Breaking Down (The Breaking Series Book 4) Read online

  Hilary stood beside Guilherme behind the tall counter-slash-island that separated the kitchen from the living room. She seemed serene while Guilherme emitted harsh vibes, especially when he glared at me every ten seconds.

  Then, I saw as Bia entered the apartment from the balcony, her face as harsh as Guilherme’s. And Gabi was alone on the balcony.

  I took my beer bottle from the side table and went out to her. Even with her back to me, I saw Gabi wipe at her eyes and straighten, as if getting ready for another fight.

  I leaned my lower back on the rail beside her. “Hey.”

  She glanced at me, and I thought I saw something like relief flashing in her eyes. “Hey.” She glanced over her shoulder to the inside of the apartment, then returned her gaze to the starry sky. “How was it going in there?”

  I watched her family inside the apartment through the glass doors. “It’s fine … Garrett is my friend from vet school, so we always got along fine, and the rest of your family … well, they are a little wary, but most of them are nice and are trying to make me feel welcome.” I felt myself starting to smile. It had been kind of fun in there. “All except for Bia and your brother.” The tentative smile was gone and I frowned. “I expected that from your brother, but not from Bia. I mean, I was never as close to her as I am to Garrett, but she knows me. We always got along fine too.”

  She sighed. “She’s mad at me for not telling her about us sooner.”

  “Oh, I see.” I knew she would face a lot of that from her family, and I suddenly felt bad for her. “She’ll come around.”

  “She will, but she’ll make me suffer first.”

  I turned to her. “They are watching us.”

  She stiffened. “Who?”

  “Everyone. Not straight out, but they keep stealing glances this way.”

  She blushed. “They are probably expecting us to be a couple like, you know …”

  “Hold hands, hug, and kiss?”

  The blush in her cheeks increased. “Yes.”

  Before I could stop myself, I reached over and took one of her hands into mine and weaved our fingers together. “Is this okay?”

  Her eyes went wide. “Sim. Yeah. Sure. We should do more of that. Holding hands is safe, easy.”

  I lowered my gaze to our hands. Her skin was so smooth, so pale compared to mine, but her hand fit so well into mine. “It is,” I said, my voice hoarse.

  She looked up the stars again, and I couldn’t help it but stare at her pretty face. Her small nose, her high cheekbones, her round jaw, and her naturally pouted lips. And her eyes. Her bright blue eyes were the most amazing shade. Her dark, wavy hair was pulled back into a thick ponytail, and even though I had seen her hair before and liked it down, I also liked it this way. I especially liked the way it showed off her long neck and slender, bare shoulders.

  An urge to lean into her and brush my lips on her soft shoulder and neck hit me hard, taking me by surprise. I wasn’t stupid. I thought she was beautiful from the first moment I laid eyes on her, and every second spent with her only made me think she was even more beautiful. But I knew this was a fake marriage. There would be nothing between us.

  Debt free. This deal meant being debt free. That was all.

  Right?

  I shook those thoughts from my head. “You were right.”

  “I’m right most of the time,” she teased. “But what are you talking about specifically?”

  “About your family. They seem freaked out that we’re engaged. I can’t imagine how they'd react if we had told them the truth.”

  She snorted. “They would kill me. Or you. Probably you. And then they would make me suffer.”

  I groaned. When she said things like that, I almost regretted this damn deal. “That’s not very comforting.”

  “Sorry … but they are good people. Once we tell them we’re not in a rush and will take things slow with the engagement, they will relax and Gui will be more like his normal self, and you’ll see they are great. All of them.” She turned her pretty eyes to me and tugged at my hand. “We better go inside and socialize. After all, one of the reasons I want to live here is to spend more time with them.” She jerked her head toward her family.

  I confess, curiosity about what other reasons she had for wanting to live here poked at my gut, but to be honest, it wasn't my business. So, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on pretending some more.

  Still holding hands, we walked back into the apartment.

  14

  Gabi

  The rest of the evening went fine.

