I’ve always had this special talent for pushing away the good guys and being a magnet for the shitheads like Rowdy.
How can I tell Wylder not to come now?
I can’t.
CHAPTER13
WYLDER
“Do I look okay?”Ma asks as we stand outside the Hook and Hustle entrance.
“Ma, you’ve been here a hundred times and know everyone inside. You look great like you always do. Don’t make a big deal out of this.”
She nervously pushes on her curls. ”Yes, but I’ve never been invited to a private dinner. This is a big deal, son. I don’t know anyone else who’s ever been invited either.”
I haven’t put much thought into being asked to join them tonight. I assumed Mrs. Gallo was only being kind, but when I think about it…really think about…it’s not normal for them to invite people outside the family, just like my mother said.
The door to the bar opens, and Mrs. Gallo sticks her head out. “There you guys are. We’ve been waiting for you.”
My mother steps in front of me to hug Betty. “I’m sorry we’re late. I couldn’t figure out what to wear.”
“We’re casual, honey. You look beautiful, though,” Mrs. Gallo tells her as she hugs my mother back. “I hope you girls are hungry. We have a feast inside.”
Hazel’s stomach gurgles, getting a giggle out of all of us. “I’ve been saving room all day.”
“I’m starving too,” Maddy adds as we follow my mother and Mrs. Gallo toward the front door.
When we walk inside, the bar looks the same and somehow different. It’s bright and brimming with the loud chatter of a room filled with people. No one’s sitting at the bar nursing a cheap beer like they usually are.
The entire family is milling around, talking to one another loudly with animation. If it were anyone else, I’d think they were yelling at one another, but the amount of laughter and smiles tells me otherwise.
I’ve known the Gallos my entire life. It’s hard not to when everyone knows everyone in this neighborhood. There are no secrets either. Gossip runs rampant around here, and I’ve done my best to keep my name out of everyone’s mouth. I knew to hang out in other neighborhoods if I wanted to keep under the radar of most of the people my mother knew.
“Wylder,” Daphne says, walking toward me with her arms outstretched. “You’re looking well.”
“Hey, Daphne. You do too,” I tell her as she gives me a quick hug and pulls away.
When I was little, I had the biggest crush on Daphne Gallo. She was stunning, with a splash of rocker girl that sent my heart racing every time I laid eyes on her.
“I’m so glad my mom invited you guys.”
“Me too,” I say, but I’m not convinced accepting the invitation was the right thing to do.
We are virtually strangers. Sure, we know each other from the neighborhood, but by no means does that warrant an invite to a family meal. But I know what is going on, and I can’t say I’m not happy about it.
Tate’s grandmother is doing her best to make things happen between me and Tate. I’m pretty sure she has no idea about the two kisses we exchanged inside and outside Tate’s shop across the street.
“This is amazing,” Hazel says at my side as she snakes her hand into mine. “Can I have one of those?” She points at a tray of cupcakes.
“Well, if it isn’t one of my favorite Shirley Temple drinkers, Hazel.” Daphne bends down and smiles at my little girl. “I haven’t seen you in a stitch, but you’ve grown. Soon, you’ll be as tall as your daddy.”
Hazel cranes her neck back to look up at me. “I don’t think I’ll ever be as tall as him. He’s huge.”
Daphne chuckles. “I bet you’ll give him a run for his money someday.”
Hazel brings her gaze back to Daphne. “What’s that mean?”
“Never mind. You can have as many cupcakes as your daddy says you can.”
