“Did you hear me?” Maria asks.
“Hm? Uh, no. Sorry. I was just admiring your backyard. It’s so beautiful,” I gush.
“Yeah. It really is,” she sighs smiling. “I’m actually going to miss waking up to this view every day. Anyway, to answer your question, our barbeques are pretty low key. Usually, it’s just the family, and every once in a while a friend or some extended family make it over. But it’s basically, just swimming, drinks, and relaxing.”
“Oh. Okay,” I say a bit hesitantly. But I’m not family.
“You don’t have to be family to be welcome,” she adds, answering my self-doubt.
“So, how’d you meet your fiancé?” I ask. I’m a sucker for a happy ending.
“Oh! He’ll be here later! I can’t wait for you to meet him,” she gushes. “He’s gorgeous! I met him when I was filling in for a server at Luca’s one night. He came in with his girlfriend.” She laughs. “I didn’t think I stood a chance, but a few weeks later, he came back asking for me. We’ve been together ever since.”
“That’s oddly sweet.” I smile back. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, anything.”
“How did you know he was the one? I mean… guys are kinda assholes, right?” I laugh to lighten the question. But in all seriousness, I really want to know.
“When you have the one… you just… know. If you have to question it, then either you’re not there yet or he’s not right for you. I still get butterflies when I even think about him. Most people look at us and probably think ‘what’s he doing with her?’ But when we’re together, he makes me feel like I’m a goddess.”
I look over at her and see pure happiness on her face. “Maria, you know you’re stunningly beautiful, right?” I ask. She may be short, and a little soft, but her features are mere perfection. She’s gorgeous.
“Well, I’m not tall and thin like—”
“Don’t you even dare compare yourself to your sister. Yes, they’re tall and thin. And yes, they’re just as beautiful as you are. But you, Maria, are stunning. I truly hope that when you look in a mirror you see what we all see,” I tell her sadly. I know how much body issues can tear you down and control you. Always feeling low and pathetic. Shit, I still struggle with it.
“I do now.” She smiles confidently.
“Mornin’, ladies,” a deep husky voice sounds, breaking our conversation.
I lift my head to see who it is, and I see Alé in a pair of orange swim trunks with a white design swirled throughout. My eyes slowly trail up his tanned, rock hard abs and chest. He has tats covering his arms, biceps, and chest. I see his pectorals flex and my eyes snap to meet his. Alé’s dark eyes are dancing with amusement, the side of his mouth slightly tipped up.
“Do you want a closer view? Maybe see what it feels like?” he teases.
“Ugh! No, thank you,” I muster as I lay my head back down.
“Umm… maybe I’m missing something here, but didn’t’ she already do that?” Maria snickers.
“Ah, you told my sister?” he accuses me with a laugh.
“I did not!” I object, appalled. “I would never…”
“I saw the panty scene yesterday morning.” Maria laughs.
“Ah.” Alé sighs. “Joey claims she doesn’t remember any of it.”
“Oh, my God,” I groan embarrassed. “One, I don’t claim anything. Two, stop talking as if I’m not sitting right here. And three, quit talking about it!” I snap at Alé. He just laughs and shrugs in response. I mock his reaction as I glare at him, causing him to laugh harder. “Whatever,” I grumble as I get up from my lounge chair and slip on my jean shorts and black sandals.
“Where you going?” Maria asks curiously.
“To go offer help to your Mom,” I tell her without looking back at Alé.
As I walk inside through the glass sliding patio doors, all conversation dies. The room falls silent.
“Hi,” I greet everyone as friendly as I can as I try to cover the insecurity I’m feeling at the moment.
“Joey.” Rosetta smiles as she makes her way around the island to me, reaching out to kiss my cheek. “Alé told me he invited you. You are staying, si?” she asks me, her Italian accent thick.
“Yes, Maria said I should experience one of your family barbeques.” I smile. “I came in to see if I could help with anything.”
“Come, sit, sit,” she commands as she gestures to one of the stools placed at the island. I follow her as confidently as possible, feeling every pair of eyes in the room on me.
“What can I do to help?” I ask quietly.
