Out of Focus (Love in LA #3)

So, when one of us is missing, it’s like a part of our bodies has been physically cut out. Arthur’s absence is felt down to the bones, and every Sunday that he’s not here makes that cut grow deeper.

“Yeah. I do.” I’m not sure I believe my own words, but I’m hopeful my brother will come to his senses. “He has to, Gabe.” My brother nods and wipes at his cheek, not hiding his tears. We watch the grill in silence for a few minutes, likely both thinking about how good it would be to have Art here.

The two idiots on the lawn stop fighting once they notice us walking inside with the trays of meat, and as if on cue, Vó steps through the door, brings both pinkies to her lips, and whistles so loudly I’m sure the neighbors a few acres over can hear. We’ve never needed a dinner bell.

Once inside, we all take our places at the table, which is whatever chair you’re closest to. No assigned seats here. Daniela swats Gus and Marcelo’s hands away from the food three times before our two matriarchs finally sit. The moment their bodies touch their chairs, we all dig in. They laugh at our impatience, as they always do.

During lunch, no more than three different conversations are happening at the same time. Sometimes, all this noise would agitate me, make me feel like I couldn’t focus on anything because every conversation was so loud, and my brain would try to listen to them all. I’d get overstimulated easily. I wonder how Charlie would handle this. She would probably hate it? I mean, not that it matters, it’s not like I’m going to bring her to a Sunday meal. I’m probably just thinking about her because I drove her to Ojai. I check my phone again and the motion does not go unnoticed by my mom.

“Everything okay, Rafa?” she asks, loudly enough for everyone to hear, stop what they’re doing, and turn to me. Great.

“Uh, yeah. Why?” I take another bite of my picanha and pray for the voices to start back up around the table.

“You’ve checked your phone half a dozen times already.” She waves a finger across the table and pauses, waiting for my response.

“I’m picking up a friend on my way home today. Just making sure she hasn’t messaged since we didn’t set a time.” It’s stupid because I got here less than an hour ago. I know it’s illogical, but I don’t want Charlie to feel like I’m not paying attention if she’s messaging me.

“She?” My mom’s eyebrows raise as the clatter of forks being dropped on plates echoes around the room. All eyes are on me.

“Uh-huh.” I take a sip of my Guaraná, but none of them move. “She’s from England and not comfortable driving here yet. She’s practically my neighbor, so I see her all the time. It’s Maeve’s sister, Charlie. I dropped her off on the way so she could spend time with her and her niece. You can all go back to eating now.”

“Can we finally meet her?”

“You should bring her next Sunday.”

“I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Have you finally boned yet?”

That last one comes from Gus. At twenty-six, he still acts like a high school kid. Gabe, who hasn’t said a word, smacks him on the back of the head for me.

Vó gives me a knowing look and chuckles. When she picks up her fork and resumes eating, everyone else does the same, continuing their conversations as if nothing has happened, and I let out a relieved breath.

My sister scooches closer to me, her voice quieter than anyone else’s. “You know why they’re all acting like this, don’t you?” Dani might be twenty-five, but she’s always been the voice of reason, so I’m curious.

“No?” I mean, should I?

“All you’ve ever said about Charlie is how much she hates you, and now you’re spending time with her?” She widens her eyes.

I forgot that I accidentally let it slip that I’d met Maeve’s sister and that we weren’t getting along. They ate that shit up because, according to them, up until Charlie, no one had ever not liked me. “It’s not like I talk about her all the time or anything. Geez.”

Daniela giggles, letting out a snort. “Oh my God, how delusional are you? Every time you see that woman, we hear about it.” She shakes her head. “Charlie was in town for an event, and she ignored me the whole time. I’m going to London, and Charlie will be there, so it’s probably gonna be weird. Charlie went to Vegas, and I think she actually had fun, though she didn’t say a word to me.” She mocks a deep male voice that sounds nothing like mine then laughs again.

“Shit,” I mumble, and she only laughs harder.

Eventually, we move on to talk about other things, Charlie seemingly forgotten by everyone at the table—except me.

Once we’re all finished, things are cleaned and leftovers are packed away, I start to make some coffee, needing the distraction.

“So, that’s who was on your mind last week.” Vó sneaks up beside me, checking on my technique with the traditional pour-over method we all prefer for our coffee.

“Hmm? Oh. No. It’s nothing.” I keep stirring slowly, methodically, not wanting to give anything away.

Vó flicks me on the nose and scoffs. “Don’t bother lying to me.” When I drop the spoon to rub my nose, because goddamn that hurt, she takes it over. “If you’re friends now, maybe she can help with the recipe book. Bring her on Tuesday.” Her gaze stays glued to the coffee, but I know the look in her eyes. She thinks she knows something. Well, maybe I’ll ask Charlie and bring her just so Vó can see there’s nothing like that going on. That ought to get her weird looks under control.

23/

for the record, i love surprises.