A lump forms in my throat. I’m still tired. It will take another day or so before I feel back to myself again. Maybe I’m being overly emotional.
He releases me and moves back, glaring at the front door. “I should go. Eat something, Ace.”
When he strides toward his SUV, my chest tightens, and I stagger down the steps. I want to call after him. To apologize and tell him I want to see him again. But before I can, he’s gone, and I’m left standing barefoot in my driveway while I stare down the dark street toward his house.
It takes me longer than it should to take a steady breath.
Why does it feel like I ruined something good?
“Why are you standing out here with no socks on? Jesus, Lacey. You’re going to get sick,” Luciano scolds when he eventually comes looking for me.
I knew it was only a matter of time.
Shooting him an exasperated look, I go inside, with him hot on my heels.
“Who the fuck is Kian Savage to you, Lacey?”
When we walk into my open living room, I plop down on the couch, and Luciano stands a few feet away, glaring at me.
“He’s a friend. Can you answer my question now? Why are you here?”
Luciano shakes his head. “No. You don’t get to give me half answers.”
Tears fill my eyes, and as soon as Luciano notices, he finally comes over and sits beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Fuck. I’m sorry, Lacey,” he whispers as he presses a kiss to my head. “I know you’re exhausted after you have a migraine. Do you want me to tuck you into bed?”
His offer makes me laugh. I swear, no matter how old I get, my cousin will always treat me like a kid.
“No. I just… I don’t want you to be upset with me.”
“I’m not upset.”
This time, I glare at him. “Liar.”
The tightness in my chest eases when he chuckles softly. “Okay, fine. I’m mad that you weren’t honest about your migraines before you moved here. It’s not safe for you to be alone when you have one. You could fall and hit your head or black out, and no one would be around to help.”
I can’t help but think about the way Kian took care of me last night. He didn’t hesitate to step in and take over. It definitely made it less scary.
“This is my first one since I’ve moved. I had a few drinks last night, and I think that’s what triggered it. Kian helped me.”
Luciano’s expression tightens.
“Why do you hate him? You don’t even know him.”
He stays silent for a second and then strokes my hair. “I need you to understand that there willneverbe anyone in this world who is good enough for you in my eyes.”
A tear slips down my cheek, and I curl into his hold a little tighter as I squeeze my eyes closed. “Thank you for being theonly person who has loved me all these years. I know I haven’t always been responsive.”
“That’s not on you, Lacey. That is on your cunt of a mother. She did everything she could to keep you away from me. The bitch sure loved the mafia money but hated all of us.”
“She hated me, too,” I say with a trembling voice.
“She isjealousof you, sweetheart. You’re everythingand morethat she could never fucking be.”
We sit silently, staring at the blank TV across the room, while I think about his statement. Is that what the problem was with my mom? She was jealous? Because it always felt like hatred.
After a long while, I tip my head back so I can look at Luciano. As soon as he notices, he meets my gaze and smiles softly. A rarity from him.
