Forever Yours

Also by Elizabeth Reyes

Moreno Brothers Series

Forever Mine

Always Been Mine

Romero

Sweet Sofie

Making You Mine

5th Street Series

Noah

Gio

Hector

Abel

Fate Series

Fate

Breaking Brandon

Desert Heat Series

Desert Heat

Forever Yours

(Moreno Brothers 1.5)

Elizabeth Reyes

Smashwords Edition

Forever Yours

(Moreno Brothers 1.5)

Elizabeth Reyes

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 Elizabeth Reyes

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Edited by Theresa Wegand

To my P-Nut, I love you, baby, forever and always.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Epilogue

A Note to My Wonderful Readers

Desert Heat

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Chapter 1

Sarah

I gotta take this, Sarah said to Angel as she made her way out the kitchen door and into his back yard.

Angel nodded and continued what he was busy doing in the kitchen, but she could tell just by that look he already knew it was Sydney calling—again.

He’d watched her send Sydney’s call to voice mail earlier when her phone rang just as Alex was bringing out their mom’s birthday cake. Normally, she didn’t answer his calls when Angel was around anyway, not that she had anything to hide when she spoke to Sydney. Even after all these years, she hated that weirdness she felt whenever she did happen to take Sydney’s call in front of Angel. So she avoided doing so as much as she could.

The only reason she decided to answer it now was because Sydney didn’t call nearly as much as he used to anymore and almost never twice in one day. It worried her. The last few times they’d spoken he’d mentioned having issues with his girlfriend, Carina. Sarah wondered now if maybe something big had happened between them and he needed to vent.

To her relief, he sounded perfectly cheery when she answered. Hey, Lynni, you busy?

Not really. Well . . . She glanced back at the kitchen window facing the backyard. "I am at Angel’s right now. They’re having a birthday party for his mom, but I could spare a few moments. What’s up?"

A party on a Thursday?

Yeah. She smiled. You know this family. It’s her birthday today, so it wasn’t going unnoticed regardless of what day of the week it is.

Oh well, then never mind, he said quickly. "Go back to the party. I thought for sure you’d be home by now, and I had some down time. Since I hadn’t talked to you in a while, I just thought I’d call and catch up.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine. I’ll talk to you another time.

She felt kind of bad about hanging up, especially because she got the feeling he did have something he specifically wanted to talk about. But she also knew the longer she was out there the weirder Angel would be about it when she finally got back in. He never said anything. Sarah had to give him credit where credit was due. He’d come a long way and was obviously doing his best to be as accepting of her friendship with Sydney as he could, but she knew him too well to not pick up on that vibe anytime the subject of Sydney came up.

Once back in the house she grabbed a small bowl of chips and salsa and headed to the family room. Angel patted the open seat next to him on the sofa where he sat with his dad and Sal.

Everything cool? he asked, taking one of the chips and dipping it into the salsa.

Yeah, she said. I just thought maybe something was wrong since he rarely calls twice in one day. She made sure she pointed that part out. But everything’s fine. He was just calling to catch up since we haven’t talked in a while.

She glanced at him nonchalantly before dipping another chip into the salsa. So far so good. No weirdness. He even leaned in and kissed her with a smile. You missed out, he said with a smirk.

On what?

One of the guys in the mariachis is new. He chuckled. The other guys in the group know Sof is with Eric, but since he’s not here, they decided to punk the guy, telling him she was single and looking for a man. They encouraged him to hit on her. He did and she turned him down, of course, but was nice about it. Then he got all cocky, laying it on a little too heavily. Luckily for his ass Alex was in on the whole thing, so when he got in the guy’s face, we all knew there was no real danger of things getting too explosive. Still, you know Sof. She wasn’t in on it, so she was embarrassed and pissed. Angel shrugged. No harm done, but the expression on the guy’s face when he had to look up at Alex was classic. They let the guy in on it before he messed his pants.

Sarah laughed because she could only imagine. Poor guy, she said, glancing around for Sofie.

Sofie was standing with Alex now, laughing. Apparently she’d gotten over it, but Sarah remembered all the times Sofie had to deal with that kind of reaction from her big brothers for real.

They mean well.

If Sarah had a dime for every time she’d had to remind Angel’s sister this about her brothers over the years, she could pay for her entire education in cash. It was true. Sofie’s brothers could be on the overbearing side, but in the end, they really did mean well. Sarah had often wondered what it would be like to have grown up in such a big family and have brothers like the Morenos.

