When (he)arts Prevail

23

"I have to say, our boyfriends and friends are extremely pleasing to the eye," Alyssa commented later that afternoon, as the girls bathed in the sun and the boys played ball ahead near the water.

Johanna hummed in agreement, her growing belly starting to show beneath her swimsuit. "I had no idea Mateo was so fit. I thought he was just skinny under those clothes. But I have to say, Aly, he has some bulk in him."

"I know, right?!" Alyssa boasted.

Kaylee had to agree with her friends, Mateo was a surprise without a shirt, yet her eyes could not help but fix on Brian. First, because she felt weird looking at her friends' boyfriends in appreciative ways and second, and probably the main reason, because Brian had always been quite attractive to Kaylee. And age did him even better. She couldn't, however, say that out loud. Ever.

"Denny's only problem is that he's way too short," Johanna continued with a sad tone.

Kaylee lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean he's short? You're the shortest girl on this planet!"

Alyssa giggled. "She has high tastes."

"I do," Johanna chuckled. "I like big boys. But Brian is totally a catch. Mateo is, too."

"Mateo is taken, thank you very much, ladies," Alyssa chirped in.

"Well," Kaylee started, "he's not really my type, so you're good."

"Your type is more of a dark haired, tanned guy, isn't it?"

Kaylee slapped Alyssa on the leg, laughing, knowing too well she was referring to Brian. "You bitch!"

"You didn't deny it..."

"I also didn't agree."

Alyssa maintained the mischievous grin on her face. "Mateo was the one who asked me if you two were together. He sensed a vibe."

"There is a vibe—"

"There isn't—" Kaylee cut Johanna off.

"Why didn't you ever, really?" Johanna sounded honestly curious, despite the fact that she completely ignored Kaylee's denial.

Kaylee laid on her back with a grunt. "Ugh, why are we talking about this?"

"You started it," Alyssa deadpanned.

"I absolutely did not!"

"Well, I still wanna know," Johanna insisted. "Come on. I am pregnant. You don't wanna mess with a pregnant lady. I have rights."

Alyssa laughed at that, amused.

Kaylee stared at the blue sky, pondering what she was going to answer. "I don't know... I was supposed to go to New York, but I didn't because Nate— I don't know. Life went on, shit happened. We stayed friends."

"Not even a kiss?" Johanna lamented with a sigh.

"Nope."

"Aren't you even curious?"

"No."

Kaylee wasn't sure that was the truth. What she did know was that she definitely didn't want to think on it too hard and find out. It was so much easier this way. To live in oblivion. And yet...

Shaking her head, she let out in a firm voice, "Let's just stop. It's not happening."

Johanna carefully laid back on her towel as well, sighing in disappointment. "What a shame." Then two seconds later, as if in afterthought, she asked Alyssa, "Have you told Mateo about you and Brian?"

Kaylee was grateful someone other than her had the guts to voice that question. It had popped into her head often enough but she didn't want Alyssa to feel like she was just being resentful of the past by inquiring about it.

Alyssa let out a sigh, leaning back on her hands, her smile faltering. "No..."

"Are you scared of telling him?" Kaylee asked carefully.

"I mean, yes. Me and Brian are friends. I don't want Mateo thinking I still have feelings for him."

"Do you?"

Johanna was on fire today.

"No!" Alyssa said, glaring at their friend.

"Then just tell him, chica. The longer you wait the worst it's going to be."

"I know."

"It's gonna be fine, Aly. Mateo seems to be an understanding guy. Besides, it's not like you and Brian broke up yesterday. It's been more than two years."

Alyssa looked at Kaylee then, relief washing over her face. Kaylee wasn't sure if it was for helping her see the bright side or for finally being okay with the situation between her and Brian. Nevertheless, Alyssa nodded as if to convince herself she could do it. Kaylee was rooting for her.