Part 6
"So, you're not a bitch?" Leon asked as we continued on our way to the party. I giggled a little because every time I tried to be as hard and as mean as my sister, I always failed and looked stupid. His question was almost a compliment to me.
"No, I'm the nice sister," I said.
"Then why are you always actin like a bitch?" I was getting ready to answer, but I realized I didn't have an answer. I loved being me, but sometimes it seemed to me that it wasn't good enough for my sister. I loved her and everything, but without knowing it, she sometimes tried to make me something I wasn't. I looked at Leon and remained silent. He didn't say anything else about the question so I assumed he got the picture that I didn't wanna talk about it.
"So where are we going?" he asked.
"Right down there," I answered, pointing down the road.
"You like to party?" he asked. A sly smile tugged at my lips as I looked at him.
"I do," I said. An obnoxious horn interrupted our little moment. I jumped and looked in my rear-view mirror to see Z behind me. I rolled my eyes as I sped up and pulled up to the curb in front of the party house. There was music blaring and I could hear girls screaming and laughing.
"Sounds like my kinda place," Leon said, smiling. I turned the car off and we got out to be met by Z and Dom.
"Well where'd you come from?" I asked Dom.
"That nice blue car back there," he answered. I smiled at his smartass comment as we headed inside.
Z opened the door and the people inside began screaming loudly. Z put her hand up and I responded by putting my hand in hers and we walked through the living room, getting greeted by every person there. We were well known in Baja, Mexico. Everybody always needed a car and we were the ones they called on for it. That's how we made our money and our friends.
"Come on! Play somethin worth listening to!" I yelled to the DJ Martin. He laughed at me as he flipped a record in the air and put it on the turntable.
"What's my motherfuckin name girl!" Ja Rule's voice came on the stereo.
"Woo!" I squealed as Z and I made our way to the middle of the floor to dance.
Z took Ja Rule's part and I took J-Lo's part and we sang to each other while dancing together. I could feel everyone's eyes on me and I loved the attention, but there were one pair of eyes I hoped was watching me: Leon's. I wasn't gonna turn around and make it obvious that I wanted his attention and I didn't want Z to know because I knew she wouldn't approve.
I suddenly looked to my right and saw someone trying to hand me a joint. Being the drug inducer I was, I went to take it from him. Z slapped my hand and I looked at her.
"Don't even think about it," she warned. I rolled my eyes. Being Zoraida Moreno's sister was embarrassing 95% of the time. She acted like my mother in front of everyone. I was starting to get sick of it.
"Here," I said, walking toward Dom and Leon who were still standing by the door. I grabbed Dom's arm and pulled him to the dance floor in front of Z.
"Dance with him," I said. Her eyes widened and she plastered her famous death stare on me as I smiled and walked to the bar. I knew I was gonna hear it when we went home, but for the time being, I was gonna enjoy myself.
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Part 7
"Whatever," I said. I continued dancing, but worried about my sister nonetheless.
"Z?" I heard a male voice ask. I turned to find Dom.
"What?" I asked curtly. I went back to dancing and completely ignored him until I felt his hands grasp firmly onto my hips.
"Let's dance," he said, spinning me around. I smiled; he was definitely starting to be my kinda guy.
For hours Dom and I danced. So close, touching constantly, it was amazing. Of course, I couldn't afford to get involved with him, but I thought it might be nice to have a few kicks.
"Wanna go outside?" I asked slowly, moving my entire body as close to him as it could get. He took a noticeable breath, making his entire body shudder as it was released.
"Sounds good to me," he said, wrapping his arms around my waist. He followed me out to my car and I immediately pushed him against the closed passenger side door. Our hands rolled off of each other with crazy force as I pushed him harder against the car. He held my waist tight and locked his lips onto mine. The breeze was strong and cleared my head within moments.
"What the hell?" I asked, pushing myself away from him. I was overcome with disgust as I looked into his eyes. He raised his arms and had a confused look.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asked, his voice deeper than usual, full of desire and frustration.
"That's what I wanna know!" I yelled, running my hands through my hair. I turned away from him and pulled at my hair, trying to think about what had happened.
"Jesus, why are you bein such a bitch?" he yelled back, slamming his fist on the Corvette's side panel. My entire body involuntarily snapped around at the sound of his skin contacting with the metal.
"Oh hell no," I said, wrenching him away from the car as best I could. I rubbed the spot that he'd pounded to examine any damage, but finding none, tromped back into the party, pulling my sister and Leon away in fury.
"What the fuck?" Mercedes yelled as I threw her to her car.
"Get in, we're going home," I said, jumping in my car and speeding off. I could hear her bitching and grumbling as I hopped in and slammed the door. I looked in my rear view to see Dom's fuming figure in front of the red Hemi Cuda.
I slammed on the brakes when I was a few hundred feet away from the house, making the back of the car spin out and stop. I didn't bother taking the keys out of the ignition, but stormed into the house, slamming the front door violently, making the old hinges rattle and squeal. I kicked the wall in an effort to let out my frustration, but must've hit a stud, because it hurt like hell. "Fuck!" I belted out, even more upset with myself. How could I let that swine touch me? I was too good to mingle with the likes of Hector's friends. They were fugitives, for Christ's sake!
