GabrielIt sucked being away from Rosa. Text messages weren’t enough. My family and Isabella’s had plans to keep us occupied every second of the day. I think they did this due to the years her and I fought constantly. We hiked in the snow and cut down the Christmas tree, made gift baskets, and no one including my father skipped it because my mother put her foot down. Every person who worked for my father got a basket every year for Christmas.If Isabella and I were close to each other, I would catch the look in her mother or my mother’s eyes. They thought they were looking at young love. For Isabella’s part, she was more pleasant than usual and didn’t get her side digs in when our parents weren’t looking. I tried to stay as far from her as I could.“I miss you,” I hit send on the pussy text.I was in my room after a long day. I wanted Rosa in my arms and I was frustrated that time was dragging by. I’d never desired the return to school as much as I did this winter break.“I miss you t

RosaShe got it all out without a word from me. I stood in shock which was stupid. Isabella was a devious bitch. She’d been quiet for too long.“Fuck off,” I said and continued walking.My thoughts were everywhere. I didn’t think Gabriel slept with her but he had not told me about the house or property. If he’d kept that from me, had he lied about sleeping with her? I bypassed my sister’s building and went to the roof. I hadn’t been up here in a long time and it made me sad to see what it was like before I moved into Gabriel’s dorm. It was a pathetic life. I pulled back the tarp, sat down on my pillows, and cried.I’m unsure why Isabella’s declaration hit so hard. I always knew she would get Gabriel in the end. He wouldn’t lie to me or at least I didn’t think he would. But wasn’t that what the guys did? They lied to their wives and they lied to their mistresses. I would have the second role if I took it and I wouldn’t. Not because I wouldn’t do everything I could to be with Gabriel bu

RosaI told my mother while Chaney and Donya left to buy a pregnancy test. My mom’s arms were exactly what I needed.“Shh, mia cara,” she whispered.“I love him. I want to have his babies. I want to spend the rest of my life with him,” I cried angrily. “This isn’t fair.”“Life is not fair, mia cara.”The pregnancy test was positive. And the next one and the next. I kept staring at the two lines.My sister’s expression was pure freak-out. Chaney’s slightly better. My mother was the calmest of all of us and I knew she had to be so disappointed. We hadn’t used protection on the rooftop that day. I’d never gone on the pill. I’d messed this entire thing up completely.I looked at my mother with tears running down my face. “He will do his duty to his family and marry Isabella. He can never know. If you’ll allow me to live here, I’ll raise the baby on my own.”My mother, who rarely swore, let out the most foul word I’d ever heard her use.“You are my daughter and my home will always be your

GabrielI made it through the week with busted knuckles from putting my fist through a wall. Everything else was sore from working out at the gym for hours on end. The crew returned Friday. I hadn’t heard from Rosa. I didn’t stop texting.“It doesn’t make sense,” Brando said.It didn’t. I’d heard nothing from Rosa or her sister. I wasn’t sure when they were returning. If they didn’t come back, and that worried me most, I would go after her. This was bullshit.I was in my room Saturday evening when there was a soft knock on my door. I threw it open and Rosa stood there. I knew from the look on her face, I wouldn’t like what she had to say. I spoke first.“Do not fucking do this. We have more time.”She looked down and my heart fell to my stomach.“We can’t, Gabriel; you’re marrying Isabella. It’s not fair to her or to you.”“No.”“Gabriel, you don’t have a choice. This is too hard for me. I can’t take it anymore. I told you I wouldn’t be the other woman and I meant it. Don’t make this

GabrielHer body had changed and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed. Her ass was definitely bigger but sometimes I was smart and knew when to keep my mouth shut. I, however, loved her ass.We decided to keep the baby news to ourselves for Isabella’s sake too. It was for nothing. School gossip ran rampant the next day because Isabella had already left. I sent her a text with Rosa beside me to make sure she was okay.“I just touched down in Italy. I’m good. I know you and Rosa are together. Congratulations.”My asshole behavior with Isabella was at an end.“Be happy.”“I will.”“Maybe someday you will be friends,” Rosa said.“Maybe someday we won’t. There is too much water under that bridge.”“She did a good thing.”“She did. I would have married you anyway so she isn’t entirely off the hook.”“Are you going to tell your father he lost the bet?”“Hell no. I’m not letting Isabella’s father win.”She laughed and I hugged her to me, unable to get enough. I couldn’t keep my hands off the b