Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.
Beta'd by HollettLA.
Oh, poor MISUNDERSTOOD Dame...I hope this chapter clears up a few things for you guys. I mean, I couldn't JUST S.P.E.L.L it out for you guys...although I did try...but here's hoping it's all plain as day for everyone! LOL.
Also, many of you misunderstood when I said we'd be approaching a Dame/Sonny arc. Sorry for the lack of Skip/Bebella. I promise to deliver them in spades SOON enough. We're coming to the end of Riders, but we still have quite a few chaps to go.
Thank you for reading and leaving your kind words.
Enjoy!
*Immediately follows CH45*
"Riders on the Storm"
Chapter Forty-Six: Stay the Same
Damion POV
When Jordan and I left my parents' house, I was in a sour mood and my vision was blurry in my left eye—having lost a contact when Sonny decked me.
That prick.
Still, as we walked up the avenues toward the subway, I had this nagging feeling in my gut.
I had more to say . . . to Sonny.
I had this rage that I needed to get out . . . to Sonny.
"Are you hungry?" I asked Jordan, tightening my grasp on her hand before bringing it to my lips for a lingering kiss.
"Are you kidding?" she laughed. "With all the food we just ate—"
"How 'bout…dessert and coffee?" I hedged, wanting to avoid heading back to Manhattan.
She stopped us from walking. "I've been quiet long enough—trying not pry. But what's going on?" She gestured to my face, grimacing. "You're bruising already and…acting weird." Her gaze fell away from me. "You can…talk to me. I noticed that you acted this way the last time we visited. Is it me? Is it—"
"It's not you," I said, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Never you…" I didn't exactly know what I was feeling to be honest.
Confusion—not making any sense of my emotions—has always been a problem of mine.
"Can we go to the diner and just talk? You're not hungry; we'll have coffee." Heaving a heavy sigh, I hoped she'd agree. It's not too late in the evening, and sitting somewhere for a little while would help me get myself in check.
"Of course." She nodded, leaning in to wrap her arms around me.
I placed my lips to her hair, only knowing one thing.
There was only one thing I knew for sure. "You know I love you, right?"
"I—"
"Relax." I rubbed her back roughly to get her to calm down, if she was nervous.
She looked up to me with confusion coloring her expression. "I know…I lo—"
"Good." I grinned, letting out a breath.
Jordan placed her hand on my cheek. "I wish I could just take a peek at your brain or something—know what's up."
I turned, keeping her hand in mine while I started to pull her toward Third Avenue. "Let's go to the diner."
"Are you gonna talk? Or, just stare at me and drink coffee? 'Cause, for that, we can head back to campus." She poked my side.
It made me smile. "We'll see."
"What, we'll see?" she shouted.
"Shut up." I chuckled.
"You're gonna make me?" She pinched my ass and ran away.
A smile stayed on my face as I sprinted after her. She'd stopped at the corner, and I squeezed her as tight as I could.
"Uncle!" she rasped. "Can't breathe!"
I eased up, just a little bit. "If you're not hungry, there's the park?" I thought about pushing her on the swings. The sun had recently set but the weather was mild, nice.
She giggled. "You can be such a little boy sometimes…"
I let go of her because her words were like a kick in the balls. "Yeah…I never grew up."
"Cullen, I was kidding."
"But you're right." I took her hand again to cross the street.
"You know what's weird? Trying to get used to calling you Damion. If I call you Cullen, like ten people will look my way." She was trying to lighten the mood—which is something she always does—and it's greatly appreciated.
"Call me whatever you want," I said, opening the door to the diner. A hostess greeted us, and I held up two fingers. She led us to a booth in the corner before dropping the menus and taking off toward the front.
"This is nice…" Jordan looked around.
"It's…just a diner." I shrugged.
"You know what I don't understand about you?"
"Here we go…" I slouched back, laughing. "What you don't understand could probably fill a book, but go ahead and lay it on me." I knew it was coming, as it seems all women have to try and analyze me at one point or another.
She blinked twice and her mouth was stuck in this 'o' shape. "What the fuck, bro?"
I didn't reply. A waitress had stopped at our table. "Two coffees…half & half. That's it for now."
When she walked away, Jordan said, "I wanted tea." She didn't wait for my reply. "I'm kidding…fucking lighten up already. My God. We left your parents' house, so you don't have to be all…defense mechanism-ed out. You know? And what I was gonna say before...?"
"What?" I asked.
"I was going to tell you that you're gorgeous—impossibly beautiful for a man. You're practically a fucking genius, okay? Your family has money, which means you probably don't know a thing about what it's like to struggle…They seem like great people, who love you a lot." She grabbed my hand.
"I don't—" I stopped talking when the server brought the coffees, but when she left, our beverages were easily forgotten. "I—" I was stuck for an answer; I didn't expect her to say what she did.
Jordan traced her fingertips along the back of my hand, waiting patiently for me. "You can also be incredibly sweet and kind," she whispered. "And you're loads of fun to be with. You're hilarious—"
"Not everyone gets my humor," was my dry reply.
"I do…" She smiled. "But…tell me what's so wrong…tell me what happened that made you this…like, wad of insecurity and self-loathing? I don't understand that. You have a great life—great opportunities at your disposal. You say you love me, but…you hate yourself." Jordan let go of my hand to fix our coffees. "You want sugar?"
"Yeah…" I pushed my sleeves up. "Um, look, I could tell you my life story…I could bitch and moan about the things that've happened. But I don't want to. When I'm with you…I know this is going to sound cheesy, but it feels like anything's possible? You see me the way you do, and I don't want to change that. But…I'll tell you what's wrong right now…if that's all right?" I sat up straight to hold her hand again.
She pushed a mug toward me. "Whatever you wanna say…I'm listening."
I nodded. "You know Maggie?"
She grinned. "The baby having the baby…sorry." She rolled her eyes.
"Don't apologize," I laughed.
"Babies are awesome and exciting, though, right?" she asked. "The way they smell, they make my ovaries do jumping jacks—"
"You want kids?" I scrunched my nose, having always thought Jordan's first love was medicine.
"Well, I'd like to have a child…when the time's right. I don't know about having more than one." She shook her head. "You don't want kids." It wasn't a question.
"It's not something I've ever given much thought."
"That's a bullshit answer. Everyone gives it a little thought," she giggled. "I bet you'll be an awesome uncle…and then that might sway you this way or that way." She sipped her coffee. "If you're not around them, how can you know?"
