Song for the Chapter: Oye Mujer ~ Raymix, Juanes

The song is in Spanish, but the vibe is ✨ and if any one feels inclined to google the lyrics, I feel they express how Sage feels about Joanna at this point even if he doesn't want to admit it ♡

_________

JOANNA

Re-pinning a loose strand of hair, my eyes scan over the halter burgundy bridesmaid dress. I take in a few deep breaths, praying I don't roll my ankle in the nude peep toe strappy heels, and turn away from the mirror in the dressing room of the church to help Oli zip her dress.

"Is it me or was Coach grumpier than usual yesterday?" I ask, clipping the small clasp at the top of the dress and adjust the straps on her shoulders.

"No." Oli answers, rearranging her boobs in the front.

"He was quieter. And he didn't even respond when you told him you were going to eat the entire buffet at the wedding." There was something definitely off with him. He was distracted, zoned out half the time.

He has a rule: no phones out during training. But his was out the entire time. I hope it's nothing to do with Obie.

"Are you ready?"

"Hm?" My eyes meet hers, the worried look on her face makes me wonder what she's thinking.

"To see Manny, remember?"

Oh, right.

"Yes, I'm ready. Would I rather not see him? Of course. But this is kind of unavoidable."

"You know, it didn't hit me until now, but you guys will always run into each other at all the big family functions now that our families are joining together. All the reunions, communions, baptisms, funerals and obviously weddings. Hijole, what a fucking nightmare!" Oli says, shaking her head.

"It'll be fine," I say, even though my palms are starting to sweat. Afraid I'll leave a stain on the dress I grab a tissue and wipe my hands. We head towards the door when someone knocks and Oli pulls it open.

"Ahh! You both look amazing!" Nati grins at us. She looks wonderful in a bright blue one sided strap dress.

I pull her into a hug. "You're beautiful, Nati!"

"I'm making it our goal to get us both laid tonight." Oli announces. "We just have to make sure we're not related to the guys, of course. Remember what happened with primo, Javi?"

"I heard they only kissed?" Nati questions. 

Oli and I were around twelve years old when this happened, but everyone knows the story of our cousin Javi who was making out with a relative. He was eighteen, the girl was nineteen, but it turns out they were cousins. Second cousins, but still. He's never lived it down.

"Yeah, that's why we laugh about it because they really are kissing cousins," I tell her. "And Oli, I'm not getting laid."

"Fine, just me then. But I'm willing to bet money that Manny's eyes will bug out when he sees you in that dress with all the work you've put in at the gym."

I laugh. "It's only been two weeks, I doubt it's noticeable."

"Well you don't eat so, yeah, it's definitely noticeable."

"I do too, eat, Oli!" I scowl at her. "You know this time of year, I mostly run on coffee and protein bars because of work."

"How much have you lost?" Nati asks, but she looks more worried than anything.

"To be fair, I lost like ten pounds right after the breakup, and I haven't weighed myself since that first weigh in for boot camp. I want to wait until the end."

"Muchachas! ¿Que hacen hablando? Ya va comenzar la ceremonia!" My mom rushes toward us clapping her hands, herding us out into the hall and down the corridor. (Ladies! What are you doing talking? The ceremony is about to begin!)

I grab on to Oli's hand and she squeezes mine back. "I got you, prima. I already told Anita and Alex that I switched with you—you're not walking with him." She gives me a side hug before walking ahead of me.

You can do this. This is Anita's special day.

The music begins from the Mariachi band. Anita's padrinos start pairing the bridesmaids with the groomsmen and they start walking down the aisle to the altar. I shake my hands, alternating the bouquet of flowers and then I see him.

Manny's eyes travel over me, his mouth slightly parted. Setting my jaw, I lift my head and hold his gaze. I'm not going to look away first.

Oli snaps her fingers at him and insults him to pay attention. "¡Vamos, pendejo!" He shakes himself out of our staring contest and then scowls at Oli. (Come on, dumbass)

Alex's younger brother, Matias, steps up to me holding his arm out asking if I'm ready. "¿Lista?" 

