She had classes today and also spent hours working with Sophia.Does this woman ever sleep?
“I’m fine,” she says curtly before turning to the man. “Let’s get you home.”
She attempts to guide him, but he slurs, “No! I want another drink,pig!”
My eyes meet Josh’s, who’s already watching me.
Carolina snaps at the man, “Stai zitto, non voglio sentirlo, ci sono poliziotti qui!”
He slurs back, “I don… give a fuck.”
He tries to push her away but missteps and loses his balance. She takes the opportunity and slings an arm around his waist, looking fucking tiny next to him.
“We can help you get him home,” Josh offers.
She shakes her head and starts to walk with him. “No, thanks.”
Josh blocks their path, standing in front of them. “You can’t drag him home on your own.”
“Get out of the way,” she hisses at him, her face angry and her eyes brimming with embarrassment while she struggles to keep the man up. Then her gaze falls on Josh’s badge, and she closes her eyes, taking a deep breath before whispering, “Please.”
I don’t think I’ve heard her ever say that word before, and now she has said it twice. Josh simply nods and steps aside, allowing them to pass.
We watch as Carolina tries to support the drunk, who stumbles over his own feet and is cussing her out the whole time as they move down the street.
“Is that her father?” I ask Josh, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s her uncle,” the bar owner says. “Her parents are dead.” My stomach drops at his words. “Do you guys know her?”
I glance at Josh.
“We do. We’re friends,” is all he shares.
“Then do me a favor and keep an eye on her, okay? That girl is a gem and doesn’t deserve the rough hand life dealt her,” he adds before nodding and retreating into his bar.
The weightof Roberto’s body presses heavily against me as I half-drag and half-carry him up the stairs to our apartment. Each step feels like a mountain, and the stench of alcohol on his breath is overwhelming.
I have to breathe through my mouth to avoid the smell.
“Come on, stronzo,” I mutter, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just a few more steps.”
Once inside, I manage to get him to his room, using every ounce of strength I have. I let him fall onto his bed, not caring how he lands.
I need to get away from him.
I head to the kitchen, my heart pounding in my chest. The embarrassment of Clay and Josh witnessing, yet again, another sliver of my life threatens to bring tears to my eyes, but I blink them away.
A loaf of bread on the counter taunts me, and I consider making myself a sandwich, but a loud thump echoes from Roberto’s room, followed by his slurred shouting.
My heart sinks. I don’t want him to wake Chiara. Rushing to his room, I find him sprawled on the floor, having fallen out of bed.
“Oh,Dio, come on,” I say, trying to help him up.
It’s a struggle, but I manage to get him on his feet. When he stands, his eyes, clouded with anger and alcohol, lock onto mine.
“You thin… yer better tha… me?” he slurs.
I want to tell him to just go to sleep, but before I can open my mouth, he pulls his arm back and punches me. The force of the blow sends me reeling, and pain explodes in my temple. Stars immediately take over my vision as it blurs, and my body sways from the impact.
