Page 15 of The Right Garza

“Can’t you think of something that doesn’t include me having to move back?” I ask. “I have nothing. I can’t move back like this. It’s…it’s embarrassing.”

“It’s life,” he says. “You’ve got a lot to be proud of. You took care of your mom when no one else would, cleared her medical bills, paid off her mortgage, and bought her a restaurant. With cash.Youdid that. I don’t understand what you’re hiding from.”

“Seriously? You know all this—See,thisis why I don’t like you guys. You’re all up in everyone’s business all the time. No privacy.”

He chuckles. “I actually know all of this because your mother brags about you to everyone she talks to.”

I frown. “Really?”

He shakes his head at me. “That’s the deal, Lexi. Should I go back to Stefano or not?”

Idly, I fork around the fruits. “I have twenty-two hundred dollars to my name, Trent. I can’t afford a place and I’m not gonna stay at home. There are too many people stuffed in that small house.”

“We’ll work something out.”

I lean forward and narrow my eyes at him. “I’mnotliving with you, and I willnotpay off my debt by being your sex slave. So if that’s your plan, then no deal.”

He makes a face at me. “I’d be out of my mind to let you anywhere near my house or my balls.” He jabs his fork in my direction. “You still owe me a pair of Jordan’s, by the way.”

Laughter bursts from me. “I said I was sorry! I thought they were Torin’s.”

God, I’m embarrassed of how psycho young Lexi was. Yup, I’d set a brand-new pair of Jordan’s on fire after Torin and I had an argument over I can’t remember what. Only to find out afterward that the Jordans were Trent’s. When he got home and found his roasted sneakers, he was livid. He didn’t talk to me for about a month, no matter how much I apologized.

“Right,” he mumbles sarcastically. “Listen, the priority right now is getting you out of this pit with Stefano and saving this Ellie person. We’ll talk about L.A. in L.A.”

“You’re sure he’ll let Ellie go if we pay?”

“IfI’mthe dealing with him, yeah.”

Feeling both relieved and exhausted, I breathe out a heavy breath. “Okay. Okay…let’s do it.”

“I’ll go work this out.” He jerks his chin at my fruit salad. “Finish up then start packing. We’re leaving tonight.”

“But what about Ellie? I can’t just abandon her.”

“Not my problem.”

“I can’t be a jerk and just leave her here, Trent.”

“You’re putting yourself in debt to save her life, Lexi. What the fuck? Doubt she’d have done the same for you. I won’t give a shit about her after this. I care aboutyou.” He covers his half-empty container and stands. “To be honest, if she comes out of this anddoesn’twant to pack up and run back home, then she deserves whatever shit she finds herself in next.”

“You’re such an asshole.”

“Thanks.” He digs his phone from his pocket and begins swiping and typing. “Pack your shit, Lexi. Be ready to go when I get back.”

As he walks out of the apartment, I stick up both of my middle fingers and shake them at his back. Oh, how I love to hate the Garzas.

I’m picking at my fruit salad when my phone pings.

Trent:You flipped me off when I wasn’t looking, didn’t you?

Me:Damn right I did.

Trent:You’re losing your edge. The old you would have done it to my face.

Me:You’re about to save my ass. I know how to choose my battles.

Me:See, I’ve grown. You’re still the same.