  Hil was able to control Gui, and he didn’t say anything mean again, but he also didn’t try to be nice. He just stood there, in the kitchen or at the back of the living room, watching with hard eyes.

  And Bia avoided me as much as she could. When all the girls were around the kitchen’s island, she talked to Hannah or Hilary, but never with me.

  That hurt so damn much.

  But I pushed past it. I knew she would forgive me in a few days. I just had to endure it for now. Her and Gui’s glare.

  “So.” Hannah turned to me with a big smile. “We are dying for another wedding in the family. When is the big day?”

  I forced a smile. “We don’t have a date yet, actually. I’ll probably move in with him in a few days, and we’ll see how that goes. We’re in no rush.”

  Hil frowned. “So no date? No plans for me to design another dress?”

  If only she knew … “Bem, the few times we talked about dates, we thought at the beginning of next year.”

  “That is so far away,” Hannah pointed out.

  “I know, but like I said, we aren’t in a rush. We want to live together first.”

  “That makes sense,” Hannah said. “Leo and I lived together for almost two years before getting married.”

  “Before he proposed, you mean,” Bia said, still sounding hurt. “It usually goes with moving in together, then getting engaged, then marrying.”

  “Not all love stories are the same, Bia,” I protested.

  Bia rolled her eyes and went to the bar along the wall to get herself another drink.

  I let out a long exhale.

  “She’ll come around,” Hannah said.

  “I know …” I sighed. “I just … I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings.” I looked at the girls in front of me. “Anyone’s feelings. I’m sorry I kept it from you guys.” I’m sorry I’m still keeping a lot from you guys.

  Hil reached across the island and held my hand in mine. “It’s okay, Gabi. We were just a little surprised. But, if you’re happy, if this is what you want, then we’re happy for you too.”

  Hannah nodded in agreement.

  I offered them a small smile. “Thanks.”

  Bia joined us a few moments later with a glass filled to the brim with Coke and whiskey. Thankfully, Hannah changed the subject by asking Hilary more about the upcoming showcase at her school. Hilary beamed and launched into a detailed narration of her plans for the show.

  I paid attention to the conversation for about ten seconds before my thoughts betrayed me and I turned my eyes to the living room, where Tyler was with the guys. Even Gui was there, though he made a point of sitting on the farthest corner of the couch, so he was far away from Tyler.

  Garrett and Ri were the ones playing at the moment, while Gui, Leo, and Tyler watched, and Pedro messed with his phone. The guys narrated the objectives of the game and the shortcuts on the controller so Tyler would learn how to be as good as them in no time.

  I smiled.

  Despite this all being a sham, I was glad Tyler seemed to be getting along with my family. After all, he would have to endure them for two years.

  Leo made a joke about Ri’s video game skills, and as usual, Ri took it more seriously than he should. Ri lunged at Leo and they were play-fighting. I heard Garrett say, “Told you. It happens all the time,” to Tyler, who wore a smile.

  I sucked in a sharp breath.

  Meu Deus, he was
handsome, especially when he smiled like that. Even from here, I could see the amused shine in his hazel eyes. He had shaved recently—the sharp lines of his jaw and chin were even more chiseled with a clean face.

  My fingers itched and I realized I wanted to run my fingertips down his jaw, his neck, to where his polo shirt dipped to reveal the top of his chest and—

  I stopped those thoughts before it was too late.

  No, no, no. This was a sham wedding, that was all. We would probably become friends with each other during that time since we would be together a lot, but that was it. I wasn’t the type of girl to be friends with benefits. At least, I didn’t think I was.

  I shook my head again.

  What was wrong with me?

  Tyler’s eyes found mine and his smile dimmed a little. His eyes were still lit with amusement. A small smile spread through my lips.

  After excusing himself, Tyler stood and came to the kitchen. He halted beside me. “Hey.”

  “Oi,” I whispered, feeling incredibly lame.

  “Where’s the trash?” he asked.

