Crushed Underneath the Surface (Complete)

Collision of Secrets

Chapter 3
Collision of Secrets
Late July, Summer in Bozeman, Montana

As the weeks passed with no word from Nia, Milo tried his best to focus on school and work, but the silence was eating away at him. Marisela had promised to talk to her, and while Milo trusted his sister, he couldn't shake the feeling that things would never be the same between him and Nia.

That evening, Marisela invited Nia over to finally get to the bottom of the situation. When Nia arrived, Marisela greeted her with a warm smile, though she could sense the nervousness radiating from the younger woman. "Hola, Nia. Come in, have a seat," Marisela said, motioning to the living room couch.

Nia sat down, looking around the room as if searching for something to say. Marisela excused herself to the kitchen, returning with two glasses of iced coffee. "Milk, caramel, and creamer, right?" Marisela asked. Nia smiled softly, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Yeah... thanks for remembering."

Marisela set the glasses down on the coffee table, then sat across from Nia. She studied her for a moment, sensing the tension. "So... do you mind telling me what happened with Milo?" Marisela asked gently, though her eyes were filled with curiosity. "I told him I would talk to you, not to get in the middle of things, but just to help. You know I'm like the big sister you never had."

Nia stared down at the coffee, her hands trembling as she tried to gather her thoughts. "I... I've known for a while that he had feelings for me," she began, her voice hesitant. "But when he said it out loud, it just felt so... real. And I didn't know what to do." Marisela nodded, keeping her tone gentle. "That makes sense. Hearing it out loud makes everything feel more intense." Nia took a shaky breath, tears forming in her eyes. "But... I can't love him back, Mari. Not like that."

Marisela tilted her head, sensing there was more to Nia's confession. "Why not?" she asked softly, leaning in, her voice full of understanding. "You can tell me anything. Whatever it is, I won't judge." Nia hesitated, wiping at her tears as she finally looked up at Marisela, her gaze filled with longing. "Because... because I'm in love with you."

Marisela's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock. For a moment, the air in the room felt still, frozen in place. Nia's confession hung between them, raw and vulnerable. Marisela blinked, unsure how to respond, her mind racing as she processed the words.

"I—I didn't mean for it to happen," Nia continued, her voice cracking as she rushed to explain. "I've admired you for so long, and I've always loved the way you take care of everyone. I didn't even realize it was love until... until recently." Marisela opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She had never expected this, and the weight of Nia's confession pressed heavily on her chest. Nia stood up suddenly, pacing the room, her emotions spilling out uncontrollably. "I didn't want to hurt Milo, and now I feel like I've ruined everything! But I can't help how I feel, Mari. I just can't."

Before Marisela could respond, Nia stopped pacing and turned to her, her face flushed with emotion. "I love you, Marisela," she said, her voice trembling. "And I'm so sorry, but I don't know what to do anymore." The room fell into a thick silence. Marisela stared at Nia, still trying to comprehend the intensity of her words. The passion in Nia's eyes was undeniable, and before Marisela could think, Nia closed the distance between them.

The kiss happened suddenly—Nia's lips crashing into Marisela's with urgency, her hands trembling as they cupped Marisela's face. It was a kiss filled with years of longing, hunger, and confusion. Marisela's heart raced as she instinctively kissed Nia back, her hands moving to Nia's waist, pulling her closer. For a moment, it was just them—lost in the heat of the moment, everything else fading away.

But as the intensity grew, Marisela's rational mind kicked in, and she pulled away slightly, her chest heaving with the weight of the kiss. Her eyes searched Nia's face, trying to make sense of what just happened. "Nia, I—" she began, her voice shaky. "I'm sorry," Nia whispered, her voice breathless. "I couldn't help it."

Marisela stared at her, torn between the emotions swirling in her chest—desire, guilt, confusion. She had never looked at Nia this way before, but now, everything was different. The kiss had awakened something in her, and she couldn't deny that she felt something, too. Their eyes meet and they both let out a soft breath of air before leaning into each other once more. This time it was calm, slow, and softer than previously. Their tongues dance together as Marisela leans into the couch, Nia falling on top of her gracefully before continuing. Before either of them could move an inch more, the front door swung open.

Milo stepped into the house setting his keys in a bowl on their foyer table and froze in place as soon as he realized. His eyes widened as he took in the scene— A flushed and breathless Nia laying on top of Marisela, her shirt lifted up exposing her bra and a Nia's hand slid under the bra cupping her boobs. The two women get up immediately fixing their clothes and hair. "What the fuck is this?" Milo's voice was low and shaky, disbelief coursing through him. Nia's face turned pale. "Milo, listen to me...this wasn't planned—" Marisela started, her voice filled with desperation.

"Are you two... were you two fucking?" he spat out, cutting her off. Nia shook her head, her own voice trembling. "No, Milo, we weren't... it's not what you think... it just happened." Tears form in her eyes. Milo's eyes darkened. "So, while I've been tearing myself apart thinking I ruined everything, you've been here—doing shit like this?" He scoffs. "Pretending to be there for me when you've both been lying to me."

"Milo, please, let us explain—" Mari reached out to him, but he pulled away, shaking his head.

"I can't fucking believe you... I told you how I felt and you—" his voice trails off thick with pain. He gives up on trying to understand, he doesn't owe them anything. They're the ones sneaking around. Without another word, Milo stormed off to his room, grabbing a duffel bag and filling it with clothing and other essentials. Ignoring their pleas, he rushed down the steps and walked straight out the door, leaving Marisela sobbing in the driveway, guilt crashing down on her.