Page 124 of Matteo

I almost choke with surprise. “You what? You never said a word about coming.”

This guy is making plans to come on my vacation, our vacation, without consulting me?

“I should be good to go,” he insists. “I want to see Mama and I've almost cleared my schedule for the next two weeks.”

I wipe my hand over my face. Beside me, I hear Elizabeth giggle.

“What’s wrong?” Enzo looks from me, to Elizabeth, and he and Rio stare at me like I've suddenly grown a second head.

Then Rio chuckles. “Gooseberry,” he mutters under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

I hate that I'm going to have to do this, let my little brother down gently. And equally, I hate that I'm having to define what Elizabeth and I are. I wanted to keep this little secret to myself for a little longer, before my brothers started taking the piss out of me.

“Uh ... sorry, fratellino. We're traveling together.”

Enzo looks confused. “I know. I just told you I can ...” his voice peters out.

“Oh, you mean you and Elizabeth are going together?” Rio asks, like he's dumb and needs me to spell it out for him.

Every cell in my body stiffens as I stare at him in silence. I hate telling these guys about my love life. It's private. Always has been.

“You and Elizabeth are both going to see mom? Together?” Enzo’s eyes widen, as if it means something. “You should have said.”

“I don't think he wanted to say, dude.” Rio's grinning away like a fiend. I pray that Raquel will suddenly appear and drag him away.

“I'm going to a friend's wedding,” Elizabeth explains. “We thought we'd travel to Europe together.”

“You don't need to explain the entire travel itinerary to these two.” I grind down on my teeth.

I imagine Rio going straight to Dex's place and spilling the beans. Enzo won't say anything, but I feel bad that I’ve let him down. I should have at least told him.

“Okay, well, that's ... cool.” Rio says, brightly, attempting to melt the chill in the air. “Enjoy, and have a great time.”

“Yeah.” Enzo nods, his gaze ping-ponging between me and Elizabeth, like he's trying to recalibrate his thoughts about us being together. “Call when you get there, and we can all Facetime.”

“Maybe we can grab a drink before I go?” I offer, feeling bad for Enzo, that he’s been clearing his schedule. Why the hell didn’t he say anything earlier?

Because ordinarily, if I was just going to see Mama, like I occasionally do, it wouldn’t have been a problem. But me, with a girl, serious enough that I’m traveling with her, is a big fucking deal.

“Yeah, sure.”

“That was awkward,” Elizabeth says, as I open the door to my apartment.

“Tell me about it.”

No sooner than I step inside, I get a text from Rio.

Rio: Dude. You’re introducing her to Mama?

“Mind if I use the washroom?” Elizabeth asks.

I look up, distracted. “Uh, yeah. You don’t need to ask for my permission to do anything, babe.”

She disappears, and I begrudgingly text back enough information:

Matteo: You heard. She has a wedding in Europe

I receive a flurry of texts in quick succession: