Expect the Unexpected

by L. M. Heidle

  “Plus, who else is going to give me the juicy stories about Tray?”

  “I won’t only give you stories, I’ve got pictures, too.”

  I groaned, this was not going to end well for me. “I’m going to regret this aren’t I?” Ally gave me innocent puppy dog eyes, but Alex’s still had a mischievous glint. Oh yeah, I was going to regret this. I’d have to check her bags before we left to make sure she didn’t take any pictures with her. “Where’s Vivian?”

  “She’s with my dad over there.” I followed to where she was pointing to see my stepmom and uncle walking toward us.

  “Uncle Vito brought you guys? I figured he had to work.”

  She smiled big. “Oh no, he cleared his whole day for this.”

  I looked over at Alex just in time to see all the blood drain from her face. She frantically turned her head toward me. I grabbed her hand and pulled her into me to kiss her forehead. “You’re going to be fine.”

  Uncle Vito patted me on the back and announced, “She’s way too good looking for you.” He stuck his hand out. “You must be Alex. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Vito.”

  She took his hand and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you too, sir.”

  My stepmom pushed him out of the way as soon as Alex dropped her hand. “Get out of my way.” She grabbed Alex and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. “I’m so glad you could make it. I’m Vivian, but you can call me Viv.”

  Alex squeezed her back. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “What is this? Everybody ignore Tray day?”

  A sincere smile crossed Vivian’s face. “Oh I’m sorry, dear, I didn’t see you there. I’m glad you could accompany Alex.”

  “Ha-ha, you’re really funny. Get over here.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her into a hug.

  She whispered, “I missed you, and I already like her, so don’t screw this up.”

  “Thanks,” I replied sarcastically.

  When our embrace ended my uncle asked, “What are you waiting for? Get the bags, boy!”

  My head moved from her bags to him in disbelief. “You did see how many bags she brought, right?”

  He put Alex’s hand around his elbow and called over his shoulder, “You’ll figure it out.” I stood there in complete shock as my family walked to the door. Abandoned by my own family. Not that I was too surprised because it was Alex...but still.

  ALEX

  I snickered as I watched Tray trying to figure out how to get all our bags. I may have packed a smidgen too much, but I didn’t know what to expect. It’s not like I could go to the library and pick up a copy of How to Pack When Meeting a Boyfriend’s Family for Dummies, and there definitely wasn’t one for meeting the mafia.

  Tray’s uncle leaned over and assured, “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. Blake will help him.” He nodded toward the mammoth of a guy picking up one of my pink bags. “Blake is Alyssa’s bodyguard.”

  “Oh okay.” I fell silent as he led me in the direction of the door. I knew I should be saying something, but my mind was blank. Not only did I want his family to like me, but I was hoping to not do something that would get me killed.

  We had passed through the glass doors before he spoke. “Alexandria, Trayton told you a little about the family.” I tensed up. Here it comes, the ‘you tell and I’ll have to kill you’ speech. “I also know he feels deeply for you. I want you to know that I want more for him than this life, but sometimes things are out of our control. Loyalty is a quality that the Russo name was built on, and that boy has it in spades. He’ll always be a part of this family, and you need to understand that.” It wasn’t a threat, but I caught the underlying message. If you can’t handle it, get out now.

  I nodded in agreement. “I understand.” I wasn’t sure I completely did, though. I knew nothing about this life. The only thing I knew was that I’d fallen hard for Tray, and when I was with him I didn’t feel so empty.

  Uncle Vito, as he insisted I call him, led me down the sidewalk to three black SUVs. I turned back to face him because there was definitely not enough people for three vehicles. “Are you picking up anyone else?”

  “No, why do you ask?” I let my gaze move toward the vehicles, and he chuckled. “Have you ever heard of a shell game?”

  I slowly nodded. “Isn’t that the game people on the street use as a hustle?”

  “Yes, but that’s not all it’s used for. We use it for protection.”

  “Protection from what?” As soon as I said it, I realized what a dumb question it was. “Enemies,” I whispered.

