Page 54 of A Treasure To Keep
“If you think you’ll get away with this bullshit, you’re fucking crazy. I’m going to tear up those fucking papers and I suggest you do the same. Just because I let you fuck me doesn’t mean I want a future with you. I want a future with my love, therealfather of my baby. Unless you want more holes in your wall, or even better, your body, you’ll drop this bullshit and let me live my life with my love.”
El storms off, swinging open the door to accentuate the hole in the wall fixed from a few weeks ago. She turns her head back to me, continuing her fit by slamming the door into the wall several more times. When she finally decides there’s enough damage, she slams it shut.
I turn my head toward Luci and Alessandro, Luci still chewing nervously on her lip and Alessandro staring directly into my soul. I’ve known him long enough that we both know that means ‘what are you going to do?’.
Instead of answering him, I storm off into my office, picking up my copy of the paperwork. I flip through the pages, scanning through the bullshit terms that Alessandro and our lawyer recommended that I write down. Seriously? The kid has to have my last name? Bullshit. All of it is bullshit.
“Fuck!” I slam the paperwork on the desk and swipe everything off. Alessandro appears in the doorway when everything settles randomly throughout the room.
“Are you done?” Alessandro walks into my office, picking up what landed on the chair across from my desk before sitting down.
“Who the fuck knows? Also, who are you to fucking talk? Remember the big ass fits you threw after Aldo left with Luci?”
His face and tone flatten. “This isn’t about me.”
“Sure. Why the fuck are you in here? It was your dumbass idea to send the paperwork in the first place.” Internally, I know I’m poking at the bear.
“Don’t blame me. I didn’t force your hand.”
“You absolutely forced it! I was going to leave them to their own life until you butted in. Now I’ve caused even more of a mess. El is angrier at me than she normally is, the closest thing to a relationship I’ve ever had is fucked, and now El and Luci are fighting. And it’s all. Your. Fault!” I should have known the second I brought Luci into this, things would have gone south. He stands face-to-face with me, even though I’m several inches taller than him.
“You sound like a child! You know, if you didn’t want to sign that shit, you wouldn’t have. Stop lying to yourself.”
“I signed that shit because you caught me during a weak time, and put that shit in front of me. El has a point. You can’t shove your parental opinions on everyone else because you’re a dad. I—”
Alessandro takes the opportunity to disrupt whatever I was about to say and slugs me. Wow, that’s a flashback to our childhood. Before we know it, we’re both in the middle of a fight, rolling on the floor until Luci comes running into the room. At some point, I roll over something solid, taking note to scan my body for any holes where there shouldn’t be.
“Stop it! Stop it, you two! Fighting doesn’t solve anything. This is a crap situation and now I’m being dragged into it. We don’t need you two fighting over this. Now don’t make me call Geno.” Alessandro has his fist back, and both of us stare, eyes wide, at Luci and her threat to call Geno. I’ll say it again. Wow, that’s a flashback to our childhood.
“Finally! I don’t care what you do with the silly paperwork and who you sleep with. I, on the other hand, hurt my best friend. I’m taking Gia, and Enzo is going to take us to El’s apartment to apologize and for a girls’ day. She’s done that for me, and I should have been a better friend to her.” Alessandro stands, ready to tell her no when she interrupts him. “No! Enzo will be with me and Gia. We will be safe. I’m going over there.” I secretly love it when she puts him in his place.
She storms out of the room, Alessandro in tow, leaving me alone. Finally. I rub my hands up my face, hissing when I hit the sore spot around where Alessandro threw that first punch. When I open my eyes, the first thing I see is the paperwork. The dumbass paperwork. I pick it up, intending to do what El asked of me, until my hands tense, unable to rip the packet even an inch. I slam both my hands flat on the desk, closing my eyes while my head hangs low.
The first thing I see when I open my eyes is the tattoo of my papa’s name and the date he died on my forearm. He chooses now to send me a sign from beyond the grave? And one that says he agrees with Alessandro. Maybe they’re right. Maybe I should be involved in my child’s life.
Chapter 59
El
My body shakes as I drive home, dumbfounded about the entire interaction. Even my best friend doesn’t have my side. I can’t believe it.
I’m at the stoplight by our apartment, waiting to turn left, when the bags of new shoes, clothes, and cosmetics catch my attention. Maybe I went a little hard on the retail therapy. Technically, some of this was free since I used my discount. At least, that’s how I’ll explain it to Andrea. He understands girl math. Mostly.
I finally turn into the complex, and the second I park the car, I take the opportunity to scream. That alone lets out the last piece of frustration I have before getting out of the car to grab my new goodies. Except when I turn around, struggling with the multiple bags from the backseat, the nosy neighbor turns to me as she goes to open her car door.
“Is everything okay?” This bitch.
“Oh, sweetie. I love juicy gossip as much as the next person, but for once, mind your own business.”
I walk away, making a mental note to apologize to her when I’m in a better mood. I’ll bring her cookies. Cookies make everything better. That’s what I should have gotten while I was out. I’m sure we can order some. Or! Andrea and I can make them together. Maybe after I’ve filtered through everything I purchased. I’m sure I won’t keep everything. The one thing I’m absolutely keeping is the lingerie set I bought to wear for Andrea. Lord knows this might be the last time I’ll be able to wear something sexy for the next whatever many months. And don’t get me started on how stupid horny I’ve been. Not that Andrea is arguing with that. The man never denies me an opportunity for sex.
I’m stuck in my internal monologue when I get out of the elevator and halt. First, I notice Enzo’s large, muscular back, then hear Gia’s adorable giggle. I don’t want to deal with this right now. I take two steps back, louder than intended, when Luci’s face pops out from behind Enzo. Or would it be from in front of? Regardless, my stupid heels gave me away. Maybe I should buy flats. Or at least wedges.
“Hi, El. Can we talk?” Is that too much to ask for some privacy while I search through my retail therapy?
I attempt to give her the best smile I can give her right now. “Something tells me you won’t leave until I do.”
She doesn’t respond as I walk over, unlock the door, and wait for her to follow me inside. Enzo stays outside, protective as always toward her and Gia. I return from setting the bags in the extra bedroom-turned-closet to Luci standing in the middle of my living room with Gia smiling in her arms. Girlfriend doesn’t know how to read a room. She’s four months old, but still.