My heart was hammering, and I was very fucking confused.
The person who sent this had packaged the box with extra care.
He had hidden it.
Why had Elio hidden it? And who had sent it?
“From some Gemma Parisi,” Dog spoke up like he had heard my thoughts. As he read the card, a frown drew hisbrows down, deeper and deeper and deeper, heightening my anxiety.
“What does it say?” I asked.
He looked up at me, eyes guarded. “Uh…” he drawled out. “Nothing… nothing, uh… just some—”
“Let me see.” I outstretched my hand toward him.
Dog looked to Devil like he was asking for help and then to Upper, who looked scared for me. It seemed like the three boys had shared a brief conversation in their heads with only that quick eye contact.
“What’s happening?” Milk asked, looking around the table.
“Hand over the fucking card, Dog.”
He sighed, passing it to me. I snatched it from his grip, and my stomach dropped as I read.
Hey, my love!
Happy birthday. I am so sad that I couldn’t be at the party today! I heard from Angelo that you were going to have one! I was so excited to attend until I realized you hadn’t told everyone about us! But that’s okay, I understand. I can’t wait to see you and hug you and shower you with plenty of kisses until you’re sick of me! Gran Louisa wants to send you a video message; she’s writing it all down so she won’t make mistakes. Our baby, Sailor, misses you so much; she’s been crying all day. It’s like she senses your absence. Anyway, this is long! I hope you have a good, beautiful birthday with lots of good music and lots of cake! Love you! And call me!
Kisses,
Your best girl,
Gemma
I blinked, and the card shook in my hand.
Milk dropped back down to the chair. I hadn’t realized she had been behind me before.
Devil collected the card, and I dropped my hands with a disappointed sigh.
“Let’s not… jump to conclusions. That is totally out of context, right, Milk?” Dog said, and Milk shook her head.
Upper whistled, sitting back down, having read the card with Devil, who placed it back inside the box and covered it.
I still couldn’t process what I had just read and what it could have meant.
My heart quickly ran to my throat, knowing Elio might have some other woman on the side who could possibly have a kid with him. A little girl named Sailor?
But then again, I knew that man—or I thought I did. He would never do that to me.
To anyone.
Elio would never hurt me like that. It was out of character…
You thought Manuel would never drop you because he was obsessed. But he did right after he found a new obsession while still obsessing over you…
I shook my head. “Did he ever mention her to you?” I asked Devil.
Devil met my gaze. “Of course not. I have no idea who she is. Never heard him mention her.”