  “It’s a way to keep my family safe.” As he said it, his eyes focused on something in the distance, but I’m pretty sure he didn't see the present. His face was drawn tight, his lips turned into a frown. It was the face of someone with deep regrets. His forlorn look made me wonder if he was thinking about his late wife. He snapped out of it when Tray walked up.

  “Alright, old man, that’s enough touching my girlfriend.” No matter how many times he said it, my stomach still fluttered a little when he called me his girlfriend.

  We all piled into the middle SUV. Me between Tray and his uncle, with Alyssa and Vivian behind us. Our group was rounded out by the driver and Alyssa’s bodyguard. Both of whom were armed and huge I might add.

  For the most part, the talk was light with questions like what’s your major, where are you from, and blah blah. Then Uncle Vito joined the conversation.

  “So, Alex, tell us about your family.” The tone of his voice stayed neutral, but his eyes were a different story. Then it hit me. He knew. My eyes narrowed as he continued studying me, patiently waiting for me to answer. If he knew why in the hell was he asking? The answer hit me like a wrecking ball, Trayton. He’d somehow figured out I hadn’t told him. It took everything I had not to mouth off. I could feel the stares of Trayton, Alyssa, and Vivian. He had backed me into a corner, and he knew it.

  I robotically answered him. “Well, my parents’ died in a car accident when I was sixteen. I went to live with my Uncle Joey in Austin. He’s the head basketball coach at UT.” Tray squeezed my hand in comfort. I felt bad about leaving out my brother, but that wasn’t something I wanted to talk about in front of everyone.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. Is your uncle the only family you have?” Mother having a baby on a Sunday. Weird I know, but my mom despised cussing so my brother and I came up with our own versions. I squeezed my eyes shut and reminded myself of who he was. I couldn’t tell off the head of the mafia. It may not get me killed, but I doubt it’d win me too many brownie points.

  This time when I answered I had to fight the shakiness of my voice. I hated this man for making me talk about my brother. I hated it even more that this was the way Trayton was going to find out. “No, I have a brother as well.”

  “Oh, that’s nice. Are you guys close? Where’s he at?”

  I swallowed hard. “Yeah, we used to be very close. He, ah he lives in Austin as well.” I couldn’t bring myself to look at Trayton. I knew I would see betrayal written on his face. How could there not be? He’d bared his soul to me, and I hadn’t even told him my parents were dead or that my brother lived in the same city as me.

  TRAYTON

  I knew she had a brother, but I didn’t know anything about him. Especially not that he lived in Austin. Her parents, I’d guessed that from the bits and pieces she let slip. She also had several family pictures in the collage that took up almost a whole wall in her room, but there weren’t any recent ones. I’d been tempted to ask her about them, but I’d wanted her to feel secure enough with us to tell me. She never did, though. In fact, she did just about anything she could to avoid talking about her family.

  I could feel the tension radiating off of her as my uncle continued to pry for answers he already knew. I’d seen him do it a thousand times, but it pissed me off that he was doing it to my girlfriend. No matter how betrayed I felt, I didn’t like to see her hurting. Which from the death grip she had on my ha
nd and tears pooling in her eyes was exactly what she was. I debated letting him continue because I was curious, and he wouldn’t do this for no good reason. I don’t know how she did it, but her grip on my hand got tighter. She was seconds from losing it, and I knew she wouldn’t want that in front of my family.

  I’d talk to him tonight to figure out what he was up to. Hopefully, after Alex finally opened up to me. “So, old man, where are we eating tonight?”

  He smiled at me knowing full well what I was doing. I was sure I wasn’t the only one who felt the tension. He didn’t become one of the most respected and feared men in New York without being able to read people. “What did I tell you about that old man stuff?”

  “Guess you’ll have to tell me one more time.”

  He shook his head, smiling. “We’ll go to Gio’s after we drop your stuff at the house.”

  The rest of the drive was spent in silence. Even chatterbox Alyssa kept her mouth closed.

