Dom
By late in the afternoon,there are piles of gifts everywhere and the floor is buried in crumpled wrapping paper. I look around the room, seeing each of Andrew’s siblings cuddled up to their significant others while my own has once again been called out to the kitchen by Mama and Nona. Poor Tony may wind up rethinking his wish that his own family was more like the Rossi’s by the time those women are convinced that he’ll be okay. I love them, but they can be a bit intense when they’re concerned about their children.
“Have you thought any more about what you’re going to do with Pinnacle?” Andrew asks. He makes his way around the room, gathering empty beer bottles and soda cans on his way to grab a fresh round. My liver will be grateful to be away from this clan because they definitely like to drink more than I’m used to.
“Not really,” I say, shrugging. “It’s only been a few days since I seriously started thinking about giving it up. I don’t want to make a decision like this at the same time I’m processing everything else.”
Gus turns up the television as a way to protest the fact that we’re talking business on a holiday. It’s one of the old man’s unofficial rules: everything on holidays has to be positive and light-hearted. “Sorry, Gus,” I apologize, even though I wasn’t the one who started this particular conversation.
“Dad, you’re going to have to go easy on me. Cara and I leave as soon as we can get home and grab our bags. Dom will be… wait, here’s a better question: where are you going to be when I get back from Bali?”
“You know you can stay at our place as long as you need, right?” Cara offers, scooting over on the couch when Andrew returns.
“Thanks, but…uh…” The longer I take to respond, the more interested everyone becomes in what I’m not saying.
“He’s trying to tell you that he appreciates the offer, but he found a place,” Tony chimes in. I turn to glare at him, still unsure this is the best decision. Sure, it sounded amazing in the moment, but now I’m having second thoughts. He claims I’d just be a roommate, but neither of us is that naïve. If I sleep in the second bedroom even once it’d shock me.
“Oh?”Great, now we have Mama and Nona’s attention.
“Where are you going to stay?” Gus asks, turning off the television. Suddenly, I’m beginning to miss the bubble I popped last night. Without that barrier, the Rossi family is all too interested in my life.
I scratch the back of my neck, trying to figure out how to phrase this so I don’t look insane.
“He’s going to come to Virginia for a while,” Tony informs them. He sits on the arm of my chair, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Told me something about a hunky firefighter he can’t keep his hands off of. I couldn’t help but pity the poor sap.”
The women burst into fits of giggles. I backhand his stomach, hoping that if I knock the wind out of him he won’t be able to keep rambling. “Seriously, if we’re going to do this, youhave got to learn to shut up,” I chide.
“No, if you’re going to live with me, you need to realize that I was born without a filter. Whatever I think flies out of my mouth without a moment of hesitation,” Tony retorts.
“That might be the most honest thing you’ve ever said.” I wrap my arms around Tony’s waist, pulling him to my side. “Sounds like both of us have some work to do.”
“Uh, wow,” Andrew stammers. “That’s not what I was expecting, but I think it’ll be good for you. So, what about the business?”
I scowl at Andrew, wishing he’d lay off about whether or not I’m going to sell. Now that I’m not so raw, I realize it may have been just as impulsive to say I’m going to sell it as it was to move to Arizona in the first place. On paper, the company is wildly successful and I’m not sure giving it up will be the best move long-term.
Tony jumps in to my defense, telling Andrew that there will be plenty of time to think about the future of my company once I’m settled into my new place. From there, he gracefully shifts the conversation to talking about Andrew and Cara’s honeymoon and my bit of news is quickly forgotten. “Thank you,” I whisper to him when no one is paying attention.
“Anytime.” He slides off the arm of the chair so the two of us are crammed into the seat. We snuggle close, relishing the feeling of family we both get from these people who love us because they choose to, not because they have to. Tony isn’t completely at ease with showing affection around them, but I’m proud of him for at least trying. “Is it about time to get out of here?”
“Soon,” I assure him. The Rossi family can be a bit much to take in large doses if you’re not used to the open affection they show and I can tell that Tony is overwhelmed with the entire scene. As soon as we get back to the apartment and I know my friend and his new bride are on their way out of the country, I plan on showing just how pleased I am with him. Not only for taking a scary leap that I tried telling him not to because of my own fears, but also for understanding that not everyone is like his family.
“Oh, would the two of you get out of here already?” We look up to see Gus looming over us, scowling. “I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out with us. Just make sure you don’t try to skip state without coming back to say goodbye.”
Tony uncomfortably pulls himself out of the chair, offering a hand to Gus. “Thank you, sir. I’m sorry for bringing my family’s drama here today—”
“Nonsense, boy.” Gus pushes away Tony’s hand, catching him off guard when the older man pulls the younger close to his body. “I hate to speak poorly of your family, but this isn’t the first time a child of theirs has come into our home crying. If they can’t treat you right, know that you always have a place at our dinner table. And for the love of everything holy, knock it off with that ‘sir’ shit. You’ll call me Gus.”
Tony looks away as soon as he’s released, but not quick enough for me to not see the way his eyes are glistening. I rush to his side, whispering more words of love and acceptance as I wipe away the moisture before a single tear falls.
Mama and Nona join the group, their parting words echoing Gus. Both women kiss Tony’s cheeks, lavishing him with the affection I’m not sure he’s ever been shown by his own mother. By the time they let him go, both of his cheeks are covered in smears of red lipstick.
“Come on, Casanova. Let’s get you out of here before Gus gets jealous,” I tease, pulling Tony toward the coat rack.
“If you give us a few minutes, you’re more than welcome to ride home with us,” Andrew offers.
As convenient as that would be, I’m in the mood to stroll leisurely around the city for a little while. The snow is still falling, but the temperature has risen a bit so it’s no longer bitterly cold. Besides, I can’t guarantee I won’t start stripping Tony naked the moment we walk into the apartment and I’m sure Cara would prefer to not see that. A walk will give them time to collect their luggage and clear out.
The entire family stands on the front porch wishing us a Merry Christmas as Tony slides his hand around my waist, leading me down the front steps. “Are they always this Norman Rockwell?” His words are delivered straight to my ear, which apparently has some connection to my groin because the rumble of his voice causes a reaction in that region of my body.
