Going the Distance

by Christa Cervone

  “To Saint!” Jimmy raises his beer bottle in the air. “To turning pro, brotha.”

  I smile and nod.

  “Cheers!” we say collectively, clanging our bottles together.

  Frankie looks down at his watch. “Alright, fun’s over. It’s time to get Gabriel home.” He begins to usher us out the door.

  “I’ll see you both bright and earlier tomorrow morning.”

  “See ya, Frankie.”

  “And I better not hear any excuses of either of you being tired or hung over. You hear me?”

  Jimmy and I are in the middle of a sparring session when Blaine climbs up onto the ring. “Hey, guys, can I ask you something?”

  We both make our way over to the corner of the ring. “What’s up?” Jimmy asks.

  “I was wondering if you have plans for Sunday night? I’m planning a small dinner party and I wanted you both to come.”

  “Uhhh…” I hesitate, looking over at Jimmy. If Blaine’s planning a dinner party, then that means Salem will be there. Even though Salem has assured me that things between her and Blaine are over, the last thing I want to see is the two of them acting like a happy couple for everyone. “I’m not sure I can make it. Frankie’s gonna be ridin’ my ass pretty hard until the fight.”

  “Don’t worry about Frankie. He’s invited too, and he’s already given permission for you to come. We have a big announcement.”

  An announcement? What could Frankie and Blaine possibly be announcing?

  Again, I try to come up with an excuse. “I really appreciate the invite, Blaine, but I also have Jase to think about.”

  “The more, the merrier; bring him with you. We’re gonna have much to celebrate,” Blaine says almost giddily.

  “Okay, I guess we’re in,” Jimmy answers for both of us while I remain quiet, still trying to figure out what Blaine has up his sleeve.

  “I’ll text you the address. And don’t forget to bring dates,” Blaine winks at me.

  “Okay, great,” I finally add. Jimmy and I head back into the middle of the ring.

  Jimmy throws a suspicious look over his shoulder at Blaine. “What the fuck was that all about?”

  “Beats the fuck outta me. What could he and Frankie be announcing, and why wouldn’t Frankie just tell us?”

  “I dunno, Saint, but I’m not sure I like the sound of this.”

  “Yeah, neither do I.” My eyes narrow in on Blaine, who’s happily talking to a client from behind the front counter.

  “I don’t wanna wear this monkey suit,” Jase complains as I button the top button of his new collared shirt.

  “Quit yer bitchin’. It’s not gonna kill you to wear it for a few hours.”

  Irritated, Jase asks, “How the hell did I get roped into this, anyways?”

  “Do you think I wanna go to this? We’re doin’ it for Frankie. Once the big announcement’s been made, we’ll bail.”

  “Deal.”

  “I’m gonna have a beer before Jimmy gets here, I need somethin’ to take the edge off.”

  “What’s got you so worked up?”

  “Seein’ them together,” I sneer. “The mere fact that he touches her,” I stretch my neck to relieve some tension.

  “I hate to break it to you, but he is her boyfriend.”

  Here we go again with this bullshit. “Whose side are you on?”

  “Yours, but, I’m also lookin’ out for you. I know she’s tellin’ you she’s gonna leave him, Gabe. But, when? How long is she gonna string you along?”

  I start pacing the floor and again roll my head on my neck. Anger is brewing in the pit of my stomach, and the muscles in my jaw clench; I don’t like the direction this conversation is going. He hardly knows Salem and has no idea of the bond we share. “What’re you tryin’ to say?”

  “I’m not sayin’ nothin’,” Jase gets defensive. “But, like I said before, I don’t wanna see you get hurt.”

  “Don’t worry ‘bout me, Jase.”

  “Alright, if you say so,” he shakes his head.

  Anxiously, I walk to the window and look down to the street. “Where the fuck is Jimmy?”

  “You wanna go downstairs?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jase puts his arm around me. “Everything is gonna be fine, Gabe.”

  “I’ve just got a bad feelin’ about tonight, Jase.”

  “Then let’s blow it off. Call Jimmy and tell him you’re sick or somethin’.”

