The arguing ensues, and I tune them out. I rush to get my mom and Dakota to stop this, but when we return Callie is insisting she leave and giving my mom instructions for Angelo. Dakota walks her to the car, and I whirl on Bronson. “I don’t know who you are right now. Dad would be sick seeing what you’ve become. You’ve let your heart harden; shutting out everything you know is true because you’re scared. You’re a coward. What you just did to her puts you on a playing field with her father . . . and you had no problem killing him.” I walk to where my mom is waiting and follow her inside to get to know my adorable nephew.
Betrayal does so many different things to people.
~Trai Byers
Chapter 18
Dakota
Bronson’s fucking up, heading down a road he isn’t going to be able to come back from. Callie made her mistakes, but until he’s ready to listen to her, he won’t understand her reasons for making them.
A kid. I didn’t see that coming, but I do see her in a new light. She helped us with the case against her dad so Angelo could be with his father, no matter the cost to her. She just told him off, and I’ve never seen her stand her ground with him . . . not that strong. Little Callie Locati grew up. Hardened, yet still soft.
“Wow, Callie. I think I just saw a new side of you, and I can say, I dig it.” She’s leaving her welcome home party because Bronson’s being a dick.
“Hey, what’s up with you and Binks?” Her head tilts to the side, studying me.
“Another story, girl. A whole lot of shit I created. We’re stuck in it. I’m not sure what she wants shared, so I’ll let her be the one to tell you.”
“If you’re serious, get a shovel and start hauling manure, lover boy.” She laughs at me, without realizing how much work I still have in front of me.
“I can’t believe it, I actually missed you. You and Binks together are a pair of trouble, but I fucking missed the dynamic, and I know she hasn’t been the same without you. She’s missed a key element of herself, you’re the one who fills that void in her.” Bianca has missed having her best friend, and if she can get that piece of her back, maybe one day I’ll get all of her.
“Thanks, I think.” She squints her eyes at me and takes off. I immediately head back to the yard to give Bronson an ass chewing. “What the fuck are you doing?” I’m shouting across the yard.
He holds his hands up and retreats down to the dock. Now isn’t the time to go after him, he wouldn’t listen.
Months. Months have passed, and Bronson is still freezing Callie out, and Bianca has taken her back. We spend the week in Miami working and most weekends at home so he can have his son. I tag along to see his sister and beg for her forgiveness.
Repeatedly.
I’ve fucking apologized more times than The Maury Show has run DNA tests, and she still isn’t letting me in. She’s spending the day with Callie, and I wish she’d open up and get advice from her because regardless of what Callie’s dealt with, she believes in love.
She headed back to school after talking to Callie, with no good-bye, but I refuse to give up. I’d give anything to talk to Bronson but he is far too unpredictable these days. I head in town to grab a bite to eat before heading back to Miami. I still can’t call it home; it doesn’t feel like my home without Bianca and things so unsettled with all of our lives. Ironic, just a few short years ago we all thought we’d still be together at this point in our lives, and we couldn’t be further apart. I see Callie is working, so I make a spur of the moment decision and pull into the restaurant. Making sure I get seated at her table, I smile as she walks up. I know she’s struggling and won’t allow any of us to give her money so I will just leave her a big tip.
“Hey, Callie. You doing okay?”
“Can I get you anything to drink?” I’m assuming Bianca told her all the sordid details.
“A beer. Whatever’s on tap.” She rolls her eyes. “Did I do something to piss you off?”
“Yes, you stuck your tiny dick in someone else after begging my best friend for another chance. I don’t know the details; I just know that was strike two for you. And I pray she doesn’t give you another one.”
I sigh, “I pray she does so I can prove to her and everyone else, I’m the man for her. I screwed up, I wasn’t thinking about consequences. You of all people should understand that.”
“Don’t compare what I did and what you did . . . they are two completely opposite things. I was thinking clearly, and chose the only option I had to keep those I love safe. Like I said, she didn’t share everything but how could she . . . it rips her open when she thinks of it.”
