Sarah lay there, tracing the engraving on the chain around Angel's neck with her fingers. She glanced at her wrist and smiled at the charm bracelet. She'd taken it off and refused to even look at it the entire time they were broken up. She almost mailed it to him, when she'd lost all hope. Something in her heart wouldn't let her, and she was glad now she hadn't.After a week of being back together, they still couldn't get their fill of each other. Angel had made sure he closed the restaurant every night ever since, and Sarah was right there with him each night. She wondered if his parents had any idea of the things they did in that back room.Angel lifted himself up on his elbow and played with her hair. "How'd you get so close?" He stared in her eyes. "You and Syd?"Ever since they'd been back together, Sarah made it a point to keep any talk of Sydney to a minimum, and up until now, Angel really hadn't asked too much. She knew once the dust settled it would be coming, and now here
The musicians made their way through the restaurant, taking requests. Sarah sat with her mom, aunt, uncle and Valerie in one of the bigger booths. Angel's parents had thrown a graduation party, so the restaurant was open to guests only.Sarah's mom squeezed her hand, and Sarah smiled. Her mom looked nothing like what she'd looked like when Sarah first visited her in jail. She'd gained weight and looked healthy and vibrant.Her mom had been right there for her during the coach's trial. After Sarah pressed charges, several other girls stepped forward to accuse him of the same thing. All in all, he was tried on several different counts ranging from sexual molestation to attempted rape. But many others testified that he'd acted inappropriately with them as well. It took the jury only two hours to deliberate.He was found guilty, and after all the counts were added up, he'd be doing at least thirty years before he'd even be up for parole. Angel couldn't have been happier. But Sarah could
SarahSarah went numb. This could not be happening. She gripped the phone, her knuckles going white. The knot in her throat was unbearable."Sarah, are you still there?"In an almost inaudible whimper, Sarah answered, "Ah huh.""I know this is hard, honey, but it's not the end of the world. We talked about this already, and you knew it was a possibility. I tried, Sarah. I really did, but there's no way around it. We've gone over all the other options, but anything else is too much of a risk. It's for the best.""But, senior year ..." Sarah felt the anger building and the tears burning in her eyes. She felt ready to blow up—lash out.Then she heard her mom again. Her voice choked up as well."I know, honey. I'm so sorry. I really screwed things up this time."Her mom took a long, trembling deep breath, and it broke Sarah's heart. She wanted to be with her to hug her and to comfort her."It's okay, Mom. I'll be fine."Her mom cleared her throat and lowered her voice. Sounding very
SarahSarah ran, concentrating hard. She had a feeling he was still watching her and would die if she fell or tripped. The butterflies in her stomach were out of control. How could she almost knock him over? Of all people, it had to be him. She should've said more to him, but she'd been at a loss for words, thoughts—just like the first day of school when he'd caught her gawking at him like an idiot. Ever since then, she'd avoided coming face-to-face with him again. Any time she even thought she saw him, she'd run in the opposite direction.Her legs almost gave out when she realized who she'd bumped. Damn him and his smile. As sure as she was that he probably didn't even remember her, she hadn't wanted to chance making a fool of herself again.Sarah knew all about the great Moreno brothers. Valerie had lived here her whole life and had gone through grade school and middle school with them. Since Valerie had a huge crush on Angel's older brother, Alex, she told Sarah about them all th
Angel"You have a problem, asshole?" Angel demanded, his face inches from Jesse's, his forearm at Jesse's neck.Jesse's face reddened as he struggled to get the words out. "I-I'm was jus' messin' with her."Angel turned to face Sarah, without loosening his grip on Jesse. She stood there wide-eyed, a hand over her chest. "Are you okay?"Sarah nodded. "Yeah."Angel turned back to Jesse's face which by now was a nice shade of deep crimson. He pushed him one more time against the bleachers, slamming his head against the wood siding."Get some fucking manners," he snarled.Released, Jesse fell to one knee, coughing and gasping for air. Again, Angel turned to face Sarah. He took a few steps her way. She still held her hand to her chest, and her eyes remained on Jesse who, now on his feet, continued to cough. She finally looked at Angel, with those eyes that were beginning to haunt him.He was determined not to clam up again."Are you sure you're okay?" He fought back the urge to pull
AngelThey'd won their game and were all in good spirits as they waited outside of the party. Eric still sat behind the wheel. Angel, who stood outside of the car, leaned in the driver side window. "Pass me a water."Eric grabbed one from the ice chest and took one for himself."C'mon, let's go in." Romero stood in the middle of the street.Angel made a face. As good as he felt about the way the game had gone tonight, he was tired and not really in the mood for partying. He'd never admit it to anyone, but the only reason he was there at all was for the possibility of seeing Sarah. He'd been thinking about her ever since the day they had talked. Hell, he'd thought about her during the game. He kept glancing up at the stands every chance he got, prompting several disgusted hollers from his coach of, "Get in the game! What the hell's the matter with you, Moreno?"He hadn't seen her at the game, but then she did say she had to work. There was still a chance she'd make the party. Looki
"So, are you here alone?" she asked.He looked around. He had to. If he stared at her any longer, he was afraid he'd freak her out."Nah, my friends are here somewhere. We just got split up." He turned back to her. "How 'bout you? Is it just you and Valerie tonight?"She sipped on her wine again. "Yeah, well, I came here with just Val, but we're supposed to meet up with friends later."Angel took another swig of his beer and looked around casually. "Guys?""No, some of her girlfriends-they're not here yet though. That's why I'm here. I really don't like these kinds of parties, but none of her friends could get here until later, so she talked me into coming with her."Angel smiled, unable to look away from her eyes. "I'll have to thank her later for that. So, where do you like to go?"She held his gaze for a moment and then smiled, making Angel's legs weak. "I love the beach," she sighed. "I just moved out here a few months ago from Arizona, so the beach is new to me. I could spend
SarahMinutes passed while Sarah sat in the passenger seat, heart pounding, waiting for Valerie to answer her phone. "Hello?""Valerie?""Sarah, I've been so worried. Where are you?""I'm with Angel. We're dropping off his friend. Are you on your way home?""Home? It's still early. There's another party we're going to. Do you need me to come get you?""No, I think I'm good for now.""Oh, my God, are you and Angel gonna hang out?" Valerie gushed.The thought of what Valerie meant by hang out made Sarah's heart beat even harder. She bit her lip. "I'm not sure," she said. "I'll call you and let you know where to meet me.""Is he right there next to you?" Valerie whispered as if he might hear her.Sarah giggled. "No, he's outside with his friend. I'm in the car.""You have to make out with him, Sarah, so you can tell me all about it."Sarah laughed nervously, her face suddenly warm. "Valerie!" she gasped, "I hardly know him.""He's totally hot. What more do you need to know?"