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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

-- my arm around her waist, tugging her closer to the middle of the seat. "I know you're still mad at me, pero sit closer, okay. Do we want any sides with the pizza?" I asked quietly, pulling into the parking lot at our favorite pizza shop.

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

-- pissed at myself for listening to Manny in the first place. Too bad I can't change it now. I just need to try and make up for the mistake I made. A low chuckle elicited, shaking my head. "I'll clean my truck tomorrow. I'll even shampoo the seats so the smell goes away." Reaching over, I slipped--

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

-- of my mouth. "He is pissed at Manny too, I could see it. I don't think that's something we gotta worry about because Rio looked pissed at him too. And when your mom finds out, he's fucked." I didn't want anything bad to happen to Manny, but I was just as pissed at him as Lexi was. And I was --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The look on Manny's face as we walked through the living room made me want to turn around and punch him, but I held it in. I relaxed when she finally spoke. "Pizza and the lake sounds good to me. I'm starving too. I barely ate at the party because the food sucked." A smile tugged at the corners --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

– don’t know, I have an idea, but I wanted to ask you first and not just make the decision for the both of us.” Which was something I should have done in the first place and we wouldn’t even be in this damn mess.

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

– door to my truck. I opened the passenger door for her, letting her get settled before closing it and looping around to the driverside. Sliding into the cab, I shoved the key in the ignition and cranked the engine, twisting to look at Lexi in the passenger seat. “Where do you want to go? If you–

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

– mine, lacing our fingers together and lead us straight inside. Everything was all out in the open now, I wasn’t about to hide it. Once we stepped into the kitchen, I glanced over at her and smiled softly before pulling her with me back through the living room, past her brothers and out the front–

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

– I took a step closer to her, waiting to see if she’d back away from me or stay. She didn’t move, which I took as a good sign. Or at least I was hoping that it was. For a moment I thought about walking around the outside of the house to get to the front driveway, but instead, I took her hand in –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

– nodding my head in agreement also. I watched him hand Lexi money, I knew better than to protest, but I had no intention of using his money to pay for anything that Lexi and I decided to do. “Yeah, I agree. I definitely think this conversation needs to happen somewhere else.” Sighing inwardly, –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Before I even had a chance to answer Lexi, Rocky was stepping out onto the back deck with us. Him and Cela practically raised me, and they loved me like their own, but I was definitely afraid of Rocky when he was pissed. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t. “I understand, sir.” I spoke quietly, –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- it to you. I will prove exactly how much you mean to me. How much I want you, how much I need you... if you let me... please..."

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- as I wish that I could. I'm sorry. I am so fucking sorry, and I know that saying the words doesn't magically make it better, pero I mean them with everything that I am. And I mean it when I say that you're all that I want or need. As long as you're willing to give me the chance, I will prove --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- would feel if our roles were reversed. The thought alone made my blood boil and my stomach turn all at the same time. Fuck. "Lexi..." I sighed, shifting my chair closer to her. "I don't need to go inside and ask him. You telling me that is more than enough. And I can't change what I did as much--

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- stopped, looking over at Rio and Manny. "I couldn't keep the secret anymore Manito. It was fucking killing me." I shrugged, turning away from them to follow Lexi outside. I took a seat in the chair across from her, sighing. I was still replaying what she said in the living room. About how I --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- off. I took a step back, just keeping myself out of the way. Though part of me wanted to punch Manny too, even though it was my fault that I listened. I hung my head, Lexi gripping the back of my shirt and pulling me towards the kitchen and the back patio door. She let me go about halfway. I --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- what I was feeling. But I also knew that wouldn't fix the issue, not now. I hated the fact that I heard her brothers coming home. Fuck. Before my brain could even process what was happening, Lexi was on Manny, she'd hit him once to knock him down and then two more times before Chris pulled her --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I braced myself for another slap, but it didn't come, thankfully. I knew she needed to get all of her anger out, so once again, I just let her talk. Though, the more I stood there listening to her, I wanted to close the distance and just kiss her to get her to stop thinking so much and just feel --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- always have. And I always will. Just you. No one else."