"Jesus, Zoraida, get a grip," I admonished, finding my way to the bathroom. I sat on the toilet lid and reached to spin the faucet on. I turned on the shower and nearly ripped my clothes off before stepping in. The water burned my skin, but I didn't pay any attention. I felt dirty and betrayed and needed to get clean. I turned the hot water on full-force and killed the cold. Within seconds, the room was filled with steam and my body was aching from the heat.
The water cooled off a lot sooner than I was happy with, but I stepped out of the shower before it became too cold. I fumbled around for a towel, screaming at myself internally. I finally found something suitable and wrapped it around myself, then stumbled out of the bathroom, kicking the doorjamb with my injured foot in the process. I let out another curse and scrambled for my room, ignoring my sister and the two men in the living room. I could hear her running toward my room, but I slammed the door before she reached it. I yanked a robe out of my closet and pulled it on, turning around just as she was entering the room.
"What?" I asked, full of attitude.
"Excuse me?" she said, matching my demeanor, "You fuckin pull me away from my fun because you're bein a bitch and then you have the nerve to say 'what' to me? Oh hell no," she nearly yelled. I was taken aback by her straightforwardness, but enraged by her presumption.
"Look, I'm havin a hard night, so why don't you just go back out to your little boyfriend and let me calm down before I axe murder that ape on our couch, aright?" I said sarcastically, taking a seat on my bed with my head in my hands. I wiped away a few tears that had materialized on my face.
"Fine, whatever," Mercedes said, dismissing me completely as she slammed my door shut. I jumped at the sound, but ignored everything after that. I let myself go and started crying quietly. Maybe she was right. Maybe I really was a cold, heartless bitch. But then again, what good would it do us for me to have a conscience? We'd have no money and no jobs… But because of our specific line of work, it didn't leave much room for love or companionship. I continued kicking myself mentally as I wept, and eventually cried myself to sleep.
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Part 8
I stomped back to the living room and spun the recliner around so the occupant, Dom, was looking at me. I hated it when my sister was mad and took it out on me, so he was gonna pay.
"What did you do to my sister?!" I yelled, pointing at him. "What?!"
"Hey, I didn't do nothin to her, so you just get that finger outta my face," he answered.
"Well you obviously did somethin, otherwise she wouldn't be in her room cryin!" I yelled, without thinking about what I saying. Dom's eyes widened and he stood. When I realized what I'd just said, I shut my mouth and smiled.
"Did I say crying?" I laughed. "I meant... sewing," I spat out as I walked through the living room and to the kitchen.
"She's crying?" Dom asked as he followed me.
"No, she's sewing," I said, reaching in the sink and starting to wash some dishes.
"Goddamn it Mercedes!" he sighed.
"Goddamn it Dominic!" I yelled, yanking my hands out of the soapy water and splashing him. "Sorry," I laughed.
"Oh yeah, real funny," he said angrily.
"Oh calm down. If you're gonna bitch, do it somewhere else because I have all kinds of knives around here and I'm not afraid to use them," I warned. I knew that I wouldn't use them, but I didn't know if he knew that.
"Fine!" he yelled, throwing his arms in the air and walking out of the kitchen through the swinging door.
"Don't yell at me and push my door open like that," I mumbled to myself, going back to my dishes. "Fuckin bald motherfucker," I continued. "Just cuz he's bigger than me don't mean he can talk to me like that... I'll... yell at him..." Just as I was about to continue, a very sharp pain shot into the palm of my left hand.
"Ow! Fuck!" I yelled, jerking my arms out of the water. I looked at my hand and there was blood pouring from it.
"What happened?!" I heard someone ask from behind. I turned around to be met by Leon and frantically shoved my bleeding hand in his face.
"Hospital!" I screamed. "I need to go to the hospital!"
"No you don't, calm down," he instructed, taking my wrist.
"What are you talkin about?! Do you see that gash in my hand?!" I continued yelling.
"Just calm down," he said, turning to the sink and sticking my still bleeding palm under the running water. "Let's just clean it up."
"Ow! That hurts fucker!" I yelled, smacking his back with my good hand. The water was hot and was just stinging the hell outta my hand.
"Oh quit actin like a baby," he said annoyed.
"You'd be actin this too if you had to get 57 stitches!" I yelled as he pulled my hand out from under the water and held it up so I could see it. The wound wasn't nearly as large or deep as I thought it was. I looked at Leon and smiled, feeling so embarrassed. I knew my face was bright red. Before I knew what was going on, he'd put the last piece of gauze we had in the house on my hand and taped it down.
"There," he said, holding my hand with both of his and kissing the back of it. "All better."
"Thanks," I said quietly, taking my hand from his. I walked out of the kitchen and headed to the living room.
"Are you a lesbian?" he asked. I spun around and looked at him with a lifted eyebrow.
"Beg your pardon," I said, mad. That wasn't very nice.
"Well, it's just every time I got close to you tonight you moved away, so I was pickin up that lesbian vibe." I smiled.
"I really don't like you," I laughed.
"I didn't mean to offend you, I mean, it's ok if you are..."
"You are such a prick," I said sternly, walking passed him to my room and slamming the door just as my sister had done earlier. I put on my favorite CD: The Doors' Greatest Hits and fell on my bed, looking at the ceiling where I had a Jim Morrison poster. My door flung open and I looked to see Leon standing there.
"The fuck do you want?" I asked, accenting on the second word.
"You're just like your sister," he said. "A bitch. Why can't you be your own person?!"
"What in the hell are you talkin about?"
