I glance down at the mess between us, then back at him. "You really hate it, huh?"
He doesn’t answer right away. I shift, a little slower this time. "Gio, what does your mom say? About everything they… you know… say about you. The rumors and all."
He laughs. "She says the rumors would be more fun if they were actually true."
"Seriously?"
"She thinks it’s all dramatic nonsense. And she’s not wrong." I look at him. I don’t stop myself this time. "So which part is true?" He raises an eyebrow, not expecting that. "Depends," he says slowly. "Which rumor do you want to believe the most?"
"Well…" I shift on the bed, trying to sound casual, even though my heart is not cooperating. "Is it true you’re banned from two countries?"
Gio leans back on his elbows, smirk on his lips like he’s been waiting for that question. "Technically, one ban and one strong suggestion not to come back."
Who is this guy.
He shrugs. "I call that diplomacy."
I snort. "You call that insanity."
"Tomayto, tomahto."
I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back a laugh.
"And the other thing," I say, lowering my voice. "That rumor about the lines. On the strippers."
He looks at me with raised eyebrows. "That one got around, huh?"
"So it’s true?!"
He gives a slow nod, amused. "Vegas. Bachelor party. No big deal."
I stare at him like he’s from another planet. "You’re a freak." "Thanks, I do try."
The corners of my mouth curl before I can stop it. He notices. "And the arrests?" I ask. "Two?"
"Yup. Once for trespassing. The other one, well…it was a misunderstanding."
I raise an eyebrow.
"You ran from the cops."
"Misunderstanding," he repeats with a grin. "Wrong place, right time."
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. There’s something about how easily he says these things, like he knows how ridiculous he is but doesn’t care if the world agrees.
Then I look away.
Okay. I have to ask. Ihaveto.
It’s eating me alive. My curiosity is clawing at my brain. What am I supposed to do, ignore it? Let it haunt me forever? Die wondering?
No. Absolutely not. This is my chance. I need to know if he has that one tattoo.
I clear my throat. "Okay, um, okay listen."
I look anywhere but at him. "This one’snotfrom me. It’s Daisy’s fault I even know about it."
He tilts his head. "Go on."