"I've been around babies…" I waved a hand. "My brother loves kids. If Maggie lets him, they might just have a bunch," I laughed.
"What's—" she paused, unsure "—what's Santino like?"
I furrowed my brow. "He's…a regular dude. Why you wanna know?" If she tells me how handsome, how tall, or nice he is—
"He kept staring at you…despite his smile, he'd stare hardcore like you'd skinned his dog. And you'd look at him the same way, so I was just wondering what happened there."
"He was?" I asked as hearing that surprised me. "He was fine. He's always fine." I widened my arms. "He's got his wife now. He's going to have a baby in their mansion by the water . . ."
"He'll always have you, too…You're his brother. I heard him say that," she whispered. "I heard him say a few things. Your voices carried, which is why…I asked about your brother."
"What'd you hear?" I asked.
"A lot."
"I was a jerk," I said.
"You were…you were acting like an asshole to all of them, except me, and yet they accepted that behavior from you." She squeezed my hand. "And none of them stopped trying to include you or stopped trying to reach you, talk to you. It happened last time, too. Why do you hate them so much?"
"I don't." I couldn't believe how much she saw—or what she thought she saw. It baffled me. "I don't hate any of them. I just…since a few months ago, I decided to only visit them when necessary. It works well for me." Although lately I've been feeling more and more like a piece-of-shit brother/son. "Well, it works around my schedule and I'm not enmeshed in any of their drama…and it's incredibly difficult. You won't understand—what it's like, trying to be two different people. It's exhausting."
"What?" She crinkled her brow. "You lost me."
"I knew I would." I sipped my coffee; it was burnt. "There are other layers to my family that you'll never see," I whispered. "It's all nice while you're there—catered dinners, laughter, and wine. You know? It may even seem glamorous—the money, the nightclubs, and the cars—to an outsider looking in. And . . . Jordan, it'd be so easy for me to . . . drop out of school, move back to Brooklyn, and be just like them." I hoped she understood what I said while not comprehending my underlying meaning. But that was the best way I could describe it.
Her face kind of fell, which sort of gave me an answer.
"Baby…there's an old me inside of me that…I fight off daily with a stick, and the longer I'm at school, keeping to myself…the easier and all the more confusing it gets."
"Like an identity crisis?"
"Sure." I nodded. "Because…I can be the Cullen you know, and then chill with them and be their Dame."
"What's the difference?" she asked.
"I can't tell you that," I whispered. "I wish I could, but that…I can't. And as of late, I don't know who I am to them, or how to be."
"Oh…" She looked around the diner. "I hope…one day you'll trust me enough—"
"It has nothing to do with that," I laughed. "Who would you tell? You're gonna run to the Feds and turn me in?"
She grinned. "You'd kill me first."
I snorted.
"Well, how…is there a way that it can be less confusing for you?" She raised a brow. "So, maybe you'll know which side of yourself you lean more toward?"
"Sonny knows me," I admitted. "He knows each and every side there is to me, and I don't have to think—worry about a thing—when we're together. And as more time goes by, we hang out a lot less. He thinks you balance me out, but he has no idea that…he keeps me grounded. I'm happy with you, so fucking happy. But—" I paused to laugh at myself. "This is gonna sound bad. OK?"
"Go on," she encouraged.
"I'd…rather Sonny think…I wanna fuck his wife than…than to admit the truth." I chanced a glance at her. "Before you ask, I see Maggie as my sister-in-law and nothing more. I care about her…and she's beautiful, but I don't wanna fuck her."
For the first time ever, I spoke the God's honest truth about Maggie, and a weight had been lifted. Sure, I honestly do think she's beautiful, and she's an amazing listener. Maggie can be a great friend to whoever needs one, and she has a huge heart.
And I saw her as an angel that one night, the night we'd met, since I was so confused and on the warpath, and Maggie had calmed me down.
I was attracted to her, but even before she met and fell in love with Sonny...before Amelia...just before, when I had a shot with her? I never took it. For one, I realized how young she was, how I didn't want to pollute her by being associated with me.
I truly never wanted her, never wanted to be with her.
After all, if I had, I would have taken the opportunity when I had it.
When Sonny was going to leave with her on Halloween—the night they met—I acted the way I did because I thought he'd hurt Maggie.
Maggie, who I thought had the purest soul—who was still childlike in many ways—regardless of her body that matched a woman's.
Sonny's track record—when it came to any female who wasn't Katie—was no good. He'd use women to warm his bed and then move on.
I didn't want that for Maggie, so I stood up for her, while everyone else thought I was jealous.
I wasn't...not that night, and not in the way they thought I was.
When they became an actual couple, I still had ill feelings toward my brother, because I felt he'd destroy her—steal her youth.
But then I realized just how much Sonny loved her.
My brother was ready to cut me out of his life...for her.
Me?
Truth be told, when Sonny was chasing Katie and then when they tried to make it work...I wasn't threatened. I bet it's because I knew they'd never make it as a couple—not with how different they are now.
My brother had truly been chasing a dream all of his adult life and then he found Maggie, which was so much better than what his original dream was.
Because of all that...
Because of the way I'd acted...
Because I can be a blind asshole at times...
I lost my brother, my best friend, since he thinks I want his wife in some way.
It's not true.
All I wanted was my brother back.
"I believe you." She looked very sad.
"I don't," I repeated. "I talk a lot about being confused…but I was really confused months ago. But now I know the truth behind a few things? I mapped out my emotions and behaviors regarding a few issues. It's a startling realization." I started to laugh again.
"Don't make fun of yourself, act like your words aren't important." She urged.
"Sonny's not perfect, but it's so fucking easy to hate him because . . . I've spent my entire life trying to match him, trying to be just like him while also trying to impress him and be the person he wants me to be…All while loving and trusting him so much that when..." I blew out a gust of breath.
"Jordan...I schitzed out when Sonny truly fell in love," I whispered that part. "I was angry and irrational, and I flipped it…made it seem like I hated him because…I harbored feelings for Maggie. It was easier to try and hurt him than to admit that I was hurting." I shrugged. "Jordan, after a while and for a while, I even started to believe I wanted Maggie. I didn't know what was up or down…And during that time, while it was all going down, I was with Amelia, which had to be the most volatile relationship ever…I was manipulative, I was mean to her, I used her . . . She played me well, but now I see why…I deserved it. I made promises that I never intended to keep. I was—I was a total asshole to her. She was a nice girl, and I destroyed her…and then…you and me started hanging out."