“We both hurt the people we love.”
“Yes, and like you I may never get another chance, so we get to live with those consequences. I still hate you.”
“That’s good because I hate me too.” She nods and gets my beer. All isn’t forgiven on her part, but she knows I love Bianca, and just because I fucked up, nothing changes the way I feel about her. It can’t change what we once had, and when we get it back; I’ll make it better.
Friday night at the Agosto’s again. I’m beginning to think Gianna should charge me room and board for as much as I’m here. Angelo is stealing everyone’s attention, and Bronson is in a snit that Callie is working and he could have just had his son all weekend, but she didn’t let him know. After dinner, Bianca grabs us beers and we all walk outside. A car door slams, and I see Callie marching up the driveway, her face pulled tight, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes.
“If you are going to work during your weekends with Angelo why can’t I just have him?” Damn it, Bronson. Can’t you just stop for a second and think? I look to Bianca and she meets my gaze. We both know this is going to turn ugly.
Their arguments have been non-stop for months, all of us caught in their heated exchanges, pushing each of us farther apart than ever.
“Fuck,” Bianca whispers. Her face pale, eyes closed tightly in pain.
“Amy?” Bronson chokes. Shit, how does Callie know about her? This is definitely going to get ugly. If Amy sought out Callie it was to hurt her, to get back at Bronson for using her in his ploy against Frank. Amy wasn’t innocent, she was used as a mole by Locati’s camp and we were just smarter than her.
“She knows, Bronson.” Bianca tells him. I get up and steer Bianca towards the house, needing to give them space.
“They have to figure this out. We just have to be there for them.” I try to reason with her when she fights me.
“I know. I just hate witnessing it.” My hand reaches for the door at the same time Callie’s laughter echoes in the cool night air. She is doubled over in laughter, not the funny-happy laughter. This is the full on she’s about to lose her mind laughter. Bianca sees it and halts.
Callie screams she’s done and pushes past us into the house where Angelo is. Not one to let anything go, Bronson opens his fucking mouth and threatens to take custody from her. And compares her to her father. It all erupts in a blur; Bianca slaps her brother, her perfect handprint staining his face. I grab her trying to pull her off him.
Callie is collapsing while holding Angelo, Bronson at the last second grabs the back of his shirt, but his head still hits the coffee table. Blood is sullying the tile floor. He’s staring at the mess at his feet unmoving. Gianna grabs Angelo, and I sink to the floor at Callie’s side.
“Bronson, what the fuck happened?” Shouting at him to give me some answers.
“I don’t know. We were arguing, she picked up the baby and collapsed.” I know she has some kind of medical issues, but I don’t know what’s happening to her.
“Bianca, call an ambulance. Her breathing is labored, and she isn’t responsive.” Bronson snaps to attention and drops to his knees. He runs his hand to the back of her head, orders me to stay with her while he goes to his son.
The ambulance arrives, and there is some argument about who goes with who. All of us wish we could dissect our bodies and spread them out for both Callie and Angelo. B
ianca rides with Callie, Bronson takes Angelo, and I follow. Angelo needs stitches; Callie is rushed into surgery. A bleeding ulcer. It’s bad. I watch Bronson struggle, realizing what he had in front of him and how he has thrown it away time and time again. I know how he feels, and I suspect he will be a man on a mission while she recovers. Unstoppable. He’s hit rock bottom, and there is only one way to go. I just hope he’s able to climb the walls he erected and get to the other side. He needs to pray Callie is more accepting of apologies than Bianca’s been.
I’ve stayed in Miami most of the summer while Bronson took a leave of absence to tend to his family. He’s not making much headway, but Callie hasn’t thrown him out. I reach for my phone and check on Bianca.
Me: Miss you.
Bianca: You know where I am.
Me: Seeing you and being with you . . . two different things.
Bianca: I’m trying. Just not there yet.
And that’s the question.
Will she ever be there?
When do I give up?
