Page 72 of Embriagado

Forcing a smile, I rubbed his nape. “Yes. Now, get away from my grill.”

A smile spread on his lips, a dimple on each side, before he gave me back the tongs and went over to sit with the others. Just as promised, we’d invited a few friends to celebrate his birthday. It was nothing fancy, just some good meat and a few beers in our backyard, but it was tradition. A part of being Argentinian meant that asado was basically a religion. One we’d neglected for a while due to unfortunate circumstances, like me going to prison, but it was about time we got back to it⁠—

Get out. And don’t you dare show your face to me until Monday.

It had been over a day, and yet I was still obsessed over it.

Why was he so angry? If anything, I should’ve been the one getting mad when, instead, he kicked me out of his house with his cum still on my face. My stomach flipped, and I placed my fingers on the side of my cheek, almost able to feel his fingerprint there. I finally had a break from him, a whole weekend for myself, and yet, for the last twenty-four hours, he was all that I could think of. The way he smelled, the way he tasted, the hollow expression in his eyes right after he came. What was that? And more importantly, why did my body ache every time I remembered it? For fuck’s sake, he was a freaking demon, and yet, in that moment, I wanted to embrace him so bad it basically burned in my bones.

“Tell me you’ve got some tofu for me.”

Looking to my side, Imani stared at the grill, a frown on her lips.

“No clue what you’re talking about.”

“Veggie skewers, then?”

I huffed. “You’re talking to an Argentinian.”

“And you’re talking to a vegetarian.” She slapped my chest. “So better make sure I have something to eat, yeah?”

Holding her stare, I broke it with a wink. “Don’t worry. I got you some pizza.”

“Now you’re talking.” She rubbed her palms together, making us both laugh when someone new joined the others, and we turned to see who it was.

Great.

“Isn’t that your sexy ex?” she asked, looking at Gabriel, who’d just fist-bumped Nacio.

“It is.”

“Even sexier than in the photo.”

This girl found his photos online after I mentioned his name once.

“Seriously, Santi, he’s hot.”

It took Gabriel no more than a few moments to track me down, and our eyes quickly met. Nacio was the one to invite him, and since it was his birthday, he had every right to. Besides, Gabriel’s sisters were also here, and they said the more, the merrier, so…

“Meat’s ready,” I called aloud, causing the rest to cheer because it was about fucking time.

* * *

A few hours later, we were down to the best crew, drinking beer and chilling. Imani was busy talking with Gabriel over who knew what, although by the looks of it, she’d probably call it a night soon. Sitting across from them, I was nursing my own beer, enjoying the bitter taste of the cold drink. Despite my parole, after the week I’d had, a drink was in order. Besides, who was going to report me—Gabe? Laughing at my own thoughts, I took another sip and watched my brother. Cuddled with Tess, he was planting kisses along her neck, looking like a fool in love. They seemed happy, which was nice, considering only last week they’d broken up for the tenth time, probably.

I smiled at the thought and brought the bottle to my lips to take another sip, only to find out I’d finished it. Grunting like an old man, I got up from my folded chair that had molded to the shape of my ass and went over to the cooler where we kept the beers. Seeing there were only empty bottles and cans left, I figured it was time to get more from the fridge.

With everyone sitting outside, our small house was empty. It was nice having people over for a change, although I wouldn’t get used to it. After having no privacy whatsoever in prison, my time there made me possessive over my space, and I wasn’t a fan of people intruding on it, not even friends. Still, tonight was one of those rare occasions where it felt nice.

I’d just taken out a six-pack from the fridge when the porch door creaked open, and Gabriel walked inside. It was the first time tonight it was just us two, and I bet my broke ass he’d been waiting for the chance.

“The meat was good,” he said, that bashful smile on his lips.

“Of course it was. I cooked it.”

He chuckled. “Modest as always, I see.”

“When it comes to asado and boxing, we both know I’m the best, so what’s the point of denying it?”