“Grab those TV trays in the kitchen, would ya? I wanna finish watching Jeopardy,” Uncle Tommy said, settling down into the reclining chair with a groan.
I sat down on the sofa across from him and clamped my hands between my thighs, unsure of what to do. I looked over and watched Vinny open and close the cupboards in search of something.
“Don’t you have real plates around here?” he asked.
“No, only the styrofoam ones. I broke a dish and they took away all my dinnerware. Your Aunt Mare is rollin’ in her grave. Those were our good wedding china! The filthy sons of bitches. Your mother never shoulda put me in this prison. They treat me like a god damn infant. Excuse my language, Sweetheart.” He added, looking at me.
“It’s okay.” I smiled and glanced over my shoulder at Vinny again. “Did you need help with anything?”
“You want to set up those tray tables?” he said, pointing to the stack of TV trays in the corner. I was already up and moving before he finished his sentence. I set up Uncle Tommy’s tray first, then our two in front of the sofa.
Vinny brought his uncle’s meatball sub to him, then he carried over two heaping plates of spaghetti with two meatballs and garlic bread for us.
We settled into our spots before I picked up my plastic fork and rolled one of the meatballs to the side. Vinny looked over at me with lofted brows, as if to silently ask if I was doing okay. I smiled back at him and began turning some spaghetti on my fork.
He grinned knowingly. “I knew you’d give in.”
I laughed in response and bumped him with my elbow. “I couldn’t resist, it smells too good.”
“The answer is Grand Teton Mountains!” Uncle Tommy shouted at the TV. “This guy is an idiot! Why do they always have morons on this show?”
I bit down on my inner cheeks to keep myself from laughing. I could imagine Uncle Tommy and my grandmother watching Jeopardy together. It would feel like Monday night football, but with Alex Trebek.
I carefully turned my first bite of spaghetti on my fork and lifted it, making sure it wasn’t going to catch my chin. It was a perfect spool. Carefully, I inserted it into my mouth and the flavors I had been craving made my taste buds explode in garlic and tomato happiness.
“So, you two kids in love or what?”
I half gasped and laughed at the question. In the process, I sucked a spaghetti noodle down my throat and started to choke.
I blushed and coughed, covering my mouth with my hands, trying to get the noodle free.
“No, we’re just friends Uncle Tommy.”
I coughed a little harder, but it didn’t help.
“Autumn, you okay?” Vinny asked with concern.
My eyes watered and I nodded, coughing out an apology. Vinny’s palm met my back with a few firm pats and finally the evil spaghetti slid down my throat.
“Thanks…” I rasped, overcome with humiliation.
“Let me get you some water,” Vinny said, hopping up and hurrying to the kitchen.
I heard a soft squeaking noise and looked over at Uncle Tommy to find him in complete hysterics. “Ah, Jesus Christ, I’m so sorry. Please excuse me, I find choking hysterical. It’s the look, yanno? Your face gets all red…” he reached to his neck and choked himself until his face turned crimson, sticking his tongue out for effect.
I just stared at him, unsure if I should laugh or be offended.
Vinny returned with my cup of water and glared. “Uncle Tommy, Jesus. Just eat your food and shut up.”He looked at me and frowned. “Sorry Autumn. I told you he’s a little nuts.”
I looked back at Uncle Tommy who was still chortling in amusement and dabbing his eyes with his napkin. I couldn’t help but laugh a little. I’m sure I did look pretty funny.
The rest of the meal went by without much incident, with me trying not to spill sauce on myself or choke to death, and Uncle Tommy criticizing the Jeopardy contestants along with almost every commercial that came on.
After we finished eating, I cleaned up the plates while Vinny served his uncle some Fig Newton’s for dessert.
“How’s your bozo brother doing?” Uncle Tommy asked, eating his cookies. “Did he finally finish his community service?”
I pretended to mind my business, rinsing out the sink.
