NATE
Oh....thank you sweet Jeezus! 😰
Right at that moment we pulled up outside the compound, waiting to be let in.
The relief came off me in waves. However, that solace abruptly ceased. Soon as Guillermo opened the door and took my hand to help me out.
"You've still not answered me, Chiquita. But you will....and soon" He promised.
Again, I apologise dear compadres....
....SHIT....SHITFUCKFUCKETYFUCKFUCK....!
The doors to the warehouse opened and I came back to earth with an almighty thump.
I'd heard Guillermo's words earlier, only I still feel shame over my behaviour yesterday. Heard Eduardo's sweet and respectful words too. Yet doubts about the vato's willing acceptance of me in their group....gripped me hard again.
Now I'm really going to find out, huh?
Felt forty or so pairs of eyes settle on me when I walked inside the workshop. My feet stopped and I slowly peeped up....readying myself.
Then dissolved into a big puddle of sooky la-la mush.
They all smiled and nodded. As if everything is how it should be.
Once more, the briefest touch of fingertips to mine. So I took a deep breath, gave an internal shake and whispered....
"Ok. Ok then, Derpa...."
"Hermanos...." Guillermo announced and all the vato's turned their attention from me to him,
"....Christmas has come a little early this year."
He held up the remaining four big bottles of scotch Leo gifted to him. The responding cheers are deafening.
"But before we can celebrate and welcome the newest members of our family...." He gave a grateful nod to Eduardo who almost blushed,
"....we've got some unpacking to do. Vamos."
Everyone moved towards the cars and now I can hear whoops of excitement over what they're finding.
"Come" Guillermo turned to his companions.
"Our work is almost finished for the day. We need to see Leo and Nate settled into their new home. Let's hurry. Dinner is in a couple of hours....and I'm starving."
He gazed at me while speaking but I pretend not to notice.
I desperately need some alone time again....far away from this man. To try and work out what the hell is going on inside this 'silly little virgin'.
Mum said the words 'freight train' and 'snails' but it hasn't come to that. Not yet thank goodness, as I've already got more than enough on my plate to deal with.
At least the zombies are the least of my problems for a little while.
*
We entered the main part of the residence and Abuela came skipping up to me like a schoolgirl.
Have you ever seen an eighty-year-old skip? It's a sight I can tell you. I prepared myself for the inevitable onslaught of cheek pinching and sure enough....it came.
After a few minutes of happy welcomes from her and some of the other seniors, Guillermo fended them off. Promising he'll return me to them later.
We walked down the corridor and came to a stop.
"Leo is sharing with me" Jorge grunted, thumbing to my bestie who smirked back at me.
Raising his eyebrows up and down in demented glee. While I slapped my head and actually spluttered out loud....
"I'm such a Derpa!"
They're becoming more than just friends. He and the big Puerto Rican have found each other and it only took the end of the world to make it happen.
"Still my little innocent" Leo chuckled.
But he peered intently over my shoulder at Guillermo, making sure he understood.
How embarrassing 😬
Eighteen thousand kilometres from home and here I am. With His Nib's taking on the role of my new and over-protective big brother. I groaned under my breath and rolled my eyes.
Guillermo must've indicated his understanding of the 'not so' subtle hint. Because Leo turned and dumped his bag onto a rumpled bed, then closed the door.
After a slight tug on my shirt sleeve, we continued walking further down the corridor. Recognising the route I started to dawdle. Eventually, we reached his bedroom.
The door opened and my pack was placed on his bed. I snatched it back. Stood there....armed and ready.
G held up his hands to appease me.
"I can see the steam coming from your ears, my little green-eyed dragon. It's not what you think. Again we're misunderstanding each other. You'll have my bed...."
He stopped and opened a door to a small adjoining room. There's a rollway in one corner, a small side table under a window plus another clothing rail.
"....and I shall take this one."
As he finished his sentence I ducked underneath his arm holding the door open. Plonked myself and my bag down onto the cot. Prepared for another battle.
My voice was sweet as pie and I had a smile to match as I drawled.
"No....you shall sleep in your own bed and I shall sleep in this one. I'll be very comfortable and you need a bigger room. You have a lot of responsibilities, need to sleep and rest well."
He gazed at me for a moment as if considering what I'd said. Then simply nodded his assent.
What? Noooo....too easy!
HANG ON!
If there was a comfy bed so close by in this room....then why did he sleep on the rocker next to me last night? He still would've known if I'd tried to leave.
Again, his voice interrupted my train of thought and I lost it.
"Very well, but you've had two very full days. So, I insist that you make yourself comfortable. Unpack your things and have a rest. You need it."
Hell to the no on that proposition as well! Yet I keep my temper.
WTG moi!
"Guille...." I crooned the diminutive of his name in a tone full of saccharine,
"....we've both had two very big days. I'm not a baby or a Nanna and I don't need a nap....can unpack my gear later. Right now I need to go out there. Get to know your vato's and start pulling my weight."
"I insist" I finished sweetly, with an exaggerated smile to match.
Again a look....a slow nod.
My eyes narrowed in suspicion. As he's given in far too easily....twice in a matter of minutes. I smelt the world's biggest rat and immediately suss it out.
Something bigger will come. Something he'll insist upon and not back down from without a big fight from me. I find I'm actually looking forward to that one.
I know it and he knows it too.
"Leo calls you innocent, but he needs to rethink that assumption. Doesn't he....my little picara?"
"I'm not a rogue! I have no idea what you're talking about, Guillermo" I replied haughtily, ducking under his arm again and striding out into the corridor.
It took a while, but eventually....he followed.
Dictionary
Compadres (Spanish) - Friends
Plonked - To sit or put something down
Nanna - Grandmother
Picara (Spanish) - Rogue (feminine)