"You know damn well what I'm talkin about! You act just like your sister because you're afraid of her. You're afraid of her because she's older and bigger and because she bosses you around all the time. Maybe you need to be your own person and stop wondering what your sister's gonna think all the time!" And with that, he slammed the door shut.
I took a deep breath and looked back up at my Jim poster. Was Leon telling the truth? Was I really that afraid of my sister? I didn't know. I was so confused. I loved my sister and I knew she could be bossy, but was she always bossing me around and telling me what to do? I never thought of it that way
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Part 9
When I woke up later, I saw Dominic sitting in the hallway, a few feet away from my bedroom door. His feet were touching the wall across from him, which wasn't hard considering that the hallway was very narrow. I looked at him confused, but stepped out of the room and dropped to the floor to talk to him.
"What are you doing?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Waiting for you to wake up," he said like it was an obvious answer.
"Oh," I replied. I couldn't imagine why, considering what a bitch I'd been.
"So you're Hector's infamous sister," he said. I snickered and nodded in concession.
"Yes, I guess I am," I said sarcastically. He turned to look at me for the first time
during our conversation.
"Could ya please, for one goddamn minute drop the bitch routine?" he asked, sounding suddenly very serious and threatening.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked defensively.
"Loco testarudo," he huffed under his breath, grinding his milled finger and thumb into his brow.
"I am not crazy," I stressed, "I may be stubborn, but I am not crazy!"
"Just stop it," he said, leaning his head against the wall with his eyes closed. He sat like that for a moment, and we were in silence. "Look," he said, suddenly, "after what went down in LA with Jesse and my girlfriend and my sister and everything, I didn't think I'd be okay. I knew I had to be, but I didn't know if I would be, and tonight… Tonight was fun. Until you flipped the fuck out." For once, I stayed quiet. I wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he had a valid point. I was having fun, and then I did flip out.
"So why don't you tell me what's going on? Cuz God knows I've tried to figure it out," he said, running his hand over his head.
"I don't really know," I answered honestly, "I mean, I do like you, it's just-"
"It's just that you've got this big bitch act to keep up and you can't do that with a man around, right? Because you're too afraid you'll lose control of every damn thing. Am I getting warm?" he asked, his eyes narrow with scorn as he looked in my direction.
"No, that's not it at all, jackass!" I said, raising my voice as well as my body. Before I was too far out of reach, Dom grabbed my arm and pulled me back to eye level.
"Then you tell me what it is," he said harshly. I could smell the remainder of my tequila on his breath, but he wasn't acting like a drunken man.
"You better take your hand off me," I said sternly, looking straight into his eyes.
"Not until you tell me what the hell your problem is," he replied.
"Dominic, you're drunk and you're actin real stupid. I suggest you let go of my arm. Right now." I glared at him and silently swore to smack him if he didn't let go.
"Fine," he said crossly, pushing me away as he let go. I rubbed the sore spot on my arm that his hand had just occupied and made my way into the kitchen. I watched as he walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch.
"Dominic," I said sternly as I poured the remaining liquor into a glass, "You're drunk, it's late, and you're actin like a real asshole. I think you need some sleep." He mumbled some agreement and before I could finish my drink, I heard his deep snoring and rhythmic breathing. I threw my glass into the sink and moved into the hallway to pull a sheet from the closet. I draped it over his shirtless body and watched him respond by drawing it to his chin. Then, I sat and watched him sleep… for a long time, I just watched him.
"Z!" I heard. I jerked to my feet and looked around.
"Oh God, Mercedes, you scared the shit outta me," I said, my heart rate slowly decreasing.
"Sorry," she said, "I didn't know you were out here, I was trying to find you. I got worried when you weren't in your room."
"Oh, sorry," I said, laughing lightly, "I didn't mean to scare you."
"Don't mention it."
I looked straight ahead and noticed that the couch wasn't there anymore. "What happened to the couch?" I asked, panicking slightly. She looked at me sideways and pointed behind me. When I turned, I was looking at the couch. "What…?" I asked, confused.
"You were sleeping on the couch…" she said slowly, not sure what to make of me.
"But… Dom was sleeping there last night… How did I…" my voice trailed off as I thought about the previous night. "I remember… Falling asleep on the floor there," I said, pointing, "and then…" my breath caught in my throat. "Oh my God!" I said softly, sinking onto the couch.
"What happened?" she asked, concerned. She sat beside me while I told her about the night before, when Dom and I had talked, leaving out that he grabbed me, of course, and then about how after I'd fallen asleep, I had a dream that Dom had woken me up and taken me off of the floor.
"But I don't remember what happened after that," I said softly, trying my hardest to remember anything else.
"Well, that's kinda cute and sweet, considering that you guys haven't exactly been on the best terms since they came here," she said, smiling. I smiled and sat back against the couch, thinking about Dominic.
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bPart 10 /b
"He's cute when he sleeps," I snickered, talking about Dominic. Z looked at me for a minute before laughing.
"Mercedes," she started. I looked at her. "Am I a bitch?"
"Definitely," I answered quickly.
"No, seriously. Am I a bitch?" I narrowed my eyes, looking at her. I cracked a smile as my answer. She nodded.
"I like how you never told me," she said.
"Oh like you didn't know!" I squeaked. My squeaky voice made her laugh. I laughed as well as I put my injured hand on her cheek and laid her head on my shoulder.