In fact, she’d never admit it, but there had been plenty of times she’d felt a little jealous about how close they all were. She’d grown up all alone. It’s why she’d always been so grateful for her best friend, Sydney, who was the closest person, aside from her mom, she had as family. No matter how much she knew Angel didn’t buy it, Sydney really was like brother to her. At least that’s how she’d always seen it.

Still, days like today–when the Moreno’s had been celebrating their mom’s birthday and as usual the whole gang of them and their friends were there—Sarah couldn’t help feeling a little bittersweet. Their mother had been showered all afternoon with gifts and serenaded by the mariachis, and her kids had cooked for her, not allowing her to cook at all. And what a meal they’d prepared! Since they all had grown up helping run the family restaurant, they all knew their way around the kitchen, so she’d had a feast made with lots of love.

Growing up, except for the times she’d spent them with Sydney and his family, Sarah and her mother had always celebrated birthdays and holidays alone—just the two of them. And while her mom had done her best to make it feel special, there were so many times Sarah wished her mom would get married and have more kids. She’d be the best sister ever, just as she had been to Sydney all those years and always would be.

Not only had Sofie had to deal with her three overprotective brothers but she’d also had two of their friends, Romero and Eric, to deal with her whole life. Eric, who was now her boyfriend was much calmer than her brothers, and Sofie had told Sarah that was exactly why she’d had been so drawn to him even way back when they were kids. Romero never stood a chance with her because he was worse than her brothers. At least Alex asked questions before going for the jugular, not Romero.

Sarah felt the pang of guilt. Too often she’d been a little jealous of the big happy family gatherings when she should have been grateful to be included.

Not even a half hour later after having taken Sydney’s call her phone buzzed again. She’d set it down on the coffee table in front of the sofa where she still sat with Angel. She saw him glance down at it, but he quickly looked away and laughed at something Romero was telling him and Sal.

Sarah picked it up, hoping it wasn’t anything from Sydney but a little worried it might be. She was worried, not because of Angel, but because she’d picked up on something not being right when Sydney had called her a second time in one day after she hadn’t heard from him in days.

To her relief it wasn’t Sydney. It was a text from her mom.

Are you going to be there much longer? I have a surprise for you, and I can hardly wait for you to get here already.

That piqued Sarah’s interest instantly, and she smiled. Surprise? Her mother had never been good about keeping surprises from her for long, so it made her wonder how long she’d had this up her sleeve. She hadn’t heard anything about this until now. Sarah was turning twenty-one that year, but that was still months away.

She didn’t even realize what a big goofy smile she wore until she noticed Angel staring at her strangely. My mom, she said as she texted back. She’s asking how much longer I’m gonna be. She has a surprise for me.

The strange expression on Angel’s face was replaced with one as curious as she felt. Surprise?

Yeah, she said as she sent the text asking for a hint. My mom’s never been good about keeping surprises from me. In fact, she stinks at it. It’s why she can’t get me anything for my birthday or Christmas until the day before because she doesn’t trust herself not to blow it early. Sarah laughed. Whatever this is she probably just got it today, and already she’s texting me to ask when I’ll be home.

I can take you now, Angel offered. We’re pretty much done here. Everyone’s just gonna shoot the breeze now, and I know you said you had homework you wanted to work on.

Feeling even more curious, especially since her mom hadn’t responded to her text asking for a hint, Sarah nodded with a smile. I can’t imagine what it is.

Angel got up from where he was sitting and reached out his hand. Let’s go, he said. I’m curious now too.

It took her almost fifteen minutes to say goodbye to everyone, but finally they were out of there and in Angel’s car. Halfway home her mom responded to her text.

The only hint is you’re really gonna like it! That’s all. Oh and maybe don’t bring Angel in. This is something he might not be as excited about hearing as you.

There was only one thing Sarah could think of that might not excite Angel as much as it would excite her—Sydney. This had something to do with him, and it was likely what he’d called her twice for today. But why wouldn’t he just tell her? Whatever it was suddenly had her insides knotting up.

Chapter 2

Angel

It was a subtle change, but Angel knew Sarah well enough now to catch it. She’d gone from being curiously excited about her mom’s surprise for her to suddenly a bit unnerved. The change didn’t happen until that second text from her mom halfway to their condo.