I nod, smiling and take his arm and begin walking down the aisle. The song changes once we reach the altar and everyone stands when my cousin, Anita and my Uncle appear at the opening of the room. Anita is beautiful and happiness radiates on her face as she gazes up at Alex, who smiles watching her walk to him.

After the ceremony, El Lazo is performed. A traditional ceremony that symbolizes unity between the couple. Anita's padrinos place, the lasso—a large rosary over her and Alex showing their new status as a couple.

I shake off the presentiment of someone watching at me, figuring it's Manny—I've caught him doing so a few times during the ceremony.

Once the wedding party is outside the reception hall, I tense when Manny starts to make his way over to me. Thankfully, one of my Tia's intervenes and stops him. 

Someone whistles getting everyone's attention and once again we file in line before the doors open and more loud whistles and claps erupt as the line moves forward. The Mariachi band plays loudly over the clapping and the atmosphere is electric and fun.

The traditional dance between the bride and father kicks things off and then Alex and his mother dance followed, by Anita and my Uncle before they start mingling with the guests who want to congratulate them.

Taking advantage of the break in the crowd, I rush to my cousin and give her a hug. "You look so beautiful and so happy, Anita!"

Oli comes over and crushes us together in another hug. "Proud of you, Anita. I wish you a lifetime of happiness with Alex!"

"Thanks Oli and you, too, JoJo. Thanks for both being here. I love you both." She holds our hands in hers. And then Alex stands next to her.

"Thanks for being part of the wedding party, especially after everything that happened." He gives me a sympathetic look, but I don't get a chance to dwell on it before Oli screams, startling us.

"Coach!? What the hell are you doing here?"

My head snaps in the direction of her gaze and sure enough, Coach Sage is here. His dark suit and white shirt stand out among vibrant colors of the other guests' attire. His hair is down today, but brushed back. I've never noticed it's wavy and curls at the ends, the length sitting at the nape of his neck.

"You guys know Coach Kingston?" Alex looks at us.

"Me, JoJo, Quique and Nati are doing the boot camp challenge at his gym." Oli informs him.

"You look beautiful," Coach says to Oli with a smile, standing between us.

She blushes. "Aw, thanks Coach. Today doesn't count on the food journal, right? Have you seen what they're serving? Even you can't pass up good food!"

Coach chuckles, slipping his hands in the pockets of his pants. "It does smell amazing." He walks up next to me. His familiar scent comes over me. 

"Joanna." He smiles. "You're stunning as always." My face burns at the compliment but I thank him quietly.

"Coach, I'm so happy you made it. You're in for a fun night!" Alex tells him before he looks at us. "This guy changed my entire workout routine, essentially changing my whole outlook on being healthy." Alex wraps an arm around Coach's shoulders.

"You don't have to keep calling me Coach, Alex. Sage is fine," Coach tells him.

"Nah, you'll always be Coach. I'd like you to meet my beautiful wife, Anita."

Coach takes Anita's hand, but then leans in to give her a traditional greeting of kissing both sides of her face. Someone clears their throat and my heart lodges in my throat, my hands begin to sweat again.

Manny is standing behind Alex, with his plus one; Erica. She smiles sweetly at me and even has the nerve to wave her fingers at me.

"Esta pinche..." Oli curses, stepping forward, but Anita and I both hold her back. (This fucking...)

"Oli." I hiss. "Don't."

She shrugs me and Anita off. "I'm cool. I'm cool." But there's a warning in her eyes as she glares at Manny and Erica.

"Coach, this is my cousin, Manny and..."

"Erica." She quickly fixes her hair before extending her hand with red acrylic nails towards Coach.

"Don't do it, Coach." Oli mutters under her breath. But the greeting is interrupted by the wall my brothers form behind Manny and Erica.

