Breaking Through

Chapter 23

23

Hilary

Ri turned twenty-eight during the week and he had simply announced he had plans for the day—I could only guess he had a line of girls waiting for their turn outside his apartment.

But on Saturday, João Pedro wanted to throw him a party, so we all went to the Fernandeses’ ranch for a Brazilian-style barbecue.

I still wasn’t up for a party, but I thought it would be only the Fernandeses and my family, so I would be among know, familiar faces and would feel at home.

Wrong.

The Fernandeses had invited a lot of people. Many people from the club were there, and others I didn’t know or how they knew them.

“Wow, this place is packed,” I said, embracing Bia after I had parked my car along the entrance road, because there didn’t seem to have another free spot in their parking area.

“Tell me about it.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the house. I waved and said hi to the people I knew as we walked past them. “The party has barely started and I’ve been all over, helping with serving drinks and appetizers. I wish we had hired some waiters.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

She brought me into the kitchen. “You’ll see.” Then she shoved a tray in my arms with what looked like a big plate of sausage and …

“What’s that flour thing?”

I heard his chuckle from behind me. Clutching the tray to my chest, I turned around and found Gui entering from one of the many archways. I sucked in a sharp breath. He looked great, as usual, in jeans, a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and cowboy boots. No hat this time. “What’s so funny?”

He halted before me, smiling. “That’s farofa. It’s a toasted cassava mixture we usually eat with our barbecue.”

“Oh,”

“Here.” Bia grabbed a toothpick, stabbed one through a piece of sausage, smeared it on the farofa, then raised to my mouth. “Try it.”

I stared at it for two more seconds before opening my mouth and letting her feed me. I chewed and … well, it was good. A little dry, but good. And a little spicy.

Gui raised an eyebrow at me. “Então?”

“It’s good.” I nodded. “Probably not something my mouth would water over, but good.”

Gui shook his head. “That’s not the right answer. You gotta say it’s one of the greatest things you ever ate.”

I rolled my eyes. “Now you’re pushing it.”

Bia clasped my shoulders and steered me toward one of the doors leading to the porch on the back. “Just go around, say hi to people, and offer them the sausage and farofa.”

“How much are you paying?” I teased.

“I’ll give you a glass of coke afterward.” She winked.

I shook my head as I headed for the open door. There was music coming from outside and I knew the music. The rhythm sounded like the songs Gui had played for me last night. Dança folclórica gaúcha. I smiled, proud of myself for remembering.

Before I could cross the doorway, Gui took the tray from me. “I’ll do that.”

With a slight bow, he left the kitchen and walked along the big, wooden porch, stopping at every circle or group and offering them the appetizer, always with a smile and lots of words. He was like a social bee and everyone seemed to think he was a nice guy. A great guy.

I walked out the door and regretted it instantly. Reese was to the right with his teammates. Upon seeing me, he approached with a big smile.

“Hey, there,” he said. “I was wondering if you would show up. Nice to see you here.”

“Hi, Reese.” I smiled at him, though I wasn’t particularly pleased he had found me. “How have you been?”

“Good, good. Lots of practice. We have a big tournament in L.A. starting next week.”

“Oh yeah, so I heard.” Gui had mentioned the tournament last night when he was at my apartment.

“So, I was won—”

“Hil!” Hannah ran up the porch stairs and embraced me. “There you are.” She smiled at Reese. “Hi, Reese. Do you mind if I steal my sister for a minute?”

He looked unsure but smiled. “Go ahead.”

Hannah grabbed my hand and pulled me down the steps, into the crowded backyard. Again, I waved to the people I knew as we walked past them, until she pushed me into a group of people. Our group. Leo, Ri, Pedro, Iris, and Garrett. My parents were to our left, talking to two couples from the club. And João Pedro and Agnes were a few yards to our right, around what looked like a tall rectangle made of brick.

Hannah caught me staring. “That’s a Brazilian-style grill. They call it churrasqueira and it’s made of special bricks that don’t get damaged with the heat.”

“That looks like such an odd thing,” I whispered.

“I know. Some things are still odd to me.”

I glanced at her. “Thanks, by the way. For the rescue.”

“You’re welcome.” She nestled against Leo.

“What rescue?” Gui asked, stepping between Hannah and me, sans tray.

“Reese was all over Hil,” Hannah said. “Again.”

Gui raised one eyebrow at me. “Really?”

“Really, what?” Bia asked, joining our group. She was carrying another tray with what looked like … omg, those were chicken hearts. I had heard Brazilians liked eating chicken hearts, but I had never seen it before.

“Nothing,” I said, trying to steady my breathing so I wouldn’t gag.

“What’s with that face?” Bia asked.

“Hm …” I pointed to the tray on her hands. “That.”

Hannah gasped. “You’ve never had a chicken heart?”

I shook my head.

“Oh, you’re gonna love this one,” Gui said. He picked up a toothpick and got a big chicken heart with it.

“No way.” I pressed my hand over my mouth. “If I eat that, I’ll throw up.”

“No, you won’t,” Hannah said. “It’s good. I promise. You’ll like it.”

I shook my head again.

“Just try it, guria,” Leo said, joining the team. “It’s really good.”

They bugged me for another couple of minutes until I finally nodded my head, took the toothpick from Gui, and shoved the chicken heart in my mouth. I almost gagged right then, but the flavor exploded on my taste buds and my eyes widened as I chew. This was good. Really good. Much better than the farofa.

“So?” Gui asked. Everyone was watching me.

Instead of using words, I used my toothpick to get another chicken heart and put it in my mouth. Okay, even better the second time. I could get used to this.

“I think she likes it,” Bia said, smiling.

After chewing and swallowing, I said, “Yup. This one is really good.”

Gui chuckled. “Glad you like it.”

After that, Bia strode off to continue offering chicken hearts to the guests, Garrett went with her, Ri walked off to receive more guests, Pedro took Ivy to dance, and Leo did the same to Hannah.

A smile on my lips, I watched as they danced like Gui and I had danced last night, but much better.

Gui brushed his fingertips on my elbow. “Hey.”

I looked up at him. “Hm?”

“Want to say hi to Pampa?”

“I would love to.”