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- sorry, Lex. For everything. Pero I swear, I will never do anything so fucking stupid again. All it has done is make us both miserable. And if you let me... I will make it up to you any way that I can. I will spend the rest of my life trying to fix this... if you let me. I want you, Alexis. I --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- and your family have always been here for me. I thought I was doing the right thing trying to keep the peace, but instead all I did was fuck shit up." I sighed, shaking my head. Stepping closer to her, I pressing my index finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at me. "I am so fucking --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- have. I hate myself for hurting you, but I refuse to stand here and let you tell me that I don't care, or that I didn't care. Because I did. And I do. I always have, and thats not going to change. Even if you never want anything to do with me again, that's not going to change how I feel. You --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- fucking lying. "Lexi, look at me." My tone was even but stern. When she didn't budge, I placed my hand on her shoulder and turned her to face me. I wasn't going to yell, and I wasn't going to talk to her back. "Yes, I feel fucking stupid. I know I didn't think shit through the way I should --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- was this angry... she was also sexy as fuck when she was mad. Taking a deep breath, I stood up when she turned away from me. If I was talking, she was damn sure going to look at me while I said what I had to say. At least if she was looking into my eyes maybe she would realize that I wasn't --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

-- interrupt her. I let her get it all out. I let her tell me what a piece of shit I was. And how stupid I was. What I wasn't going to let fly was her telling me I didn't care when I did. If I didn't I wouldn't be standing here with her right now. The worst part was as scary as she was when she --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

My head snapped to the side, the sting spreading across my cheek like rapid fire. Fuck. I knew she was pissed. I never expected her to hit me. But I guess I deserved it. My jaw clenched tightly as I turned my head back towards her. Fuck that shit stings, but I know better at this point than to --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

-- I don't know why Manny thinks I'm not good enough." I rolled my shoulders into a shrug feeling dumb and slightly defeated because after saying all that I realize even more how dumb this shit sounds.

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

-- and your brother. Pero now... I know the whole fucking thing was just dumb, and I hurt you, and made myself miserable all to try and keep the peace with Manny. I tried to get him to tell me why but he wouldn't. Just some halfassed bro-code explanation and that's it. Rio couldn't care less. --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

-- He told me that you were 'off limits'." I rolled my eyes, making air quotes. "At first, I thought he was joking, pero then he said it again a few weeks later after I didn't change the way I was around you. So, I didn't talk to you before anything because I didn't want to cause issues with you --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

-- throat, blowing out a breath before I started to explain. "I meant what I said when I said that I never meant to hurt you, Alexis. And I am so fucking sorry that I did. The reason I never talked to you first was because a few months ago Manny talked to me after we all got back from the movies. --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

-- that was because we'd finally both be getting our pent up feelings out there after so damn long. Closing the door behind us, I moved into the living room and sat down on the couch. "Would you like to resume the previous position or at the very least sit with me?" A low chuckle rumbled in my --

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Fuck. She was pissed. And she had every right to be. I climbed out of the truck and followed her inside. I was half dreading this conversation and half not. The part that was was because I knew that she was going to be even more pissed and upset once she knew why. The part that was not dreading it--

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

– explain this situation to her and why I made the decision that I did.

