One More Chance (D'Amato Brothers)

by Vera Roberts

After her apology, he stared at her – probably out of shock – and mumbled something about working out before he hurriedly left the kitchen. He didn’t even glance at her direction when he passed the family room to go straight to the gym.

  She thought she did the right thing and finally made amends. Righting the wrongs. She knew she couldn’t turn back the clock but maybe, just maybe if she gave him an apology they could move on. Would they ever be a couple again? It might have been too late for that. But she would be happy with friendship.

  Now it was nothing.

  She turned on her heels and retreated to her bedroom. As tears softly hit her pillow, Krista wondered if she was wrong about Tony after all; maybe he just was cruel and heartless.

  Seven

  “I’m sorry for everything.”

  The words haunted Tony as he laid awake in bed, staring at the ceiling.

  There was a current theme of regret and resentment ran through his veins and every R&B and hip-hop song made its way to the forefront:

  First, it was Carl Thomas. I wish I never met her at all.

  Then it was Keyshia Cole. I should’ve cheated.

  Finally, it was Notorious B.I.G. I’m on some real fuck a bitch shit.

  It was easier to stay mad at Krista and he would be lying if he didn’t think the anger gave him a bit of satisfaction. She moved onto numerous boyfriends and Tony…well, Tony moved on but not quite.

  Siena.

  He could easily visualize her smile and laughter, illuminating every room she was in. Her personality was infectious and those who encountered her, always remembered her. She was the true love of Tony’s life.

  Feeling his stomach wrapped up in knots, Tony sat up in bed. His palms were sweaty, and his chest felt tight and constricted. Four words messed him up. Four words changed the rules.

  Four words…changed his life.

  Unable to sleep (and he wasn’t trying), Tony shot out of bed and quietly paced the plush carpeting of his bedroom. Fucking Krista and her fucking apology. Things were easier when he thought she was the scum of the earth. Her and Faye were two sides of the bitter cunt crew who tried to take down his family.

  No, that wasn’t true. Krista wasn’t a bitter cunt. She was Tony’s everything.

  The woman he loved, he’d always loved, and he’d never stopped loving was sleeping down the hall from him, while he stared hard at the ceiling and wrung his hands. Was giving her another chance even an option? Why was she at his home if that’s not what he had in mind? He could’ve easily declined her request to come over. Hell, he could’ve easily ignored her from the start.

