Stronger With You

Chapter 8

Alejandro, Nico's dad, greeted his brother first, pulling Rafael into a quick embrace. “Smells like Maria’s cooking,” he said warmly.

“She bribed us with dessert,” Mateo added.

Alejandro looked very similar to Nico, but just a bit older. They had the same build, except Alejandro had a few streaks of gray in his hair. He looked very well put together in a suit that screamed expensive. It's probably just his after-work clothes, I thought.

Luciana, Nico's Mom, looked just as polished but her face was more guarded and tight. Like she never showed her personality or was too afraid to. She was absolutely stunning. Light brown hair and light brown eyes. It actually made her look exotic. She looked no older than 35, but I'm sure she was way older having four kids over the age of 20.

The girl that followed was obviously Nico's sister and older than him by a couple years. Maybe 25. The two brothers were also older, but I'm not sure who was the oldest. Nicolás must be the baby of the family. That thought made me smile a little. Of course he's the baby, he acts like it.

Luciana's gaze then landed on me hard, curious but measured. Nicolás noticed too and stepped slightly closer to the table, like he was positioning himself between me and the scrutiny of his parents.

“And this must be Emery,” Luciana said.

She knew my name. How? I looked at Callie silently asking if it was her who told Nicolás's mom. But she shrugged her shoulders like she had no idea.

Her voice was smooth, polite, but assessing.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, standing automatically.

Alejandro extended his hand. “Alejandro Vega. Nicolás’s father.”

“Nice to meet you,” I replied.

Luciana gave a small, elegant nod. “We’ve heard you’ve been helping at the shelter.”

Ahh, so that must be it. Nicolás must have said something. Interesting....

Before I could respond, Blaire slipped forward.

“Oh, Emery,” Blaire said, her tone bright but thin, like she was humoring me. “I almost didn’t recognize you without the hoodie.”

Blaire’s mother looked me up and down. “Scholarship student?” she asked, not bothering to soften the question. She definitely looked her age although tried to hide it with cosmetic surgery. Her dad was just the same. I immediately felt icky vibes from them. Of course, look at their daughter. I'm sure the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Rafael cleared his throat. “Everyone, sit before Maria makes us all stand in the corner.”

The introductions continued as we moved toward the table.

“This is my son Mateo,” Alejandro said, gesturing to the dark-haired man already smirking at me. “And Isabella.”

Isabella gave a polite nod. Mateo was the tallest Vega but a little more wirey. He had the same light brown hair as his mom. Isabella was nothing short of beautiful. She had the same light brown hair as her mom, but got her light blue eyes from her Dad. She was tall at about 5 feet 9 inches. A model maybe?

“And Alexander,” Luciana added, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. Another tall man stepped forward, offering an easy, genuine smile that instantly made the room feel less intimidating.

“Nice to meet you,” he said gently, shaking my hand.

With his long brown hair and warm light-brown eyes, he radiated kindness in a way that felt effortless. He didn’t look at me like I was being evaluated or measured against some invisible checklist. He just… welcomed me. He was built too, broad shoulders filling out his shirt, maybe even a little bigger than Nicolás, and honestly just as handsome.

Okay. Maybe objectively handsome.

My brain did an immediate comparison anyway, because apparently I hated myself.

Alexander was warm sunshine. Safe. Easy to breathe around.

Nicolás, on the other hand, was… unfair. Dark eyes, sharp jaw, that constant half-annoyed expression that somehow made him more

interesting than he had any right to be.

And the worst part?

I knew which one my attention kept drifting back to.

Heat rushed into my cheeks so fast I was convinced everyone could see it. I dropped my gaze, suddenly very interested in the floor.

What is wrong with you? I scolded myself silently. He’s literally a menace.

I forced a small smile at Alexander, hoping no one noticed that my face felt like it was on fire and trying not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of eyes on me.

No such luck because I had a pair of ice blue eyes staring me down. Nicolás glared in my direction and pulled out a chair at the far side of the table. Blaire slid into the seat beside him before anyone else could.

Maria and Rafael exchanged a look that said everything without words. They looked less of a fan of Blaire's than I was.

Dinner finally started normally enough. Plates were passed, glasses clinked softly, and Rafael kept the conversation light, asking about classes and campus life.

But it didn’t stay easy for long and my shoulders were already tense waiting for it.

“So, Emery,” Blaire’s mother began, folding her hands neatly on the table. “Callie mentioned you’re here on scholarship.”

“Yes,” I said.

“That must be… different,” her father added. “Coming into a place like Rosenberg without the same background as everyone else.”

Mateo’s fork paused midair with a curious look toward Blaire's father like he didn't recognize him.

Luciana lifted a brow. “Rosenberg accepts students based on merit, but I see how it may be challenging for you,” she said calmly.

Was that a compliment or insult. I wasn’t sure anymore.

Nicolas looked like he sat on a pin tack.

“Of course,” Blaire’s mother replied, though her smile looked tight. “It’s just fascinating seeing how people like her adapt.”

Nicolas surprisingly chimed in, “People like her? You mean like a human being? Because, yeah, normal humans can adapt. It’s the filthy rich idiots that have a hard time adjusting.” He gave her a pointed look.

What the f**k, did he just stick up for me? Callie was smiling and enjoying the scene. I wanted to come observe entertainment like she promised, not be the entertainment.

Blaire and her mom shared an annoyed glance and placed fake smiles on their faces. “Yes, of course.” Blair’s mom stated but she did not look like she agreed with him at all.

Alexander looked like the calm, cool, collected brother. He was probably my favorite so far. He leaned forward, clearly trying to redirect. “What made you choose veterinary science?”

“My dog,” I said quietly. “She was the one thing that never gave up on me. When she got sick, it devastated me. I want to be the one that gets to help keep them healthy.”

“That’s a good reason,” he said warmly.

He leaned closer as he spoke, and without thinking, I shifted my chair back just slightly.

The movement was small.

But Nicolás noticed, of course he did. He was practically staring daggers at me. He's sticking up for me one minute and hating me with his eyes the next. It's making me uneasy. I have no idea what to think.

His eyes flicked to the space between us, jaw tightening for just a second.

Blaire’s father chuckled. “So you work at the shelter too? That’s admirable. Not many students would take on… manual labor.”

Maria set her fork down gently. “Hard work builds character,” she said, voice light but pointed.

Alejandro nodded. “And empathy. Two things money can’t buy.”

Callie finally chimed in and added sweetly, “Though some people try very hard to purchase substitutes.”

Mateo, the oldest brother it looked like, snorted into his drink.

Even I almost laughed.

Blaire shifted in her seat, clearly annoyed that her parents were being outmatched.

“And where did you grow up?” she asked me suddenly.

“Just outside the city,” I said.

“In a house?” her mother pressed. “Or… something smaller?”

The table went still.

Rafael’s smile faded slightly.

Before I could answer, Callie spoke again, her tone calm but sharp. “We don’t measure people by square footage, that’s just ridiculous, no?”

Alejandro added, “Some of the most interesting and successful friends we’ve had started with nothing but ambition.”

Blaire’s father chuckled awkwardly, but the message landed.

Alexander smiled at me apologetically. “Ignore them,” he said quietly. “Family dinners get… competitive.”

“I’ve noticed,” I muttered.

The conversation moved forward, but the tension stayed under the surface.

Eventually, it became too much.

“Please excuse me, restroom is down the hall?” I asked, pushing my chair back.

“Yep” Callie smiled at me in an almost apologetic way. It didn’t help much but I know she’s trying.