She finished off her coffee, listening intently.
And I felt compelled to continue, because I didn't think she'd leave me, break up with me, or anything like that if I did. Jordan genuinely wanted to help me, and I needed to get the truth out.
"With you…you were the greatest escape. I was able to be…me," I said. "I was able to leave all the bullshit in Brooklyn and be this…brand new guy."
"I think…" she blew out a breath "—you need to come clean with Santino. No matter how embarrassing. If he believes what you say isn't true…he's probably harboring a lot more bad feelings than you are. But you're not saying you are." She shook her head. "You made it all up to fight with him. You have no problems with Santino."
"None," I laughed. "He is who he is. And me trying to impress him, me being jealous and trying to sabotage any other real connection he's had…it's all juvenile. It's…my problem, not his." I nodded.
"Whoa…" She shook her head slowly again. "I don't know what to say besides that you need to be honest with him. You also need to see a bright side in your life. Your family, Santino included—regardless of what you've done—they seem forgiving, show you love. And I…haven't met them that many times," she giggled. "But if I can see that, why can't you? If you come clean, it'll just clear the air. It won't change anything but your outlook—your conscience."
I smiled at her, although I didn't know what to say or if she needed a reply. She gave sound advice, but the thought of laying it all out there . . .
"Sonny got hurt when we were kids." I decided to keep talking since it seemed so easy in this moment. "He…got shot and almost died. He almost bled out. The bullet went though his arm, had hit the axillary artery; he had the contused lung, and then a lengthy surgery. I was there when it happened. We were just picking out a new car with my dad, and the next thing I knew…"
"That's terrible." Her chin wrinkled.
"Oh…stop." I thought it was cute.
"How old were you?" She tried not to cry.
"Eight…He was in the car with my sister. Kylie was still in diapers, but she loved her Bunny," I laughed. "She couldn't say Sonny so…and she called me Mame or Mameon. But it was horrible. I didn't know what was going on. I heard these quick, loud bangs and then I was being dragged away by my father…I got, like, road burn on my hand from the gravel, but we made it to the car…I don't know."
"And Santino was hurt?" she asked.
"Yeah, they got him…and just a couple of hours later, I was sent to…California with my sister and cousins, and my aunt—but it was before she was my aunt." I wasn't going to speak about Alex. "That wasn't the first time we were sent away, though. Sonny and I were always, like, carted off to this stupid two-roomed house in the middle of nowhere. I fucking hated that house—the way it looked, the smell—everything about it."
Fucking Plattsburgh will haunt me forever.
"Sonny understood a lot more than I did, and…I don't know how he's not in therapy, to be honest," I laughed. "My parents never told us anything—never gave us answers. I…didn't even meet my father until I was like five or so. He'd gone away after I was born—was in and out of prison, and then he did actual time. When he got out, he was still never around and then Kylie came. And I love my parents. I respect them as my parents—"
"But Sonny's sort of like your real parent, since he was always there?"
"Yeah, I think so." I nodded. "That particular fact isn't a secret or lost to my family either. Sonny protects me even to this day. He can't get legit mad at me, and I…I guess I take advantage of that. But I can't tell you why I hurt him...I wish I knew why." I took out my wallet to dig a bill out for the coffee.
"Ready to go?"
"Can we stop somewhere first?" I left the booth, reaching for her hand. "I need to be Dame for a few minutes, and Sonny should be home by now."
"Sure." She cuddled into my side, holding my one hand with both of hers while we left the diner.
We'd just crossed the street again when she said, "Tell me more. You goof, act like you had this normal upbringing, but we both know you didn't. I couldn't imagine…going through what you just said. You must not have even had a childhood."
"No…I did." I chuckled. "Would you believe me if I said that Sonny made it easy for me not to…have to grow up?" I felt her nod as we walked toward Shore Road.
"Cullen, we're training to be doctors," she giggled, staring up at me. "All I've ever known was school, and I know that it shows…Not knowing how to have any relationships, or how to even form them, feeling awkward in public…We'll learn how to be doctors and carry ourselves professionally around all kinds of people. But the personal stuff? I'd be in my room right now reading journals…You're my escape, too, and…you've shown me how to have fun." She stopped to stare at me.
"You'll help me grow up?" I placed my hand on her cheek. "Show me how to be an adult?" I gently kissed her lips.
She winced. "I'm still learning, but I've got you doing your own laundry already."
"That was a feat." I wrapped my arms around her waist, and we were in the street, and it didn't matter. "You're amazing. You know that?"
"Um…" Her hands crept up my neck. "This guy…he's about six-feet tall, brownish hair, brown eyes. He's a total babe and wears glasses, like Clark Kent. But when the glasses come off, he's like Superman…Well, he tells me I'm amazing all the time. It's quite the love story, and if you wanna hear it…I'll tell you." She winked.
"You better be talking about me." I raised a stern brow.
"Of course!"
I hummed, closing the distance between our mouths to explore hers. She tasted like sweet coffee and Jordan, and my hands wandered to all my favorite places until she pulled away.
"It's dark and quiet." She looked around us.
"You're safe…this can arguably be the safest and most dangerous neighborhood in Brooklyn, depending on your outlook," I laughed, ushering her down the block. "One, my father's King Crook, so no other fuckers wanna be here. Two…my father does live here."
She sucked her teeth. "Is he really that, that dangerous?"
"No." I shook my head. "He only plays the bad guy on TV."
If she only knew, I thought.
The smiling man, my father, who she sees at family dinners . . .
There are so many facets to my father that I can hardly describe him.
She narrowed her eyes at me. "One day you'll tell me . . . I think it's kind of cool."
I groaned. "Don't say that." It surprised that after everything I said, she thought it was cool?
"Hey…we are who we are. You can either accept it, or spend your life running away from it."
I stopped to stare at her. "Say that again?"
Jordan looked at me like I had three heads, but she repeated herself for me.
"So…" I placed my arm around her again as we walked down Sonny's street. "If I decided one day I didn't want to be a doctor—if I went into the family business, you'd still be with me?"
She laughed. "How did I know that question was coming?"
"You're psychic." I slapped her ass. "But please…answer me."
"I—I think you're going to be an amazing physician one day. I don't suggest you drop out of school, but if I fell in love with a plumber…at the end of the day he'd still be a plumber. My family's blue-collar. I'm here on scholarship. Being with someone is new to me, but I'd never look at someone's occupation as defining."