  He needed to talk to the only one who could possibly understand what it meant to forgive.

  ~~~~~

  “I know it must be real urgent for you to make an appearance here,” Nicola D’Amato-Rodriguez sat down at her kitchen table.

  Tony dug into his mother’s famous cheesecake and slightly moaned when he had the first bite. The chocolate chips melted in his mouth while the creaminess of the cake felt like an orgy. “I need advice on how to proceed.”

  “With what?” Nicola blew on her too-hot cup of tea. Tony’d called her deep into the night, waking her up from her slumber, but it didn’t matter to Nicola. Whenever her sons needed her, she was available. “You didn’t kick her out and she’s still at your home, yes? You obviously forgive her.”

  “I don’t know. Did I?” Tony asked between bites. “When she apologized, I didn’t do anything but workout.”

  “Because you were in shock,” Nicola’s voice was smooth as honey, “you were used to be angry with Kris, you didn’t want to forgive her. People love to say it’s too late to apologize but it’s never too late. Now, it is too late to keep anger built up inside you. How is that anger benefitting anyone? How is that anger benefitting you?”

  “She tried to ruin us, Ma.” Tony defended. “She and Faye were the ones who spread those horrible rumors.”

  “I’m not justifying what she did, Antonio. I know she was wrong and so does Kris.” Nicola added. “But Antonio, it’s been two years. Eliodoro is making amends with Faye and you know that took a lot of him to do that.”

  “Eli and Faye have children, though,” Tony pointed out, “they have to coparent together.”

  “Not necessarily,” Nicola referred to her acrimonious divorce with her sons’ father, “if your brother wanted to destroy Faith’s life, he could’ve easily done it and take the kids away from her for good. He chose not to because he knew it wasn’t right no matter how much he thought he hated her.”

  “Kris and I don’t have any children,” Tony replied, “so there’s that.”

  “No, but you two have history and lot of it,” Nicola mentioned. “You two have known each other since you were 13, she 18. And yeah, it took some time for you two to get together, but once you did, you two were unstoppable. And I’ve never seen a woman love you the way she did, Antonio. And I’ve never seen you love a woman the way you loved Kris, including Ana, God rest her soul.” Nicola let out an emotional breath. “Now Kris is back in your life and for good reason, Antonio. You know that saying about love returning…”

  “If you love someone, set it free. If it comes back to you, it’s yours. If not, it was not meant to be.” Tony recited. Krista came back to him and while he brushed off her attempt the first time, he extended the olive branch the second. “I guess you’re right.”

  “It has nothing to do with being right,” Nicola reached over and grabbed her youngest son’s hand, “it has to do with love. It took me years being alone to find Art, and he’s everything I could ever want in a husband. But I suffered alone for many years, Antonio, and all of you know this. I don’t want you to go through what I went through. Your father chose to stay out of your lives for reasons only he knows. Kris is trying to come back into yours. Give her a chance. If it was a waste of time, you can come back and tell me, ‘told you so.’”

  “And if it’s not?” Tony asked.

  Nicola shrugged. “I guess I have to slim down enough for another wedding.”

  Tony smiled. “She tried to ruin us, Ma.”

  “Ruin? I’m not too sure about that. She tried but she didn’t. I think if Krista wanted to hurt you, she would’ve done a lot worse and she didn’t. I do believe she was caught up in what was going on between your brother and Faye, she didn’t see the forest for the trees.” Nicola reminded him, “the Bible says no weapons formed against you shall prosper. It didn’t say no weapons will form against you, period. From what I’ve understood, Krista was feeling remorse shortly after everything took place, but it was already too late. The damage had been done.”

  Tony exhaled through his nose. He remembered things were so bad, he had to turn off comments from his IG page and went on a deleting spree on his Facebook account. The same people who wished him harm were now back to kissing his ass. Funny how life works. “How do we go back to where we were?” He questioned. “I can’t just pretend everything’s okay?”

  “No one is asking you to,” Nicola replied, “but if you’re willing to forgive her – and I believe you already have – things will work out in the way they need to be in the order they should be. But for now, go home and talk to her, Antonio. That’s the very least you can do.”

  Eight

  “Are you awake?”

  Krista sat up in bed and turned on the light as Tony appeared behind the doorway. She heard him leave but didn’t think he was going to come back, especially after being so angry. Or maybe he wasn’t angry. Confused? Heartbroken? She wasn’t sure.