“Yeah, he finished earlier this week. Mom is talking to Mancetti about getting his name cleared,” Vinny answered while putting the TV trays away.
“That kid’s a real dumb ass. He’s about as smart as a box of rocks. Your father always thought he was such a diamond in the rough. My Jimmy, he’s gonna be the next in line. He’s an idiot. He couldn’t fight his fatass out of a wet paper bag.”
Vinny glanced up at me and our gazes met. I offered him a shy smile and looked back down, making sure the kitchen counter was in order.
“Yeah, well, you live and you learn, Uncle Tommy,” Vinny said.
“When are you gonna start contributing more to the family?”
I stole another glance at Vinny, catching his glare at the back of Uncle Tommy’s head. “I’m not. That’s never been my thing.”
“Yeah, eh, wasn’t mine either but I didn’t have a choice. If your brother don’t get wise, he’s gonna learn the hard way if yanno know what I mean. You really should step up, you’re a smart kid. Smarter than him. Ya got your mother’s business sense.”
“You’re right, I do, that’s why I’m staying out of that bullshit,” Vinny replied, his voice laced with annoyance. “I’m finishing school and taking over Mazzolas when mom retires, you know that.”
“Eh, we’ll see. That food at Mazzolas was never was that good. Your father’s mother’s recipes weren’t the best. She was part Sicilian ya know. Not even a real Italian. You’re Grandma Tita was a real Italian, now that woman could cook, but no, your father had to have his way. Stubborn bastard, he was never any good to you boys, and he sure as hell was a piece of shit to your mother.”
Vinny jaw ticked with annoyance and he just shook his head. “It’s getting late Uncle Tom. I have an early class tomorrow, we should get going.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I don’t need your excuses to go screw around, but yanno your mother’s gonna kill you for datin’ a non-Italian girl.”
“I told you, were not dating, Uncle Tommy,” Vinny snapped. “She’s a friend.”
“Yeah, yeah. Save your lies for your mother. You two kids have fun.”
Vinny shook his head and glanced at me. I felt another wave of heat rush over my face and I joined him at the door.
“It was nice meeting you, Tommy,” I said when Vinny opened the door.
“Yeah, you too kid.”
“See you Uncle Tommy,” Vinny said, ushering me out and closing the door behind us.
We both looked to one another once we were alone, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “And I thought my gram was bad.”
“He’s a real fuckin’ nutcase,” Vinny said digging his keys out of his pocket.
“Right out of a Godfather movie…” I agreed.
He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess.”
We walked to his car and once we were settled inside, he turned to me. “Did you need me to drop you off at your apartment?”
“Um, actually, I should probably go back to the party and find Lindy. I need to make sure her and Tyler are still conscious.”
“Okay.”
He put on his glasses before we headed back towards Alpha Tau.
“So how’s your family business doing back in Hamilton?” he asked, breaking the droning silence.
“Not so great. We’ve been struggling for about five years.”
His brows lifted. “Five years? That’s a long slump.”
“Yeah I know… after my parents got divorced it was never the same. It’s been rough on us in more ways than one.”
“My parents got divorced too,” he said, shifting gears.
“Really? I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. My dad is an asshole, so it worked out for the best.”
&
nbsp; I half-smiled. “I kinda got that hint from your uncle. He said he was in prison?”
“Yes, for embezzlement.”
I nodded slowly. “So your mother divorced him because of the embezzlement?”
“No and yes. She was just sick of his crap. She took me and we moved to the Hamptons. Dad and my older brother Jimmy stayed in Manhattan and opened Mazzolas. Then Dad went back to prison a few years after it opened, and my brother didn’t want it, so my mother took it over. She said it would be a good investment for us and it has been.”
I arched my brows. “Your father was okay with that?”
“He had to be. I know it sounds nuts, but my parents get along when it comes to family and business. It’s their personalities that clash.”
“I can understand that,” I said with a nod.