The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
~Ernest Hemingway
Chapter 19
Bianca
My last final. I’m officially a college graduate, or I will be next week when I walk across that stage. I just need to decide what I’m going to do. I may look into teaching positions in Tampa, but definitely not elementary . . . not my forte.
My feet haven’t crossed the threshold, and my phone is ringing. I can’t get a proper greeting out before, “Girls night?” is panted through the phone. Ah, Callie is at her limit.
“Hell yeah,” I agree. “Big brother driving you insane?”
“He’s fucking nuts, Binks. What did I see in him?” Please, she’s going down . . . fast.
“He’s nuts alright, but you love him.”
“So.”
“That’s progress. You’ve completed the denial phase.” That didn’t take long.
“Shut up and be here at nine.” Bossy little thing.
“He has no clue you’re planning this, does he?” I’m laughing as I imagine his reaction.
“Nope.” I decide to up the challenge.
“Well, make it worth it. Dress like the slut I tried to be in college.”
Her unladylike snort makes me choke on my laughter. “Oh god, Bianca. You kill me.”
“I suggest you start drinking because you’re going to need it to deal with him tonight.” That’s the truth. He will lose his fucking mind. Once he made up his mind to get her back, there was no stopping him. Not even her.
“It’s like two in the afternoon.” I’m glad she can tell time.
“You should’ve started at noon.”
“Shit. I’m fucked.”
“Oh, yes. I wouldn’t miss this. I’ll be the one standing in the corner laughing.”
“You’re such a bitch.”
“Oh, if my brother wasn’t going to spank your ass for your stunt tonight, I may be tempted to do it for that insult.” I hear the dial tone buzzing in my ear. This is going to be good, and I’ll take her to Bar and introduce her to Lynsey and Heath. We’ll be safe there because if I bring her back with one hair out of place, I’ll be screwed.
I knock, and Bronson opens it. His eyes are questioning, shocked to see me. “You home for the summer?”
“After graduation next week, yes.” Callie walks in the kitchen, and I give her a whistle, “Hot damn, mama, you look hot.”
“Oh, fuck no.” The fun begins. I knew Bronson wasn’t going to be okay with her leaving for the night, and with the shorts that show her petite frame and her hair down, he’s losing his shit. I just grin.
“Alright, let’s roll Bianca. You driving?” She ignores him, and I have to give my girl kudos, she’s dishing it back as good as he gave.
“Of course, this is your first night drinking in how long? I think I hear some lemon drops calling your name,” I purposely taunt him.
“Oh, fuck no,” he repeats. Callie looks at him like he’s an idiot. “Bianca, can you give us a minute?” His jaw is set; he’s wound so tight he may snap. It’s comical to witness.
“Nah, I’m good here.” If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under . . . it doesn’t help Callie laughs and he stalks towards her not leaving an inch between their bodies.
“Nice plan, Callie. Now, I’m raising the stakes. Come back here somewhat sober, and I promise I will own your ass tonight. You let me know how you’re gonna play this, and I’ll be here.” He gets closer to her and I can’t hear what he whispers to her, but I see her face turn red and her eyes close.
“A-and if I’m late?” I hear her stutter.
He whispers something else to her while he trails his fingertips up her legs. Her body sways, he steps back from her with a wink. “See you . . . soon.”
I push a stumbling Callie through the door. “Holy fuck, Callie. That’s my brother, and even I can admit that was fucking hot as hell. Why are you leaving the house?”
“Because I need alcohol to figure out if I’m going to be on my back or my knees tonight. Lets go.” She hurries to my car and plunks her ass in the passenger seat.
“You sure?” I put the key in the ignition.
“I need a few minutes to myself. I know where this will end tonight so I’m not deluding myself, but I need to prepare.”
“You aren’t going into war,” I remind her. But love is a battle, isn’t it?
“Binks, I’ve fought the fight for over two years . . . this is the war all the battles have led up to. I’m playing for keeps and so is he. I just want to make sure neither of us loses. I need some space, decide if I’m going to surrender.”
