4. The Andiacchi's??

Mateo

It's been two months since I've spoken to Karina. I think she changed her number or maybe she just blocked me.

I had a little bit of hope that I would see her as I stepped into the bar where I used to work but frowned when I saw that she wasn't here. I did however spot her former friend, Ronnie. She waved me over as soon as she saw me.

"I want a tequila shot!", she shouted in my face.
"I don't work here anymore.", I told the drunk girl.
"That must be why Rina doesn't come here anymore.", she mumbled, sadly.
"Have you talked to her?"

She shook her head.

"I've seen her a few times with her boyfriend, but I didn't talk to them."

My jaw clenched before I shook my head.

Don't do this. You're supposed to be moving on, Mateo.

Ronnie went back to drinking shot after shot. I looked around the bar and noticed a beautiful brunette looking my way. I made my way over to her.

"Well, look who finally noticed me.", she said.
"You're hard to miss. Mateo.", I introduced myself.
"Kassidy. Wanna get out of here?"
"You're very forward, Kassidy."
"I just can't wait to put those big hands to good use.", she said as she stood up and put her hand on my chest.

I grabbed her and held her tight against me.

"Me too.", I said before kissing her deeply.

Kassidy led me to the car and we didn't even pull out the parking lot. We just pulled into the corner of the parking lot and got in her backseat. Kassidy came and sat on my lap and began grinding against me. I was about to unbutton her tight shorts when I saw a familiar Tesla pull into a parking spot by the door. The same parking spot she always pulls into. I immediately placed Kassidy on the seat beside me and began getting out of the car.

"I'm sorry. I have to go."
"Your lost, dude.", she shrugged before sliding her hand in her shorts.

Karina was about to get out of her car when she saw me. She seemed to freeze in her tracks. I got in her passenger seat.

"What are you doing?", she asked, after staring at me for a minute.

Her brown hair was starting to show through the blonde. She looked so tired. Something seemed to be bugging her.

"I need to talk to you."
"Mateo, not tonight. I can't do this tonight."
"What's the matter? You don't look like yourself.", I told her.

She sighed and shook her head as tears began to stream down her face.

"I just came back from visiting my uncle. He's getting worse. I-I don't know what to do. My therapist keeps saying that I need to accept what's coming and prepare myself, but she doesn't realize what I'll be losing. I don't know if I can take it.", she began shaking as she put her head in her hands.

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her forehead.

"I'm so sorry, mi- Karina. I hate that you've been going through all of this. I know what it's like to lose someone close to you and I know how close you and your family are."
"Thank you, Mateo."

After a few minutes, she had finished crying and looked up at me.

"I should go. I came for a drink, but I don't feel like it anymore."
"Can we t-."
"Mateo.", she breathed out.
"You haven't answered my calls. I've been worried about you."
"I'm fine."
"Then why haven't you called me or even texted me?"
"Because the last time I saw you, you said you hated me. What else do we need to discuss?"