8
Anthony
“I’ve seen your comic,or what you let me see.” Victoria pursed her lips at me before turning back to Howie. “I’m sure there is no competition.”
“So far, five,” Howie answered her. “And those special edition Wonder Woman comics you asked me about last time?” he motioned to the right with his chin, “They came in yesterday, if you want to take a look.”
“They did? Not that I could afford them, but sure I’d love to take a look.” She grabbed my forearm, her eyes wide and dancing with excitement. I wished I could buy her that whole case. “Excuse me for one second.” She rushed over to the new display, and my jaw clenched at the chuckle behind me.
“Got something to say, Howie?” I asked after I tore my eyes away from Victoria.
“Nope,” He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose before lifting his head. “Has she read the whole comic?” He nodded in Victoria’s direction.
Howie needed to review all the entries for the contest, so I stopped by on my lunch hour to let him read. I knew he’d noticed what I wouldn’t let Victoria see.
“Most of it.” I shot him a glare before glancing back at her.
“What I figured.” His smile faded as he sifted through the pile of comics on the counter. “How’s Mario? Have you spoken to him lately?”
I shook my head. “He’s upstate now, all the way by Albany.”
He was still technically inside but was part of a work release program and was able to get out during the day. As far as I knew, he still spent his nights in prison.
It seemed like a lifetime ago when Mario and I would drop by the comic book store and sift through whatever Howie’s father put on sale back when he managed the store.
Even then, Mario had a knack for attracting trouble and then sucking me into it. Despite everything that happened, I missed him. But the best thing for the both of us was to stay separated after he was fully released. Following him the last time had almost cost me everything. Starting from zero was something I only wanted to do once.
Victoria grazed one of the plastic wrapped comics with the tip of her finger with a reverence that made her even more adorable than she was already. A guy looked her over from the back, but I wasn’t sure if he was checking her out or impressed by her intense interest in what she was looking at. When he opened his mouth as if he were about to talk to her, his gaze stumbled onto mine.
I was tall and fairly built from all the time I spent working out while in prison and then when I moved back to Queens. Appearing intimidating, no matter how scared shitless I may’ve been on the inside, was a skill I had no choice but to master—quickly. When I crossed my arms over my chest and aimed my best scowl in this dude’s direction, he backed away with his hands up. I guessed I still had it. A smile ghosted my lips at his retreat.
Victoria turned toward me, her smile was bright and beautiful, and her eyes lit up. My hand went to my chest, rubbing away the sudden sting. I hated how perfect she was, and how much I wanted her, no matter how many hours I’d spent talking myself out of it. It made me physically sick to think of being less than in her eyes when she finally learned the truth about me.
“You did that the last time you guys were here together, you know?”
“Did what?” I rolled my eyes when I turned to his snicker.
“That night you both came in for the Halloween party. Someone tried to chat her up near the register about what she was buying until he noticed your death glare behind her and backed off. She didn’t notice, so I guess she’s just as oblivious as you are.”
Victoria lured people in with her beauty and her infectious personality. I remembered her eyes dancing when she showed that creep all the comics in her hands and, although I had no right to, I resented the shit out of him for simply talking to her.
In another life, I’d be everything for her, everything she wanted me to be.
In this one, I was nothing.
He sniffed and twisted his face in disgust. “This pine shit the guys sprayed around here to make it smell like Christmas is making me want to throw up. It’s appropriate, though.” He laughed to himself.
“For a holiday party, yeah I guess.” I shrugged, not knowing why a snide grin was playing on his lips.
“Pine, for all thepininggoing on in here.”
I rolled my eyes again, finally tearing them away from Victoria.
“You’re an idiot.”
“I’m more amazed you found the right green for her eyes. I’ve never seen anything like it.” He shook his head and set his hands on the counter. “She’s obviously into you, too. So why play the game? Hell, if I thought she was interested in me—”
“Stop, Howie.” My mouth flattened to a hard line, which only made him laugh harder.
