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Layla

“Earth to Layla! You’re drooling.”

My eyes snap to Norah’s and widen. “He was… Did he just… I didn’t imagine that, did I?” I’m stumbling over my words like I’ve just learned the English language.

“No, you definitely did not. If I’ve learned anything over the last week, these Irishmen don’t have a problem expressing themselves.” Norah says with a giggle.

“Holy hell, Norie. How do you stand it?”

She tilts her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“I feel like I’m going to spontaneously combust after barely even speaking to him. I can’t imagine being in a relationship with one of them.”

This just makes Norah laugh harder.

“What?” I narrow my eyes at her. “I’m serious!”

“I know you are, Lay. Trust me, I get it. They’re overwhelming in the best way.” Norah sighs dreamily.

We make our way out of the stadium and head towards the parking lot where I hug Norah goodbye before getting in my car. Just as I start the engine, my cell starts ringing. It’s my Mamá.

“ Hola, Mami .” I greet her enthusiastically.

My mother, Raquel, is from Mexico originally but came to the States when she was fifteen. She met my father, Roberto, five years later, and it was love at first sight. They wasted no time starting their family. Mamá made it her mission to teach all of her children both Spanish and English, because being bilingual opens more doors in job fields.

“Hi, mija ! How are you?” she croons.

“Good,” I tell her. “I just left a soccer game that Norah invited me to.”

“Oh, fun!” Her excitement is laced with a tinge of shock. “I didn’t know you were such a big fan. Your brothers will be so proud.”

I have a big family. Besides my parents, I have twin sisters and two brothers, of which I’m smack dab in the middle. It’s chaos when we’re all together, but I love it. My sisters are both ten years younger than I am, while my brothers are only one and two years older than me. I love to tease the twins about being surprise babies, which they definitely were. My parents were adamant that they were done having children, but a few weeks after returning home from a vacation to Tulum, Mexico, they learned she was pregnant. They were shocked at first but happy. Then when they discovered they were having twins, it took a while for them to come to terms with that.

“I’m sure they will be.” I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “I’ve always liked soccer, Mami; I’ve just never been to a game outside of Marcos’ and Rafael’s. Never had a reason to.”

“I know, hijita , just teasing you! How is Norah?” She’s only met Norah once but loved her from the get-go.

“She’s good. She recently started dating one of the soccer players, which is why we were at the game.” I wince. I won’t lie to my Mami about anything, but I really regret saying that. She’s constantly hounding me about dating.

“?No me digas!” she says in disbelief. “Good for her! I didn’t think she’d ever come out of her shell. Maybe she has a friend for you too, eh?”

I roll my eyes again.

“Mamá, stop,” I beg.

“I was already married with babies at your age, mija… ”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I inhale deeply. The last thing I want to do is lash out at my mother, but this conversation is getting old.

“Yes, I’m aware. But that doesn’t mean I have to be as well. Do you badger the boys like this? Neither one of them is married,” I remind her.

“No, of course not. But that’s because they’re always bringing someone over to meet me, so I know there’s hope for them. I just worry about you, Layla. I don’t want you to be lonely,” she says warmly.

“I’m not lonely. I have friends that I spend time with practically every day.”

Finally at home, I get out of the car and climb the steps to my front door, peeking into the mailbox and finding only cobwebs.

“I didn’t mean that kind of lonely. I meant the other kind of lonely. You know, the romantic kind…” Mamá hedges.

I drop my keys. “Are you talking about…no. Please no.”

“I’m just saying,” she starts before I cut her off.

“Nope. Not having this conversation. Also, why are you even thinking about that? What parents encourage their kids to have… sex?” I shudder as I fumble with my keys. Once I’m finally through the door, I set my purse on the small table next to it.

“The kind of parents that know their kids aren’t kids anymore. You’re a beautiful young woman. You should be experiencing life in every way, Layla.”

My parents have never shied away from showing affection for each other in front of us. They’re very passionate and proud of it.