  She was sure, however, he didn’t want to be around her anytime after her apology. She’d barely slept and spent much of the night tossing and turning. She was afraid to leave her bedroom in case she did run into Tony.

  Now he was in her bedroom. “I couldn’t sleep very much,” she softly spoke.

  Tony let himself in and sat at the foot of the bed. “Yeah, I can’t sleep at all. I wanted to start another movie but I needed to talk to y
ou first.”

  “You and your Netflix addiction,” she chuckled as he smiled, “I hope you own stock.”

  “That I do,” he admitted. He took a deep exhaled and thought about what he wanted to say. He decided to just go for it. “Look, I know just taking off and disappearing like that wasn’t cool but you kinda caught me off-guard there. And I’m not blaming you at all. I do accept your apology and it was needed. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

  “Why?” Krista gathered her legs to her chest. “You wanted me to apologize to you.”

  “I did but…it’s weird to explain it. I thought it was never going to happen and I was okay with that. I was okay with you moving on and doing what you’re doing. I was fine with loving you from a distance. And now, I’m just like, oh man…what happened here?”

  Krista’s eyes crinkled as her lips twisted. “Sooo…you wish I never apologized at all?”

  “No, it’s not that,” Tony exhaled a deep breath. Everything sounded fine in his head but getting the words out made him sound like a jumbled idiot. “I guess I was so used to being mad at you that it gave me some sort of power. And I liked it. No matter what happened during the day, to me, or whatever, I could curse at you under the sun. I could relish in your misery. I could laugh at your expense.” He paused for a beat. “And then it got tired. Then it wasn’t fun anymore. Then I wondered, ‘What’s next?’

  “And I was happy with everything. I was happy you went on with your life and dated whoever. And I was happy that things between us were just memories.”

  “So what changed?” She asked. “This just didn’t come out of nowhere.”

  “I don’t know,” he shrugged, “I’ve watched you for a while at the shop and my anger turned into regret. And when I saw you alone tonight, I wasn’t thinking anything other than you shouldn’t have been having dinner on the most romantic day of the year by yourself.” Another beat. “And I was fine with us being friendly again and maybe delve back into a friendship.”

  “Then my apology made it worse?” Krista was more confused than ever.

  “Your apology reminded me I’d never stopped loving you, not even for a second.” Tony swallowed. He felt his chest tightening in a painful lock. “And it was a fact I thought I had long buried, hidden somewhere deep with presidential tax returns and Jimmy Hoffa.”

  Krista softly smiled. “I never stopped loving you, Tony. I know I made it hard for you to trust me again and I can’t take back the hurt and anguish I caused you and your family. But I want to try again if you think we can.”

  Tony scooted closer to her and grabbed her hand. “I think we can.” Another beat. “What about your man?”

  “I’ll handle him. I doubt he’ll be upset we’re breaking up.” She shrugged.

  “Until then, let’s keep this non-sexual. I don’t feel comfortable sleeping with someone else’s woman.”

  Krista hoped a reunion between the pair meant endless orgasms, curled toes, and arched backs. It would have to wait just a bit longer. “So, what now?”

  “I said this should be non-sexual,” he climbed onto the bed and snuggled with her. He swept his lips over hers before he captured her lips with his. He felt her resolve broke against him and she went limp in his embrace. “I didn’t say we had to be chaste.”

  Krista opened her eyes and felt her breath lodged deep into her throat. He was stunningly gorgeous with deep brown eyes, chiseled jawline, and full lips. She knew him as a little boy who never shied from his controversial opinions to grow into the man who had the same M.O.

  He was the best friend she’s ever had, being the shoulder to cry on and encouraging her dreams.

  He was the best lover she’s ever had, bringing her into endless orgasms and nothing was ever taboo for them. Every fantasy they wanted, each other fulfilled in many ways.

  Now he was hers again.

  “What now?” She asked.

  “I want you to sleep in my bed tonight,” he caressed her face. “But first, Call of Duty.” He scooted off the bed.

  “Oh, really?” Krista followed him to the gaming room. “You’re still talking shit, huh?”

  “I haven’t said anything,” Tony turned on the console and handed his girlfriend a controller and headset. “It’s not my problem you can’t stomp with the big boys.”

  Krista put on her headset. “I got your big boy right here.”

