Love in Bloom (De La Fuente Family 3)

He tried to act nonchalant, but mentioning his truck had his head spinning and he glared at Kasey who shook with laughter just like their brother Diego.

“Idiots,” he mumbled. “How old are you two?” He shook his head and continued to watch Erin in animated conversation with Lily, Sabrina¸ Rosie and Carla McKenzie—his cousin’s wives.

“I’d be worried if I was you,” Aiden added.

Mateo glanced at his brother and Aiden nodded in Erin’s direction. “Why? She seems okay.”

Aiden slung his arm around his shoulders and pointed. “They’re probably giving her tips on how to get her man. That man being you.”

“Are you drunk?” he countered with.

“Not enough.” Aiden frowned into his tumbler of pale brown liquid. “And I’m serious.”

“I know you are, but I don’t care. She’s caught me already.”

Sighing loudly, Aiden looked around them, focusing on Diego. “You need to find someone to talk to, and you,” he turned to Kasey, “hmm¸ I haven’t decided what you need yet…but I will.”

Mateo smiled and wrapped his arm around his brother’s waist. “I think you need to go sleep that off.”

“You got him?” Diego asked, backing away with Kasey.

“Yeah, I do.”

“Mateo, I’m not drunk. I’ve had a bit too much, but I don’t need you to hold me up. For one night, I don’t want to feel the pain.”

God, this was as close to anything that Aiden had admitted before and Mateo sure as hell wished he knew how to help his brother.

“You can find your own way home,” a vicious voice growled and both him and Aiden looked toward the makeshift lot.

He couldn’t make out anyone over there. “You hear that?” Mateo let go of his brother and slowly moved closer.

“I heard. Can’t see anyone though.” Aiden followed at his side and perhaps his brother had been truthful about his alcoholic state as he didn’t appear drunk at all.

When they reached the start of the cars, an engine revved seconds before it seemed to peel away and head down the lane to the main road. Mateo and Aiden paused, until they heard a sob—as though a woman cried.

“Hey, can you hear me?” Mateo shouted, but all he could hear was the music from the marquee.

“We just want to help you,” Aiden shouted.

Silence.

Followed by, “Aiden?”

He felt his brother freeze before he was off. “Sarah? Where are you?”

She didn’t need to answer because she appeared from behind someone’s truck.

His brother slowed down, but didn’t stop walking until he was mere inches from touching Sarah.

“He left me here,” Sarah whispered.

“Thank, fuck!” Aiden wrapped his arms around her before he pulled her close.

Sarah hesitated and then clung to his brother, crying into his neck.

Mateo felt helpless and decided to give his brother some space while he sorted Sarah out.

So, backing away, Mateo followed the path back to where he’d seen Erin talking to the ladies. She’d looked happy and he hoped to always see her like that.