I chuckled. "Yes or no?"
"I'd want to," she whispered. "I'd want to stay with you no matter what, but I don't know what…being a mobster's girlfriend entails."
"You'd suck." I kissed her cheek. "You'd have to be very compliant, as in do what I'd say, trust my every move . . . and you'd have to have a lot of faith in me." I stopped us from going too far since Sonny's house was one over.
"Well, we're a decent team now…as we are."
"As we are," I agreed. "I've tried both—medicine and the family business—and I don't have that one important key element…That drive, that greed for every penny in the world," I laughed. "Sometimes, enough is enough. I don't know. There were odd jobs I excelled at…that meant nothing to me. I could go in, do what I had to do, and not think twice about it. Christ. It was so easy—"
"What? Like robbing people?" she whispered.
"Something like that." Like robbing people of their lives. "They were all bad people, though."
"Like a superhero!" She nodded, her face lighting up. "Righter of wrongs."
I laughed and kissed those lips once more.
"Cullen…I get the feeling you're trying to tell me something, like you're a bad person, but all I see is good. So…stop." She caressed my cheek with the back of her hand. "You're so tentative and kind to all our patients, regardless of what you think on the inside. I know you can be a sarcastic, cynic of an ass, but I find it charming."
"Good," I whispered. "And you know I love you."
She beamed. "Yes."
"And you're okay with that?" I raised a brow. "You'll let me love you."
"As long as you let me love you..."
I scoffed, pulling away, but I was only teasing.
"Too cheesy?" she asked.
I sighed. "It was perfect…just the right amount of cheese."
"Cool." She looked around us again. "Which one—"
"This one." I jerked my chin behind her.
"I love it when you do that." She jerked her chin, too.
I grinned. "Wait here."
"On the sidewalk?" She stepped closer to me.
"I'll be a minute."
"But you have a lot to tell him. I'll chill on his couch. I'm not waiting outside—" She seemed frightened.
"Trust me?" I asked.
She pursed her lips and crossed her arms, turning away to go lean on a parked car.
Feeling lighter than I had in a long time…I mean, I unloaded a lot on Jordan, although it doesn't seem like my words were a burden to her. I was honest, spoke the absolute truth, and I came to a conclusion.
No matter where I am, or where I go, I'm always going to be Damion Cullen.
But being a Cullen doesn't define me.
My family will see me as Dame. They'll know my mistakes and forgive me for them, and I've always known that they were there if I needed them.
In the past, I tried to make my way in the world…to be a man and be an adult, but it just wasn't the right world—the correct path. However, I'm lucky in that Dad pulled me out, pushed me out. I still don't know how I was able to do the things that I've done without thinking. Those contracts do not weigh on my conscience.
But now? Now that I'm…older, wiser, and quite possibly a little more mature…and because I fight tooth and nail, and I hit the books to diagnose a fucker—to save and cure people daily—I have a lot more compassion and respect for people, and their lives.
And being the hero is so much more satisfying…
And I'm good at being a doctor.
And no one ever did life in prison for breaking ground on a medical trial . . .
I had to let go of yesterday, and the only way to do that was to face my past.
That's the only way I can get to the future.
I turned to wink at Jordan while I rang Sonny's bell.
Noah, that stupid little teacup dog Sonny got Maggie two weeks back, yapped up a storm. It was barely a bark. All the dogs we had as kids were massive. They were awesome, and this thing looks like a rat.
And who names a dog Noah?
Christ.
What the fuck were they going to name their kids?
I shook my head of the thought when I heard someone approach the door. "Who is it?" It was Maggie.
"It's me...Damion."
"Oh…" She opened the door, wiping the sleep out of her eyes. Maggie looked terrible in one of Sonny's shirts.
Some prom night, I thought.
"Youse were sleeping?" I asked.
"Um…yeah. Just literally fell out. I knew you'd come back to talk to him," Maggie giggled.
"Yeah, well..." I didn't really come back to converse with my brother. "Where—"
"Upstairs." Maggie walked away from the door, leaving it open for me, but I hadn't thought about entering.
That wasn't part of the plan.
"Come on," I called Jordan inside while I turned.
In my periphery, I'd seen a handgun on a table in their foyer—what Maggie probably answered the door with.
Quickly, and before Jordan could peep it, I covered it with a stack of mail that also sat there.
At the same time, Jordan rapidly came to me, and then I closed the door behind us.
I faced her, keeping my finger to my lips, indicating she be quiet. "Stay by the door, and when I—"
"Do you want something to drink?" Maggie asked.
"No…Where's my brother again?" I gently pushed Jordan toward the door.
"I told you...he's asleep." Maggie smirked, which meant she probably fucked him into a coma already. "He's upstairs." She plopped down onto the couch. "But you should know not to poke the bear..."
I pursed my lips, 'cause I could work with that. Especially if he was out cold due to pussy. Sonny's probably sound asleep. In a very deep sleep. "I'm gonna go wake him up," I said.
"Sure...he's better now. You can wake him." Maggie nodded. "He's also off tonight, so..."
That was the cardinal rule while Sonny was all coked up. He'd flip his shit if someone woke him up, if you breathed wrong around him, or made a lot of noise while he was trying his hardest to rest. I know he's better now, has his head.
Maggie looked to Jordan. "Please, sit…I know it's a mess." She grabbed some shit off the sofa so my girl could sit down.
And I had no idea how Sonny could live like this.
I mean, I'm a slob, and so the condition in which this house was in didn't bother me.
My brother, however, has always been a neat freak, and his house was a fucking wreck—like a tornado hit it.
On the outside, it's a mansion, and he has landscapers who help to make the small yard in front look perfect.
On the inside . . . Sonny needed a housekeeper, or maybe Maggie needs to learn how to clean. They have beautiful, classy, and expensive furniture with a closet-worth of clothes hanging over every surface along with other random shit.
It'd been a while since I'd visited, but I know this shit must eat at my brother—his house being a pigsty.
When Jordan and Maggie finally settled down and were facing the television, I made like I was going upstairs, but I didn't.
I went into the kitchen, which—to my surprise—wasn't as messy.
Probably because Maggie doesn't cook either...
If my brother was looking for some trophy wife—like I thought—if he was looking for someone to solely warm his bed, have his babies, and clean his house...
Seeing his place like this further solidified how wrong I was about him.
Because . . .
