Exes

Chapter 8

There is a break before the Spanish Grand Prix and the Sainz family has invited Kenzie, and Rupert over to the ranch for the few days leading up to it. Kenzie wants to decline but Blanca and Ana insist she accepts the invitation, so she does.

"I am so happy you are both here." Reyes greets Rupert and Kenzie as they enter the house. "Everyone is in the media room. Go, enjoy. We will call for dinner." She gently nudges Rupert and Kenzie in the direction of the mentioned room.

When they walk in Kenzie immediately notices Carlos. Mariette is sat almost on top of him and Rupert gags jokingly at the sight. Kenzie thinks she might gag for real though. She hates to see them that close. Blanca waves them over to the oversized couch and they sit down. Blanca moves close to Kenzie and pulls a blanket over them to get comfortable.

Kenzie isn't interested in the movie, which is a shame because her eyes keep wandering to Carlos. Mariette and Carlos are kissing and touching and Kenzie's heart hurts. Carlos isn't usually like that around people. When their lips aren't connected, Mariette won't stop talking. Kenzie tries to look anywhere else but it's almost like she enjoys torturing herself. Blanca notices and squeezes her arm.

"He will realize eventually." She puts an arm around Kenzie and squeezes her in a hug.

Kenzie rests her head on Blanca's shoulder and focuses more on the movie. Caco, who is sitting next to Carlos has enough and can't handle it.

"Either knock it off or take it upstairs! You're being disgusting!" He says in his authoritative tone.

Mariette looks like she wants to take it upstairs, but Carlos blushes and pushes her off his lap and onto the couch. He looks around the room and when his eyes meet Kenzie's he immediately looks away. She sighs deeply and turns back to the movie. She's still not interested so she closes her eyes and relaxes against Blanca.

The next day at lunch Caco is talking about a new little restaurant in town that he took his girlfriend to last week. It sounds cute and possibly romantic depending who you went with.

"Oh, MacKenzie, do you think you could make reservations for Carlos and I?" Mariette asks.

Kenzie doesn't know exactly how to react to that request, so she just laughs it off.

"I'm serious. A table for two around eight, maybe?" She looks at Carlos for confirmation.

"Why would Kenzie need to make us reservations?" Carlos asks.

"Well she is your assistant. I just thought she could do it for us." Mariette shrugs like it's the simplest thought ever.

"Oh, you see, I would love to, but I don't speak Spanish." Kenzie acts disappointed.

"Ugh. You really should learn Spanish if you want to be a better assistant to Carlos." Mariette says coldly. "I'm not even sure how you've made it this long. He's keeping you because you're his friend I suppose."

Everyone stops but Kenzie has no reply to that. She agrees, she probably should learn Spanish, but she doesn't think it makes her less of an assistant for not knowing it.

"That is enough." Carlos Senior finally says. "MacKenzie is Carlos' assistant, not yours Mariette. Furthermore, she is his assistant for racing matters only. Otherwise she is a treasured family friend, like a third daughter to me. She will be treated accordingly in this house." He smiles at Kenzie and she gives a shy smile back mouthing 'thank you'.

The atmosphere is tense after that. Kenzie feels safe there with the Sainz family. She knows she's loved by them. She knows how they feel about her, well, except Carlos. Mariette is sulking next to Carlos and he's trying to console her. It's ridiculous really. As Kenzie rolls her eyes something wet and cold rubs against her thigh. Pinion.

He looks up at her like he understands everything that's happening. Like he's apologizing for Carlos. He rests his head on her thigh and she scratches behind his ears.

"That dog likes you more than he likes me. And I'm the one who watches him while Carlos is gone." Ana laughs. "He probably wants a walk."

"I'll go. I'll just follow the path. I'd like to sit for a bit at the point." The sun is going down and Kenzie knows how pretty it is there.

"You want company?" Carlos asks.

"No, better not." Kenzie throws a look to Mariette as she gets up. Carlos looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn't.

"Come Pinion!" The dog has a last look at his owner before he follows Kenzie.

She's sitting on the little bench at the point just watching the sun go down when she hears someone on the path. She sighs deeply. She doesn't care who it is as long as it's not Carlos or Mariette. To her surprise, it's Reyes.

"I know. You said you didn't want company, but I think you could use some." Reyes sits next to her and puts her arm around Kenzie. Kenzie instinctively rests her head on Reyes' shoulder. "I see the way you look at Carlos. Like he is the only thing that makes you whole. He can break you or mend you and you'd let him do either, sometimes he does both. If he makes his choice, and it's that girl, I will not stand for it. We do not approve of her. What Senior said tonight is true. We value you beyond just a family friend, you grew up here. You are like a daughter to us. We love you and you are always welcome here. We will always be there for you. I need you to know these things, MacKenzie." Reyes rubs her arm.

"Thank you. You're all such an important part of my life. I love you all." She looks from the older woman to the ground. "Especially Carlos. What you observe is true, about how I feel." A tear escapes.

"No, no, my dear. He is not worth your tears. Promise me, you will have your fun, just as Carlos seems to be having his. Promise me, MacKenzie." Reyes holds her face in her hands.

Kenzie nods. "I promise."

"Good. Now let us get this one back to the house." She nods to Pinion and Kenzie swears the dog understands them because he starts walking back up the path.

By the time they get back to the patio they are laughing and walking arm in arm. Reyes kisses Kenzie's head before she releases her to sit by Caco and Rupert. Caco smiles knowingly. He knows his aunt has a soft spot in her heart for Kenzie.

Pinion seems a little restless as Carlos and Mariette are both calling him to come. Once Kenzie is settled Pinion sits at her feet and Kenzie smiles to herself. She knows Carlos feels like dogs are good judge of character in people. She looks at Carlos and smirks. "Looks like I have a friend."

"Silly dog." Carlos sighs. "You know, he will probably sleep in your room too."

"Good, I need company." Kenzie smiles and she'd rather not talk to Carlos anymore tonight if she's honest. She feels she can't really be herself with Mariette staring daggers at her. She turns to Caco and he laughs shaking his head.

"That dog will prove us all right you know." He leans down to scratch Pinions back.

Kenzie hopes so.