Something wrong? he asked after seeing her read her text.

No, she said, but she wasn’t convincing, almost as if she weren’t sure herself. She just asked where I was.

They turned the corner, and Angel pulled into a parking space across from the condo Sarah and her mom had recently bought. Sarah turned to him then quickly back to her bag. You don’t have to come in with me if you need to get going.

The way she dug in her bag as she said that was another telling sign about Sarah. She always avoided eye contact when she was feeling uneasy. I’m in no hurry. Angel started getting out. And I’m curious about this surprise, he said, facing her across the roof of his car now.

She smiled, and they met around the front. They headed to her front door. It was already unlocked, and they walked right in. Luna, Sarah’s mom, smiled strangely at Angel then glanced at Sarah and picked up her cell phone in what looked like preparation to take a photo.

Both Sarah and Angel stood there a bit confused. Okay, come out, Luna said.

Angel almost didn’t recognize him when he first walked out because he was a lot buffer than the last time he’d seen him, but it only took a few seconds for him to figure it out. Sydney smiled, and Sarah’s hands immediately went to her face and covered her mouth.

Hey, Lynni.

Oh my God! She rushed to him and gave him a huge hug, which Luna took several shots of with her phone and had Angel wishing he hadn’t come in with Sarah.

They held each other tightly for a moment that felt uncomfortably long. Yeah, Angel definitely should’ve just dropped her off. As annoying as it would’ve been to hear later that the big surprise her mother had come home early for was Syd being in town, it beat having to witness her excitement from seeing the dude and hearing him refer to her in that syrupy way he said her middle name.

What are you doing here? she asked, finally pulling away.

Angel watched, grinding his teeth as Sarah actually wiped tears away and still held Sydney’s hand with the other.

I’m home for what’s left of the summer, so I figured since I haven’t been this close to you in so long I should just take the drive down and surprise you.

Of course.

Angel had to fight the urge to mutter. Flagstaff was after all just around the corner from La Jolla. The last time he and Sarah drove up to Flagstaff it took them nearly eight hours!

Sydney finally took his eyes off Sarah long enough to acknowledge Angel. How’s it going, man? He reached out to shake Angel’s hand even as his other hand still held Sarah’s.

Good. Angel forced a smile. Long time.

Yeah, Sarah said, smiling but still wiping the corner of her eyes with one hand. What’s it been? Over two years since I saw you last?

Angel’s eyes dropped down to Sarah’s hand that was still in Syd’s. His already-forced smile flat lined, and she dropped her best friend’s hand immediately as if she’d just noticed she was still holding it. Then their eyes met. He wouldn’t even try to hide what he was feeling. She had to know that, as much as he’d always tried to be understanding about her relationship with Syd, this kind of shit pissed him off.

Luna cleared her throat loudly. "Yeah, the last time he came down was for your graduation party from high school. Wow, it has been over two years."

Angel finally looked away from Sarah, doing his best to not show how fucking annoyed he was suddenly feeling. He was glad when Sarah asked how long Syd would be in town, because it’s what he wanted to know too. He might’ve asked himself, but as irritated as he was now, he was pretty sure it would’ve come out more like "When do you leave?"

His tolerance for Sarah’s relationship with her best friend was largely due to the distance between them. He knew that they texted and spoke on the phone, but as long as he didn’t have to be around this kind of display of affection between the two, he could deal with knowing she kept in touch regularly with the guy. If Syd were around more often, Angel knew his patience for their friendship would wear thin real fast. Hearing comments from Alex and Romero about how they’d never put up with another dude in their chick’s lives didn’t help either. Romero had never even had a steady girl, and Angel didn’t know what to call Alex’s off-and-on relationship with Valerie, but both made these kinds of statements as if it were a no-brainer.

To Angel’s relief, Syd said he’d only be around until tomorrow afternoon. But it wasn’t much of a relief. Not only was Luna already saying he was welcome to stay as long as he wanted, which meant he’d be sleeping here at their place tonight, but he also mentioned being home for the rest of the summer and doing his best to make it out here again.

You guys should come up to Flagstaff too before the summer is over, Syd added. There’s still a few weeks left.

At least the invitation was extended to Angel as well. Syd smiled at him when he said it, but then, of course, he had to ruin it by smiling at Sarah in that way that made Angel sick to his stomach. We can run the trails at the canyon like old times.