"What'd you do to yourself?" she asked.
"Just had a little accident doin the dishes," I replied.
"I told you not to do the dishes."
"I was mad..." Just as I was getting ready to continue Dom and Leon walked into the living room from the kitchen.
"Ah, I think I gained 200 pounds," Leon said, plopping down on the couch.
"That was a beautiful breakfast Mercedes," Dom said. Z looked at me with wide eyes.
"You made breakfast?!" she exclaimed.
"I made toast," I said. "A lotta toast." I got up and headed toward the kitchen.
"Don't do the dishes!" Leon warned.
"Shut up!" I yelled, turning around. Leon stood up and got in my face.
"Who's gonna make me?" he asked with his chin in the air.
"I am," I said matter-of-factly.
"You and what stepladder?" I opened my mouth to say something, but when I thought about what he'd just said I busted out in laughter, as did Dom and Z. I looked at Dom.
"Hey buddy," I said, pointing at him. "Ain't you got a cousin you should be sleepin with?!" This time, Leon fell on the couch laughing and Z laughed harder than she was. Just then, the phone rang.
"I'll get it," I said, walking toward the receiver. "Bueno?" I said. It was Hector.
"Ay mami!" he said.
"Hector come home," I said seriously. "There's gonna be a murder."
"Who's Z gonna kill?" he sighed.
"My observations point to Dominic."
"What'd you say about me?!" Dom yelled.
"Was I talkin to you?" I asked, turning to him. He rolled his eyes and turned back around in the recliner.
"I dunno when I'll be home," Hector said.
"I miss ya big bro," I said playfully. I really did.
"Well, I just called to see how everything was going."
"Ok."
"I'll talk to ya later."
"Te amo."
"Y tu." And he hung up. Something was wrong... Hector always told me he loved me, he never said 'you too'. Something was definitely wrong, but I forced it into the back of my mind because I knew he wouldn't tell me. I sat on the couch at the opposite end of Leon. He looked me up and down and I returned the favor.
"Hey, none of that," Z said.
"Hey, shut up!" Leon yelled.
"Hey..." she started. "Tengo el gato en los pantalones." I sighed irritably and closed my eyes.
"What?" Leon breathed. Z leaned next to me and I did the same.
"What did I just say to him?" she asked.
"You told him he had a big cat in his pants," I informed her.
"Oh," she said, sitting up. "Well then, lemme try again. Uh... tengo el kitten en los pantalones." I smiled and put my hand on my face. My sister was too funny when she wasn't a bitch.
Later, when everyone was about sick of each other, Z went driving, Dom went... somewhere... and Leon was watching TV. Me, I was working on my other car, the one that didn't run: a 1968 Chevy Camaro, black with white stripes. I laid down on the creeper and slid underneath the car to take a look at the chassis.
The day was hot, as was everyday in Baja, so I was wearing a white bustier that tied in the middle and in the back and white cut-off shorts. As I was trying to turn the wrench I lifted my leg, trying my hardest and it just wouldn't move.
"Wow... I'm sexually aroused Mercedes," I heard Leon's voice say. I rolled my eyes and pushed myself out from under the car.
"Well you better keep it in your pants baby unless you wanna be ax-murdered by my sister," I sarcastically told him, going back under the car.
"What she don't know can't hurt her," he said. I took a deep breath and pushed myself out again.
"You're digging your own grave," I said, getting up. I kicked the creeper out of my way and turned to the car.
I shut the hood just as I felt strong heat right behind me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and became very nervous. I hadn't been with a man, thanks to my sister. Once I'd grown up and had men looking at me, she was always around scaring the guys away. I slowly turned around and Leon was standing almost directly on top of me. He smelled so good. I didn't know what it was, but I inhaled it deeply. I looked up at him, in his big green eyes.
"You're an innocent," he said, moving forward, our bodies now touching slightly.
"A what?" I asked softly.
"What's goin on in here?" I heard Dom asked. Leon and I jumped and turned to him. I couldn't look at him. I began fingering my belt loop nervously. I was afraid Dom would tell Z and then I'd have to take care of funeral arrangements for Leon.
"Nothing your leaving won't cure," Leon said.
"Cute," Dom said, nodding. "That's a nice car," he said, walking toward us.
"Leave," Leon demanded. Dom chuckled as he put his hands up.
"Alright, I'm goin," he said, walking through the garage door. Leon turned to me again and I looked at him.
"What's an..." Before I could finish, he grabbed my face and kissed me. I responded my wrapping my arms around his neck. His kiss was rough, but sweet. What made it even better was his amazing cologne. I made it my personal mission to find out what it was.
"Your sister's here," Dom said, running into the garage. Leon and I jumped. He ran into the driver's seat and I opened the hood.
"Try it," I yelled the second Z walked in. Leon turned the key and the car started. My eyes widened. I hadn't done anything to the car all day and it all of a sudden started?!
"How's it goin?" Z asked.
"You hear that!" I exclaimed. "She started!" Z nodded as she walked slowly back inside and shut the door. Something was wrong, but it didn't bother me. She wasn't gonna tell me. Dom came back in.
"D'you touch my car?" I asked him as Leon got out of the car. Dom smiled.
"I couldn't help it. It's a nice car," he confessed.
"Thanks for..."
"Your welcome," he cut me off. He walked back inside and I turned to Leon.
"To be continued," I said, smiling. I turned around and walked through the garage door.