"Manuel." Chuy's hands come down on Manny's shoulders. "¿Qué onda?" (what's up)

"Hey guys," Manny says nervously, turning around. "Let's not forget this is Alex's and Anita's wedding..."

My second oldest brother Nacho smiles, even though there's a glint in his dark eyes. "¡Ay, no manches, Manny!" He teases. "Nothing's gonna happen." (Oh, quit playing)

"You ain't worth the trouble, man." Pato adds, even though he's rubbing his knuckles.

Memo, the youngest of the four--and two years older than me--steps in between Manny and Erica, completely disregarding them to walk toward me. His eyes on Coach while he asks who my friend is. "JoJo, quien es tu amigo?"

I hadn't realized, Coach had shifted, standing closer to me and my shoulder bumps into him when I turn. My heel gets caught in my dress and I nearly fall if he hadn't reached out to catch me.

"I've got you," he tells me, helping me straighten myself.

"Thanks, Coach."

"Sage," he says with a smile and then lets go of me when Memo clears his throat.

The wall of my brothers has effectively shut out Manny and Eric and they're now focused on Coach.

"Coa–Sage, these are my older brothers. Jesús aka Chuy---he's Nati's husband. Ignacio aka Nacho, Patricio aka Pato and Guillermo aka Memo. Guys, this is my trainer, Sage."

They each size up coach and I roll my eyes. Pato makes the first move, stepping forward. "What exactly are you training my little sister on?"

"No seas payaso." I respond, glaring at him. "He's mine and Oli's trainer, you know, like at a gym?" (don't be a clown)

Coach extends his hand out to Memo. "It's good to meet you, Memo. I can appreciate you and your brothers looking out for Joanna. I've only known her a short time, but I can see she gets her strength from her family."

Memo glances at his hand before he takes and shakes it. My other brothers follow soon after. Music begins playing, breaking the awkward tension and Oli grabs Coach by the arm.

"Come on, Coach! I'm going to show you how we party it up." She drags him onto the floor and begins demonstrating steps to the quebradita to dance to the song playing, La Chona.

I chuckle but I'm impressed watching him. He picks it up easily and doesn't seem embarrassed when he misses a few of the steps, laughing along with Oli.

"Let's go show them how to really dance. What do you say, hermanita?" Nacho pulls me along with him and spins me as we begin dancing. 

Pato cuts in a few minutes later and then Memo does, too. I'm laughing, dancing with each of them. Each one adding their own style to the dance. And then finally, Chuy takes the last part of the song. I'm completely winded but having too much fun to care.

Alex's little brother Matias asks to dance next when a new song begins; this one being a salsa. He dips me when the song ends and then brings me back up laughing again. I've always loved the fun energy at weddings, but now that I think about it, I didn't have the chance to enjoy myself like this. 

Manny isn't much of a dancer and he'd always warn me not to embarrass him when Oli and I would start dancing on our own. It didn't matter to me that he didn't know how to dance, but it always bothered me more that he never wanted to try.

I head to the table with refreshments and grab a glass of water. "Hey, Joey." Manny stands next to me.

Lifting the glass, I take a long drink not bothering to turn around completely and shift slightly in order to watch the other guests dance.

"How have you been?"

I check my phone, scrolling through some emails, hoping my cold shoulder treatment is enough for him to leave.

"Come on Joanna, you can't keep ignoring me."

"Take the hint, Manny."

He moves to stand in front of me. "I've tried calling you, but I can't get through to you."

"Yeah, that happens when someone blocks you." I comment with indifference in my voice as I glance around the room.

He doesn't say anything for a moment until he sighs. "I miss you." I shift my gaze to his and see the remorse on his face.

"You'll get used to it." I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm abruptly causing the water in my glass to spill over my hand. Enraged, I glare at him, but, his eyes are behind me, and his grip on my arm loosens. I look over my shoulder to find Coach standing there.

"I'll talk to you later, Joanna." Manny mutters.

"No. You won't." I respond and watch as he walks away, head down.

"I'm guessing he's your cheating, lying piece of shit, ex?"