She’s conceding. That much I’m sure of. I’ll give her the time she needs and not point out her delusions.
I pull in, park, and wait for to meet me at the front of the car. She keeps checking her watch. “Callie, we’ve been gone all of ten minutes. Let’s go in, have some drinks, then you can go home, Cinderella.”
“Where are we?”
“Bar.”
“No shit, Bianca. How’d you find this place?”
“By accident one night. I’ve been coming here ever since. Heath De Luca owns it.”
“Really? How’s he?”
“Not in the business. His dad retired when . . . ” I trail off. The heaviness of the situation will weigh us down, and I don’t want that tonight.
She grips my hand. “Say it. After my dad killed yours. After my dad showed his true colors and decimated everyone’s life.”
“It’s just hard to remember. I don’t want to upset you, bring up bad memories.”
“Hey, I’m not him. I’m not responsible for his actions. It’s taken me awhile to realize that, but you need to remember. It won’t upset me, but I’ll always feel your pain for what happened. He was like a father to me.”
“C’mon. Enough of this. It’s done. Let’s go get some drinks.” I plaster the smile across my face, the one that hides the pain. Fake it until you make it.
Heading to my favorite table, I sit down and let her take the seat next to me. Lynsey is singing, and Callie is immediately mesmerized. “She’s good, right?”
“Holy shit. I’ve never heard anything like it. She sings from her soul.”
“It doesn’t seem a happy place to be, does it?”
“I don’t know her, and she breaks my heart.”
“She’s great. A bit guarded, but she’s really sweet.”
“I feel like I’m so disconnected from your life. It’s sad.”
“Nah, I had to roll with the punches, make adjustments. Find my way. You’re home and back at my side, it’s all working out how it’s supposed to. I’m thinking of asking her if she’ll sing at your wedding.” Thank goodness we didn’t have drinks because she would have choked.
“Stop. One step at a time.”
“Okay, I’ll bet you.”
“I’ve had enough Agosto bets tonight.”
“Wh
at?”
“Never mind. What are you betting?”
“One year. You’ll be in Miami, engaged, possibly married, with another kid in the works.”
“I’ll agree to the possible living in Miami part, but everything else. Nope. I think we are starting back at square one.”
“You’re fucking in denial. You win; I’ll do what you want. I win, your bachelorette party is in Turks and Caicos, no matter what my brother says.”
“Deal. I win, you find a job in Miami to be close to me and Angelo.”
“Agree.”
Two shots are placed in front of us. “Ladies, you can’t wager without something to chase it down with.” Heath is standing at my shoulder, grinning by my startled expression and catching me before I fall out of the chair. He has a way of sneaking up on me. “Callie, good to see you again. As much as I wish for your happiness, I hope you lose the bet because I don’t think I could live with Bianca moving to Miami.”
I laugh. “Charmer. Callie you remember Heath?”
She studies him, “Yeah. How are you?” Her eyes dart between us.
“Good. How are you doing?”
“Getting there. You know how it is.”
He looks to me and says, “Yeah, I know.” He smiles to Callie, “Enjoy your night. Good to see you again.” He trails his hand across my neck and disappears in the crowd.
“You have something to tell me?”
I pick up my shot, “Yep, drink up, hussy. You have a big decision to make tonight, remember?” Trying to change the subject proves futile for her.
Lynsey’s voice is in the background, haunting me with a version of ‘Stop the Bleeding’ by Sarah Darling. Callie faces me, grabs my chin, “Binks, talk to me. You dropped a bombshell on me in regards to Dakota yet you refuse to tell me the story . . . I need you to be okay. Please, tell me what to do?”
“Callie, you can’t help. It happened. I don’t want to talk about it because even though it’s been a year it still fucking hurts. I feel like I’m ripped open every time I think of it. I taste bile in my throat when I try and talk about it. I can’t. “God, I didn’t want this tonight.
Bellissimo Lotta (Beautiful Struggle): Companion Novel to Bellissimo Fortuna (The Family Trilogy Book 2) Page 14
