Freshly showered, Teo sat waiting for her in the kitchen, scrolling through his phone. High cheekbones, a strong jawline, and hazel eyes like hers—he was so handsome. Her brother had girls panting after him everywhere they went, not that he ever seemed to care. His happiness was stolen from him, which saddened her, because he deserved it and had so much to offer.
“Where’s Kev and Luca?”
Glancing up at her from his phone, Teo shrugged. “In his room, I guess.”
“Doing what?”
“Do you really have to ask?” With a toss of his inky mane, he snickered, his gaze returning to the screen.
Did not need to know that.
“Jesus, Matteo.” Gina flicked him on the head. “You knew already, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I’ve known for a while,” he said and went back to his scrolling.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Sorry, was I supposed to?” He cocked his head, hazel-green eyes locking on hers. “I would never betray our brother, not even to you. Luca loves you more than anyone, so give the kid a fucking break. He wanted to confide in you. I know he planned to. He was trying to figure out how, I guess.”
“But he didn’t have a problem telling you.”
It hurt to think he’d felt even a moment of angst, or shame, or fear over sharing his truth with her.
“He didn’t have much of a choice.” Her brother stood, forcing Gina to look up at him. “I found him downstairs with a dude when he was fifteen, and they weren’t just making out.”
“Oh, shit. What did you do?” She was almost afraid to hear the answer.
“They were so into it, I just turned around and left.” Pursing his lips to the side, Teo shrugged. “Didn’t want to embarrass him, you know?”
I know.
“I talked to him later that night, and he explained it to me the same way he did to you.” His arm came around her in a brotherly bear hug. “Luca’s not gay. He’s always known who he is.”
“I’d love him the same even if he were,” she said against his chest.
“I know.” And smoothing the hair down her back, he kissed her crown. “Don’t know how long this girl of theirs will stick around, but I’m glad he and Kev got each other.”
“Are they serious?” They were too young to be, right?
With a parting pat on her head, Teo exhaled and took a step back. “Looks that way. They wanna get a place together, but neither of ’em can afford it yet.”
“Yeah, working after school at Beanie’s and delivering pizzas wouldn’t cut it, I suppose.”
“Nope. I told Luca they can hang out downstairs when I’m not at home,” he said, sliding his phone into the back pocket of his jeans. “I remember what it’s like to want to be with someone so fucking bad and having nowhere you can go.”
“And we love you for it, bro.” How long had Luca been listening from the hallway? He rushed in and hugged their brother from behind, smiling at her with his chin on Teo’s shoulder. “Damn, Gina, you look—”
“Hot as all get out. And gorgeous, too,” Kevin said, his blue-green gaze sweeping over her frame. “Hell, if you weren’t my boyfriend’s sister…”
“Well, she is, so don’t even think about it.” Taking her by the hand, Luca grabbed Kevin with the other. “Let’s go. Time to deliver Gina to the rock star, and then my mission will be complete.”
To avoid the throng on First Avenue, the four of them walked down Third most of the way. But even from two blocks over, the festival’s din reached Gina’s ears as if she were in the midst of it.
Was that the amplified rat-a-tat-tat of a snare drum in the distance? Check, one. Check, two. The aggressive reverb of Matt’s guitar?
Her stomach dropped.
“Fuck!” She glanced at the time on her phone. Ten after six.Damn you, Paulina. If not for her, she would’ve been there by now. “C’mon, we’ve got to hurry!”
