Chapter 18: The Briefest Moment
"That was amazing, guys!" Marina raised her arms and applauded, her face beaming at Ander, Guzmán and Polo as the booming music from the club's dance studio speakers came to an end.
"The cheer routine looked great. You guys were on fire," Carla agreed.
"Yeah, it was actually not half bad," Lu allowed with a sniff.
Polo wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "I have a good feeling about this, which is something I never thought I'd be saying about this stupid punishment," he pronounced, laughing.
Ander grinned and slung his arm around Reina's shoulder. "Thanks to our awesome cheer coach."
Guzmán and Polo smiled at Reina while Reina complained, "Ander! You're all sweaty." However, she didn't make a move to step away.
"Let's call it a day and head to the terrace bar? I'm dying from thirst," Guzmán stated.
Polo nodded. "I want to drown in a pool of S. Pellegrino sparkling water. Right now."
"It's 5pm, which means it's wine o' clock," Carla announced. "Let's go."
She linked arms with Lu and the two girls exited the dance studio with the rest of the group in tow.
"You've been a huge help, Reina," Ander uttered, his arm still resting lightly on Reina's shoulder as they walked to the terrace bar.
"You're welcome." Reina glanced up at Ander and smirked. "I just couldn't leave you to suffer from total embarrassment in front of the entire San Patricio crowd – and not to mention El Pilar's crowd too."
Ander grimaced at the thought of making a fool of himself in public. "I owe you one, that's for sure."
"You might just regret saying that," Reina teased, her dark eyes dancing with mischief.
"Reina..." Ander groaned. "No more concocting brilliant ideas for now, okay? You're too good at it."
"And you're no fun." Reina laughed.
The sky above flashed with lightning at that moment.
"Damn, it looks like rain soon," Guzmán said, looking upward.
"Come on, let's hurry." Ander's hand dropped to the small of Reina's back, guiding her to move faster.
"I kinda like being in the rain," Reina admitted, even though she kept up with the rest who were quickening their steps.
"You like the notion of being wet and cold, with a risk of falling sick?" Ander chuckled.
"Now you've just ruined the mood."
Ander chuckled again. "My bad... But since you like the rain, I'm going to start calling you Rein. It's a cute nickname, don't you think?"
Reina actually stopped in her tracks. "No. No nicknames. I hate them."
"Don't stop walking, Rein," Ander said.
"Ander – I mean it. You're not allowed to call me anything but –"
"Watch your step, Rein."
Reina let out an exasperated sigh. "I hate you, Ander Muñoz."
"Stop being so cute, you two," Marina quipped from behind them.
Ander shook his head. "Don't get the wrong idea, Marina. Reina has a wonderful boyfriend at San Patricio already. A real nice guy."
Reina rolled her eyes. "Let's not forget that Ander is also apparently seeing someone."
"Are you, Ander?" Marina asked. "That's news to me."
Ander shrugged. "It's still pretty new..."
At that point, they had all arrived at the terrace bar. Marina went to join Carla and Lu who were placing orders with the bartender.
"So none of your friends know yet about the fact that you're dating?" Reina raised an eyebrow. "Why the secrecy, Ander?"
"There's no rush," Ander replied. "Plus, it's fun seeing you going crazy with curiosity."
Reina lifted her chin indignantly. "What? I'm not curious at all. Date whomever you want, Ander. I don't care."
"Here you go," Guzmán said as he shoved two cans of soft drinks at Ander. "One for you and one for Reina."
"I want the Coke," Reina quickly spoke up.
"But I don't want the strawberry Mirinda. You take it, Rein," Ander told her with a smirk.
Guzmán glanced from Ander to Reina, his palms shown to them. "You two work it out, okay? I'm not getting involved," he announced and left them alone.
Reina reached to grab the Coke can from Ander's hand, but he didn't relinquish his grip.
"Seriously? We're gonna fight over a can of Coke?" Reina retorted.
Ander laughed. "We don't have to – if you'd just let go."
"Never!" Reina's fingers tightened around the can in their impromptu tug-of-war game.
"Get ready to lose, Rein. You'll be drowning your sorrows in disgusting strawberry soda."
"Excuse me but losing is not a word in my dictionary," Reina replied, her eyes sparkling at the challenge.
For the briefest moment, Ander felt his surroundings melt away, as if he and Reina had been transported to another world of their own.
There was nothing else to focus on but Reina. Her smile that lit up her entire face as she gazed at him unwaveringly...
"Ander," Reina murmured in a low voice.
"Yes?"
"I think your phone is ringing."
Ander blinked and snapped back to reality. "Oh, right."
He retrieved the phone from his pants pocket and saw Omar's name on the screen.
"I'll be right back," he said, deciding to find a quiet corner to take the call.
Releasing the Coke can, Ander gave Reina a quick smile before walking away.
"Hey," he breathed as he answered the call.
"Hey back," Omar's warm voice floated over the line. "Is this a bad time?"
"Well, I'm at the country club with the usual suspects, but it's all right. I can talk. What's up?"
"Nothing much. Was just missing you."
"I miss you too."
"Do you want to meet up tonight?"
"I wish I could, but I have a ton of homework to tackle. And a test I need to study for."
"How boring," Omar teased.
"That's who you chose to date."
Omar sighed dramatically. "At least you're a good kisser."
Ander couldn't help grinning. "Glad you remember. Hey listen, I have that dumb cheer thing I have to do as punishment at San Patricio this Friday night. But after that, do you want to hang out?"
"Okay. Let's do that."
"Okay. I guess I'd better get back to the gang now. I'll see you on Friday?"
"Friday," Omar affirmed. "Bye, Ander."
"Bye, Omar."
Pocketing his phone, Ander made his way to rejoin the group who were gathered around the bar counter.
"Ander, there you are!" Lu called out, one hand holding a wine glass filled to the brim while another hand waved at him.
"Are you done talking to your mysterious new girlfriend?" Marina said with a wink.
"Looks like it was a good call," Reina observed, and Marina who stood next to her began to laugh.
"Yeah, you're all smiles, Ander," Polo added. "Who's this incredible girl you're hiding from us?"
Ander squinted his eyes. "Come on, guys. No interrogation, please."
"You can't keep us in suspense." Carla pouted.
"Look, I'm famished. Let's grab some dinner and then I need to get home, okay?" Ander nodded at Reina. "Reina, you're welcome to join us, of course."
"Yeah, let us buy you dinner to say thanks," Guzmán chimed in.
Reina looked both astonished and happy with the invitation. "That sounds great, really... But I have plans already."
"Is it a date with the wonderful boyfriend that Ander mentioned?" Marina asked Reina, throwing a quick grin at Ander as she spoke.
Ander let out a chuckle.
Reina scowled at Ander before answering Marina, "Yeah, it's date night tonight."
"Have fun. I can't wait to cheer for his team this Friday," Ander said.
"I'm sure." Reina smiled wryly. She took one last gulp of her Coke and grabbed her purse from the bar counter. "See you boys on Friday."
"We'll make it a night to remember," Polo declared.