I sigh. “He isn’t joking, Seb. Mateo and I are really dating.”
Seb looks really pissed. He’s just standing there, staring at us, looking as if he’s seconds away from exploding. He looks over at me, and I know he’s going to go off.
“Analyse, what the hell are you thinking? You’re my little sister. He’s my best friend. This is a bad fucking idea.”
“Seb, please. I’m a big girl, I can make my own decisions. I know what I’m doing.”
“You know what you’re doing.” He laughs. “She knows what she’s doing.” He’s pacing back and forth now. I can barely make out what he’s saying, but I can feel his anger rolling off him.
“Coño, Sebastian! Ya, me estás dando un maldito pique,” Mateo snaps.
“Yo te estoy dando pique? Yo?! Mira, cabrón?—”
“The both of you shut the hell up!” I yell. “Mateo, I don’t need a savior, and, Seb, I don’t need you acting like you’re my goddamn father. You’re pissing me off!”
“But, Lyse?—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” I say, cutting Seb off. “Listen to me closely, because I’m only saying this once—I can date whoever I want. I can do whatever I want.”
Seb opens his mouth to speak, but I lift a finger and say, “I know that you love me, Seb. I know that you care about me and only want what’s best for me. But you have to let me make my own decisions. Even if you think it’s a mistake, you have tolet me make my own mistakes. I love you, and I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me and Maya. But let’s get one thing straight—you don’t get a say in this. And if you make me remind you of that one very specific summer secret and tell Mom about it, I absolutely will. Don’t test me. You know she taught me how to pinch your ear in a way that makes you cry, and I won’t hesitate to do it right here in front of everyone. So maybe just be a good brother and give us your support, okay?”
Seb’s face softens. “Okay, fine. I get it. I’m sorry. I just worry, you know? But I’ll support you. Of course, I’ll support you. You’re my baby sister,” he says, pulling me in for a hug.
He looks at Mateo now, and says, “I’ll support you guys, but I swear, Mateo, if you hurt my sister, you’re dead.”
Then he leaves the room to go play with Maya before I leave with her. That conversation actually went a lot better than I expected. I feel guilty about lying to him, but we’re already all in on this, no turning back now.
I’m lying on the couch, Maya cuddled up on top of me, fast asleep, her curls a wild mess. These are the moments I look forward to. Being a single mom isn’t easy, even with all the support in the world. Things can get really hectic, not leaving me with a lot of downtime. So when we have these quiet moments, just her and I—I relish it. I look down at her little face, eyelids fluttering, lips pouting, soft even breaths. She looks so peaceful.
It’s been two weeks since Mateo and I told Sebastian that we’re dating. I haven’t seen either of them since. Mateo and I have been texting each other here and there, but I’ve been so busy helping the town plan the Fall Festival that I haven’t had time to do much else.
Unsurprisingly, Nico hasn’t turned up either. So much forwanting to be back in our lives. I don’t know if I’m irritated or relieved. I know he’s still in town, because the people of this town can’t keep a secret if their lives depended on it and they’ve been muttering about him all around town. Maybe all of this worry, all of this waiting, was for nothing.
This weekend is finally the Fall Festival—Maya is so damn excited, and admittedly, so am I. She’s excited for the pie eating contest where she’s certain she’ll beat Alejandro, and I can’t wait to get an apple cider donut in my hand—or maybe two donuts.
This weekend also marks the official debut of my relationship with Mateo. He’ll be with Maya and I at the festival, pretending to be in love with me. Sure, everyone in town has been whispering about us. Libby really knows how to spread some bochinche. But, as of right now, that’s all it’s been because no one has actually seen us together.
Now that I think of it, we should probably set some ground rules. Especially with Maya being there. I don’t want her getting mixed into this mess. With that thought, I pull out my phone and shoot a quick text to Mateo.
Analyse
We need rules.
Mateo
What happened to hello? How are you? How’s your week been?
Analyse
Hello. I spoke to you yesterday. You’re fine.
Mateo
What if I wasn’t fine today? What if I had a horrible day?
I read the text and roll my eyes—and they call me dramatic.
Analyse