Despite the fact that Maggie doesn't do those wifely things, he loves the fuck out of her.
I was wrong, thinking what I did, not having faith in my brother.
I've known how wrong I'd been for a long while now . . .
But that didn't matter.
It was time for pay back...pay back for the knock to the face I received earlier.
Then, while I racked my brain for a stellar revenge plot, I searched the fridge for chocolate syrup or anything that could make a mess . . . or a marker.
But then Noah entered the kitchen, and my attention went to him.
All right, so he is cute, small, and fits in your hands.
I took out a package of cold cuts and gave him a piece of ham.
He gobbled it right up and started licking my fingers when the light in my dimly lit brain shined bright.
"You're coming with me," I whispered, placing the dog under my armpit, fucking piece of ham in my hand.
Jordan caught me. She smiled and made to get up, but I shook my head no so she'd stay. Maggie was mid-speech, complaining about some reality show, and I quickly ran up the remaining steps.
Their bedroom was dark, and my brother was sprawled on the bed in his boxers.
"I'm sorry." I mouthed to Noah before approaching the bed.
Carefully, not too carefully—because any man who lives with a woman is used to being touched while in bed—I peeled my brother's boxers down and placed Noah on his stomach. He must lie on Sonny a lot since he just sat there, comfortable, and I bet my brother didn't even feel him. That thing probably weighed a pound at best.
"Mag…stop." He scratched his shoulder.
But then came the tricky part, placing the coldish ham on his cock…
I paused, rethinking my plan…
When I rang the bell, I expected Sonny to answer, and I was going to bop him in the nose and then run away.
But hitting Sonny, actually inflicting physical harm, never sits right with me.
Especially since…I won't lie. My brother's a monster of a dude. He'd slay me in a brawl.
But that motherfucker did punch me in the face…
So, I laid the ham on him.
And then Noah went for the ham.
And then I thought I was going to die in hysterics because Sonny didn't wake up.
He.
Didn't.
Wake.
Up.
It gave me time to take out my phone and start recording the hilarious display in front of me.
That slice of ham was almost as long as Noah, but he was going to finish it.
I saw trepidation in his gaze.
Little dude was determined.
And then he started to lick Sonny when it was gone; his head was halfway in Sonny's boxers.
That's when the screaming started.
Sonny just opened his eyes and started screaming, staring down at his dick and the movement in his boxers. He wasn't in pain, more like, scared or mortified.
But then Noah popped his head out to stare at Sonny curiously with those big, black eyes...licking his chops now.
"Fucking dog…" He pushed it away to shudder like a girl, and I got it all on camera. "Maggie!" he shouted, and I backed away from the door, slowly going down the steps.
"What?" Maggie appeared at the landing, and I was still on the stairs.
"Your dog…it was on the bed!" His voice was much higher in pitch than normal.
Yeah, Sonny was mortified as he left his bedroom.
"So…?" Maggie asked.
"Dame?" Sonny stopped and stared at me, composing himself.
I waved. "Hey…" I wanted to laugh so badly.
"How long you been here?" He pushed his hair back, trying to play it cool, nonchalant.
"Just now—"
"Fifteen minutes—" Maggie and I spoke over each other.
He looked from me to her, suspicious now, because he still believes all the lies I've told him…which is sad. "Which one is it?"
"Fifteen minutes," I agreed with his wife. "Jordan's here," I said to ease his mind from jump. "But I stopped at the bathroom…all that pasta." I patted my stomach.
"You're full of shit," Sonny said, stomping his foot. "You let Noah in...you, you—"
"No." I tried to deny it, taking two more quick steps closer to the exit.
However, by the look on his face…he knew exactly what I'd done. "You sick motherfucker!"
I cackled as I ran past Maggie.
And Jordan's so curious, she'd already risen to what was the matter.
When we'd almost bumped into each other in the foyer, I grabbed her bicep and pulled her out of the house, and then we ran up the block.
We successfully made it to the corner, and I stopped us to catch our breath. But then looking behind us, Sonny was still fucking running.
"Shit!" I pulled Jordan toward my parents' house.
"What happened?" Jordan was frantic, running like her life depended on it.
I was still trying not to laugh while trying to run as fast as I could, which isn't easy.
When we made it to my parents' door, I quickly dug my keys from my pocket.
It was like part of a scary movie—the monster gaining and every second counts.
"Open it!" Jordan actually banged on the door.
"Go!" I pushed her inside once it was open, and that's when Sonny's body came crashing into it. "Help me!"
Jordan and I managed to get it closed and locked, and I barked out a laugh.
"Damion!" Sonny hollered. "Let me in!"
"Or, what? You'll blow the house down?" I chuckled, out of breath.
"Dame…!" He had that tone.
"Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!"
"Fucker!" It sounded like he kicked the door.
I turned to Jordan. "In the end, how'd the pigs get rid of the wolf?"
She shook her head, dumbfounded. "Um, what…? Uh, I don't think you wanna splash boiling water on your brother. What happened?"
I placed my finger to my lips.
And there was no sound.
Sonny must have backed away from the door, and my eyes trailed around our immediate area.
"The back door," I whispered.
"What?" Jordan was whispering, too.
I laughed and kissed her lips, and that's when Dad came from around the corner—nine in hand.
Jordan gasped.
"What the fuck, Dame?" Dad was in boxers, too.
"I'm sorry," I said, trying to listen. "Sonny's gonna try and break in the back door."
"He's got keys." Dad used his gun to scratch his head. "Hey, hon…how you doin'?" He threw a chin jerk at Jordan.
"I'm okay." She stared at the floor.
"He doesn't have his keys," I explained. "He ran here barefoot in underwear, chasing us!" I almost pissed myself.
Dad looked confused, and that's when I heard it—the lock being jimmied. Sonny must be like fucking MacGyver. What'd he use to get it open?
"Fuck." Once again, I pulled Jordan upstairs, past Dad, and I didn't stop until we got to my room.
"Can you tell me what's going on?" she nearly shouted.
"Dame?" That was Mom. "Everything okay?"
"Peachy," I said, keeping my back pressed against my door.
"Sonny?" Mom sounded surprised. "What—"
"What the fuck did he do?" I heard Dad.
"You don't wanna know!" And the banging started at my door this time. "Come out here, Dame, or I swear to Christ!" I'd heard that before.
"We're even!" I shouted.
"What…?" Sonny spat. "We're so not even," he started laughing, but his chuckles kept fading, like he was backing down the hall.
