Page 45 of The Striker
“What if I talked to Julio?” I ask. “I can smooth shit out between the two of you. Let him know you’re turning over a new leaf. You know if the rest of us are on board with welcoming you back into the fold, he’ll be good with it, too.”
Her gaze snaps to mine. It’s barely perceptible, but the change in her dark brown eyes is there. Hope. “Even if you and I were cool, it wouldn’t matter. He’d never believe you.”
“He would if you fixed shit with Allie. Actions speak louder than words, A. And you know how he feels about her. She’s like a sister to him.”
“I’m aware.” She bites her lip, brows drawn together. “Allie is everyone’s little sister. You all defend and protect her.”
I chuckle, hearing the note of jealousy in her words. It’s a new look for her. “Don’t act like you’ve ever wanted Julio to look at you the way he does Allie. Sister isn’t the position you’ve ever been after when it comes to him.”
Her eyes darken, and her lips press into a thin line before she mutters a single word.
“Fine.”
“Fine, what?”
“I’ll reach out to Allie.” She steps closer and juts her chin up in the air toward me. “But if she doesn’t want anything to do with me, you still have to let shit go. And you have to tell him that I tried to make it right.”
“Fair enough.”
“Alright, then.”
I expect Adriana to walk away after that but she doesn’t. Instead, she lingers, pursing her lips like she has more to say.
When she opens her mouth, what she says is the last thing I expect her to say.
“Cecilia was raped,” she says, her words pitched low so as not to carry. “Do you know who did it?”
“She told you?” That’s … unexpected. Friend or not, that isn’t something Cecilia shares with people. Hell, her own parents don’t even know.
Adriana shakes her head. “No. I already knew. But she knows that I know.” I wonder how Cecilia feels about that.
“Her secrets aren’t mine to share.”
“But you know who it is?”
I nod. Adriana doesn’t look pleased.
“I thought so.” She seems to consider this. “Are you going to do something about it?” It’s one thing to bring Julio and Felix in on my plans. Two people I trust implicitly. But it’s another to tell Adriana, someone I most certainly do not trust. I don’t need her telling Cecilia about what we’re up to or worse, trying to interfere. She’s not exactly predictable.
“Cecilia doesn’t want me fighting her battles for her.”
She scoffs, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “That’s cute.”
“I’m not trying to be cute.”
Adriana gives me a patronizing look and starts walking backwards, her eyes still on mine. “You’ve always been true to your namesake, Gabriel,” she says. “You’re protective of the people you love and you love Cecilia. You may as well proclaim yourself her guardian angel. So, it’s fine. Don’t tell me. But whatever you have planned, make it hurt.”
She flashes me a dark smile before she turns around, and then she’s gone.
Some of the uneasiness in my stomach dissipates. I still don’t trust her, but what she just said, it shows that at least some part of her cares. For now, it’ll have to do.
13CECILIA
My muscles burn as I rotate my shoulders. It’s been over a week since I joined the swim team and the daily practices are kicking my butt into shape. “Looking good out there,” Coach calls out as I dry off beside the pool.
“Thanks,” I say. Wrapping my towel around my waist, I head over to where Adriana stands. We’re all done for the day, and I, for one, need something to eat.
“All set?” I ask her.