  “I wish we could, but Frankie’s countin’ on us to be there, and I can’t let him down.”

  “I understand. When you’re ready to leave, just say the word and we’ll cut out.”

  “Ho-lee shit! Look at the Vega boys all dressed up!” Jimmy yells out the passenger’s side window.

  “You’re not lookin’ too bad yourself.” I straighten his tie before I climb into the back seat of the car.

  Stephannie looks at us in the rearview mirror, “You boys are flyin’ solo tonight?”

  Smiling, I joke, “Jase is my date for the evening.”

  “So, do you have any idea what the big announcement is?” she asks.

  “Nah, I wish I did. I guess we’ll all be surprised.” I sit back and look out the window. I’m trying to keep my mind occupied with anything besides Salem and Blaine, but the closer we get to our destination, it’s all I can think about it.

  Jase turns to me. “Holy shit! Do you see the size of these houses?”

  “This is how the other half lives, Jase.”

  Jimmy’s eyes are huge as he looks out the window. “Shit, I knew he had money, but I didn’t realize he had this much money!”

  Stephannie glances out to get a better look. “Yeah, there’s money and then there’s mon-ey. Saint, did you have any idea he was this loaded?”

  “No, I didn’t,” I stare in awe at the huge house sitting up on a hill. “I didn’t even know there were houses this big around here.”

  “Probably a good thing we didn’t or we would’ve tried to break into them when we younger,” Jimmy chuckles.

  I laugh at his comment.

  I turn to Jase, who looks ill; his complexion has turned a light shade of green. “What’s the matter, bro?”

  “I can’t go in there.”

  “Why?”

  “I have broken into houses like this,” he says low enough that only I can hear.

  Sliding closer to him, I whisper, “Was this one of the houses?”

  “I can’t say for sure. I was usually high when we’d do it.”

  My arm goes around his shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze. “You’re not that person anymore, Jase. You’re clean. Hell, you don’t even look like the same person.”

  He slowly nods in recognition.

  “We’re invited guests just like everyone else. They’re no better than you or me. You got that?” I do my best to convince him we’re gonna fit in, while on the inside, I’m freaking out just as much as he is. I’ve never associated with anyone of this stature, except for Blaine and Salem. I look back over at Jase and see some of the color returning to his face. “We’re gonna walk in there with our heads held high.”

  “If you say so,” he responds reluctantly.

  A valet greets Steph at her car door. She gives him a strange look and then quickly realizes he wants her keys. The valet drives off in Stephannie’s car, leaving the four of us standing in front of this massive house. My stomach instantly turns sick as I look up at the house we’re about to enter.

  Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought I’d walk into a place like this. It’s like something you’d see in a movie, from the fountain that sits in the middle of the circular cobblestone driveway to the fancy cut bushes that adorn the front of the house.

  Jimmy leans in and whispers into my ear, “Would you consider this a mansion?”

  With my mouth hanging open, I just nod.

  “What kind of house is this?” Jimmy asks one of the valet guys.

  Stephannie chimes in, “I think it’s a Tu
dor style home.”

  “Maybe when you turn pro,” Jimmy laughs, slapping me on the back.

  “Yeah, maybe.” Looking at the four of us, I mention, “I think we might be a little underdressed.” Jimmy, Jase, and I are all wearing dress pants, white collared shirts, and ties. But maybe we should’ve rented tuxes for this kind of place. Stephannie’s wearing a simple black dress and black heels; she definitely cleans up better than the three of us.

  “We’re gonna be just fine.” Steph straightens her back, holds her head high, and hooks her arms through Jimmy’s and mine. “Let’s go show these people a thing or two about us.”

  I turn my head slightly in Jase’s direction. “Come on, bro.”

  The front door is opened for us as we walk up the steps. “Why, thank you,” Stephannie bows her head at the doorman.

  “The reception is being held in the ballroom,” he answers stiffly.

  The four of us step into the foyer, and none of us says a word; we just stare in awe at the breathtaking dual staircase. I do a quick look around the room. The floors appear to be marble, and the ceilings are at least twenty-five feet high; they’re the same deep mahogany wood as the staircase. Looking down on us is a huge painting of what appears to be Blaine and his family.

