A Love Lost

Ana

 I couldn't help myself. He was there. Even though I wanted to be alone, a part of me was glad he was there. He apologized to me, thinking that I had gotten up because he had hurt me. He cared too much. I didn't quite know how to deal with all of the emotions that surged when he was near me. I wanted to show him that he was incredibly wrong, but I didn't want to push it. He was my step-brother. I had seen enough movies and read enough novels to know how that ended up. Plus, I didn't need anyone to get to know me. Not again.

"You didn't." I turned to face him. "I'll see you after dinner.." I had to get out of the house. I needed to find another distraction. I needed to find anyone. Anyone, but one of my new step-brothers.

As I began to walk off, he grabbed me by the arm. "Where are you going? Do you need a ride?"

"Not that it is any of your business, but I am going to Nicole's. She is having a party for me to get to know people." Nicole was a girl I had met last night. Before everything went south. I knew he knew who I was talking about because she had asked how I knew him.

"I don't need a ride." I declined. "However, I would love to borrow your ride." I didn't want to have to spend any more time with him today or the next day. I also didn't want to be dependent on someone else for a ride. I liked my freedom.

"Fine. But if you return it in any less perfect condition than I'm giving it to you with, you are going to owe me for months." He accepted. "I will leave the keys on the dash."

With that, I left to get ready.

The party was a lie. I just needed to be with a fresh face. As soon as I was in my room with the door closed, I texted Nicole to let her know I was coming over. She lived closer to Malaga than Marbella, so it would take a while to get there.

When I got into Gabriel's car, a tidal wave of his scent struck me. His warm, amber odor filled the car. I opened the windows to allow for ventilation. I sped down the motorway. The low hum of the engine drowned out the incessant radio my inner monologue created. The constant chatter of an in-depth study of my interaction with Gabriel earlier in the afternoon.

Nicole's house was modern. Windows everywhere. Like the Morgans', it had a view of the sea. It was white with navy blue trimming.

"Hello!" Nicole greeted me.

"Thank you for letting me intrude on your day." I felt bad, but I needed an excuse to be out of the house.

"Don't worry about it. I was hoping you would take me up on my offer." she closed the door behind me. "Come on. Let's go to the pool and we can get to know each other."

I followed her through a gate that led to the pool.

"So, you are Gabriel Morgan's new sister?" Nicole asked me as a middle-aged man in a uniform served us drinks.

"Yes." Short and sweet was the way to get through these questions.

"He told me you were from Wisconsin. How weird is it to live here?"

"When?" When did he do this?

"What?" She looked confused.

"When did he tell you that?" I clarified.

"Just before you got here. He also told me to tell you that he was looking forward to the party." She gave me a quizzical look. "What party?"

Dammit! Gabriel and his big mouth.

"I might have told Gabriel that I was coming to a party here so I could leave. I apologize."

"No. It's okay." She gave me an assuring smile. "It's just I hope you are okay with having a party this evening. A welcome to the Costa del Sol."

"I would like that." I needed a do-over.

"Great," she said. "Because people will start arriving here in an hour." With that, she left me to my thoughts. She could sense that I needed a minute to myself.

After she left, I called Gabriel. We needed to talk. Set boundaries. At least that is what I intended to do.