"You can't leave like that. You'll get pinched or some shit. Go get some clothes!" Dad grumbled as he'd passed my door.
"Pinched?" Jordan asked.
"Arrested." I felt relaxed now. "Thanks for running with me."
She was still nervous. "What'd you do?" she whispered.
"Stupid prank." I shrugged. "He's a sore hothead, but fucking with a dude's dick is hitting below the belt..." I mused.
"Dick?" Now Jordan looked mortified.
"I didn't touch him…just shoved ham down his drawers—"
"You, what?" Mom was spying, listening outside in the hall.
I opened my door. "I put…it was a stupid prank."
"But why would you put ham in his underwear?" Mom asked.
"So . . ." I let out another laugh, "so that Noah could have a snack."
"Oh!" Mom jumped back. "That's horrible!"
"What's horrible?" Dad joined us again.
"Oh, Dame-y bear," Mom was giggling. "That was—and Sonny's just a little bit homophobic already." She palmed her forehead.
"What?" Dad was confused.
I took my phone out. "Look…" I pressed play, and they watched. Mom had wide eyes, trying not to laugh while Dad did laugh, but Jordan kept her mouth covered with her hand. She was smiling, though.
"Oh my God!" Dad guffawed. "I'm gonna have to put you and Noah into the Skip protection program. You know he's gonna try to get you back?"
I cringed. "He punched me in the face. We should be square now."
"Not when you fuck with a dude's dick." Dad admonished. "I feel worse for the dog!"
"He was fine," I said. "Where's Kylie?"
"Aro's…where else?" Dad didn't sound happy. "At least I know she's safe…not chillin' on some corner with friends, or…you know."
"Right." I nodded, although Sonny and I had more freedom and we never chilled on street corners. I didn't get his concern. "Kylie's not a hooker—"
"Watch your mouth!" Dad shouted.
I just shook my head.
"Are you guys staying over? Vito can drive you back in the morning. I'll call him now." Mom went to walk away.
I stopped her. "We might be safer at the dorms."
"Sonny's not going to do anything to hurt you. Relax."
"Tell that to my shiner." I joked, pointing to my eye.
"You're hardheaded. He did no damage." Dad shook his head.
"No…we should go. Sonny really left?" I looked around us again, paranoid.
"He left," Dad said. "But if I was him, I'd be waiting behind the hedge for you…just waiting. That's probably where he is. Want me to check?"
"Would you?" I grinned.
Dad just walked away and toward the front door.
"Jordan…it's not usually this exciting around here." Mom chatted her up.
"It's…okay." She waved a hand. "Can I use your bathroom?"
"Of course." Mom paved the way for her. Once Jordan disappeared, my mother sidled up to me. "I haven't had a minute to be with you…by yourself." She rested her head on my arm. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too…but it's better if I'm not coming back here all the time."
"I know that," Mom whispered. "Does Jordan think we're crazy?"
I chuckled. "No. She likes you guys."
"Good. I hope you bring her around more often—"
"That motherfucker!" Dad stomped into the house. He was soaking wet. "He thought I was you! Was in the-the fucking bush with the hose!"
I stiffened. "Sorry."
"For a sound sleeper, that boy shouldn't be punkin' people, man!" My father was so loud, I felt his words in my bones.
"Edward…relax. It's just water—"
"He thinks he's so fucking slick—wants to fuck with me? Me?" He was beside himself. "I'mma sneak in while he's asleep and Krazy Glue his hand to his dick!" He let out a maniacal laugh.
"Don't you dare!" Mom scolded. "He sprayed you with the hose, what's the big deal? Go get a towel."
"Okay." Dad nodded, had calmed down, but I could tell he was placating my mother. "All right…"
"Where'd Sonny go?" I asked.
"I chased him to the curb. And when he saw it was me, he hauled ass around the corner. You're good—can go." He stiffened, letting out a groan.
"It…is only water," I said.
Dad snorted. "Yeah." He disappeared into his bedroom.
I furrowed my brow, wondering how long it was going to take Jordan. "Hey…" I knocked once.
"Leave her alone," Mom whispered. "What if she's pooping?"
"I'm not!" Jordan shouted and poked her head out. "I just…didn't know." She looked up and down the hall.
"You'll make sure Dad doesn't kill Sonny?" I smiled down to my mother.
"Dad won't care by tomorrow…" She shrugged. "Don't worry about it."
"The way he holds a grudge?" I laughed.
"Don't worry about it." She pulled me down to her, and I hugged her tight. "I love you, and be careful."
"I love you, too, and I will." I kissed her hair.
A minute later, Dad came out in dry clothes to say goodbye. I promised to stop by more often, like I always do, but I actually meant it. I had such a good time tonight, so much fun.
Although the misfortune of others isn't supposed to be funny or amusing…
"It's almost eleven…" Jordan was hyperaware as we walked the streets. "Are the trains going to come on time?"
"Probably not," I said. "We'll take a cab."
"That'll cost a mint!" she exclaimed.
"And worth every penny," I mumbled through a yawn. "Fuck…what time did the alarm go off this morning?"
"4:30," she sighed. "I thought…we were going to your brother's so you could apologize, be sincere and get somewhere."
I laughed. "We…have a special relationship. I dunno. We'll be fine."
"Okay," she hummed.
We caught a cab by the subway and headed back to campus. The ride was quiet, but my hand kept creeping over to squeeze her thigh. I love those fucking things…
"We're so not having sex tonight. If we get back by one, we'll have three hours to sleep?" She let out a moan and rested back against me.
"Sleep is overrated," I commented, trying to sneak my hand down her jeans.
She smacked my paw away.
"You deny me now…" I pursed my lips to stare out the window at my neighborhood passing by. "Let's call out tomorrow. It's fucking Sunday—bullshit rounds."
"What?" She spat like a curse word. "Are you insane? You might have the teaching liaison by the balls—can take days off—but I can't."
"You haven't missed a day in the last—almost four years."
"True," she said. "I always had perfect attendance, but no. I just want my bed."
"Okay," I agreed, rubbing her back. "I…have to step out again after we get back."
"What do you mean?"
I clamped my eyes shut, wanting to put past problems to bed, knowing Amelia was going to be at Twilight in about an hour. "That's why I thought we could take off tomorrow," I explained. "Because…Sonny asked me to do something a while back, and I've yet to do it."
"What? Add cheese to the ham?"
"No…to talk to Amelia." After I said that, silence filled the cab.
