When we don't know who to turn to, sometimes we turn to the ones we least expect.
Luke Salazar is a senior at Bay High School, and he's been pushed, shoved, and shut out for most of his life. Miles Jefferson has been the ringleader of a lot of that...
More tears fell, and I decided I didn't care. "Yes... I would love that," I answered, standing up and pulling them all into a hug.
"You would?" Adam asked, as if he expected a different answer.
"Yeah. You've been more of a father to me in these last six months than William ever was. And I think my mom would love it for you to be my second mom, Aunt Jane," I said, kissing her cheek. "Plus, Salazar is the name I was supposed to have... right?"
"That's right," Luke said. "And I'm proud to have you for my brother. You know that, right?"
"I do... and I don't know if I've said it before, but... I love you, man," I said.
"Awww, bro. I love you too," he answered, and Adam and Jane wrapped us in their arms again.
Rachel
"Damnit!" I yelled, slamming my hand against the Impala's steering wheel.
My precious car had quit again – that made 5 times in the past two days. I was afraid to even think it, but it was time to consider the fact that my brother's car was almost 20 years old.
But this was SO not the time for this bullshit. Miles was at the pier with Luke and his parents and my parents were in Destin for a dinner party with my dad's work.
I guess Brooke was going to be my savior – even though she literally knows nothing about cars. At least I can get a ride.
I dialed her number and she answered on the first ring.
"Hey sister, where you at?" she greeted me.
"Well, I'm at Target. My car quit again. Can you come get me?"
"I'm at Pier Park anyway! I'll be there in like 5 seconds."
"Damn, that's lucky. Thanks," I said, and made a kissy noise into the phone.
"You're welcome," she said before disconnecting the call.
I got out of the car and locked it, looking at it sadly. James loved this car... but it literally has over 250,000 miles. I don't think it will make it to Tallahassee. I sighed audibly to myself. I didn't have the money for a new car, and we left for college in two weeks.
Before I spiraled into the Rachel Cross-Super-Stress-Whirlpool, Brooke pulled up next to me and rolled down the window. "Get in, bitch, we're going shopping."
I had to laugh.
***
An hour and a half later, we were sitting at Marble Slab eating ridiculous servings of ice cream, surrounded by shopping bags of various sizes. This was just one reason I loved having Brooke as a best friend – you could always count on her to be there as soon as you needed her, then do anything she could to make whatever was wrong better.
"What are Luke and Miles doing?" I asked, licking the dripping chocolate ice cream off the side of the cone.
"I honestly don't know. Luke wouldn't tell me," she said, scraping the inside of her cup.
"Really? Miles was totally clueless... think they're done yet?" I asked, checking my watch. 8:00 pm.
"Maybe. Let's call 'em." She pulled out her phone and dialed. "Lukie? Where you at?" She paused a moment. "You're at the pier? We're at Marble Slab in Pier Park. Come over here!" Another pause. "Okay, yay. We'll wait for y'all outside. Love you. Bye."
I still smiled when I heard them say I love you. "Did he tell you what they were doing?"
"No, but he and Miles will be here in just a minute."
We finished our ice cream and waited outside. When I saw Miles and Luke coming toward us, I couldn't help but grin. Every time I saw him, my heart raced. It didn't matter how much time had gone by.
"Hey, pretty girl," he whispered when he got close to me, kissing me softly.
"Hey handsome. What were you guys doing?" I asked, my curiosity killing me.
He and Luke glanced at each other and laughed. "Damn girl, nosy much?" Luke asked, and Brooke slugged his bicep.
"Dude. If she's nosy, then I guess I am too. What was so top secret?" Brooke demanded, perching on one of the giant concrete beach balls in front of Dave and Buster's.
Miles grinned. "Well... let's just say in a few weeks you'll be calling me Miles Salazar."
My eyes widened. "What? What are you talking about?"
"Adam and Jane are adopting me," he said, and I swear I heard his voice crack.
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, stepping to him and pulling him into a hug. "Miles, that's amazing!"
"I know, I thought so too," he said, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Did you know about this before today, Luke?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah, but Dad swore me to secrecy."
"Fair enough," she said, and wrapped her arm around his waist.
"So you guys will be brothers in name now, too. That's pretty awesome," I said, the big grin on my face refusing to disappear.
"Yeah... it really is," Miles said. "Hey, I didn't know y'all were going to hang out this afternoon."
I had almost forgotten my broken-down car. But when he asked that question, my face fell again. "Well, we weren't going to... but my car quit again," I sighed.
"Aww, Rach. I'm sorry," Luke said. "That's like the fifth time this week, right?"
"Yeah... I think she's finally bit the dust," I admitted. "And I don't know what I'm going to do for a car..." I leaned against the concrete beach ball next to Brooke.
Miles smirked. "I do."
"Huh?" I asked.
"I happen to have a 2017 Land Rover just sitting in my garage," he said, and I felt my heart rise a little.
"You'd do that for me?" I asked. "That's a $50,000 car."
He looked at me like I had five heads. "You're seriously asking me if I'd 'do that' for you?" He stepped toward me and put his palm against my cheek, the warmth of his body spreading through mine. "I'd do anything for you, Rachel. Don't you know that?"
I couldn't even speak; Luke and Brooke may as well not have even been there. All I could see was him. This man in front of me who has lost nearly everything... but has managed to stay so unjaded... so open.
"I love you," I whispered.
"Not as much as I love you," he murmured, kissing me softly.
I decided not to try to argue; I just vowed then and there to show him.
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