  “Here,” I said, taking the empty beer bottle from his hand. I stepped back and opened a cabinet that had the trash hidden inside. I gestured to it, so he would know where it was next time. Tyler nodded. “Want another beer?” I turned to the fridge.

  The girls, still chatting around the island, paid us no attention. Except for Bia. I could feel her side glance burning my back.

  “No, no more alcohol. I have to drive later. How about a Coke?”

  I grabbed a can of guaraná from the fridge. “How about this one?”

  He shook his head. “No way. Coke, please.”

  I got the guaraná for me and handed him a Coke can. “It seems like you’re having fun.” I jerked my chin toward the guys in the living room.

  Sporting a lopsided grin, Tyler popped his can open. “They are cool.”

  I nodded and took a long swallow from my soda. Tyler’s eyes rummaged around, no apparent destination, but I noticed when he caught Bia spying on us. He tensed beside me, and then, smoothly, he slid a hand around my waist, pulling me slightly closer to him. My shoulder rested against his chest and the right side of my ass touched his thigh. I swallowed hard.

  But he didn’t stop there. Tyler leaned into me and put his mouth over my ear. His heady, musky scent hit my nose and I stopped breathing for a moment before I leaned into him too. “Relax or she’ll notice.”

  Shit, I had to let him know that I had told everything to Bia too.

  But now more people were looking at us, so it was best if we kept pretending. I let out a shallow breath and smiled, as if he had told me something funny, or even kissed me on the cheek. He held my gaze as he backed out, returning to his glued-to-my-side position.

  His hand on my waist? It was all over my mind. I could feel the heat from his palm through my blouse and, Meu Deus, it was burning.

  In the living room, Garrett stood. “Hey, Ty, your turn. Come on.”

  “K.” Tyler took a step out, then halted as if he had remembered something. He turned back to me, planted a soft peck on my cheek, and strolled to the living room, where he got the controller and sat down beside Garrett to play whatever game they had on.

  Meanwhile, my cheeks burned. From his kiss and from the heat inside me.

  Meu Deus.

  “Aw, look at her,” I heard Hannah say.

  I turned to the girls and found them staring at me. “What?”

  “You were looking at Tyler with loving eyes and a smile,” Hil added. “So cute.”

  Hannah batted her eyelashes. “So in love.”

  Wow, they mistook my shocked gaze for love. That was fine with me.

  To play along with the lie, I showed them a demure smile, then changed the subject so I wouldn’t have to lie.

  Two more hours went on like that—the guys taking turns on the video game, the girls talking around the kitchen island, the food and drink going around—before everyone started leaving.

  “It’s a weeknight,” Ri said, walking to the door. “We gotta wake up early tomorrow morning.”

  “Same here,” Hannah said beside Leo.

  “So you’re not returning to Brazil Saturday night, right?” Leo asked.

  “Not now,” I said.

  “You should take Tyler there sometime soon,” Hannah said. “I’ve only been there a couple of times so far, but it’s so pretty. You’re gonna love it,” she said to Tyler.

  He grinned at her. “I bet I will.”

  “Dinner tomorrow too?” Ri asked and everyone agreed.

  After everyone left, Pedro let out a big yawn. “Bom, I’m beat. Boa noite.” He waved at us and disappeared into the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

  “I also have to wake up early to drive to L.A. tomorrow morning, so good night,” Hilary said. She tugged Gui’s arm, but he didn’t budge. “Come on,” she whispered.

  Finally, after shooting another glare toward Tyler and me, Gui relented. “Boa noite,” he said, his voice tight. Then, Hilary dragged him to their bedroom.

  After they were gone, I counted to thirty, then I plopped down on the couch and let out a long breath. “That was tough.”

  Tyler sat beside me. “It wasn’t so bad.”

  I stared at him, wondering where he had been all night, because it wasn’t here. “How can you say that? Gui and Bia were terrible.” And it wasn’t only that. It was everything. I hated lying to my family. I hated how my body reacted each time Tyler and I pretended to be a couple, each time he touched me or held my hand or smiled at me.