"So, you're not a bitch?" Leon asked as we continued on our way to the party. I giggled a little because every time I tried to be as hard and as mean as my sister, I always failed and looked stupid. His question was almost a compliment to me.
"No, I'm the nice sister," I said.
"Then why are you always actin like a bitch?" I was getting ready to answer, but I realized I didn't have an answer. I loved being me, but sometimes it seemed to me that it wasn't good enough for my sister. I loved her and everything, but without knowing it, she sometimes tried to make me something I wasn't. I looked at Leon and remained silent. He didn't say anything else about the question so I assumed he got the picture that I didn't wanna talk about it.
"So where are we going?" he asked.
"Right down there," I answered, pointing down the road.
"You like to party?" he asked. A sly smile tugged at my lips as I looked at him.
"I do," I said. An obnoxious horn interrupted our little moment. I jumped and looked in my rear-view mirror to see Z behind me. I rolled my eyes as I sped up and pulled up to the curb in front of the party house. There was music blaring and I could hear girls screaming and laughing.
"Sounds like my kinda place," Leon said, smiling. I turned the car off and we got out to be met by Z and Dom.
"Well where'd you come from?" I asked Dom.
"That nice blue car back there," he answered. I smiled at his smartass comment as we headed inside.
Z opened the door and the people inside began screaming loudly. Z put her hand up and I responded by putting my hand in hers and we walked through the living room, getting greeted by every person there. We were well known in Baja, Mexico. Everybody always needed a car and we were the ones they called on for it. That's how we made our money and our friends.
"Come on! Play somethin worth listening to!" I yelled to the DJ Martin. He laughed at me as he flipped a record in the air and put it on the turntable.
"What's my motherfuckin name girl!" Ja Rule's voice came on the stereo.
"Woo!" I squealed as Z and I made our way to the middle of the floor to dance.
Z took Ja Rule's part and I took J-Lo's part and we sang to each other while dancing together. I could feel everyone's eyes on me and I loved the attention, but there were one pair of eyes I hoped was watching me: Leon's. I wasn't gonna turn around and make it obvious that I wanted his attention and I didn't want Z to know because I knew she wouldn't approve.
I suddenly looked to my right and saw someone trying to hand me a joint. Being the drug inducer I was, I went to take it from him. Z slapped my hand and I looked at her.
"Don't even think about it," she warned. I rolled my eyes. Being Zoraida Moreno's sister was embarrassing 95% of the time. She acted like my mother in front of everyone. I was starting to get sick of it.
"Here," I said, walking toward Dom and Leon who were still standing by the door. I grabbed Dom's arm and pulled him to the dance floor in front of Z.
"Dance with him," I said. Her eyes widened and she plastered her famous death stare on me as I smiled and walked to the bar. I knew I was gonna hear it when we went home, but for the time being, I was gonna enjoy myself.
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Part 7
"Whatever," I said. I continued dancing, but worried about my sister nonetheless.
"Z?" I heard a male voice ask. I turned to find Dom.
"What?" I asked curtly. I went back to dancing and completely ignored him until I felt his hands grasp firmly onto my hips.
"Let's dance," he said, spinning me around. I smiled; he was definitely starting to be my kinda guy.
For hours Dom and I danced. So close, touching constantly, it was amazing. Of course, I couldn't afford to get involved with him, but I thought it might be nice to have a few kicks.
"Wanna go outside?" I asked slowly, moving my entire body as close to him as it could get. He took a noticeable breath, making his entire body shudder as it was released.
"Sounds good to me," he said, wrapping his arms around my waist. He followed me out to my car and I immediately pushed him against the closed passenger side door. Our hands rolled off of each other with crazy force as I pushed him harder against the car. He held my waist tight and locked his lips onto mine. The breeze was strong and cleared my head within moments.
"What the hell?" I asked, pushing myself away from him. I was overcome with disgust as I looked into his eyes. He raised his arms and had a confused look.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asked, his voice deeper than usual, full of desire and frustration.
"That's what I wanna know!" I yelled, running my hands through my hair. I turned away from him and pulled at my hair, trying to think about what had happened.
"Jesus, why are you bein such a bitch?" he yelled back, slamming his fist on the Corvette's side panel. My entire body involuntarily snapped around at the sound of his skin contacting with the metal.
"Oh hell no," I said, wrenching him away from the car as best I could. I rubbed the spot that he'd pounded to examine any damage, but finding none, tromped back into the party, pulling my sister and Leon away in fury.
"What the fuck?" Mercedes yelled as I threw her to her car.
"Get in, we're going home," I said, jumping in my car and speeding off. I could hear her bitching and grumbling as I hopped in and slammed the door. I looked in my rear view to see Dom's fuming figure in front of the red Hemi Cuda.
I slammed on the brakes when I was a few hundred feet away from the house, making the back of the car spin out and stop. I didn't bother taking the keys out of the ignition, but stormed into the house, slamming the front door violently, making the old hinges rattle and squeal. I kicked the wall in an effort to let out my frustration, but must've hit a stud, because it hurt like hell. "Fuck!" I belted out, even more upset with myself. How could I let that swine touch me? I was too good to mingle with the likes of Hector's friends. They were fugitives, for Christ's sake!
