Page 56 of Hate That Blooms
“Five, four, three, two, one... HAPPY NEW YEAR!” The room erupts into cheers, and as the clock strikes midnight, couples around me embrace, exchanging soft, celebratory kisses.
Gabby, holding Mireya in her arms, leans down to kiss her sister’s cheek. Mireya giggles, squirming, clearly delighted by the chaos of the night. Thiago and Cora are lost in each other, their embrace tender, their lips meeting for a quiet, sweet kiss. The sight makes me smile—it’s good to see them happy, especially after everything they’ve been through.
But as much as I try to focus on the happiness around me, my eyes keep drifting back to Gabby. Her smile, the way she’s looking at Mireya, her soft laugh—it’s the kind of warmth I’ve been missing, the kind of peace I crave.
Having had enough of the growing tension in my chest, I mutter to Thiago, “I’m just going to grab another water. Be right back.”
Thiago gives me a distracted nod, his arm still around Cora, and I head toward the kitchen, hoping the quiet will help clear my head. But just as I’m about to reach for the fridge handle, the front door slams open with a force that shakes the walls, and I spin around instinctively.
It’s Nathan.
I can already see from the way he stumbles in—wild eyes, unsteady on his feet—that he’s had one too many. His breath reeks of alcohol, and his movements are sloppy as he staggers into the room.
“What the fuck, Nathan?” I mutter under my breath as I move toward him. I don’t need this right now.
“Hey!” Nathan shouts as he sloshes past the door, swaying like a drunk toddler, clearly not in control of his body. He’s making a scene—loud, out of place. “I’m here! The partystarted, right? I’m just here to... celebrate!”
I walk straight up to him, grabbing his arm before he can stumble any further. He looks at me, blinks a few times, and then grins like he’s won some kind of victory.
“Nate, get the fuck out,” I say firmly, grabbing him by his shoulders, trying to steady him.
He waves a hand dismissively. “Nah, nah, man. Just… trying to… uh, have a good time!” He’s still grinning like it’s the funniest thing in the world, but his words slur as he struggles to stay standing.
I’m trying not to lose it. I don’t want to make this worse, especially not now. Not with Gabriela in the next room. Not with Mireya here.
“You need to leave,” I tell him, my voice low but firm. “Cora doesn’t need this at her house. None of us do. You’re way too drunk and there are fucking kids here. Go home.”
Nathan chuckles, though it’s more like a wheeze. He looks around at the party like he’s searching for something—or maybe someone. “Cora doesn’t care. Plus, I’m here to see someone else.”
“I said leave,” I snap.
Nathan’s just too far gone. He takes a step toward me, barely keeping his balance, and I brace myself for another outburst. “Where’s your preciousGabriela?“ He mutters under his breath, shaking his head. “I’ve got a little secret for you, Quín. It was me.” He wavers, looking more and more like he’s about to fall over.
“What the fuck did you say?” I growl taking a step back.
Before I can stop him, he stumbles past me, almost tripping over his feet. I glance over and see Gabriela, who’s stepped into the doorway, watching the entire scene unfold. Her face is a mixture of disbelief and concern.
“Gabby—“ Nathan slurs, “Was it as good for you as it was for me? Cuz let me tell you...” He makes the chef’s kiss motion, “some grade A pussy you’ve got.”
“Oh my God,” Gabby’s voice is soft, realizing exactly what he is confessing to. “It was you.”
I grab him by his collar and drag him out the front door, down onto the front lawn and start beating him. Blinded by rage, landing punch after punch, I let him have every ounce of pain I have been feeling these past few weeks. “You fucking son of a bitch,” I feel hands on my back, attempting to pull me off.
“Carnal,“ Thiago and another guy grab ahold of me to pry me off of Nathan. “Stop before someone calls the cops.”
Nathan stands, wiping the blood from his face, laughing as he tries to steady himself. “I didn’t hurt her too badly. She was still wet from you coming inside her. So thanks for that. Her pussy was the best I’ve ever gotten to come inside, and what makes it even better is I went in raw. Only the best for your girl, Quín.”
“You’re fucking dead. Do you hear me?” I attempt to pull away from the men holding me back, but they grip me tighter. “Voy a hacer que desees no haberla tocado nunca. (I’m going to make you wish you’d never touched her.)”
Nathan barely seems to register the threat, but after a few more seconds, he stumbles down the street, cursing under his breath as he goes. The silence left behind is heavy, but at least the chaos has stopped.
I take a breath, running a hand through my hair.
Gabby watches me, still standing by the door, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. She looks broken, and I would give anything to put her back together.
“Did Mireya see that?” I ask quietly. “Did she hear what he said?”
“No,” she replies softly, her voice calm but distant. “Nat kept her inside.”