I turn back to Coach, narrowing my eyes and he smiles. "That's how Oli described him."

Chuckling, I sigh. "I should have known." I laugh again. "And yes, that's him and the girl he brought is his assistant. They're together now."

"She's without."

My eyes meet his and he smiles again. "Want to sit?" I nod and then groan when I see my mother coming toward us.

"Whatever she says, I'm so sorry."

He gives me a puzzled look. "What?"

"Mija, you looked so good dancing! ¿Quién es este hermoso gigante? ¿Es Italiano? Tiene características de Europa." My mother smiles at Sage. (Who is this handsome giant? Is he Italian? He has european features)

I sigh and make the introductions. "Sage, my mom Josefina, but everyone calls her Pepita. Mamá, Sage, es mi entrenador del gimnasio." (he's my trainer)

"Es-sage, mucho gusto!" My mom's smile widens, completely mispronouncing his name. 

"No, mama, no es-sage, solo Sage. No dices e-sofia o e-sandra." She waves me off when I try to correct her and extends her hand to Sage which he takes and kisses the back of it.

"Un placer, Señora Lozano." (It's a pleasure Mrs. Lozano)

"Please, call me Pepita." She rests her hand on her chest, batting her eyelashes at him.

"Would you like to dance, Pepita?" He asks and my mom actually blushes and nods. I laugh when she looks back, winking at me as Coach leads her out to the dance floor.

Next, Oli's mom, Tia Chabe and Anita's mom, Tia Maria come scurrying along.

"Ay, JoJo, who's the papi chulo dancing with your mamita?" Tia Maria asks and Tia Chabe stands at my other side, hooking her arm in mine.

"He's like that song, verdad? I need a big boy, I want a big boy, give me a big boy," Tia Chabe sings and dances next to us. Oli joins us and starts dancing with her mom while I laugh.

Sage and my mom join us again and this time she introduces him and the interrogation begins.

"How tall are you, Sage?"

He smiles at my Tia Maria. "I'm six three."

"Where is your familia from? You have European features." Tia Chabe points out.

"My father is English, and my mom was half Greek and Spanish," he answers politely, but I notice the pain in his eyes when he mentions his mom.

"Ay, pobrecito. Is your mom no longer with us?" My mom pats his arm tenderly. (oh, poor thing)

Sage shakes his head. "No, she died when I was fifteen. Cancer." My Tia's all audibly react. Their hands land on their chests, faces or over their mouths in sympathy.

"I'm so sorry." Reaching for his hand, he looks down as I hold it. The sadness in his eyes slips away as he lifts his eyes to mine.

"It was a long time ago," he says and squeezes my hand.

"Do you have other siblings? Who raised you, mijo?" My mom questions, curiosity or nosiness taking a hold of her.

"Mamá..."

"It's okay." He offers me a warm smile, before answering my mom. "My sister was in her first year of college so our grandparents took us in. They passed away a few years ago," he tells them, shifting on his feet. I pull him away from them before they continue their badgering.

"Sorry about that. My family can be super nosy." Taking a long drink of my water hoping to quench my sudden dry mouth.

"No need to apologize. Your family is great. And they know how to throw a party," he tells me. There's an eruption of cheers and then Oli grabs my hand, pulling me up from my chair.

"It's time for our group dance, girl!'

Looking over my shoulder I throw Sage an apologetic look, but he only smiles in return. We stand in the center of the ballroom and then the music begins to the song Cancion Del Mariachi. The girls start dancing first with Anita in the center as we face the groom and the groomsmen.

"I'm going to try to knock Manny out. Do you think anyone will notice?" Oli says from the corner of her mouth and I burst out laughing. We move towards the men and then they dance around us. The crowd erupts in cheers and whistles with traditional Mexican gritos.

When the song ends, we make our way back to Sage. He stands, still clapping when we approach. "I may have to recruit you two to teach dance classes."

