Painful Desires || COMPLETED ✔️

Chapter 5

     "Yes," he points out. "Esposo Manuel."

"Esta trabajando tarde hoy." She mentioned to me earlier something about Manuel coming home late tonight.

Lucas nods in thought and I'm not sure if he completely understood.

Christian sighs, "This guy didn't want to pay for the work Rikies crew did because they finished an hour after the deadline. We explained that because of the rain the contract still stands...then he started getting racist."

I roll my eyes feeling frustrated that my stepdad has to deal with customers like that. Ava lays a hand on Christian's shoulder trying to ease his stress, it's probably a good idea he isn't there right now.

"So, Lucas." Ava redirects the attention to him, "What are your plans after graduating? Arlo said something about a marketing company?"

"Yeah," he sighs. "My mothers' company, but I don't know."

"Mh," she quickly swallows her food as if her words were fighting to be let out. "Honey, you have to choose what makes you happy. It's your future. Don't let anyone tell you what to do, especially your parents."

"No offense," she adds.

"No, I know. It's just..." he looks down at his plate, "I don't know, I... I'll figure it out. I still have three months," he chuckles.

"Okay, that's great honey," She nods supportively. "So...how's Li Mei? Are you two still together?"

"Uh, kind of..."

Christian, Isa, and I roll our eyes. We're used to the "Kind of" part.

"But I think it's time though."

"Finally!" Isa claps. "Lucas, bro. It's been time. I mean how many times are you going to take this girl back?" She looks at him in desperation I wish I could ask. "I promise you--you have to just open your eyes and you'll find better." Her glance slips to me and my eyes widen, I instinctively kick her under the table. She presses her lips, holding back a curse word.

"I'm glad you're finally seeing your worth," Ava smiles at him and he gives her a quiet nod. I think he feels a little unseen, but how many times can he break up with her and complain to us about it without our sympathy turning into irritation?

Ava's hazel eyes shift to mine, "Any boyfriends, girlfriends, or anything in between?"

Everyone turns to look at me, it's no secret that I've never been in a relationship before. I can't count the one in middle school that lasted three weeks and the most we did was secretly hold hands and have a horrible kiss. I might not have been that great but at least I didn't kiss my teeth.

"There might be a guy, Marcus. He's a fifth-year Architect student, and I don't know," I shrug. "He's a decent guy; tall, funny, smart, and really attractive. I mean..." I chuckle. "He's so hot."

"He's also a whore."

I turn to Lucas, his eyes are tense and his jaw is clenched. "He isn't good for you."

"What?" I half-chuckle. "You don't even know him."

"And you do? Arlo, you can do so much better."

My eyebrows furrow and I slightly tilt my head in question but his expression doesn't waver, I can feel everyone staring at us.

"Well..." Ava claps and I hear her chair scraping against the floor. "Who wants a margarita?"

"Me!" Isa calls out.

"Isabella," I hear my mom smack her raised hand.

      The white bench sways harshly with my weight as I drop down, my head falls back and my blurry vision catches the tiny lights within the dark blue night.

I find myself smiling at the warm buzz rising in my body, brightening my olive skin red.

I hear a distant sound and Lucas appears above me with the widest smile and my body pulsed.

"What's wrong?" He tilts his head a little, popping out his bottom lip in a way that makes him look boyish. My eyes fall to his mouth, his lips always flush red when he drinks.

"Mm, nothing," I breathe, licking my bottom lip.

Before I can think to move, he sits dropping his head on my shoulder and sprawling out. His hand lands on my thigh and one of his legs is on the bench while the other pushes the floor, rocking us.

"I feel so good," he giggles, closing his eyes with a smile showing his pearly whites.

"Me too." I wish we could stay like this forever, in this peaceful stillness of just the two of us.

Inhaling the sweetness of the vape, my sensations double deeply relaxing me against him. I offer him the stick and he takes it between his pointer and middle finger, bringing it to his lips. He only smokes when he drinks which is quite often.

"Look at the stars," I point to them and he gasps raising his glass, before bringing it to his lips as if realizing he still had it in his hand. His tongue slithers along the salted rim of the glass, licking it before closing his eyes. Slightly tilting his cup up, he slowly drinks it and then places the empty cup by our feet.

He slides his body up, resting his head against mine our knees touching.

I swallow harshly feeling a different type of warmth stir in me, I find myself lightly rubbing my head against his. Biting my lip an eagerness blooms in me and my legs tense.

"Mm," he moves his head and I stop, holding my breath. "I want more," he mumbles.

"More what?" I exhale.

"Margarita," he lifts his arm, pointing his finger randomly into the house.

I blink steadying my heavy breath, "No more for you."

He suddenly jerks up and I think he's going to fall, he turns to me with his arms crossed and an angry pout on his lips. I couldn't help and laugh at how cute he looked.

His pout turns into a sly smile, "You know what?!" He sticks his hand into his pockets fishing out his phone that almost slips through his fingers.

"What are you doing..." I try and stop him, but the call connects immediately.

"Well, I hope you're calling to apologize, or else you've woken me up at one in the morning for no good reason," Li Mei's voice sounds light and controlled.

"A-a-apologize? For what?"

"Don't act stupid. I told you I wanted to spend the entirety of spring break together, but no! You had to go with your...friend, to his little countryside--"

"Shh," he presses his finger to his lips bringing the phone closer to his mouth, shushing her as she keeps talking.

"You need to just...just shut up!"

My hand slaps over my mouth.