Page 37 of Mutual Discord

Papí and I nodded our agreement, but it was Alex who said, “Chorizo! That’s what I tasted. It’s a perfect combo.”

Mamí lifted her glass of wine to her lips, smugness wafting off her in waves.

“There are also some maduros and pastelillos. Grab some of those, too,” Papí said, pointing to the other items on the tray.

Alex obediently added more bites to his plate and then slid onto a stool next to me, his feast of appetizers before him. “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Mendoza,” he murmured, and without another word, he began to eat.

We chatted for a half hour or so, Caitlin detailing for my parents the work she’d been doing as of late, and Alex answering questions about the Scorpions and their prospects during the playoffs. Eventually, we settled at the dining room table as Mamí brought out the pernil to grand fanfare. The cuero was cooked to perfection, and my mouth watered, imagining how flavorful it would taste.

While my mother cut the meat into slices, separating the cuero to be savored separately, my dad turned to Alex, who sat next to Caitlin and across the table from me.

“Have you had pernil before?”

“I have, but not fresh out of the oven like this.” Alex watched as my mother carefully sliced through the tender meat with ease. “It smells incredible.”

“It’s going to taste even better,” I said, rubbing my hands together like a cartoon villain.

“Oh, I have no doubt,” Alex murmured.

Soon the only sounds at the table were the ting of forks against ceramic and happy murmurs of satisfied diners. I legitimately could not stop myself from moaning as the first flavorful bite of pernil hit my tongue.

“That good?”

I glanced up at my father’s words, but my eyes immediately collided with Alex’s. He was watching me, red stripes across his cheeks, his throat bobbing on a swallow.

Oh God, I was so embarrassing. Did I really need to moan like I was having an orgasm at the dinner table? I pressed my lips together as mortification swept through my body.

But when Alex dropped his gaze to stare at my mouth, I paused. He didn’t look disgusted at—

“So, Alex,” Mamí said, her wineglass dangling from her fingers. “Sofia mentioned that your parents are from Puerto Rico. Where are they from?”

Her question cut through the tension spiking in my blood, and even Alex took a moment to wipe his face with a napkin. “They’re from Carolina.”

“Oh, Carmen’s cousin lives in Carolina.” Papí frowned as he glanced at Mamí. “Linda still lives there, right?”

Mamí nodded. “She does. I wonder if she knows your family.”

“She might.” Alex lifted a shoulder. “Although my parents came stateside right after high school and have only gone back a time or two.”

“I think Sofia mentioned that they’re retired military.”

“Yes. Air Force.” Alex’s smile was a tad embarrassed. “My sisters and I were all born in different states, and I’ve never actually been to Puerto Rico myself.”

“Never?” When Alex nodded, Mamí’s expression turned soft. “Well, next time we go visit, you’ll have to come with us. We can take a trip to Carolina, and you can see firsthand where your family is from.”

With his mouth open, Alex blinked. He swung his head to me and then looked back at my mother. “Th-that’s incredibly kind of you to offer.”

“Especially because you just met him,” I added, scowling.

“Ay, as if you and Caitlin don’t know him.” Mamí scoffed. “Every Puerto Rican deserves to go home if they wish to. They deserve to visit the land that nurtured their ancestors.”

While she wasn’t wrong, she was embarrassingly eager. “You have no chill,” I grumbled.

Caitlin snorted a laugh. “I love your big generous spirit, Mrs. Mendoza.”

My mother’s response was lost because my father chimed in. “Hey, your mother’s right. If Alex wants to visit Puerto Rico, he should. And we have plenty of time to get to know him before this summer. Especially if we go to a game.”

While Caitlin and I chuckled, Alex went noticeably still. “You’re planning a trip for this summer?”