“?Por favor, Mami!” I grimace. “Okay, new topic. How are Cori and Jaz?”

I’m referring to my twin sisters, Corisande and Jazmina. Their names were inspired by flowers but could be a mouthful, so my brothers christened them Cori and Jaz.

Mamá lets out an amused snort. “They’re both fine. Fully embracing being teenagers. You and your brothers were so much easier. These two— ay ay ay . They’ll turn me gray before I turn fifty.”

I laugh because she is absolutely ridiculous. She’s only forty-six and beautiful—doesn’t look her age at all. We’re frequently mistaken for sisters whenever we’re together, and Mami loves it.

“Papá will still love you with a little silver in there,” I tease her.

She sighs wistfully. “It’s true. I think he’d love me even if I went bald and wore a burlap sack everywhere.”

“He absolutely would,” I agree.

I’m not in any hurry to be in a relationship, but I do hope that, one day, my partner will love me the way my father loves my mother.

“Speaking of your Papá, he just walked in the door. Want to say hi to him?”

“Yeah, of course.” It wouldn’t matter if I wanted to or not. She’d still pass the phone to him.

“?Hola, princesita!” His deep baritone voice greets me. “?Cómo estas?”

“Hi, Papá. I’m good!”

Mami’s voice sounds in the background, telling my father about me attending a soccer game.

“Is that right?” he exclaims. “How was it?”

“It was fun! Our team won. You would have enjoyed it. Maybe if you guys come up before the season ends, we can go to one together,” I offer, knowing they won’t.

“Or you could come home and watch your brothers,” Papá barters.

I groan. If they’re not hounding me about dating, they’re constantly asking me to come home. They’ve only been to North Carolina once, and that was when I moved here from Texas. I’ve been home half a dozen times since then. Apparently, the whole “broke college kid thing” doesn’t register with them. I have to be the one to travel—always.

“Papá, we’ve talked about this. I can’t be the only one to make the trip. I’ve been here for over a year already, and you haven’t come to visit since I moved here.” I’m not trying to guilt them; I just want them to realize this is a two-way street.

“You’re right. It’s just so hard to take the time off right now. And your sisters can’t miss school.” He gives the same excuses every time.

“I know. It’s fine,” I say quickly. “Listen, I just got home and I need to finish up some homework. I have to open tomorrow at the store and then have class right after. Kiss Mamá for me and have her kiss you back.”

“Happy to oblige,” he teases.

“Gross,” I say just to be a brat. “Okay, love you both! Adiós.”

“Te amo, mija. Adiós.”

Ending the call with my parents, I place my phone on the charger and flop down into my favorite cozy chair. I lean my head back, close my eyes, and blow out a deep breath. I know my parents love me as much as my siblings, but being the middle child comes with some unique challenges. For a long time, I was the youngest—and the only girl—so I was constantly doted on by my parents and brothers. I don’t begrudge my sisters at all. It’s not their fault. But once they arrived, I was either ignored or used as a babysitter. I never minded watching them. They were fun, and I was the first person to make them laugh—a fact I enjoy reminding the rest of my family of.

Once I started high school, my parents put immense pressure on me to get good grades so I could go to college. They wanted me to secure a degree in I.T., knowing that it would offer the most lucrative positions. I’m good with computers, but I don’t love it. My passions consist of salsa dancing and makeup application. I love creating new looks and finding the best blend of colors for different skin tones. Norah’s asked me more than once to do makeup for the Drama Department, but I always turn her down, hearing my parents’ voices in my head keep telling me I’m wasting my time. So I continue to pursue my degree while working at a grocery store.

Feeling frustrated with my parents and with myself for letting their words get to me, I stand from my chair to turn on my favorite salsa playlist. I could easily eat my feelings, but my body needs to expel some negative energy. Pushing my coffee table out of the way, I hit play before getting into position. Once the song starts, I step backward with my right foot and lose myself to the music. Swaying my hips and letting the music flow through my arms, I release all of my frustrations. Dancing has been my outlet since I was a little girl. Mamá would salsa while holding me on her hip as a baby, so the steps have been ingrained since the beginning. I could probably do it in my sleep. I dance until my mind is clear and my shoulders are weightless.

