked up our bags in the airport in Porto Alegre.

“We’re here,” I said, my back to the big glass wall separating the travelers from the people waiting outside. “My parents are probably somewhere behind that glass wall, watching us right now.” I looked up at Tyler. “They will pay attention to how we act around each other, and if we want our plan to work, they have to believe we’re in love.”

A knot appeared on his forehead, but he nodded. “Just for five days, right?”

Hopefully, only for five days. “Right.”

“Okay, then.” He let out a long breath. “We start the show right now.”

I gasped as Tyler stepped into my personal space, wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and pulled me to him. My face smacked into his chest, and my stunned hands landed on his hips. I pulled them back quickly. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, before turning to the cart with our bags.

“That was …” I whispered, not sure what to say next.

I didn’t think Tyler heard me because he smiled at me, a forced one, and said, “Lead the way.”

I forced a smile too, but as soon as we started walking toward the exit doors, I caught sight of my parents and my smile turned into a real one. My steps sped up, and soon I was out the door and in my mother’s arms.

“Gabi! It’s so good to see you,” she said, hugging me tight. “I missed you, querida.”

“I missed you too, mãe.” Then Dad was prying Mom from me only to replace her and squeeze me tight. I chuckled. “You want to break me?”

“Is it working?” Dad asked, laughing.

“He increased the weights of his workout a few days ago,” my mom said, sounding not too amused. “Now he thinks he can do anything.”

We laughed, but then both of them stiffened, their gaze falling behind me.

Clearing my throat, I stepped back, coming to stand beside Tyler. “Mãe, pai, this is Tyler. Tyler, this is Regina, my mom, and Luis Carlos, my father.”

“Hello, Mr. Fernandes.” He shook my father’s hand, and then turned to my mother. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fernandes.”

“Hello, Tyler,” my mother said, her tone a little wary.

My father frowned. “So you’re Tyler.”

“Pai …” I groaned.

“Yes, sir, I’m Tyler Reid.”

My father hesitated. “Nice to meet you too.”

I let out a relieved breath. “All right. Can we go now? I really want a shower, some food, and a nap. Not necessarily in that order.”

My mother chuckled. “Of course.” She took my hand in hers and pulled me toward the parking garage. “Maria is cooking your favorite.”

Hm, my mouth watered. Right now, I was kind of glad I was home.