Sarah turned to Angel with a hopeful smile. Maybe we can. It was a statement, but it sounded more like a question.

Angel nodded. Yeah, maybe, he said, humoring her.

Football practice was already grueling, and it had just gotten started. Angel knew as they got closer to the start of the season it would only get worse. He might have a weekend to spare between now and then, and he could take her up, but he’d only tolerate so much. Her going out to spend a weekend with her guy friend by herself was not happening.

As much as he hated to leave Sarah with Syd, he had no choice. It was either that or hang around cringing while they happily caught up with each other and then reminisce about old times. He’d spare himself the exasperation.

Sarah walked him to his car, and though he’d told himself he’d let it go, he just couldn’t. You and him always hold hands like that? he asked, pulling her to him as he leaned against his car.

She frowned, caressing his face and kissing him. Always is a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think? She tilted her head. I haven’t seen him in over two years, but, no, I didn’t even realize I was doing it. She smiled remorsefully. I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable was a gross understatement, but as long as she understood it wasn’t something he wanted to be witness to again, he’d let it go with just the one comment for now. He squeezed her hand, lifting his brow. He’s sleeping in the front room, right?

The corner of her lip lifted. Of course, Angel.

Angel shrugged, still too annoyed and feeling too tense to be playful about this. I dunno. You call him your best friend, and if he were a chick, she’d probably be sleeping in your room, right? He remembered the few times his sister had friends over and they all slept in the front room. "You’re not sleeping in the front room with him, are you?"

"No, I’m not, she said, suddenly looking a little worried. This isn’t gonna be a problem, right? I don’t just call him my best friend. He is. After you, that is, she added quickly. But he is my longtime friend, and you know you have nothing to worry about. I thought we were past this."

She rubbed Angel’s arm, pinching her brows as if she suddenly realized just how uncomfortable this unexpected surprise really was for him.

I’m cool with it, Sarah, he said, kissing her forehead, and began to straighten up away from the car. Just, please, don’t give me reason not to be.

Never, she said, smiling apprehensively. You know I wouldn’t.

Angel tried smiling a little bigger to make her feel better. I’m good, he said, kissing her a little longer than he had earlier. I promise. Don’t worry about it.

He kissed her a few more times before getting in his car and driving away.

Never? Angel shook his head. She had no idea. He’d be working out long and hard tonight to work off some of the tension he’d built up in the past half hour alone. Angel hadn’t had to think about Sydney too much in the past two years. Their relationship had been a distant one, and even though it still irked him at times, as long as Syd was on the other side of the country where he was attending school most of the year, he could handle it. But just being around her and her longtime friend for a few minutes already had Angel so wound up he didn’t even want to think about tomorrow.

Chapter 3

Sarah

Sydney, Sarah and her mom had been sitting at the kitchen table, chatting for a while. The first chance Sydney got to talk to Sarah alone, when her mom excused herself to take a call, he lowered his voice. You think we can go somewhere and talk a little more privately?

Sarah stopped just as she was about to put another grape in her mouth and looked at him curiously. Yeah, you mean like outside?

He shook his head. No, like go somewhere else—take a drive or something. He glanced around as if to make sure her mom wasn’t within hearing distance. I wouldn’t want to chance your mom hearing.

Interesting.

Sydney had made a mention earlier in front of her mom, when she asked about his girlfriend Carina, that things weren’t the greatest between them right now, but he’d been vague. Sarah wondered now if there was something a little juicier about the story he didn’t want to share in front of her mom. This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned having issues with Carina. In the past several months, he’d brushed on it but only when Sarah asked. Even then he never really gave her details, which was odd because normally he was an open book with her.

As selfless as she’d like to think her well-wishes for things working out for him and Carina were, she felt a little guilty that her wishes weren’t entirely altruistic. A part of her knew Angel was still uncomfortable with their relationship. His reaction tonight to Sydney dropping by had been a perfect reminder of that. When her mom sent her the second text on her way home, telling her she might want to have Angel just drop her off, she got the feeling it might have something to do with Sydney, but she never expected for him to actually be there. She regretted her reaction to seeing him the moment she saw that look on Angel’s face. Her holding on to Sydney’s hand the way she had was just stupid. She just honestly hadn’t given it a second thought. And it’d been so long since she’d last seen Sydney that she couldn’t help feeling emotional.