“Joey, you’re a guest of Alé’s, you don’t help. You keep us company,” Frank tells me from where he’s perched against the front of the sink.
I laugh uncomfortably. “Actually, I’m a guest of Maria’s,” I correct him.
“Mhmm,” Nina sounds with a smirk.
“What?” I cock a brow at her.
“Oh, nothing.” She shrugs.
“Stop, Nina.” Enedina laughs at her as she tosses a towel in her face.
“Enedina! I just did my makeup,” she whines.
“It’s a family barbeque. We’ll be swimming most of the time, anyway. Makeup is pointless. Besides, there isn’t going to be anyone here for you to impress anyway,” Enedina states.
I hear a quick, deep growl. “Too young,” Frank says shaking his head. “You’re too young for any man.”
“Daddy! I’m sixteen!” Nina nearly shouts.
“Too young,” he says firmly.
“Joey, how old were you when you started dating?” Nina turns and asks me. Hope blooming in her warm, chocolate brown eyes.
I’m a little thrown. “Umm… I was, uh…” I trail off. My eyes connecting with Franks narrowed eyes before looking back at Nina. I just shrug hoping she doesn’t press it.
“Seriously, how old where you?” she asks eagerly.
“Well, I-I didn’t really have any rules against dating, but I didn’t date anyone seriously, either.” I shrug. “I mean, I had a few dates through high school, just nothing that stuck, I guess.”
“So when was your first ‘serious’ relationship, then?” Enedina asks curiously, using her fingers to air quote the word serious.
“Uh…” Looking around, I see all eyes are on me. Frank’s eyes narrow while a smile fills Rosetta’s beautifully tanned face. “Never,” I whisper as I look down at my fidgeting hands.
“Wait,” Nina holds up a hand in disbelief. “Never? You’ve never had a boyfriend? You expect us to believe that you, who looks like… that,” she waves a hand up and down my body, “has never had a boyfriend?” She laughs in disbelief.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “I’ve never met anyone yet that’s been worth the trouble.” I can feel Frank’s eyes burning a hole through me, so I avoid making eye contact with him at all costs. I look over at Nina and her mouth is gaped open with shock.
“Okay,” Enedina says breaking the awkward silence, “so how old were you when you first… you know… did it?” she pries.
“You ladies know that I’m standing right here, right?” Frank butts in. The girls laugh and roll their eyes in unison at him before turning their attention back on me.
“Uh… I was eighteen,” I answer quietly.
“Now I know you’re full of it,” Nina laughs.
“Believe what you want.” I shrug.
“Ladies, why don’t you head outside? Bring some of these dishes out with you, please,” Frank requests. Well, it comes off as a request, but his face shows how serious he is. I nod, standing to reach for a veggie tray to carry. “Joey, stay for a moment, please,” Frank requests firmly.
“Sure,” I say pulling my hands away empty. Shit. What’d I do?
Frank watches the girls load their arms with food from the counter before walking outside. As soon as the room is only occupied by Rosetta, Frank, and me, he moves forward resting his palms on the island directly across from me.
“Thank you,” he
sighs. He must be able to read the confusion on my face because he adds, “for telling Nina that. She’s not old enough yet.”
“Ah.” I nod in understanding. “It was nothing but the truth, Frank. One thing I don’t do is lie.” I shrug. “Avoid? Yes. Lie? Not a chance,” I tell him honestly.
He cocks a brow as he stares into me, eyes narrowed. This time I meet him full on. Stare for stare. After what feels like an eternity of me forcing my nerves down and not looking away, he smiles and nods. “All right then.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Aléssandro
The sun is shining hot with no breeze to decrease the intensity of the heat. So most of us are only out of the pool to graze the snacks or to refill a drink. Ma is sitting on a stool at the bar keeping Uncle Jack and Dad company while they prepare the grill. She’s been making sure that everyone’s staying hydrated… with margaritas, beers, and mojitos. Well, everyone except for Nina. Dad would have a fucking heart attack if any of us consented to her drinking underage. He never condoned underage drinking, but ever since Franks’ death, it became clear just how much he was now against it, even though Frank was of age.