  ~~~~

  The smell of bacon woke Krista from her slumber.

  After playing games all night with plenty of making out sessions in between, Krista and Tony retreated to his bedroom late in the wee hours of morning. While they didn’t have sex, they made out like teenagers behind the bleachers after school.

  They wanted to go further; Krista could remember how hard Tony’s cock became as he laid between her thighs – but restrained themselves. In reality, it was Tony holding back. Krista wanted to solidify the relationship but Tony didn’t.

  Or couldn’t.

  Something held him back. Krista knew they had a ways to go fixing their relationship but it was something more than just reconciliation. She knew something deeper was troubling Tony. She felt it in every kiss, caress, and soft moan that escaped his lips.

  They knew just about everything about each other. What else more was there?

  She grabbed one of his dress shirts and put it on before she fixed herself up. She started to make her way downstairs when she heard Tony speaking to someone.

  “Did she give you any problems?” He asked.

  “No, not at all! She’s a joy always.” The younger girl mentioned. “Thank you so much, Tony! This will really help out my family.”

  “Not a problem! I’ll let you know if I need you again soon.” He heard his bedroom door open and saw Krista making her way downstairs. “Probably sooner than you think.”

  The girl smiled at Krista. “New girlfriend?” She whispered.

  “You can say that,” Tony smiled before the girl left. He finally turned to Krista. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I did but I can use some coffee,” she grinned. She watched Tony bounce an infant girl in his arms as he spoke Italian to her. Tony was always so attentive to his nieces and nephews, Krista knew he would’ve been a great father one day. Her heart pained with the realization. With her history, the chances of Krista becoming pregnant were always slim without medical intervention and she wasn’t sure if becoming a mother with drugs, injections, and tests were worth it.

  But seeing Tony with the baby, Krista began to have second doubts. “And who’s this cutie?” Krista asked.

  “Kris, this is Siena,” Tony softly bounced the infant in his arms, “my baby daughter.”

  Krista’s and Tony’s story continue in the full-length standalone novel, Stay With Me.

  Snippet from the upcoming baseball romance, Sweet Spot:

  “What did you think the first time you saw me?”

  “The first time I saw you?” Quinn asked and Bobbi nodded. He shook his head as a wide smile grew on his face. “I thought you were Christmas morning.”

  “Christmas morning, huh?” She giggled. “That’s interesting.”

  “It’s true,” he brushed a lock of her chestnut brown hair away from her face and softly cupped her cheek, “I thought, ‘Wow. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.’”

  Bobbi softly blushed and hoped her cheeks weren’t as crimson as she felt them to be. “I thought you were just okay,” she teased.

  “Just okay, huh?” Quinn laughed.

  “I thought you were kinda young for me, honestly.” She shrugged. Bobbi leaned on an elbow for support and covered herself up more with the blanket. “You’re 22 and I’m 30 and I’m like, ‘Ehhh….I don’t know about this.’”

  Quinn turned towards her and stared into her wide brown eyes. “So, what changed your mind?”

  “I saw you shirtless and I was like, ‘Holy shit!’” Bobbi laughed as Quinn smiled. “No, but for real, um, it was when I broke up with Scotland.” She referenced a tumultuou
s ex-boyfriend. “And you were there. You cared for me that entire week and you let me have my space. Plus the fact you make some of the best pancakes I’ve ever had did win me over.”

  “You don’t love me, you love my pancakes.” Quinn teased.

  “Anyway!” Bobbi laughed. “You really hated Scotland, huh?”

  “It wasn’t easy. I was already in love with you then,” Quinn admitted, “I hated when you bragged about how happy you were with him. I’m going to sound like a total douche but when he broke your heart, I was happy about that. Not you being heartbroken but because you were finally away from him.”

  “This is going to sound pretty bad but I have to ask,” she began, “did seeing me and Scotland motivate you to have a no-hitter season?”

  “Yep.” Quinn unapologetically nodded.

  Bobbi slumped back into bed. Quinn was already a wunderkind on the diamond but that particular season will go down as one of the greatest in baseball’s history. “You really hated us?”

  “Hate is such a strong word,” Quinn’s soft Midwestern accent came out, “I prefer loathed and despised.” He nodded.

  “I don’t know how I feel about my happiness made you so focused,” Bobbi’s lips tightened.

  “You weren’t happy, though,” he rolled on top of her and she opened her legs to accommodate him, “you were kinda miserable.”

  “It wasn’t all bad,” she defended.

  “It wasn’t all great, neither.” He cupped her face.

  Bobbi stared into Quinn’s bluish-green eyes and noticed how when the light hit them at the right angle, they sparkled just right. “You saved me.”

  “We saved each other,” he softly replied.

  “Of course, seeing you sing ‘Only Girl in the World’ kinda solidified the deal.” Bobbi stroked his bare chest. “You have some pipes on you.”

  “Who doesn’t love Rihanna? It’s one of her best songs.” Quinn intently watched his girlfriend’s eyes. She looked so focused as her fingers lazily stroked him. “Of course, I’m not the only one who has pipes on me.”