Page 90 of Ruin Me With Lies

When nothing else calms me, this does.

If Mamma’s spirit is anywhere, it’s here.In this place she dreamed up with her last breath.

And no, I’ve got no shame being a mamma’s boy.She was fierce in her love for family, and that’s what I admired most.I’m my Mamma’s son.Ride for family always.

Giois family.Second to Lorenzo, he’s the only other person that has my implicit trust.With my life.Which is why I can’t understand the animosity gnawing at me right now.This urge to shove my fist through his throat.

And forwhat?Some Pink House girl I can’t even stand?

“Makes no damn sense, Mamma,” I mutter up at the crisp blue sky.“I don’t even like her.”

Somewhere deep in my mind, I swear I can hear her soft, beautiful laugh.The same laugh that spilled from her that time I sat by her bedside and swore I would never love.Never marry.A laugh that sounded like a soothing melody as she patted my cheek, her touch frail but steady, and said with utter certainty, “Oh, you will.And she will be the luckiest woman in the world, because you, my sweet boy, are a beautiful coconut.Tough and stubborn on the outside, but so, so soft and sweet on the inside.And when she comes, the right one, you’ll know, because she will be the one strong enough to crack you wide open.”

I ride the Ferris wheel until the sun starts to roast me alive.

By the time I make it back to the house, the irrational fire has cooled just enough that I might actually be able to sleep when I hit the sheets.

I’m halfway up the stairs when I hear Gio’s voice in the kitchen, talking to Cora.

Just keep walking.

He’s your blood.Your best friend.You love him.You don’t really want to hurt him.

A vein throbs in my temple.I rub it and keep walking, picking up the pace.

And then I hear it.

“Pretty eyes.”His nickname for her.

I don’t even think.My feet pivot, my body moves.

Next thing I know, I’m at the archway of the kitchen and…oh.She’s not here.

Gio’s perched at the breakfast bar, shoveling cereal into his mouth while chatting with Cora about Raya like she’s his girlfriend.

Don’t do it.

Walk away.

But I don’t.

In the next second, my arm is locked around his neck from behind, choking the life out of him.

Gio’s as good a fighter as I am, so he’s quick to elbow me in the ribs.But it’s not enough to break my grip.I tighten my hold around his neck and haul him off the stool.He throws everything he’s got at me, but we trained together, I know all his moves before he even makes them.

Cora starts yelling, smacking me with a spatula.“What in God’s name is wrong with you?Cut it out!”

“What’s your fucking problem, man?”Gio grits out, struggling against me.

Cora whacks me again, harder this time.“LORENZO!”she shouts.“Come down here!”

“If…you’re gonna…kill me,” Gio coughs out, “you could at least…give me the courtesy of telling me why—”

“Shut the fuck up.”I drag him backward, tightening my grip until his legs give out and he drops to his knees.“You’re a—”

Suddenly, I’m yanked back with enough force to topple, but I catch my balance before I can crash into anything.

“Knock it off!”