"Jesus, Zoraida, get a grip," I admonished, finding my way to the bathroom. I sat on the toilet lid and reached to spin the faucet on. I turned on the shower and nearly ripped my clothes off before stepping in. The water burned my skin, but I didn't pay any attention. I felt dirty and betrayed and needed to get clean. I turned the hot water on full-force and killed the cold. Within seconds, the room was filled with steam and my body was aching from the heat.
The water cooled off a lot sooner than I was happy with, but I stepped out of the shower before it became too cold. I fumbled around for a towel, screaming at myself internally. I finally found something suitable and wrapped it around myself, then stumbled out of the bathroom, kicking the doorjamb with my injured foot in the process. I let out another curse and scrambled for my room, ignoring my sister and the two men in the living room. I could hear her running toward my room, but I slammed the door before she reached it. I yanked a robe out of my closet and pulled it on, turning around just as she was entering the room.
"What?" I asked, full of attitude.
"Excuse me?" she said, matching my demeanor, "You fuckin pull me away from my fun because you're bein a bitch and then you have the nerve to say 'what' to me? Oh hell no," she nearly yelled. I was taken aback by her straightforwardness, but enraged by her presumption.
"Look, I'm havin a hard night, so why don't you just go back out to your little boyfriend and let me calm down before I axe murder that ape on our couch, aright?" I said sarcastically, taking a seat on my bed with my head in my hands. I wiped away a few tears that had materialized on my face.
"Fine, whatever," Mercedes said, dismissing me completely as she slammed my door shut. I jumped at the sound, but ignored everything after that. I let myself go and started crying quietly. Maybe she was right. Maybe I really was a cold, heartless bitch. But then again, what good would it do us for me to have a conscience? We'd have no money and no jobs… But because of our specific line of work, it didn't leave much room for love or companionship. I continued kicking myself mentally as I wept, and eventually cried myself to sleep.
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Part 8
I stomped back to the living room and spun the recliner around so the occupant, Dom, was looking at me. I hated it when my sister was mad and took it out on me, so he was gonna pay.
"What did you do to my sister?!" I yelled, pointing at him. "What?!"
"Hey, I didn't do nothin to her, so you just get that finger outta my face," he answered.
"Well you obviously did somethin, otherwise she wouldn't be in her room cryin!" I yelled, without thinking about what I saying. Dom's eyes widened and he stood. When I realized what I'd just said, I shut my mouth and smiled.
"Did I say crying?" I laughed. "I meant... sewing," I spat out as I walked through the living room and to the kitchen.
"She's crying?" Dom asked as he followed me.
"No, she's sewing," I said, reaching in the sink and starting to wash some dishes.
"Goddamn it Mercedes!" he sighed.
"Goddamn it Dominic!" I yelled, yanking my hands out of the soapy water and splashing him. "Sorry," I laughed.
"Oh yeah, real funny," he said angrily.
"Oh calm down. If you're gonna bitch, do it somewhere else because I have all kinds of knives around here and I'm not afraid to use them," I warned. I knew that I wouldn't use them, but I didn't know if he knew that.
"Fine!" he yelled, throwing his arms in the air and walking out of the kitchen through the swinging door.
"Don't yell at me and push my door open like that," I mumbled to myself, going back to my dishes. "Fuckin bald motherfucker," I continued. "Just cuz he's bigger than me don't mean he can talk to me like that... I'll... yell at him..." Just as I was about to continue, a very sharp pain shot into the palm of my left hand.
"Ow! Fuck!" I yelled, jerking my arms out of the water. I looked at my hand and there was blood pouring from it.
"What happened?!" I heard someone ask from behind. I turned around to be met by Leon and frantically shoved my bleeding hand in his face.
"Hospital!" I screamed. "I need to go to the hospital!"
"No you don't, calm down," he instructed, taking my wrist.
"What are you talkin about?! Do you see that gash in my hand?!" I continued yelling.
"Just calm down," he said, turning to the sink and sticking my still bleeding palm under the running water. "Let's just clean it up."
"Ow! That hurts fucker!" I yelled, smacking his back with my good hand. The water was hot and was just stinging the hell outta my hand.
"Oh quit actin like a baby," he said annoyed.
"You'd be actin this too if you had to get 57 stitches!" I yelled as he pulled my hand out from under the water and held it up so I could see it. The wound wasn't nearly as large or deep as I thought it was. I looked at Leon and smiled, feeling so embarrassed. I knew my face was bright red. Before I knew what was going on, he'd put the last piece of gauze we had in the house on my hand and taped it down.
"There," he said, holding my hand with both of his and kissing the back of it. "All better."
"Thanks," I said quietly, taking my hand from his. I walked out of the kitchen and headed to the living room.
"Are you a lesbian?" he asked. I spun around and looked at him with a lifted eyebrow.
"Beg your pardon," I said, mad. That wasn't very nice.
"Well, it's just every time I got close to you tonight you moved away, so I was pickin up that lesbian vibe." I smiled.
"I really don't like you," I laughed.
"I didn't mean to offend you, I mean, it's ok if you are..."
"You are such a prick," I said sternly, walking passed him to my room and slamming the door just as my sister had done earlier. I put on my favorite CD: The Doors' Greatest Hits and fell on my bed, looking at the ceiling where I had a Jim Morrison poster. My door flung open and I looked to see Leon standing there.
"The fuck do you want?" I asked, accenting on the second word.
"You're just like your sister," he said. "A bitch. Why can't you be your own person?!"
"What in the hell are you talkin about?"
