“What happened?”
“We just broke up.”
“Why?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
Francesco ground his teeth, and figured a version of the truth was better than a lie. “That guy she’s with—Tom—they have a history. I guess she missed him, or whatever.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Seriously, why does any of this matter?”
“Aren’t I allowed to worry about my brother?”
“Worry about Raf all you want. I’m fine.”
Rocco sighed heavily. “You really are dumb as shit sometimes, you know that?”
Francesco contemplated disconnecting the call.
“I mean, I was too, til I met Maddie, so I get it. Fuck, man. Sometimes you just have to take the leap, you know.”
Francesco shook his head. “It’s not the same thing.”
“Why not?”
“Because you love Maddie.”
“Yeah, I love Maddie. But I almost lost her, because it took me so long to wake up and realise it. I was stupid, and I think you’re probably being the same kind of stupid.”
Francesco shook his head. “It’s different.”
“Is it? How?”
“Can we not talk about this?”
“If it’s no big deal, why’s it a problem to talk about?”
“You’re really pissing me off, now.”
“I think you’re messing up your life.”
“Just as well it’s my life to mess up, then. Why don’t you call Raf? He’s the one who could do with your amateur psychology services, not me.”
“He’s next on my list.”
“Great, just give me a sec to warn him,” Francesco snapped.
“You’re in a disgusting mood, and I think it’s because you hate the sight of her with that guy. I think you’re hung up on her. I think you’re standing in the way of your own happiness, and you need to?—,”
“Ineedto go,” Francesco interrupted and then, because this was Rocco, and he knew his brother meant well, “Thanks for calling.” He hung up before Rocco could say another word.
“Who the hell is he?”Meredith’s voice was best described as a screech, and Willow winced, wishing she’d thought to ignore the call.
“Who’s who?” Willow asked, with literally no clue why her stepmother sounded like she was about to have a total meltdown.