  ALEX

  The rest of the drive my gaze stayed focused out the front window. I couldn’t look to my left because I would see his uncle, and I couldn’t promise that I wouldn’t smart off. My right was a no-go because I would see Tray, and I knew he was upset with me. He had every right to be, so when he tried to pull his hand from mine for the second time, I didn’t stop him. My mind whirled with all the times I could have opened up to him. I hadn’t talked about them with anyone besides Kass, Lucas, and my uncle. Even then I kept it limited because every time I spoke about them, it made it a little more real.

  How was I supposed to tell him? Quick and blunt? My parents’ died when I was sixteen because my brother was drunk and rear-ended them. Oh, and he’s in prison for six years. Or should I tell him the long, painful version? The one where my brother hadn’t wanted to see me. How I’d been so depressed after that I’d lost thirty pounds and barely spoke for a year after the accident? Or how about that I hadn’t heard my brother’s voice since the afternoon of the accident?

  As soon as the car stopped, Tray was out, heading to the other SUV carrying our bags. If I didn’t know he was mad before, I definitely knew it now. He always helped me out of a car, but this time, he acted like I wasn’t even here.

  I followed him and grabbed his arm. “Tray, please. I’m sorry.” He continued pulling suitcase after suitcase out of the backseat.

  When he finally did say something I wished he hadn’t. “Would you go? I can handle a few bags.”

  I backed away as I felt my heart start to crumble. He had to give me a chance to explain. I tried one more time to talk to him, but he only snapped at me to move. When I couldn’t take him completely ignoring me, I turned to see the house.

  It was gorgeous, but I wasn’t sure it qualified as a house. A mansion was more like it. It had a paved circle drive with a beautiful fountain in the middle. The house itself was made completely of slate-colored stone. It had a beautiful archway leading to the front door. It was massive, but it had a subtle beauty.

  When I saw the tennis court through the trees, I muttered, “Crime must pay.” I slammed my lips shut hoping no one heard that, but when I saw the smirk on Uncle Vito’s face, I knew they had. I instantly blushed and mumbled an apology before turning away and walking straight into Trayton.

  I was about to say another apology when he snapped, “Could you watch where you’re going? These bags are heavy.” I simply nodded in reply, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. This trip was going downhill fast.

  Alyssa walked up beside me looping her arm through mine. “Come on, let me show you to your room. I’m sure you’d like to freshen up.” She may only be sixteen, but she was very observant. She knew I needed a moment to myself. I guess it wouldn’t be hard to figure out, though, considering Trayton wasn’t talking to me, but I still appreciated it. “Once you’re done I’ll give you a tour before dinner.” Again I nodded because that lump turned into me fighting back the tears as I watched Trayton walk inside.

  She led me up the grand staircase and turned to the left. “You’ll be staying in the west wing. Daddy’s very old fashioned, females stay in the west wing and males in the east wing.”

  “Got it.” She led me into the lavish bedroom decorated in creams and blues. I was completely in love with the bedspread. It was cream and was covered in flowers made of a slightly darker cream. I ran my hand along it, feeling the softness only achieved by a down comforter. There was a light blue couch and chair set in front of a beautiful stone fireplace that held a TV. This room was almost the entire size of my apartment. “Wow.”

  Alyssa smiled. “If you need anything, I’ll be across the hall.”

  As soon as she walked out, Trayton walked in. My heart leaped thinking he came to talk to me and promptly fell when he spoke. “Here are your bags. We’re planning to leave for dinner in an hour.” That was all he said before turning and walking out. My butt barely hit the bed before he walked back in. “Why? Why didn’t you tell me about your family? Do you not trust me?” I’d prepared myself for his anger, but the hurt lacing his words made my heart crumble a little more.

  TRAYTON

  “Tray, I’m so sorry. You have to believe I wasn’t hiding it from you.” I pleaded with my eyes for him to believe me. “The whole situation is incredibly hard for me to talk about. I not only lost my parents’ but also my brother.”

  He stopped his pacing in front of me. “Lost a brother? I thought you said he lived in Austin?”