"You know damn well what I'm talkin about! You act just like your sister because you're afraid of her. You're afraid of her because she's older and bigger and because she bosses you around all the time. Maybe you need to be your own person and stop wondering what your sister's gonna think all the time!" And with that, he slammed the door shut.
I took a deep breath and looked back up at my Jim poster. Was Leon telling the truth? Was I really that afraid of my sister? I didn't know. I was so confused. I loved my sister and I knew she could be bossy, but was she always bossing me around and telling me what to do? I never thought of it that way
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Part 9
When I woke up later, I saw Dominic sitting in the hallway, a few feet away from my bedroom door. His feet were touching the wall across from him, which wasn't hard considering that the hallway was very narrow. I looked at him confused, but stepped out of the room and dropped to the floor to talk to him.
"What are you doing?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Waiting for you to wake up," he said like it was an obvious answer.
"Oh," I replied. I couldn't imagine why, considering what a bitch I'd been.
"So you're Hector's infamous sister," he said. I snickered and nodded in concession.
"Yes, I guess I am," I said sarcastically. He turned to look at me for the first time
during our conversation.
"Could ya please, for one goddamn minute drop the bitch routine?" he asked, sounding suddenly very serious and threatening.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked defensively.
"Loco testarudo," he huffed under his breath, grinding his milled finger and thumb into his brow.
"I am not crazy," I stressed, "I may be stubborn, but I am not crazy!"
"Just stop it," he said, leaning his head against the wall with his eyes closed. He sat like that for a moment, and we were in silence. "Look," he said, suddenly, "after what went down in LA with Jesse and my girlfriend and my sister and everything, I didn't think I'd be okay. I knew I had to be, but I didn't know if I would be, and tonight… Tonight was fun. Until you flipped the fuck out." For once, I stayed quiet. I wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he had a valid point. I was having fun, and then I did flip out.
"So why don't you tell me what's going on? Cuz God knows I've tried to figure it out," he said, running his hand over his head.
"I don't really know," I answered honestly, "I mean, I do like you, it's just-"
"It's just that you've got this big bitch act to keep up and you can't do that with a man around, right? Because you're too afraid you'll lose control of every damn thing. Am I getting warm?" he asked, his eyes narrow with scorn as he looked in my direction.
"No, that's not it at all, jackass!" I said, raising my voice as well as my body. Before I was too far out of reach, Dom grabbed my arm and pulled me back to eye level.
"Then you tell me what it is," he said harshly. I could smell the remainder of my tequila on his breath, but he wasn't acting like a drunken man.
"You better take your hand off me," I said sternly, looking straight into his eyes.
"Not until you tell me what the hell your problem is," he replied.
"Dominic, you're drunk and you're actin real stupid. I suggest you let go of my arm. Right now." I glared at him and silently swore to smack him if he didn't let go.
"Fine," he said crossly, pushing me away as he let go. I rubbed the sore spot on my arm that his hand had just occupied and made my way into the kitchen. I watched as he walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch.
"Dominic," I said sternly as I poured the remaining liquor into a glass, "You're drunk, it's late, and you're actin like a real asshole. I think you need some sleep." He mumbled some agreement and before I could finish my drink, I heard his deep snoring and rhythmic breathing. I threw my glass into the sink and moved into the hallway to pull a sheet from the closet. I draped it over his shirtless body and watched him respond by drawing it to his chin. Then, I sat and watched him sleep… for a long time, I just watched him.
"Z!" I heard. I jerked to my feet and looked around.
"Oh God, Mercedes, you scared the shit outta me," I said, my heart rate slowly decreasing.
"Sorry," she said, "I didn't know you were out here, I was trying to find you. I got worried when you weren't in your room."
"Oh, sorry," I said, laughing lightly, "I didn't mean to scare you."
"Don't mention it."
I looked straight ahead and noticed that the couch wasn't there anymore. "What happened to the couch?" I asked, panicking slightly. She looked at me sideways and pointed behind me. When I turned, I was looking at the couch. "What…?" I asked, confused.
"You were sleeping on the couch…" she said slowly, not sure what to make of me.
"But… Dom was sleeping there last night… How did I…" my voice trailed off as I thought about the previous night. "I remember… Falling asleep on the floor there," I said, pointing, "and then…" my breath caught in my throat. "Oh my God!" I said softly, sinking onto the couch.
"What happened?" she asked, concerned. She sat beside me while I told her about the night before, when Dom and I had talked, leaving out that he grabbed me, of course, and then about how after I'd fallen asleep, I had a dream that Dom had woken me up and taken me off of the floor.
"But I don't remember what happened after that," I said softly, trying my hardest to remember anything else.
"Well, that's kinda cute and sweet, considering that you guys haven't exactly been on the best terms since they came here," she said, smiling. I smiled and sat back against the couch, thinking about Dominic.
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bPart 10 /b
"He's cute when he sleeps," I snickered, talking about Dominic. Z looked at me for a minute before laughing.
"Mercedes," she started. I looked at her. "Am I a bitch?"
"Definitely," I answered quickly.
"No, seriously. Am I a bitch?" I narrowed my eyes, looking at her. I cracked a smile as my answer. She nodded.
"I like how you never told me," she said.
"Oh like you didn't know!" I squeaked. My squeaky voice made her laugh. I laughed as well as I put my injured hand on her cheek and laid her head on my shoulder.