  “Holy shit! I think we may have entered into the Playboy mansion,” Jimmy whispers jokingly.

  I catch Stephannie elbowing Jimmy in the ribs. “You need to be on your best behavior, James.”

  “Oh damn, she just called you ‘James,’” I laugh.

  Jimmy smiles, “You know she’s serious when she pulls out the James card.”

  “Well, we can all hope there’ll be some Playboy Bunnies runnin’ around half-naked,” Jase chimes into the conversation.

  Stephannie shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Men, you’re all the same.”

  She leads the way as we follow the soft sounds of music playing. “I’m guessing the party’s in here,” she says as we approach a doorway.

  My palms begin to sweat, and I have the sudden urge to turn around and walk out the door. Jase notices. “You alright?”

  “Yeah,” I reply, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

  “You don’t look alright. You look like you wanna puke.”

  Before I can say another word, I hear, “You finally made it! I was beginning to think you weren’t going to come.” Blaine comes walking toward us with Salem on his arm.

  Instantly, my eyes are on Salem. She’s wearing an emerald green cocktail dress that’s cut to just below the knee with matching shoes. Her hair is pulled back and her makeup accentuates her eyes perfectly. She looks stunning. The lump in my throat has returned and I’m at a loss for words.

  “Saint?” Jimmy’s voice brings me back.

  “Huh?”

  “Would you like somethin’ to drink?”

  “Uh, just a water.”

  Salem’s now looking at me with a worried expression on her face.

  “Would you guys like a tour?” she breaks her silence.

  “Yeah, sure,” I answer for all of us. I need to get away from Blaine and her together, and at this point I’ll do anything to distance myself.

  “Do you mind if I give them a tour?” Salem asks Blaine.

  “No, by all means,” Blaine extends his arm out, inviting us to look around. “I hope you don’t mind if I sit this one out. I’ve seen this place a million times.”

  “No, of course not,” Stephannie responds.

  “Don’t forget to show them the gardens. It’s a great place to have a wedding,” Blaine winks at Stephannie and Jimmy.

  Stephannie gushes, “Oh, I can just imagine!”

  “Follow me,” Salem waves us on. “We can actually start in the gardens,” she says as we exit the ballroom and make our way down a corridor.

  I quickly catch up to her. “You look beautiful, Say. That color on you…”

  Her cheeks turn pink. “Thank you, Gabriel. You look very handsome,” her eyes scan my body. “I like the tie.”

  “I wore it just for you.”

  Salem holds a door open and the rest of us walk through. “Here are the gardens. You’re welcome to walk around if you’d like.”

  Jimmy, Stephannie, and Jase keep walking while I stay behind with Salem.

  “I’m sorry, Gabriel.”

  “Sorry, for what?”

  “Sorry, for this. For all of this.”

  I pull her around the corner, away from everyone else, to give us privacy. My throat tightens as I caress her face. “I knew what I was getting into, Salem.”

  The sadness in her eyes has returned. “I know, it’s just…” she looks away, ashamed.

  I tip her chin up. “It’s just, what?” I whisper and my face nears hers.

  “It’s because of me that we have to sneak around.”

  My lips hover over hers. “There isn’t anyone else I’d wanna sneak around with.”

  She lets out a small laugh, “It’s not funny, Gabriel.”

  “I know it’s not. But I’ll wait for you, Salem. You’ll know when it’s the right time to leave him, and when you do, I’ll be here.”

  “You promise?”

  My tongue runs along her bottom lip. “I promise. Now, kiss me.”

  Her hands reach around and squeeze my ass. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  As the two of us get lost in our kiss, we hear from behind us, “Ahem, I think we should get back before someone gets suspicious.”

  “You’re probably right, Jason,” Salem agrees.

  “Dammit, little brother,” I mutter as Salem rounds the corner ahead of us.

  Jase lets out a sigh. “Sorry, Gabe, I’m actually trying to do you a favor. What if you two got caught? Then, what?”