"Don't have to ask me twice. I'm there!" Oli says before a guy in a cowboy hat approaches her asking her to dance. She takes his hand and turns back, wiggling her eyebrows at us.

"What was the part of the song saying? I know mi amore means my love, what does mi morena mean?" Sage asks.

"Morena is a term of endearment for the color brown; it could be in reference to a woman's eyes or her skin tone." I explain, his dark only focused on me.

"So, it translates to my brown eyed girl? Or my brunette woman?"

"It sounds better in Spanish, but yes, essentially." I smile.

"I like it."

"Hola, preciosa." I smile at the nickname my abuelita uses for me and turn around to greet her.

"Hola, nanita." Bending down I kiss both sides of her weathered face and give her a tight hug.

"¿Quién es este caballero que te tiene con tantas sonrisas?" (who is this gentleman, who has you smiling so much)

I tell her who Sage is and she smiles nodding.

"Mucho gusto, Sage." She takes his hand and pulls him down to her four foot ten stature and kisses both sides of his face and then she cups his face, looking deeply into his eyes. "Quide a mi morenita." (Pleasure to meet you/take care of my little brown girl)

"Nanita, no somos novios." I mutter that we are not dating.

She lifts her eyes to mine. "Ahora no, pero pronto." (Not yet, but soon) She pats his hand and then gives me another kiss before she shuffles away. My face burns from embarrassment, not knowing how much he understood.

"I like her." Sage comments. Our gaze lingers and I notice how incredibly warm the room feels. I break the intense eye contact, glancing around and catch Manny's narrowed eyes watching us.

Turning back to Sage, I smile. "Do you want to dance? I mean, if you think you can keep up."

He grabs my hand and spins me into him, causing me to laugh. "I think I can manage." He leads me to the dance floor and we begin dancing to a cumbia mix song.

"Where did you learn to dance?" I ask, noticing how well he moves.

"Zumba."

I burst out laughing and he joins in with me.

"Actually, my mom was a competitive dancer before she married my father. She taught me and my sister the basic dances when we were younger. And honestly, I have taken a few of the Zumba dance classes at the gym. I had to make sure they were up to par."

I chuckle. "Of course you did."

The song ends but another begins, this one a slower tempo. He pulls me in closer and continues to move us around.

"Have I told you how beautiful you are?" His eyes roam my face and then linger on my lips, while my heart is threatening to jump out of my chest.

"You said I was stunning." I respond, feeling like an idiot.

"I can't take my eyes off of you, Joanna."

I clear my throat, and say the first thing that comes to mind. "Where's Obie?"

"With a neighbor. She's helped out with Obie ever since we moved into the building we live in." He dips his head to catch my gaze, a smile pulls at his lips. "She's like a grandmother to him." And I find myself smiling back.

"JoJo, they're going to do the vibora del el mar after this, come to the bathroom with me before it starts!" Oli rushes towards us.

"I'll be back."

"I'll be here." Sage winks.

"Girl, what is going on between you two?" Oli asks as soon as we walk into the bathroom, handing me her glass of wine.

"Nothing, we're just dancing. Who's the cute guy you're dancing with? Did you make sure you're not related to him?"

"Uh, uh. Don't change the subject, cuz!" She says inside the stall. "I see the way you're looking at each other. It's just like at the gym. The super prolonged eye contact always makes me feel like I'm intruding."

"What are you talking about?" But when I look at myself in the mirror, the red blush growing on my face gives me away. There is some definite eye contact during our training sessions, and I can't deny a strong magnetic energy during our sessions, but I didn't think it was that noticeable.  

"Oh, come on, don't play dumb with me, girl. He already knows what you look like naked, it's only fair to even things out."

"Oli!" I pinch the bridge of my nose as she flushes the toilet. Cynical laughter from behind me has me looking toward the door. 

Erica is leaning against the wall.

"You might dress better, Joanna. But nothing's going to change what's under your clothes." She pushes away from the wall and saunters toward me.  "You know, that was one of the many reasons Manny came to me, don't you? You just didn't do it for him anymore since you let yourself go."