“Why did your parents get divorced?”
I frowned. “Well, my parents never told me the real reason, but I think my father was cheating on my mother.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah,” I said with a shrug. “I’m over it. We’re okay without him.”
“I feel the same way. We’re better off without them.”
We smiled at one another and I felt that bond I experienced earlier with him getting stronger. It was crazy that we came from two different worlds but still had similar experiences.
Before I knew it, we were back at the party. He put the car in park, letting it idle as he looked over at me. “Well, here we are.”
I looked back at him unsure of what to say. “Thanks for bringing me along, I had a nice time.”
He smirked and removed his glasses, putting them back in the glove box. “I’m pretty sure tonight was about as fun as getting a body wax.”
“You’d know what that feels like?” I asked with a smile.
“Unfortunately. My ex hated body hair and it kinda comes with the Italian territory.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I laughed. “Well meeting your uncle was certainly unforgettable.”
“That was only a taste of the insanity,” he said giving me a genuine smile. “You haven’t met the rest of my family.”
“Either way, I had a good time, regardless.”
“Me too,” he said watching me with a curious expression. “I’ve never met a girl like you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, crossing my arms loosely over my stomach.
“I don’t mean it in a bad way. I’ve never met a girl who’s willing to visit an old folk’s home and eat spaghetti with a plastic fork, while watching Jeopardy with my crazy uncle.”
I laughed, covering my face with my palm. “I knew I never should have eaten the spaghetti.”
“No, it’s good. I like a girl with self-confidence.”
“That wasn’t self-confidence, and don’t forget I almost choked to death. That was the icing on the cake.”
He chuckled. “You would have lived. I’m CPR certified.”
Imagining his mouth close to mine, regardless of being in near a death situation, made me warm all over.
“Well if I would have known that, I might have fell over and pretended to be unconscious.” I teased.
He grinned and shook his head at me. I swore I saw a hint of embarrassment.
My cheeks flared and I pressed my lips together to stop smiling. “So, where did you learn how to be a hero?”
He smirked. “When I first got to college, I wanted to be a paramedic.”
“What changed your mind?”
He rubbed his hands over the steering wheel. “Wasn’t really my thing, and my mother needed my help with Mazzolas.”
“Ah.”
The conversation came to a dead halt and silence descended over us. The mood clearly stated; it was time to put out or get out. I stared ahead, anxiety chewing at my every nerve. After a few more moments of insufferable silence, it was clear he wasn’t going to kiss me goodbye, so I decided to go.
“I guess I should get back in there and start the search…” I reached for the door handle and looked over at him.
“Oh, yeah I guess so.”
I felt a pang of disappointment in his agreeable response. I just ate a plate of spaghetti and I probably reeked of garlic…not kissing material anyway.
Just as I yanked the door handle, he spoke up.
“Hey, Autumn?”
“Yeah…?” I asked, looking over at him again. He was leaning much closer than before.
“Can I get your number?”
“Yeah sure…” Blood rushed to my head and my heart drummed in my ears. I took his phone from his outstretched hand and typed my number into it before passing it back to him.
“Thanks,” he said, looking down at it approvingly with a hint of smile on the corner of his lips.
“You’re welcome. I’m surprised you even asked since I know you have a lot of friends,” I blurted, thinking of the girls I saw him with earlier.
“What friends?” he asked looking over at me.
I bit my lip in regret. “I saw you with those girls earlier. They’re your friends, right?”
He snorted and tore his gaze away with a shake of his head. “No. Those aren’t my friends.”
“Oh.” I pressed my lips together wishing I never said anything.
“Those kinds of girls aren’t your friend,” he looked at me again, his face stern. “They are only looking for a good time.”
I nodded. “I get it.”
“That’s what I meant when I said you were different. You’re not like them or any of the girls in the pack of whore hounds that follow me around.”
Did he call them whore hounds?
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.
He smiled. “What?”