"Um…I don't know why you'd have to speak to her in person."
"I'm not going anywhere," I whispered. "It's not like that."
"I know," she said. "But from what you said earlier…I think just telling her how sorry you are might go a long way."
I quirked a brow, but Jordan's version wasn't how I saw it going. "I'll…I'll try calling her."
"And if she gets nasty, I'll talk to her."
"No." I shook my head, thinking she was cute.
"I'm not scared of her…She's like really fucking tiny," Jordan giggled.
I didn't comment as I scrolled through my phone for her name. It was at the top with the A's, but I hadn't used it for a long while. "Shhh." I placed the phone to my ear and a kiss to Jordan's head.
Amelia picked up on the third ring, and I could tell she might already be at Twilight, or possibly outside. "Hello…?"
"Hey," I said, nonchalantly. Meanwhile, I'd been dreading the thought of hearing her voice or seeing her, because I didn't know how it'd pan out—how I'd feel. "Sonny won't be there." But I felt nothing.
Amelia was quiet.
"You there?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "I'm…at Twilight." She sounded disappointed.
"What are you doing?" I had a different tone, one which inquired about a whole lot more than her current actions or whereabouts.
"Santino's not going to show up? Is he at Eclipse?"
"Don't worry about him or where he is. He's already suspicious—knows you're up to something." I shrugged. "You see where I'm going with this…?" I hoped she got my hint. "My brother's married, very happily-so . . . you're not going to get the reaction you want, and you're starting a whole mess of trouble. If you're doing it to get back at me, I applaud your efforts—"
"I fucking hate you!" It sounded like she was crying.
"I'm sorry, Amelia…I'm sorry I couldn't be what you wanted. You have no idea how sorry I am about the whole situation." I let out a breath, and Jordan nodded next to me. She rubbed my back and was so supportive. "But…you're better than trying to get back at me by being my brother's whore—"
"Fuck you!" she shouted. "What happens between Santino and me is none of your business."
"Right…" I bit my lip. "Humor me now, though. Do yourself the favor. Go find Pietro and have him bring you home—"
"He's…dead."
"Oh…I'm sorry to hear that." I had no idea what to say. "Go to your car—"
"I don't have one," she said. "I…dyed my hair red, and I've been living in SoHo…with a few friends."
I grimaced and pulled the phone away to look at it. "And the Bohemian lifestyle suits you now?"
"I still have access to my father's credit, if that's what you're asking." She sounded better. "Believe it or not, hiding in plain sight in New York is the safest place for me. I refused to go to my aunt's."
"What's going on?" I asked.
Amelia chuckled. "If you don't know, then you're not supposed to. Are you still frontin' like some preppy poindexter?"
"Apparently…yes." This call had suddenly become amusing.
"So, you're still living outta Daddy's pockets, too?"
"Yes…you're doing better in life than me." I thought that'd make her happy, even if I was lying.
"Oh…I have to go."
"We cool? You're going to keep your distance?" I asked. "Stay away from my family?"
"I'll definitely be staying away from you—"
"Amelia." My tone was flat.
"Listen to me, you little shit," she hissed into the phone. "This goes beyond you—so far beyond, I can barely touch the surface. My family's dying—"
"What?" I sat up in the seat.
"My father's holding his own, but it's a struggle. He's too proud to ask for help, so yes. I've been looking to confer with your brother," she ranted through a whisper. "He thinks I just wanna sleep with him?" She laughed. "Unlike you, I'm loyal to my family. I'm doing what I think is best, and…"
"You're going about it wrong," I sighed. "And I am loyal to my family…" And I wanted to say that's why I didn't marry her, but I didn't. It hurt to bite my tongue.
"Well, luckily, I know not to play my best hand first . . . I gotta go. Your uncle's here." She hung up on me.
"Ho-ly shit!" I stared at my cell phone.
"What happened?" Jordan asked.
I laughed. "Nothing like that, has nothing to do with me."
"Oh." She furrowed her brow as the car pulled up to our building.
As quick as I could, I paid our fare and called my father.
He wasn't answering his cell.
I groaned, dialing the house. "I'll be right in," I told Jordan.
"You're not going anywhere?"
I showed her the cigarette while my mom answered the phone. "I need to talk to Dad."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Just…guy stuff." I rolled my eyes, lighting my bone.
"Are you still smoking?" Mom asked. "I didn't smell it on you earlier—"
I pulled the phone away to exhale. "No."
"Here…it's Dame . . . Hello?" Dad answered.
"I called Amelia."
"Yeah, and?" he asked.
"What's going on in Jersey?"
My father hung up on me, and I kicked the step. Then I was about to call him back, when a number unknown to me came up on my screen. "Go to a pay phone, and then call me back on this number...but don't use the dorm pay phone." He ended the call again.
I groaned to the sky before making my way to the chicken spot two blocks away.
Since I fear Jordan at times, I called her to say I was picking up a two-piece and a biscuit.
"Hello?" I held the receiver with my shoulder. "What's going on?"
"Nothing you need to be concerned about."
"I walked two blocks to hear that?" I snorted. "Are you kidding? Are we…is there…with New Jersey?" I didn't know any cool slang that couldn't be deciphered.
"Nope. Not us. If there was you'd know about it."
"'Cause I'd be at some remote cabin with Mom and Kylie...the collateral damage that we are," I grumbled.
"I'd let you take Jordan with you."
"Funny." I shook my head. "I was talking to…A about leaving S alone, and she said that C was meeting her…at sundown." I repeated that sentence to myself.
"I know," Dad said. "He wasn't answering her calls until I told him to…That was about an hour ago or so." He yawned. "C was dangerous back in the day, but he's a suave older dude now." He started laughing.
"You don't think that's a conflict of interest on your part…? Should…Does S know why she's really trying to contact him?"
"Well, S and I are…in untouchable-mode, so probably not." He kept his voice down. "S has bigger fish to fry, although he's worried about this crap…but only for the Ball-and-Chain's sake. You feel me? He didn't give a fuck about the father or what he could do…"
"He was worried about A wrecking his marriage?"
"Yup…that's it. Other than that…I mean, there's nothing going on," he said. "We're not extending a hand—"
"But who are they…against?" I was curious.
"Uh…Betsy Ross?"
"What?" I thought I misunderstood him.
Dad laughed. "This is fun…Betsy Ross. You figure out where she's from, you call me back."
Philadelphia, I thought. "I already know where she's from."