Oli scoffs. "That's rich, considering he dumped JoJo while he was still inside of her. I'm sure he left that little detail out for you, right?"

I close my eyes, shaking my head at Oli's ass-backward attempts to help me.

Erica's eyebrows pinch together. "You're lying."

No one wishes it wasn't true more than me as the painful memory of the night of our six year anniversary comes to mind.

Erica snorts, as she gives me the up and down look, shaking her head. "Well, I'm not going to hold a pity fuck against him."

Oli snatches her wine glass from my hand and throws the contents at Erica's face. "If you don't leave, the next thing I'm going to ruin with your fucking dress is your dusty ass face!"

Erica laughs as she wipes at her face and neck with paper towels. "Manny wouldn't let you get away with that."

"I'll beat his ass too. I've done it before. Bet his bitchass didn't tell you that either!" Oli shouts. They start screaming insults at each other as I try to get Oli to leave with me, but she's too far gone. And then a fight ensues. They start pulling at each other and the fight spills out into the hall. 

Manny grips on to me, when Erica pushes me away from her and Oli. Nati and a few other family members race to stop the two women's fight from escalating even further. I shove Manny away, heading for the doors to get some fresh air. 

I take deep breaths and jump when a hand comes on my shoulder. "It's just me, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you—are you okay?" Sage's eyebrows furrow with concern etched on his face.

I dab at the betraying tears streaking down my face. "I'm fine."

"What happened?"

I shake my head. "It's nothing. I shouldn't even let it get to me." I sigh, looking out of the city lights. After a moment, I break the silence. "I've reflected a lot over the last month and half, and I realized I stayed with Manny out of habit. But I never expected him to cheat." I glance over Sage. "Sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you all of this."

"I don't mind."

I sniffle then chuckle wanting to change the subject. "Why didn't you say anything about coming to the wedding? Oli's been talking about it non-stop this week."

"To be fair, you guys didn't mention the groom's name or the brides and I didn't think it would be polite of me to ask," he says, leaning against the rail. I shiver and he slips his jacket off and puts it over my shoulders. "Let's get you back inside."

He guides me back into the venue but stops just as we come to the opening of the reception hall. 

"Can I ask you something? You can say no and I could ask Oli, but something tells me she's going to be busy tomorrow." His eyes drift across the room and mine follow. Oli is sitting on the lap of the guy she was dancing with earlier, kissing.

Just like Oli to go from fighting to making out.

"Anyway." Sage looks at me and then rubs his neck. "My father is getting remarried tomorrow and I would like to take you, if you'd like to join me?"

"Me? Why?"

"Well...because you're fun to be around and I want to get to know you better. But if it's too weird I get it. No harm," he says and I watch as his Adam's apple bobs when he swallows. "Obie will be there, too."

"Isn't there rules against this, though? I wouldn't want you to get in trouble."

"I own the gym, Joanna. I make the rules."

Pulling his jacket tighter around me, my eyes shift back to his. "So, we would be going as friends? I mean, I just want to be upfront...clear. You know, so there's no confusion. Because that would be weird, right? For us to...but we're not. And after getting out of a long term relationship, I'm not looking to jump into anything right away. And right now, this time of year with work, I usually don't have time for myself let alone someone else. I'm nervous about how I'll even manage to complete the bootcamp to be honest."

I mentally slap myself. Why am I assuming he wants more than friendship? I bite my lip to keep from continuing my rambling.

"I understand...and sure, as friends."

"Okay."

He smiles and holds his hand out to me. "Great. How about another dance?"

I slip my hand into his, reminding myself the warm thrumming energy coming from his hand through mine is just because of the contrast from the cold night. That's all it is. But then he intertwines his fingers with mine and that same feeling finds its way deep in my belly.

From the looks my mom and other family members are giving me, I'm sure this surprising hand holding with this handsome man is going to give them something to gossip about for the next while.

***