I interrupt him. I can speak for my fucking self. “I’m not leaving.” I raise the eyebrow Ari’s obsessed with.
She rolls her eyes and huffs. “Really, Luca. You didn’t actually want to come here in the first place. Go pack your things.”
“Not. Happening.”
“Why not?”
I shrug one shoulder, my arms crossed. “Don’t want to.” I’ve absorbed some of the sass. It’s impossible not to in this house.
“You’re being childish,” she taunts, trying to bait me into a fight. Her eyes narrow in on me. “Are you wearing friendship bracelets?”
“Why now, Tina? Luca’s given you no indication he wishes to leave. I’ve given you no indication I want him gone. So, why are you here?” Marco’s pissed. He’s still keeping it hidden, but I can read him well enough now.
“We haven’t heard from our son in over a month. I’m done with this DeVille nonsense. Luca is going to study for a real career and marry a respectable girl.” She swallows nervously, but holds her nose in the air. She’s playing a dangerous game.
I bark out a humorless laugh. “You haven’t heard from me because I have nothing to say to you. And neither of you have contacted me, either. It’s not like I’m ignoring your messages. But I’ll say this again since, apparently, you didn’t take it seriously the first time. I’m not leaving.”
She stomps her foot on the floor. “Anthony, talk some sense into your son.”
Dad seems to be having an out of body experience or some shit, staring at Mom like she’s just revealed she’s an alien.
Mia appears at the top of the stairs and starts to make her way down. “Anthony, Tina, what a surprise to see you.” I fight to keep my face neutral at her ability to fake it. “Marco, have you offered our guests something to drink?”
“No, my love. I assumed they aren’t staying long.” His implication that theyshouldn’tstay long is clear. Mia reaches his side and kisses his cheek.
“Well, it looks like they’ll be here long enough for a cup of coffee or tea. Let’s sit.”
We follow Mia to the table, where Becca is waiting nearby like a mother hen.
“Hot herbal tea, one sugar, no milk,” Mom clips out, not even looking at Becca.
Dad gives Becca a tight smile. “Just water, please.”
“I’ll take some iced tea. Thank you, Becca.” Mia smiles at the woman who is like a grandmother to her daughters.
“Nothing for me.” Marco nods slightly at her.
Becca looks at me. “Black coffee, if there’s any made, Becks.”
“You say that like there’s not always a fresh pot ready before sundown,” she winks at me, but only I can see it.
We sit there silently even after our drinks are in front of us.
Marco waits, not giving them the satisfaction of him speaking first, but he’s getting agitated. As usual, he hides it well.
My mother seems oblivious, clearly annoyed that no one is asking her again to explain why they’re here. She huffs and breaks the silence. “I’ve made some new connections with people who have lovely daughters. There are even more acceptable wives to choose from than before. It’s time for Luca to stop pretending with all this,” she says, waving her hand around.
Agitated, I snap. “I’m not pretending anything, I’m not going back with you, and I’m definitely not marrying someone you pick for me.”
Before she can respond, something thuds and it sounds like a herd of elephants comes running down the stairs.
Ariana’s voice reaches us before we see them. “Goddamn it, Lilith, you’re cheating! Give it back!”
Lil races into the kitchen, holding a book. “I’m going to put it up high somewhere your short ass can’t reach, so you can never finish it!” She rounds the island just as Ariana reaches the kitchen.
“That’s your grand plan?” Ariana rolls her eyes so big I can see it from across the room. “That’s a terrible plan, there’s like a hundred ways I could get it down.” They’re on opposite sides of the island, panting and waiting for the other one to make the first move.
Lil looks at the book, then back at Ariana. I don’t think either of them notice the rest of us sitting at the table. “Guess I’ll just have to throw it in the pool then.”