Tommy, Nikolas, Vito, and Sammy came over, and we’ve been having contests between us guys for dives, cannonballs, and belly flops ever since, while the girls are chilling out against the wall. Boring.
“I can’t handle any more belly flops,” Sammy complains holding his stomach.
“Pussy,” Tommy teases.
“I guess all that time in the gym working on those muscles of yours does nothing to make you a real man, huh?” Vito laughs.
“Fuck off,” Sammy says glaring at him.
“Chicken fight?” I volunteer.
“Sure, but your dick isn’t touching my neck.” Tommy laughs.
“I mean with the girls.” I laugh as I splash him.
“I get Joey,” Vito says quickly.
“Fuck that,” I growl. “No one but me gets Joey,” I tell him. A twinge of jealousy forms in my stomach over the idea of anyone touching her but me. That idea just pisses me off. Especially, since I can sense her constantly watching me. Her eyes may be covered with her dark shades, but I can feel her eyes on me. Yet every time I get close to her, she nearly runs away.
“Whatever, man.” Vito backs off holding his palms up. “She’s yours.”
“Not yet,” I mutter as I turn and stalk toward her. “Ladies,” I flash a smile at all four of them resting with their backs against the wall with a drink in each of their hands, “care to have some fun?” I smile wickedly.
“Nah. I’m good right here.” Enedina smiles as she takes a giant sip of her mojito.
I look over at Joey and see her taking an endless drink from her strawberry margarita. I wonder what number that is for her. It’s been at least four. “Joey?” I cock a brow to challenge her.
“Uh, I’m good. I’m actually going to go get a refill,” she says quickly before turning around, setting her glass on the ground and lifting herself up and out of the pool. She’s like a fucking wet dream. Even if she is wearing a one-piece. Water pours off her body. Her long wet black hair is draped down her back. She bends over to retrieve her glass, her ass in perfect view, and I feel my dick start to harden with the idea of her bent over in front of me, me standing behind her, hands on her shoulders, watching my dick slam into her over and over again. I have to bite back the growl that threatens to escape my chest.
“I’m going to go get a drink,” I announce as I follow Joey out of the pool.
“I’ll come with you. I’m empty,” Maria says. I can’t help but laugh as she struggles to pull herself out of the pool. I reach down and pull her up, planting her on her feet.
“Don’t laugh!” She laughs as she swats my arm. “My body is like noodles! That chick,” she says pointing toward Joey, “is like a drill sergeant.”
“Good! That’s what you wanted, right?” I can’t help the pride that slowly spreads over me for Joey helping Maria. God, what the hell? I just met the chick.
“I like her,” Maria says as she slips her arm through mine, resting her head against my lower bicep as we walk to the bar. I don’t dare respond to that. I know that no matter what I respond with, it will open up a can of worms that I don’t want to deal with right now.
Walking up behind Joey, I hear her voluptuous laugh as her head tips back. Ma giggles as Dad and Uncle Jack just smile and shake their heads.
“Joey, can I ask you something?” Maria asks as she hip bumps Joey before handing her the empty glass.
Joey laughs, shaking her head. “What’s up?” she asks as she accepts her glass and bends over to mix Maria’s drink. I take a seat at the other side of the bar next to Ma and Uncle Jack hands me a fresh lager. I nod my thanks and lean forward on the bar top. You never know what these chicks will say, especially when they’ve been drinking.
“Why the hell are you wearing a one-piece?” she asks, slapping her hand on the bar top.
“Because her Mom was a bitch and planted a forest of self-doubt in her head,” Maria’s fiancé answers for her.
What the fuck? I see Joey’s body tense up before she stands quickly, fully erect, her face pale and eyes wide. She slowly turns around. “Kellan,” she whispers. None of us says a word. We just watch them. Joey looks like she might faint. Kellan’s eyes narrowed, hands on his hips.
“Sorry I’m late.” He smiles quickly, leaning down to kiss Maria.
“Do you know each other?” Maria asks confused.
“Excuse me,” Joey whispers before she tries to flee, but Kellan grabs her arm to stop her. My defenses go up, watching intently, ready to intervene at any moment.