Sydney having a girlfriend served as a buffer for Angel’s feelings about her friendship with Sydney. It didn’t help a whole lot, obviously, but she knew Angel had been a little more at ease knowing Sydney had a girl he was romantically involved with and not just waiting in the wings for Sarah like she was certain Angel would think if he didn’t.

Okay, she said, stuffing the grape in her mouth and standing up. Let’s go get ice cream.

Glad that her mom was still on the phone—otherwise she might feel bad about not inviting her to come—she grabbed her keys and called out to her mom. We’re gonna get ice cream, Mom. Text me if you want me to bring you anything.

As soon as her mom said okay, they walked out. They’d only been in the car long enough for Sarah to put on her seatbelt and start it when she turned to Sydney with a curious but cautious smile. Okay, what is it?

She thought he might smile back just as playfully; instead, he seemed a little nervous. Has, uh . . .? Has your mom ever told you more about your dad?

This was so not the subject she was expecting. "My dad?" she asked, pulling out of the driveway.

Yeah. Is what you’ve told me you know about him still all you know?

You mean basically nothing? He nodded but waited. Yes, all I know is what I’ve told you. She dated him in high school, and he moved before she could tell him she was pregnant. When she finally did track him down after I was born, he didn’t even want to see me. He was already in a relationship and wanted nothing to do with either of us.

The sting of rejection Sarah had felt, even as a pre-teen when her mom first felt fit to explain it a bit more, was enough that Sarah had never asked about him anymore. It wasn’t worth the pain. She’d never had any desire, even now as an adult, to try and find him.

Sarah pulled over into an empty school parking lot, needing to look Sydney in the face now. She thought it odd that he’d drive all this way out of the blue just to surprise her. The last time he’d showed up unannounced was when he wanted to talk to her in person because it was a pretty heavy subject.

Why? she asked, turning the car off.

Sydney smiled sweetly, another bad sign that this was not good. She knew him well enough to know that was his attempt to calm her. Her pulling over and parking was obviously a sign to him that she was getting anxious.

"My mom got a weird phone call a few weeks ago from a woman fishing for information about you. She wouldn’t tell my mom how she got our number. When my mom first told me, I thought maybe the woman had gotten it from when you used to list our number as a reference that year we applied everywhere for seasonal jobs or maybe from when it was your emergency contact number. My parents are probably the last people on the planet who not only still have a landline but have the same original number they’ve always had.

My mom wouldn’t give her any information only that you moved away years ago and didn’t even tell her to what state. It made my mom nervous because she said the lady was really digging, more than just a telemarketer, so . . . He rolled his eyes with a smirk. My mom hung up on her.

Did the lady give a name or say why she’s looking for me? Sarah asked curiously.

No, it never got that far, and she never called back. My mom hadn’t even mentioned it to me until I’d been home a few days, and even then I didn’t think she was much more than a telemarketer too, so I didn’t bother telling you. He paused as if to think for a moment.

Sarah waited not so patiently, wondering how this had anything to do with her dad.

The other day a man showed up at our door. He said he was your father and he’s trying to find you—has been for years.

He paused again when he saw Sarah’s eyes open wide. Her heart spiked, but she wasn’t sure what to think. Sydney didn’t seem excited. It felt as if he were being really careful about this and he hadn’t wanted to say anything in front of her mom. Why?

His story was a lot different from the one you’d told me about him, Lynn. According to him, he said he and your mom were together for a while when you were a baby. He said they had a falling out and she left one day without a trace.

With her brows pinched now, Sarah took in everything he’d just told her. How did he track me down to your house?

Sydney pressed his lips together, shaking his head. "He said he found the address online, but that didn’t make sense to me because he said it was the only address he’d found for you guys. He didn’t have any of the other places you and your mom lived before you settled in Flagstaff, not even the apartment you lived in there—only my house. At first, like I said, I thought it was my parents’ landline. I figured they did a reverse look up and found it. But the more I thought about it later, I got a different theory. He said he’d given up looking for you until recently when your brother started asking about you."

My brother? Sarah’s heart thudded.

Sydney nodded but frowned. That was his first stumble. He said you have a younger brother he had with someone else after your mom left, but he said his son is twenty-one. I didn’t wanna tip him off and tell him you’re only twenty.

Incredibly, Sarah felt a little disappointed. The thought of actually having a sibling out there somewhere excited her a little. Regardless of what her father must be like or that he’d never been interested in