"Then…you have your answer." There was amusement in his tone. "Look, no one's on the line." He chuckled. "No one's listening, but that was fun."
"Tell me more then."
"Less is more." He yawned again. "But it…has nothing to do with us. If or when we're pulled into the mud, you'll know."
"When…?" I hedged. "Is this inevitable?"
"No…for the right price, I might hold a sit-down—end it all. We'll see who has the bigger number."
I was confused. "Okay…"
"Under special circumstances, a boss from another family can mediate a sit-down between two others. Understand?"
I laughed. "And you won't do it unless you benefit in some way?"
"It's my God-given right. I'm only obligated to pay taxes and die, so yes. I'll do what I want," he said; meanwhile, I know during tax-time he does some shady shit so he doesn't get audited.
"Right," I agreed, laughing. "Do you even pay taxes?"
"Yes...And you should go to bed…you gotta be up in a couple hours."
I nodded even if he couldn't see.
"Sweet dreams, baby boy. I love you."
"Love you, too." I hung up the phone to place my hands in my pockets.
Then I walked as fast as I could back to the dorms.
Without a nine, I felt naked and exposed.
Dad didn't exactly say we had nothing to worry about.
He said, "when we get pulled in," or something like that.
Sonny and his possible pranks didn't sound so scary, not in comparison to what could happen if New York got into a scuffle…
And I didn't want to think about uprooting my life at this point—leaving school to hide out, leaving Jordan because I doubt she'd come away with me.
I wasn't one of Dad's soldiers.
I wouldn't be able to stay in New York.
If something happened, I wouldn't be privy to any information, just stored away with Mom and Kylie like the liabilities we are.
But maybe I had nothing to worry about.
I called Sonny to make sure; he'd tell me the truth and ease my fears. "You got balls calling me!" He was still upset.
"Be serious for a second," I said.
"What's up?" he asked.
I lit another cigarette and sat on the front steps. "Do…I have something to worry about?"
"Yeah…me!" he spat.
"From…across the bay." I reiterated.
"No, no way, bro. That doesn't concern us," he laughed. "It's like mass hysteria. No facts to back up a damn thing and everybody's worried—whatever."
"But Dad said something about…sitting down with one from each." Again, I didn't know what I could or couldn't say.
"He's not going to; I promise you that. The objective is…for them to cancel each other out while we watch."
"That's kind of brutal…Aren't…the families close? Like, go back years despite having beef?" I was trying to understand all angles. "Luke—"
"Will…probably be taken off the board, and then Dad'll replace him with someone else…There's a few ways it could play out, but if there was anything to worry about, I'd have my wife on a plane already."
"True." I knew he was being honest with me, and not placating. "You know Amelia didn't wanna have an affair with you, right?"
"Doesn't matter," he said. "She's sneaky and conniving, and she wants to get you back; meanwhile, she burned you. I know she's someone to watch. Especially because she's poking her beak where it don't belong—asking people where I am. Drawing attention to me is almost as bad as a bullet."
I rolled my eyes. "You're so important."
Sonny had no reply.
"It was a joke…"
"I know. I just didn't find the humor in it," he said. "And…you should start showing me some respect, not for nothing."
"I respect you." I chuckled.
"You don't…but you will. Look, lemme let you go—"
"Just talk to me." I flicked my cigarette butt into the street.
"I don't get you anymore, dude. You're being a prick. You come over here and fuck with Noah—"
"You punched me in the face!" I shouted.
"You were out of line," he replied. "I try my hardest to look past a lot of shit. You've done and said some shady shit to me." Damn. I do need to clear the air with him. "But, no matter how hard I try…Look, you're being petty, and you couldn't even be happy for me. What is that?"
"I am…happy for you," I sighed. "I'm ecstatic for you, and you have my support…for whatever that's worth."
"It means a lot. I had all these happy faces around me except yours, and…yours was the only one I was looking for," he whispered, and I felt really bad about the ham suddenly…I felt horrible about it all, putting Sonny through hell.
"I was just—"
"Jealous? I know you—"
"Not in the way you think," I admitted.
"I know the way you think, Dame, and I told you before. You're my brother. That's not changing—nothing's really gonna change," he laughed. "You're so scared of change…but nothing's changing."
I shook my head, because I felt it, that everything was going to be changing soon—that nothing would ever be the same, especially our relationship.
Once upon a time…he'd take me everywhere. Sonny would never leave me behind. I'd roll with him, and we were legit best friends.
Now…?
"Yeah…shit'll change."
In a few years, he might just be the Don of New York, and I'll be doing my residency. By then, I'll be so far removed from it all, we'll barely have a thing to even speak about since everything is so enmeshed.
"Even if it does, who says that has to be a bad thing?" he asked.
I didn't answer him. "I should go in…I'm still outside."
"All right…and if I were you, I'd sleep with one eye open."
"Love you, too." I hung up on him to heave my ass off the step.
Jordan was up in her room, so I took the elevator up to the fifth floor, and then I used my key to get into her room. "Hey." I kicked off my shoes.
She narrowed her eyes at me. "Did you…go to that club?"
I shook my head. "I was gone twenty minutes at best."
"Then…where's the chicken?" she asked.
"No! I went down the block to use the pay phone by the chicken place, and then I was just talking to Sonny on the steps." I unbuttoned my pants and stepped out of them while I waited for Jordan to move over. "Move…"
She scooted back to let me get in. "I don't get it…From dirty looks to a punch in the face…to…the ham, chasing us, and now you were just on the phone with him? I don't understand," she laughed.
I placed a kiss on her wrist. "You don't have to…understand."
"Well," she sighed, getting in her nook, "I don't have siblings . . . You and Santino seem to be codependent but in different ways."
"Maybe we are." I nipped those lips. "Maybe…I don't have to have all the answers yet, you know?" Having all of that weigh on my mind would drive me insane—thinking about the future.
"No one ever has all the answers," she whispered.
"You usually do." I smiled as my finger trailed down the slope of her neck and to her chest, and then I stuck it between her boobs. "There's no point in going to sleep now. We should just fuck, which will put us in better spirits."
She giggled, sitting up. "Is that your officially diagnosis, Dr. Cullen?" she moved to straddle my lap.
"Yeah…" I pulled her top up and over her head.
Sonny is up next AGAIN!
I promise to deliver Skip/Bebella soon.
And in CH47 there will be a month time jump.
Thank you for reading.
Please leave me your thoughts.