  I run my hands over my face and knock my head against the house. “I know and you’re right.”

  “You’re just torturing yourself, bro.”

  I smirk with my eyes closed. “It’s such a sweet torture, though.”

  “You won’t be smilin’ if he punches you in the mouth for kissin’ his girl.”

  My eyes shoot open. “He doesn’t deserve her,” I bite out.

  Jase shakes his head disapprovingly, “I kinda feel the same way about you.”

  “What’s your problem, Jase?”

  “She’s got your head all fucked, dude.”

  “My head’s just fine, man. I know what I’m fuckin’ doin’.”

  “Gabe, I know you’re my big brother, but I don’t think you do. She does somethin’ to your head and you can’t see clearly. We’re here, at her boyfriend’s fuckin’ house, and you’re makin’ out with her in a dark corner. That’s fucked up.”

  “She’s going to end it.”

  “Yeah, okay, she’s gonna leave all this for you.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  “Dude, you’re livin’ in a fuckin’ dream world if you think she’s gonna leave all this money for our shit-ass apartment and your life as a penniless boxer.”

  It takes everything in me not to punch my brother square in the jaw. I take a couple of deep breaths to calm myself. Then I grit my teeth and growl, “You’re so fuckin’ lucky you’re my brother or you’d be knocked out cold right now.”

  “Go ahead and hit me,” Jase spans his arms out, giving me the opportunity to hit him. “The truth fuckin’ hurts, doesn’t it? But I can’t let you keep doin’ this to yourself. Do you remember when you found me outside of Pablo’s and you laid it all out for me? Well, now it’s my turn to do the same. You’re an addict. She’s your drug and she’s killin’ you.”

  I run my hands through my hair and lean up against the house. “You’re right, Jase. I know she’s not good for me, but, how do I stop? How do I make my body stop needing her? My brain from thinkin’ about her?” I pause and look up to the sky, trying not to show him my vulnerability.

  Jase touches my arm gently, “It’s alright; just say it.”

  “My heart from loving her…”


  “I dunno, Gabe. There’s no crutch for love, man.”

  “I think we should go. You were right. This was a bad idea to come here tonight. It’s just fuckin’ with my head.”

  “Then let’s go. I’ll go grab Jimmy and Stephannie and we’re outta here. I’m sure Frankie will understand once you explain to him what’s goin’ on.”

  I nod my head, agreeing with him.

  “You go out to the valet and I’ll go find them.”

  Jase turns to leave. “Jase?”

  “Yeah?”

  My voice cracks, “Thanks.”

  Jase smiles, “That’s what little brothers are for.”

  I stay back, trying to pull myself together. I don’t want anyone seeing me like this, especially, Salem. I fear she’ll realize what’s running through my head; that what we have is unhealthy and not good for either of us, and that neither one of us can move on if the other one is still in the picture. To be completely honest, I’m not even sure I’ll ever be able to move on. I tried once already and didn’t succeed. Jase is right, Salem is my drug, and I’m completely addicted.

  Once my head is clear, I open the door and walk back down the corridor. I find myself back at the foyer, face to face with Blaine. “Oh, great! It’s time for our announcement.”

  Pointing toward the door I stammer, “I was actually… uhhh…”

  “Come on, you don’t wanna miss this,” Blaine urges.

  My eyes skirt from Blaine, to the front door, and back over to Blaine.

  “Okay.” I feel my shoulders drop in defeat as I give in and follow him back into the ballroom.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. What the fuck am I doing? I’m supposed to be gettin’ the car, not following this clown back into the ballroom.

  Blaine takes a glass from one of the waiters that passes by and then picks up a spoon from one of the tables. He begins to cling the glass with the spoon. “May I have your attention please?” he asks loudly. The guests begin to quiet down and follow his voice as he walks to the front of the room. “I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight, and I’m sure you’re all wondering why I asked you here.”

  The crowd begins to chatter for a moment and then Blaine begins to speak again, “I’d like to invite two very important people up here with me. Frankie Carbone, can you please join me?”