"What'd you do to yourself?" she asked.
"Just had a little accident doin the dishes," I replied.
"I told you not to do the dishes."
"I was mad..." Just as I was getting ready to continue Dom and Leon walked into the living room from the kitchen.
"Ah, I think I gained 200 pounds," Leon said, plopping down on the couch.
"That was a beautiful breakfast Mercedes," Dom said. Z looked at me with wide eyes.
"You made breakfast?!" she exclaimed.
"I made toast," I said. "A lotta toast." I got up and headed toward the kitchen.
"Don't do the dishes!" Leon warned.
"Shut up!" I yelled, turning around. Leon stood up and got in my face.
"Who's gonna make me?" he asked with his chin in the air.
"I am," I said matter-of-factly.
"You and what stepladder?" I opened my mouth to say something, but when I thought about what he'd just said I busted out in laughter, as did Dom and Z. I looked at Dom.
"Hey buddy," I said, pointing at him. "Ain't you got a cousin you should be sleepin with?!" This time, Leon fell on the couch laughing and Z laughed harder than she was. Just then, the phone rang.
"I'll get it," I said, walking toward the receiver. "Bueno?" I said. It was Hector.
"Ay mami!" he said.
"Hector come home," I said seriously. "There's gonna be a murder."
"Who's Z gonna kill?" he sighed.
"My observations point to Dominic."
"What'd you say about me?!" Dom yelled.
"Was I talkin to you?" I asked, turning to him. He rolled his eyes and turned back around in the recliner.
"I dunno when I'll be home," Hector said.
"I miss ya big bro," I said playfully. I really did.
"Well, I just called to see how everything was going."
"Ok."
"I'll talk to ya later."
"Te amo."
"Y tu." And he hung up. Something was wrong... Hector always told me he loved me, he never said 'you too'. Something was definitely wrong, but I forced it into the back of my mind because I knew he wouldn't tell me. I sat on the couch at the opposite end of Leon. He looked me up and down and I returned the favor.
"Hey, none of that," Z said.
"Hey, shut up!" Leon yelled.
"Hey..." she started. "Tengo el gato en los pantalones." I sighed irritably and closed my eyes.
"What?" Leon breathed. Z leaned next to me and I did the same.
"What did I just say to him?" she asked.
"You told him he had a big cat in his pants," I informed her.
"Oh," she said, sitting up. "Well then, lemme try again. Uh... tengo el kitten en los pantalones." I smiled and put my hand on my face. My sister was too funny when she wasn't a bitch.
Later, when everyone was about sick of each other, Z went driving, Dom went... somewhere... and Leon was watching TV. Me, I was working on my other car, the one that didn't run: a 1968 Chevy Camaro, black with white stripes. I laid down on the creeper and slid underneath the car to take a look at the chassis.
The day was hot, as was everyday in Baja, so I was wearing a white bustier that tied in the middle and in the back and white cut-off shorts. As I was trying to turn the wrench I lifted my leg, trying my hardest and it just wouldn't move.
"Wow... I'm sexually aroused Mercedes," I heard Leon's voice say. I rolled my eyes and pushed myself out from under the car.
"Well you better keep it in your pants baby unless you wanna be ax-murdered by my sister," I sarcastically told him, going back under the car.
"What she don't know can't hurt her," he said. I took a deep breath and pushed myself out again.
"You're digging your own grave," I said, getting up. I kicked the creeper out of my way and turned to the car.
I shut the hood just as I felt strong heat right behind me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and became very nervous. I hadn't been with a man, thanks to my sister. Once I'd grown up and had men looking at me, she was always around scaring the guys away. I slowly turned around and Leon was standing almost directly on top of me. He smelled so good. I didn't know what it was, but I inhaled it deeply. I looked up at him, in his big green eyes.
"You're an innocent," he said, moving forward, our bodies now touching slightly.
"A what?" I asked softly.
"What's goin on in here?" I heard Dom asked. Leon and I jumped and turned to him. I couldn't look at him. I began fingering my belt loop nervously. I was afraid Dom would tell Z and then I'd have to take care of funeral arrangements for Leon.
"Nothing your leaving won't cure," Leon said.
"Cute," Dom said, nodding. "That's a nice car," he said, walking toward us.
"Leave," Leon demanded. Dom chuckled as he put his hands up.
"Alright, I'm goin," he said, walking through the garage door. Leon turned to me again and I looked at him.
"What's an..." Before I could finish, he grabbed my face and kissed me. I responded my wrapping my arms around his neck. His kiss was rough, but sweet. What made it even better was his amazing cologne. I made it my personal mission to find out what it was.
"Your sister's here," Dom said, running into the garage. Leon and I jumped. He ran into the driver's seat and I opened the hood.
"Try it," I yelled the second Z walked in. Leon turned the key and the car started. My eyes widened. I hadn't done anything to the car all day and it all of a sudden started?!
"How's it goin?" Z asked.
"You hear that!" I exclaimed. "She started!" Z nodded as she walked slowly back inside and shut the door. Something was wrong, but it didn't bother me. She wasn't gonna tell me. Dom came back in.
"D'you touch my car?" I asked him as Leon got out of the car. Dom smiled.
"I couldn't help it. It's a nice car," he confessed.
"Thanks for..."
"Your welcome," he cut me off. He walked back inside and I turned to Leon.
"To be continued," I said, smiling. I turned around and walked through the garage door.