“Jo,” he sighs.
“Don’t!” she spits, turning around and shoving him back on his heels. “Don’t you dare call me that,” she growls pointing a finger at him with eyes full of fire.
“I’ve always—”
“My family called me Jo—”
“I’ve always—”
“That’s because I use to consider you family,” she mutters, her hand moves to rub the back of her neck. “You lost that right when you turned your back on me!” she yells angrily at him, tears misting in her eyes.
What does she mean her family called her Jo?
“Jo, just—”Joey’s fist connects with Kellan’s jaw with a perfect right-handed hook. His face snaps to the side before his hand moves up to rub what I assume is now a sore spot. I actually have to bite my lip from chuckling.
“Don’t!” she warns him.
“Kellan!” Maria freaks. “Joey! What the hell?”
“I have to go,” she whispers, shaking her head before she starts for the house.
“I’m sorry,” Kellan nearly shouts with his arms open wide, stopping Joey in her tracks, her back still to us. “I’m sorry,” he says again quietly.
What the fuck am I missing? I look around and everyone is dead silent, watching the show unfold, confusion written on their faces.
“Okay, someone please fill me in on what the fuck is going on,” Maria snarls.
“Language, Maria,” Dad says firmly, causing an eye roll from Maria.
“Jo and I—”
“Joey,” Joey corrects him as she turns back around, her hands forming fists against her hips. “You lost every right to call me Jo,” she growls.
“Joey,” he emphasizes, “and I used to be… friends,” Kellan starts to explain.
“You slept with my fiancé?” Maria shrieks
“What? No!” Joey gasps. “It was never like that between us.” I have to admit, part of me feels relieved at her confession.
“Joey’s brother was my best friend,” he says softly looking down at the concrete.
Was?
“Okay… so what’s the problem?” Maria asks.
“The problem is when life went to shit, this asshole decided to bail,” Joey utters furiously, glaring at Kellan.
“It was hard for me too, Jo!” He turns to her, arms held open. “I’
m sorry I hurt you, but I can’t change the past.”
“Hard for you? Are you fucking kidding me right now?” she growls as she closes the distance between them. “Hard for you? Fuck you, Kellan!” she yells as she shoves him again. I see everyone from the pool moving toward us. I think the girls are ready to jump in to hold Maria back in case she loses her cool with Joey shoving Kellan. The guys, like me, on edge, ready to keep Kellan in check.
“I loved her, Jo! Okay? I fucking loved her,” he nearly yells, his body tense. “You… it was too hard to look at you,” he says softly. “And then when Aedan,” he shakes his head, his hand rubbing his chin. “I couldn’t handle watching you in that much pain. And I couldn’t do a damn thing about it. I’m sorry,” he whispers.
“You’re a fucking coward,” she sneers.
“You’re right! But I told you at your Dad’s funeral that I’d always be there for you,” he shouts.
“Yeah,” she laughs angrily. “The man who always supported you, you show up for five minutes, hug me, say five fucking words and leave. Yeah, I can really count on you, Kellan,” she rebukes.
“What do you want me to say, Jo?” he spits. “I’m sorry!”
“You’re an ass,” she growls.
“You’re right. I was. But I tried to call you a thousand times, and you chose to ignore me,” he accuses.
“Yeah? How’d that feel?” she glares.
“Shitty,” he sighs.
“Good.” She nods, crossing her arms over her chest.
No one says anything for what seems like an eternity while the two of them have a stare down.
“So, who were you in love with?” Maria timidly asks, breaking the silence.
“Her sister, Evelyn,” he nearly whispers in response, not taking his eyes off Joey. “So… can I call you Jo again?”
Her brows furrow. “Not a fucking chance,” she answers, venom lacing her words. She brushes his shoulder as she passes him and reaches for Maria’s empty glass. She takes a few swigs straight from the Jose before continuing to make Maria’s drink. I watch as a stray tear appears at the corner of her eye. She bats it away quickly, biting her lip so hard she flinches. The need to comfort her hits me like a ton of bricks, but I know that she’ll push me away.
Licentious Page 14
