Page 64 of Cartel Devil

I don’t know if it takes a moment for the news to register or for her to compose herself, but the silence feels like it stretches to infinity and beyond. Except my two best friends—my brothers—aren’t here to get me out of trouble.

“I’m going to be an abuela! Papá and I are so proud of you, mijo.”

My mother often speaks about my father as though he’s beside her in the flesh rather than in spirit. I miss my father every fucking day. I rarely go more than four or five hours without thinking of or about him. I like that Mamá makes it feels as though Papá’s never out of reach. My brothers and I need it, and she’s always understood that.

“Gracias, mamá.” Thank you, Mama.

“Tricia, I can’t think of a better person for Joaquin to walk this road with. I know we don’t know each other well, but we both know how to judge people. I’m positive you’re the right one for my son.”

Tre smiles, but I can tell she’s uncertain whether Mamá means it or is just being diplomatic. My mother grins, and I cringe. Lord only knows what’s coming next.

“You may need to invest in duct tape if it’s a boy. If he takes after his papá, he’ll water all your plants and run around like he lives in a nudist colony.”

“¡Mamá! ¡Ay dios mío!” Mama! Oh my God!

“What, mijo? I have the photos.” My mom gives me an unrepentant shrug before looking at Tre. “If I didn’t mean what I said, I would have politely congratulated you and recommended we step inside. I’m glad you’ll be my grandbaby’s mamá.”

“Thank you, Luciana.”

“Can we go inside now?”

As though facing my mother, who has no filter when it comes to teasing her sons, isn’t bad enough, we still have the rest of the family to tell.

“Sí, mijo. Cálmate.”

I glance over at Tre. I don’t think she needs me to interpret that it means calm down. My mother’s placating smile and eye roll say it well enough. My girlfriend and I follow my mother into the house. Everyone else is already there.

Marvelous.

I didn’t mean for us to be last. Javier and Jorge make a beeline for us while Madeline and Anneliese stand together and watch. All four of them appear nervous. I sweep my gaze over everyone else, and I can tell they’re uneasy too. I shake my head slightly, and my brothers retreat to their wives.

“I know there are a lot of them, but I swear they won’t bite.” I keep my voice low and barely move my lips as Tre and I approach the group.

“They’re a lot happier to see me than my family will be to see you.”

Well, that does nothing to reassure me that I’ll live to meet my child.

“Thanks for coming over. Tío, Tía, thank you for having us all over at the last minute. Tre and I wanted to share some news.”

The men narrow their eyes at me, and now I don’t fear not surviving Tre’s family. I fear not surviving mine. Tre’s fingers press against my side, and I meet her gaze. She gives me an encouraging smile while drawing my free hand to her belly. As though that didn’t just give it away.

“Tre and I are having a baby.”

It’s the same thing I said to Mamá, but it was far harder to say it this time than the first. Isn’t it supposed to get easier?

Chapter Fourteen

Tre

No one drops a beat when Joaquin shares our news. Well wishes and smiles spread throughout the room. I legit didn’t know what to expect. I hoped for this reaction, but I didn’t anticipate it. The weight of the world lifts from my shoulders for at least a few minutes. Luciana’s reaction made it easier to walk inside, but it was still nerve-wracking to stand in front of everyone.

My gaze meets Elle’s, and she looks so happy she might cry.

She approves.

I didn’t realize how much I needed that.

She approaches me after Luciana gives me a hug that might suffocate me. I think she was trying to show some restraint outside since there were guards everywhere. We did our best to keep our voices down and maintain a semblance of privacy.