Lester's POV

I'm glad that Stephanie is not pregnant. It's a huge weight lifted off her. I can already see that her spunk has returned full-force. I also, once again, notice how close she and Carlos are. I guess I have to get used to them being together because this is far more than normal behavior for either of them. One thing is for sure, I need to talk to Carlos and make sure he understands that hurting Stephanie will not be tolerated. If whatever they have between them dies a slow and natural death, that's fine. I don't expect either to come out without scars, but if he pulls his 'I'm the biggest catch in the area, and I'm taking who I want' attitude, I will kick his ass and enjoy it.

As we walk to the beach, Stephanie recounts her doctor's appointment with us. I can tell she wants to share more, but I'm not sure if she's scared to tell me or to tell Carlos, as her eyes are down, looking at the sidewalk.

"Guys, if I tell you something will you promise not to laugh?"

"Of course, we won't laugh, Beautiful."

"You have our word, Babe."

She sighs, swallows, and then tells us what's on her mind. "I'm afraid to have sex again. Not just now, but ever. It hurt, really badly. It hurt for days after. My mind didn't like it, but it seems the rest of me did. I don't want to feel that pain again, and I'm afraid it will always feel that way. What kind of a girl am I if I never want to have sex with someone?" She finishes, looking at us through tear-filled blue eyes. "I mean, who would want to date me once they find out I won't put out?"

"Steph, not every guy wants to have sex. There are lots of guys who are waiting. They will be fine with waiting." I tell her.

"Also, if a guy really likes you, he won't pressure you. Only jerks do things like that. Besides, sex is overrated."

"Don't bullshit me. I know neither one of you are virgins. Don't tell me that you don't try to get with as many girls as you can, especially seeing how they all throw themselves at you. You guys are apparently the catch of the town. Everyone wants to be on your arm."

"Babe, I won't lie to you, I'm not a virgin, but that is not what is most important to me. My first two times were with girls, no women, who were far more experienced than me. I wasn't ready, but I had to go through with it to save face with my gang. Those girls were, for lack of a better word, prizes, for those soldiers who did a good job for the gang. When I jacked my first car, I was told that I had two hours with Alicia and that she better be satisfied when I was done. I had no idea what I was doing, and she was nice to me, telling me what to do and how to do it. Then, I helped the gang break into a business to set up a rival gang member. I managed to pick the locks open and pick them back closed in a way that no one ever realized we broke in. Then, I was rewarded with Katrina. It wasn't something I enjoyed. I was only thirteen. I got caught and was sent here two weeks later. I haven't had sex since then, and I'm not jumping into bed with someone. I want to have a connection with the next woman I have sex with. Don't get me wrong, I've fooled around plenty, but haven't had sex. There are other things to do besides that."

I was shocked at my cousin's admission. I thought he had sex at least ten times since I've been here. I guess he's more mature than I thought. "Beautiful, I'm not a virgin either, but I've only been with two girls. I know we both have a reputation, but it is not what it is real. Sydney and I have been dating for three months, we haven't done much more than make out. She's not ready to go further, and I won't push her. I know when the time is right, we'll have sex. And if the time is never right, then we won't. It is not something that I would break up with her over. I respect her too much. So, Stephanie, any guy who won't or doesn't respect you enough to follow your wishes isn't worth your time."

"Will it always hurt, though?"

"Babe, we kind of have the wrong equipment, but I would guess no. Neither Alicia nor Katrina seemed to be in any pain, but neither of them was virgins. Maybe it was because it was your first time, and I'm sure that ass didn't give you any foreplay."

"Foreplay?"

"Kissing and touching that's done before sex. It helps to get both parties more in the mood." Carlos explained.

"Oh," Stephanie said, blushing a deep red, "no, there was no foreplay, more like wham, bam, thank you, ma'am. One minute my pants were on, and the next thing I knew, they were off along with my panties, and he was inside me. Definitely no foreplay. The only kiss was to distract me while he undressed me."

Shit. I swear if I ever get my hands on Morelli. By this point, we've reached the beach. "Beautiful, are you okay with hanging out with everyone, we can go somewhere else if you want."

"No, I'm fine. Sydney is cool, and I'd like to get to know her a little better."

"Just watch your back. Maria's crew is looking to do something, trying to make you look like an idiot in front of Carlos, hoping he turns his attention back to Maria."

"Don't worry, Les, I'll be fine. I'm a Jersey girl, after all."

I see Sydney there, waiting for me, with a huge smile on her face. I only left her a few hours ago for dinner, but her expression is usually found on the faces of two people who haven't seen each other in weeks.

"Did you have a good dinner?"

"Yeah, Mom made my favorite, Pollo con Arroz. Then we had caramel flan."

"Lucky you. Where do you want to sit to watch the show?"

"Can we sit someplace semi-private? I don't really want everyone's eyes on us."

"Sure, dulce, we can do that."

"Did you warn Stephanie?"

"Yes, I did. I think that Maria and her crew have more to be worried about Steph. She's a Jersey girl with an attitude."

"And Maria is a Latina scorned."

"If Maria thinks that hurting Stephanie is going to make Carlos run to her, she's mistaken. Carlos is very protective of my hermanita, more so than me."

"How did you and Steph become friends?"

"Well, that's a long story," I tell Sydney how Stephanie and I first met ten years ago, how she accepted me when most in our community didn't, how she saw me as her hero at first. Then, I explained how I was the only one who truly understood Stephanie, how she was different than the Burg girls, and how we started to watch each other's backs. It's at that moment that I realize that I love Stephanie, not in a romantic way, but in the same way, I love my sisters and my family.

"You love her, don't you?"

"Yes, but not the way you think. I could never kiss her or date her, it would be too weird, but I would do anything in my power to protect her and honor her."

"Even now, I mean, she isn't gorgeous, but she's pretty, and her personality makes her even more so," Sydney asks, obviously insecure.

"No, I don't think of her romantically. That's too weird. She is beautiful, and always has been, but I think she only has eyes for Carlos, and him for her. I'm worried about that, though. You know how Carlos gets bored."

"You're right, but Carlos is treating her differently then he's treated any other girl. He genuinely cares for Steph. He won't play his games with her. She's not a conquest. I think the fact that she's not outwardly throwing herself at him is reeling him in even more. The other girls, like Maria, only want Carlos because he's hot, and he's mysterious. He has a reputation amongst us girls for knowing how to use his hands and mouth. No one has slept with him, at least not that I've heard, but I heard he's 'magic.'"

I can't help but laugh at that description of my cousin. I wonder what is said about me.

"And what have you heard about me?"

"Playboy. Not interested in more than a fling. Great kisser."

"But not magic?"

"No, not magic."

Damn, that hurts. I guess I need to ask Carlos what he does. I can't let him have all the fun."

We find a suitably secluded area, and I place the blanket down on the sand. We sit down, and instead of Sydney sitting in between my legs with her back to my chest, she straddles me, facing me. "I've wanted to do this all day." She says before her mouth crashed down on mine. I think I may be getting lucky tonight.