Their Broken Pieces by Jessica Gomez
Chapter Thirty-One
Alex
I’m feeling like a total pendejo, sitting in the bathroom at some quickie mart, puking my guts up while my fine mamacita is waiting for me on a bench out front. After I get the eighth burger up and my teeth brushed, I walk out to meet her. Jasmine’s a lifesaver for buying me a toothbrush and toothpaste.
When I catch sight of her, she’s watching the palm trees blow in the warm breeze, a small smile playing on her lips, and her big azure eyes are open wide, taking it all in. At first, she’s too lost in her own world to notice me, so I stand a few feet away and just watch her.
The wind blows through her hair, making me want to run my fingers through it, just as carefree as the breeze. Watching her sitting there, waiting for me, makes me wish I never had to let her go. It’s already gotten pretty late in the day, and she’s probably getting hungry again, not that I could think of eating anything at this point.
She catches sight of me and her eyes light up. “Better?” She asks with an amused look on her face.
“Mucho. Thanks again for the supplies.” I have to laugh. When I do, I break her stronghold and she busts out laughing, tears welling in her eyes. “I don’t think it’s that funny,” I tell her, but I’m still laughing myself.
“That’s because you’re not me.” She has a good point. When she finally gains control of her fit, she wipes her eyes. “Here.” She hands me a bottled water.
“Thanks.” I take a big swig, glad to wash down the rest of the nasty taste in my mouth.
We’re continuing our walk back to town a few blocks away when Jasmine reaches over and entwines our fingers. I squeeze back, letting her know I’m enjoying the warmth of her hand. She leans into me, hanging onto my bicep with her other hand, hugging it to her chest, right between her breasts. I’m sure she doesn’t realize where my arm rests, but I sure as hell do. She’s walking with her head on my shoulder and I’m feeling all Titanic’s I’m the king of the world! at this moment with her at my side, as if I can do anything.
“What do you want to do tonight?” I ask her.
“I don’t know. I was just thinking about that. What do you feel like doing?”
I breathe out. Ruining tonight is the last thing I want to do. “Nothing, really. Nothing sounds pretty good.”
Her smile stretches wide. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Read my mind.” She places her head back against my shoulder. “I know we’re in Hawaii and all, but I wouldn’t mind opening our window and curtains as wide as they will go and just watch movies while eating movie goodies all night.” Our ocean view room is suitable for the perfect romantic night.
“Movie goodies, huh?” I lift my eyebrow.
“Yeah, you know… popcorn, ice cream, candy, and whatever else we can find.”
“I think I can arrange that. We should stop by a store before we get too close to the hotel. That way, we can pick things out together before we go all incognito.” My engine is revving just thinking about my secret angel. This idea creates a daring relationship—wilder, and way harder for me to keep my hands to myself.
“I like that idea.”
I lead her to the next store we find. It’s small, reminding me of an organic-only store. They have everything a regular store has, but in smaller quantities.
By the time we leave, we have three bags full of junk food, ranging from zots to strawberry cheesecake ice cream—Jasmine’s idea. She also bought some packaged, ready-to-eat salads for her dinner, saying she’d rather not leave the room tonight, which is fine by me. I’m all for keeping her to myself for as long as possible.
We break apart a few blocks before our hotel, which is prime senior territory. Most of the class hangs close to the hotel, worried about venturing any farther into a different culture.
When I return to the room, I’m surprised to see that I’m the first to arrive. I had taken a few extra minutes to stop at one of the roadside stands to buy Jasmine some flowers; orange lilies. I remember her telling Marisol a couple of years ago that they were her favorite flower. I put them upside-down in a brown paper bag so that no one would know what I was carrying.
Housekeeping came in while we were away, remaking both beds with new sheets. I pull out and fluff the flowers I bought Jasmine and lay them on our bed. Our bed. The words cause my heart to beat faster, hoping that’s how she sees it too.
Time continues to creep by slowly as I pace the room, waiting… What’s keeping her?