  I stood, walking to the window staring out at the pool, but not truly seeing it. “I don’t mean lost him in a physical sense, I mean emotionally. Trip was my hero, and I loved him beyond words. I mean I love him beyond words.” I turned to face him. “Before I tell you anymore you have to know he’s a great guy.” When he nodded I continued, “He was the one that caused the accident that night when he rear-ended them.” I focused back on the window as I spoke. “As soon as the police officers told me that my parents were dead it felt like all the oxygen had been sucked from the room. After that, I only remember bits and pieces. I kept asking for my brother, but no one would tell me where he was. It wasn’t until my uncle got there that I found out he had caused the accident. I didn’t care, all I wanted was to see him. I knew if I saw him everything would be alright, I’d be able to breathe again.”

  Trayton came up behind me, wrapping me in his arms. I laid my hands on top of his and leaned back against him. “Right after the accident they took him to the hospital and from there he was taken to jail. I’d almost gotten thrown out of the hospital because I kept screaming Let me see my brother. My uncle had them give me a small sedative so I’d calm down.”

  At this point, Trayton was the only thing keeping me upright as I replayed what came next. “My brother’s lawyer got him out on bail. I waited for him outside the courthouse, but he never came. I found out later he had Lucas, a friend of ours, pick him up.” The tears were pouring down my face so fast I couldn’t see five inches in front of me. “I called Lucas repeatedly, trying to reach my brother, but he wouldn’t answer either. I think originally I was more confused than hurt because I couldn’t understand why my brother didn’t come to me. He had to know I was hurting, and he’d always been there for me.

  “My parents’ funeral was the worst day of my life. Watching them be lowered into the ground was so surreal. My entire world disappeared inch by inch. With every shovel of dirt, they poured a little more of me died. That day killed a part of me I’m not sure I’ll ever get back. What made it worse was Trip didn’t come.” I wiped the tears from my eyes as I stepped out of his embrace. “It’s been four years since I’ve seen him. The last memory I have of him is from the courthouse.”

  I walked over to the couch, sitting down as I remembered. “It was a rainy day, which I found fitting at the time. I had on my mom’s favorite black dress. My brother was dressed in his gray suit with a black tie, but it didn’t look right on him. Trip had always been so put together, but his suit was wrinkled, he hadn’t shaved, and his hair was in d
isarray. I sat in the front row, directly behind my brother willing him to turn around, but he never did. He stood there and plead guilty with tears running down his face. I remember screaming so loud my ears rang when the judge sentenced him to six years, and my uncle had to physically hold me back when they put him in cuffs. The entire time I was screaming for him he never once said a word. The only time he ever looked at me was seconds before they led him out of the courtroom. The pain in his eyes had my knees giving out, and I hit the floor hard. I didn’t feel a thing, though. The only thing I felt was empty.”

  Tray sat down next to me, pulling me into his arms. He kissed my forehead as he whispered, “Angel.”

  “My uncle tried to explain why he wouldn’t see me, but all I could think was he turned his back on me when I needed him most. I never for one second blamed him, and I tried writing to tell him that. I have no idea if he read them or not, because he didn’t write me back and eventually I stopped writing. Then on the anniversary of their death, I got a letter from him. It took me six months to open it.” Trayton had started stroking my hair, and with each stroke I was able to compose myself a little more. “My uncle and Lucas keep telling me he wants to see me, and I’ve gotten dressed so many times set on visiting him. I’ve even got as far as the prison parking lot, but I can never go in. I think I’m scared he’ll turn me away again. The first time broke me, and I’m not sure if I can survive it a second time.”

  We sat in silence for a few minutes, my sniffles were the only sound to be heard. “Does he still write you?”

  Even through the tears, I smiled. “Yeah. After that first letter, I got one once a month. Lately, it’s been every couple of days. I read every one of his letters, but I’ve only replied to a few. I don’t know why I can’t write him more, but every time I sit down to try I go blank. I always send him cards on his birthday and Chirpy days, telling him I love him.”

  Trayton used his thumb to wipe away my tears. “Chirpy Day?”