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

– shook my head, staring into her eyes, finally letting my hands settle on her hips. “You’re killing me right now. You have no idea how much. Pero…I…. Come on. Let’s go inside before we finish this conversation.” Hopefully the walk into the house would give me some time to figure out how I can –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

– sorry I didn’t. I don’t… I don’t know how to explain it to you to make you understand. Pero I never, ever wanted to hurt you. And it kills me to know that I have. You mean more to me than I will ever even be able to explain, Lexi. I wish I could put it into words, I just don’t know how.” I –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

– the urge to let them settle on her hips. “Lexi…” I sighed her name, telling her why I backed off would only crush her further, but I really don’t know how to make her understand without telling her. All I knew was that I didn’t want to yell at her. “I know I should have talked to you, and I’m –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

– truth. What I wasn’t expecting was her to climb into my lap before I could even attempt to get out of the truck and go open her door. With her on my lap we were both pinned between the seat and the steering wheel. For a moment I just stared at her, my hands clenching at my sides as I resist –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

After everything else that just happened to her today, I really didn’t want to argue with her, but apparently Lexi had a different idea. I took a deep breath and forced myself to be as calm as possible. The problem was she thought I made this decision easily. Which couldn’t be further from the –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

– wish I’d been faster so it never would have happened. Come on… let’s go inside. I’m not leaving you alone right now.” Opening my door, I climb out of the truck and jog around to the passenger side, opening her door.

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

– to her story than what she was telling me. “I’m sorry about Rosita. I don’t know what her problem is, but I’ll talk to her.” What I really wanted to say was that I’d dump her, all she had to do was say the word, but that wasn’t exactly romantic either. “I’m glad I followed you inside. I still –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

– a moment attempting to keep my anger under control as best I can. “You sure that’s the only reason you didn’t want to go swimming at the party? I mean until we were there, no one even knew Diego was gonna be there…” I didn’t want to push her too far, but deep down I knew there was more –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

– and shaking my head. “Nevermind.” Unbuckling my own seat belt, I turn towards her as she slides closer to me. “Lexi, you didn’t do anything wrong. And it wouldn’t matter what the hell you were wearing, that doesn’t give anyone the right to touch you after you said no.” I closed my eyes for –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

My hands tightened on the steering wheel, shaking my head. “Does it look like I care what she thinks? She doesn’t control me, Lex. And she doesn’t get to say who I talk to or who I spend time with. Besides, she was mad at me at the party. She was mad because…” I paused, taking a deep breath –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

– happened, plus if I went back, I’d hunt down Diego and probably kill his ass.

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

– off the engine. “It doesn’t look like anyone is home. Are you sure you wanna be alone right now? I’ll come inside. I’m not really feeling the party anyway. We could still swim if you wanted or we can just chill…” The last thing I wanted was her to be alone right now after something like that –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

– she was also one of my best friends, and my best friend's sister. Not to mention she’s a year younger than me. Which didn’t bother me, but the minute I turn eighteen it’s going to bother everyone even if it’s only a year gap. As we pulled up to her house, I pulled into the driveway and shut –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

– Lex… you good? You can talk to me you know. Anytime. Even in the middle of the night. I don’t care when.” I knew at some point Rosita would come up. I was dreading that conversation. Rosita was just there. There were no feelings. Everything I felt landed with the girl sitting next to me, but –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

– mother fucker.” I stared ahead as I drove, my gaze occasionally flicking towards her in the seat next to me. She had gone silent so every few minutes I looked over to make sure she was okay. Reaching across the space between us, I hesitated a moment before tapping her thigh gently. “Hey, –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

– gut and came inside when I did.” I finally shifted into reverse and backed one of the driveway onto the road. “I don’t want gas money, Lex. You don’t owe me anything. I’m helping because I want to and because if I don’t get as far away from that house as possible I’m gonna go back and kill that –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

– door for her, but she beat me to it. I quickly made my way around to the driver side and hopped in. The trucks loud engine roaring to life. For a moment I didn’t move, glancing over at her. “You don’t need to thank me either, he was obviously trying to hurt you. I’m just glad I followed my –

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Esai Alvarez @ofjaggededges.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Reluctantly, I let Lexi go to talk to Nan, I really just wanted to get her away from this damn party right now. My arm naturally draped around her shoulders, tucking her closer to my side again as we walked. “Why are you apologizing? You didn’t do anything wrong, Lex.” I was about to open the –

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