* * *

After I finished my Monday classes, I headed straight to work. It was surprisingly busy, so my shift flew by. Normally, I’d rush home and stay there, distancing myself from people, but I’m feeling particularly social, so I call Norah.

“Hey, Lay Lay! What are you doing?” Norah answers, her voice full of excitement.

I scrunch my nose at the nickname. “Lay Lay? Really? Am I five?”

“What?” she asks. “I thought ‘Hey, Lay’ sounded too weird. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. What’s up?”

“I just got off work and was bored. Thought I’d come to see you if you’re free,” I hedge.

“Actually,” she says. “I’m headed to the soccer field to wait for Eamon. They have practice for a couple of hours. Want to join?”

“Oh, uh…” That wasn’t really what I had in mind when I called her.

“Teagan will be there…,” Norah singsongs, and just as I perk up, I realize what she’s up to.

“You’re the devil. You know that, right?”

“I’d like to think I’m more angelic, bestowing blessings upon my friends. I’ll see you soon! Kisses!” She hangs up before I can say another word.

* * *

Well, now that I’m here, I wish I’d been doing this for my entire college career. A group of sweaty soccer players running around is the most tantalizing thing I’ve ever seen. There’s no denying that they all look good, but I can’t take my eyes off Teagan. He’s in the goalie’s net, gloves on, crouched down, and waiting for one of his teammates to attempt to get the ball past him. His jaw is set with determination as he tracks Eamon and Rowan’s movements on the field.

“Did you know that soccer players run an average of seven miles every game?” Norah asks suddenly, interrupting my ogling.

“That sounds like literal hell,” I say in disgust. “Why do they subject themselves to this kind of torture?”

“I’m not complaining. God, look at him. It should be illegal to look that good. He makes me have very inappropriate thoughts.” Norah sighs.

I throw my head back with a laugh. “Who are you, and what have you done with Norah Grady? I don’t think I’ve ever even heard you talk about a man’s body before!”

Norah sighs again. “I can’t describe it, but Eamon makes me feel alive in ways I didn’t know I could feel. He’s not just the sexiest man alive, but he’s kind and thoughtful. He hasn’t even tried to pressure me into sleeping with him. Listen to me. I sound like a crazy person. We just met, and I already sound like…”

“You’re in love!” The pang of jealousy I feel is quickly squashed by the joy I feel for my friend. Norah was raped in high school and, understandably, has been terrified of getting anywhere near men since. Meeting Eamon was one of the best things that could have happened to her.

Norah’s cheeks flame, and she shakes her head. “No, that’s not possible. People don’t fall in love that fast in real life. I’m in lust, that’s for sure, but every time things start to get heavy, my body locks up in fear. I’m not sure if we’ll even be able to have a physical relationship.”

“Hey,” I say softly, squeezing her arm. “You’re not always going to feel so scared. This is the first guy you’ve talked to in years, and if he’s half as amazing as you say he is, then I’m sure he understands your hesitations. And if he doesn’t, then he can take it up with me and the rest of the girls. You know we’ve always got your back.”

Norah leans in to hug me tightly. “Thanks, Lay. I have the best of friends. Well maybe not Myra at the moment, but the rest of you are the best. ”

Any kind of conflict involving Myra is bound to be full of drama. Norah tells me how Myra barged into her house and accused Eamon of beating up her boyfriend, Mac. In the course of that story, she said some truly awful things to Norah, who is too sweet for her own good. She’d forgive and forget everything just to keep the friendship going. Norah is the mom of the group, always taking care of everyone and trying to keep the peace. Normally, I’m right there with her, but sometimes I wonder if some of the girls take advantage of that.