Chapter 1
"Miguel Galindo's office." I say as I answer the phone. "Good morning Mayor...yes...I am sending those files now...Please let me know if you need anything else...Of course Mayor. I'll let Mr Galindo know you called." I say before ending the call. I've been working for Miguel for a little over a year now. I lost my job and he hired me to help me out but, honestly, he needed someone to keep his schedule straight. A few minutes later, Miguel and Nestor walk in. I grew up with these two men and they are, by far, my best friends. Miguel's parents practically raised me and Nestor. We are all family. "Hey guys." I say as they walk into the office. "Miguel, the Mayor called. Said she needed to talk to you about that park project." I tell him. "Shit. I forgot to send her those files. I still need to look over them and add those new numbers." he tells me. "I took care of that and sent them over earlier." I tell him. He kisses my cheek and says "What would I do without you?" I laugh and Nestor says "You'd we lost. We all would." I look at Nestor and he smiles. I've always been the one out of the three of us that kept us together. I was always the one making sure things got done. Being the responsible one to keep us all out of trouble.
After work, I head home and walk into the house with my boyfriend sitting on the couch waiting for me. "We need to talk." he tells me. "What's up?" I ask as I sit beside him. "You need to move out." he tells me but won't really look at me. "What? Why?" I ask. He stands up and says "Because, I don't want you here. I've been cheating on you and I want to move her in and can't do that if you're still here. Get your shit and go. Be gone before I get back." he tells me and walks out the door. I look at the door shocked for a minute before getting up and heading to the closet. I grab my duffle bag and start cramming my clothes in there. I grab the other bag and get the rest of my things packed and head out to the car.
I drive around for a while and see plenty of motels I could stay at but the minute I check in, they will call Miguel. Everyone in this town knows I'm connected to Miguel. I finally pull up to a truck top and park. I lock my doors and take my jacket and cover up, curled up in my driver seat and doze off.
Waking up the next morning, I head into the restroom at the truck stop and clean up the best I can before getting dressed and heading to work. I walk into Miguel's office and he walks in a few minutes later with his coffee and one for me. "Thanks Mikey." I say as I look back at my computer screen. He looks at me concerned and asks "Are you okay Cara?" I look up at him and see how worried he looks. I sigh, "Mikey, I'm fine. I didn't sleep well last night is all." I tell him and he leans down and kisses my cheek. "You know if you need anything…" he starts and I stop him. I stand and move to him. I hug him and say "I know. I know I can always come to you or Nestor if I need anything. I'm good mi hombre precioso" and I kiss his cheek. "I just worry about you mi palomita." he says. "I know." I tell him before getting back to work.
After the work day is done, I head out to my car and drive around a little more, before stopping for a newspaper. I pull up to the truck stop again and use the inhouse shower before heading out to my car. I use the light from the lamps of the parking lot to look through the newspaper in search for an apartment for rent but see none. Closing the newspaper, I curl up in my seat again and cover with my jacket before dozing off again.
The next day, I head to work, like normal, and as soon as I walk in, Miguel and Nestor are in the office talking. They stop talking when I walk in and they just look at me and I see concern in their eyes. "What's wrong?" I ask. Miguel walks over and hands me my coffee and says "We're worried about you." he says. I look at them and say "I'm fine. I promise. You guys have more to worry about than me just not sleeping well." I tell them and they shake their heads.
After work, I head out and drive around. I hit the truck stop for a shower and then drive a little more. I pull into a little alleyway and curl up in my seat. I cover up with my jacket and just start to doze off when someone taps on my window. I jump and start to panic until I see who's at my window. Nestor. I roll the window down and he says "Head to Miguel's." I go to speak and he stops me. "Go." he says before heading back to his SUV. "Shit." I say before doing what I'm told.