“I want to get another check. I don’t trust him. Douche was wearing loafers, for fuck’s sake.”
Leo’s booming laugh trickles down the line. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you have a touch of the green-eyed monster.”
“Don’t be stupid. I’m watching out for her is all.”
“Sure, son.”
I exhale heavily. “Come on. Drop that shit. You know my stance.”
“Was Elisa’s sad face today anything to do with you?” he asks in a more serious tone.
“You’ve seen her recently?”
“She traveled with us this evening. Came home early for the weekend.”
I pull a sharp left to reroute my direction, already deciding to head to Greenwich.
It’s after eight by the time I reach the Greenwich estate. Mom beat me home, and she drags me inside to share a late dinner with her. She’s exhausted because she’s been pulling long shifts every day since the battle, and I don’t protest when she hits the sack early because it gives me time to hunt down Lili. It’s almost ten as I set out on foot toward the Salerno home.
I am passing the side of their garden when voices tickle my eardrums. It’s coming from the gazebo area at the back, which is a familiar hangout of Romeo’s and Rowan’s. Especially if they want to smoke dope or drink a few beers. I set out in that direction, my ears perking up at the sound of girlish laughter.
Elisa is with them.
I’m not sure why I do it, but I crouch down and duck between shrubs and trees as I creep up on the cozy structure. Cushioned benches rim the perimeter of the circular wooden structure on all sides, and a large circular coffee table resides in the center space. Patio heaters glow warmly, flickering shadows across three familiar faces. Overhead, string lights are hung haphazardly, and decorative wall art is affixed to the side panels. A couple of candles fight for space alongside copious bottles of beer and wine on the table as I crawl up alongside the gazebo, concealing myself behind a large shrub.
“You should do it, sis,” Romeo says, stretching his long legs out on his side of the seated area. “It’s time.” He passes a blunt to his sister, and I’m shocked when she drags on it with expertise. This isn’t the first time she’s smoked, and that is news to me.
“I feel like I’ve waited this long I shouldn’t rush to make the decision now.”
“Don’t overthink it, Lise,” Rowan says, rolling onto his stomach. Elisa’s head is on her brother’s lap, and her feet are at Rowan’s head. He tickles the soles of her feet, and she giggles as she reaches for the wine bottle. “You get too up in your head sometimes, cuz. Just go with the flow when you’re next making out with Seb and see where it leads.”
I stuff a fist in my mouth as I contemplate intervening. But I’ve more to glean from eavesdropping, so I stay quiet.
“I want to, but every time it’s getting close, I can’t stop thinking about…he who shall not be named, and it ruins the mood.”
“I should have punched his lights out years ago,” Romeo says in an angry tone.
“Caleb is cool,” Rowan says, taking the blunt from Elisa.
“Hey!” Lili sits up and glares at him. “No saying his name out loud. You agreed!”
Wow, things have really sunk to new lows. I rub at the tightness spreading across my chest.
Elisa is slurring her words a little, and I wonder how much she’s had to drink.
“He’s not cool,” Romeo hisses. “He’s a fucking prick and an idiot. What sane man would pick whores and skanks over my beautiful sister?”
A man who knows he’s not worthy of said beautiful sister.
I’m aware Romeo is wary of me, but he’s usually not so vocal. He’s a sensitive soul and fiercely loyal to his sister. Something I admire—when he’s not throwing shade my way.
“I love you, Romeo.” Elisa turns around to hug her brother. “You’re the best brother ever.”
“He doesn’t choose them over Lise,” Rowan says, leaning on his side. He takes another pull on the blunt before passing it back to Romeo. Elisa swigs greedily from the bottle of wine, and I frown. This isn’t like her at all. “He uses them to distract himself from her.”
What the fuck? Is Rowan Mazzone psychoanalyzing me? And could he be fucking right?
No.