  And I still wasn’t at peace with the fact that I had married a stranger.

  “That was expected, right?”

  I glanced at the door behind us, checking for any movement beyond the corridor. No one seemed to be out of their bedrooms. Even so, I lowered my voice as I said, “Gui knows.”

  Tyler’s body went rigid beside me. “What? How?”

  “No, no, I mean, he doesn’t know we are married, but he accused me of getting engaged to you so I can get a green card.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Shit. What did you say?”

  “I lied, of course!” I hissed. “I asked him how he could think that of me? And I told him we would prove to him we’re serious.” Droga, I still had to transfer his money back to him before I went to bed. I dropped my face in my hands. “Meu Deus, how could he think that of me? I am just like that.”

  “No, you’re not,” Tyler said, serious. “Look, we knew there would be some resistance, right? With time, they will stop bugging you about it.” He frowned. “By the way, is it always like this?”

  “Like what?”

  “Everyone always together and so close, and doing the same things, and talking at the same time.” He shuddered, as if the idea of a tight-knit family was horrifying.

  “Hm, sim, we are all like this.”

  He let out a long breath. “That will be hard getting used to.”

  I felt myself tensing. Droga. I had to keep relaxed, even when I didn’t agree with him, or didn’t like the way he reacted to things. Two years was a long time to be tense and feel awkward about this.

  However, he had surprised me tonight. I had expected more opposition from him. I thought he wouldn’t play the role of the loving fiancé well. Not that it had been perfect. I was sure I hadn’t done a great job of it either, but it seemed we had passed the first test.

  “So, are you free tomorrow?” I asked, breaking the tense silence. “I thought we could look for an apartment.”

  “That should work.” He stood. “So, I'll pick you up here tomorrow?”

  “Sure.”

  “What time?”

  I stood beside him. “I have some things to take care of in the morning, so how about noon? We can look at apartments all afternoon.”

  He took a step back. “Sounds good.” He turned and walked to the front door.

  I followed him and halted beside the open door. “Thank you. I mean it. Than
k you for all of this.”

  He stepped out of the apartment. “No problem.”

  “Boa noite.”

  “Night,” was all he said as he pressed the button for the elevator. I stayed by the door, watching him as he waited. Too soon, the elevator arrived and, without looking back or saying another word, Tyler disappeared into the car.

  When I was sure he was gone, I closed the door of the apartment and let out another long breath.

  Meu Deus, what had I done?

  I was a nervous wreck two mornings later.

  I knew Gui and Pedro had practice early morning this Saturday, and Hil would go to her parents’ house, so I stayed in bed until I was sure they were all gone.

  Then, I made a quick breakfast, sat down on a stool around the kitchen’s island, and opened the calculator app from my phone. I made a quick calculation of all the gifts Gui had given me over the years, then rounded them up a little, and made a transfer to his bank account. It was a lot of money, but it didn’t really make a huge dent on my end.

  I put my iPad up with a stand. My hands shook as I opened the Skype app and called my parents.

  My mother answered on the fifth ring.

  “Oi querida,” she said with a smile. “Sorry I didn’t answer right away. I was putting away the grocery shopping.”

  I glanced at the clock on the corner of the iPad. It was nine thirty in the morning, which meant it was two thirty in the afternoon there. Depending on the time of the year, Brazil could be four to seven hours ahead of here.

  “It’s okay,” I assured her.

  “So, wanna tell me why I’m not at the airport picking you up right now?”

  “I will, but can you call pai? I want to talk to you both about it.”

  Her smile faltered. “Claro,” she muttered, before disappearing from the screen. My father was probably in his office, working on something from the Montenegro ranch. He lived and breathed that ranch, for the entire Montenegro name, really, be it the breeding farm or the polo team.

  Two minutes, in which I stuffed my face with my toast, passed until my mother was back with my father. As I expected, he didn’t look happy to see me from across the screen and not at the airport.