“Nothing, just…you called them whore hounds. I’ve never heard that term.”
“I might have made it up. What do you call them?”
“Sluts.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, then they’re sluts.”
“How do you know I’m not like them?”
He smirked. “I just know. You’re definitely not one of them.”
“Is that a good thing?” I asked, watching him.
“Yeah, it’s a good thing… a really good thing.”
His gaze drifted over me in a way that made every hair on my body stand on end. Heat pooled in my stomach when I realized we were leaning close enough to kiss. My heart pounded against my ribs as I helplessly gazed down at his lips, the need to kiss him overwhelming me. I guess he read my mind, his soft brown gaze drifted over my face and he leaned closer, his lashes low as he focused on my lips.
The realization that he was going to kiss me made me light headed. I closed my eyes and waited to feel the euphoric sparks of his lips against mine. Distant buzzing cut through my anticipation and I opened my eyes to see him looking down at his phone that was resting in the cup holder between us.
No! Please don’t answer it!
The sinking feeling that our moment had come and gone weighed in my stomach like a boulder. He slowly picked up the phone and we both stared down at the name. Tyler Sullivan.
Leave it to that asshole to ruin my good time. I hated him more than ever.
“Hey Tyler, what’s up?” Vinny asked, frowning. “Autumn? Yeah, she’s here with me—yeah sure Lindy can talk to her.”
He passed me the phone.
“Hello?” I asked, not hiding the annoyance in my voice.
“Where the hell are you?!” Lindy’s voice screamed into my ear.
I yanked the phone back and glared at it before cautiously answering, “I’m outside in Vinny’s car. Why?”
“Do you know what you’ve put me through for the last hour and a half?!” she screamed in a frantic voice, “I’ve been looking all over this fucking party for you! I thought you got fucking kidnapped or were locked in some room with some asshole getting raped again! What the fuck!”
“Lindy calm down! I’m fine, I just went—”
“No! I won’t calm down! Where th
e fuck is your phone and why aren’t you answering it?!”
“It’s in my pocket,” I said pulling it out, finding it was set to silent, and I had missed fifteen calls. Guilt strangled me as I remembered that I had put it on silent while I was in class. “I’m sorry, Lindy, I put it on silent because I didn’t want it to ring in class.”
“Sorry isn’t going to cut it! Where are you now?”
“I’m outside in Vinny’s car, I told you. I’ll come inside and find you.” I said feeling like the worst friend in the universe.
“No! Just fucking stay there and don’t move.”
“Okay…” I responded timidly as the line went dead.
I glanced over at Vinny who was staring at me with his brows pulled together. “Everything okay?”
“Not really. Lindy has been trying to get ahold of me since we left. She’s freaking out.”
He glanced out the side window and frowned. “Here she comes now…man she looks pissed.”
I looked up to see her stomping across the street in her stilettos with Tyler following close behind.
I covered my mouth and gasped as a car came to a screeching halt, almost hitting her. Tyler paused to yell at the driver while she continued marching toward us with a scowl.
Anxiety stung my every nerve as she stormed up to the passenger door and yanked on it. Thankfully, it was locked. Lindy was the last person I wanted to deal with in a bad mood and tonight she looked like she was angry enough to beat the shit out of me.
“Open the door!” she yelled, banging hard on the glass.
I readied myself before pushing open the door and getting out. “Lindy,” I said trying to sound as sympathetic as I could.
“You bitch!” she screamed and threw her purse at me. It hit me in the chest and the contents dumped all over the curb. “How could you?!”
“I’m sorry,” I stammered, kneeling to pick up her purse contents with trembling hands.
I stood back up just in time to hear her let out a sob.
“I’m so sorry.” My voice cracked and I reached out to pull her into a hug.
“Don’t fucking touch me right now, Autumn!” She stepped out of my reach and swiped at her mascara-smudged eyes.
Down to Business (Business Series) Page 7
