Page 15

Danica

“S o, this is cozy.” Jay is seated next to me on the vinyl bench, while Sebastian and Theo sit directly across from us in the small booth. Rather than going to a fancy restaurant, Theo insisted we go to this small Italian diner situated about 10 minutes away from the arena. Claiming that the food here was the most authentic he has found since moving to Seattle. While we haven’t ordered anything yet, the small restaurant smells divine, and I am taken back to the savory flavors of Elena’s cooking.

In the months I was with Theo, both while I lived at his mom’s house, and after, I spent countless hours in the kitchen with Elena while she showed me how to cook some of her favorite dishes. Sometimes we would talk, others we would just relax in each other’s presence, the quiet like a comforting hand. She would share with me then, just little glimpses into her past. She would often refuse to speak about Theo’s dad, but from what I gather, he wasn’t someone worth mourning over, and from what little she did choose to share, I learned that we have quite a bit in common.

Theo’s dad, Eduardo, was the head of Giovanni Family, and a notorious Mob boss. He was vicious and cruel, both with his men and his family. There was no room for mercy, no room for love under his roof. It was a sign of weakness that he wanted to stamp out of his people. Unfortunately, that included Theo and his mom. His death came as a surprise to many, with rumors spreading that he fell at the hands of a rival family vying for control of the Giovanni territory. Whether you believed the rumors, or knew the truth of what actually happened, his death was not, however, unwelcome. The world was a better place without men of Eduardo’s ilk polluting the streets.

“Yeah, very cozy.” Though his movements were subtle, the deliberate stretch and placement of his arm across my shoulders did not go unnoticed by the men sitting across from us. With a gentle squeeze of my shoulder, Jonathan pulling me in closer to his side, I fight off the shudder at the tingle of awareness from Theo’s direct gaze, unwavering as he continues staring in my direction.

Before I can say anything else, or pull away from Jonathan’s comforting grasp, a new voice interrupts and I find myself having to do a double-take as I blink up at the man standing before us. Tall and broad-shouldered, with hair dark and trim, and unmistakable piercing blue eyes staring hard, back at me. A moment later, Theo is up and out of his seat, grabbing the man who appears so startlingly similar, in a warm embrace.

“Tony!” With a pat on the back, Theo lets go of the familiar stranger. Turning to face our group, he continues. “Everyone, this is my cousin and owner of this fine establishment, Antonio. Tony, this is Sebastian and Danica. . .” his voice trails off slightly, but clearing his throat with a hard glare at my companion, continues, “and Jonathan.”

Glancing around our booth, Antonio is all smiles, his brightness in direct contrast to Theo’s shadows. “It’s nice to meet you all. Danica, I have heard such good things about you. And Sebastian. It’s an honor to have such famous athletes in my humble establishment. Jonathan, it’s nice to meet you as well.” Warm and welcoming, just like the restaurant itself. I can’t help but smile in return.

“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m sorry, I don’t recall seeing you before, back -” my voice trails off, and I find myself unable to even mention the phrase ‘back home.’

“Oh, I’m not from back east, like my dear cousin here. My Ma moved us over here before I was even born. I’ve been back to visit, of course. But my home is here. I have to say though, it was quite a pleasant surprise when my dear cousin up, and moved across the country. It’s nice having family nearby.”

My curiosity piqued, I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Oh? Were you and Theo close growing up?”

“Nah-.” A shadow passed across his eyes, so quick I might have missed it if I hadn’t been studying him so intently, before Antonio was grinning once more. “My boy, Theo, here? Well, he was busy with hockey and the family business. Despite our being so close in age, it made it hard to keep in touch, between that and the time difference. We would hang out on the occasions when I went back east with Ma for a visit, or on the rare occasion when he would come out this way for a visit out with my old man.

“But we didn’t really get to connect until he moved here a few years back. Have to say though, it’s been great having him around. Not too bad for business either, eh?” Throwing a wink in Theo’s direction, even as he nudged him with his elbow, Antonio continued. “Can’t say it has been a bad thing having a famous NHL player frequent this fine establishment. All the ladies flock to see him, but so long as they order some food? Well, no complaints here. They may come for you, man, but they stay for my cooking.”

Looking between the cousins, the playful interaction taking place, it’s easy to see the love they have for one another. And it softened some of those jagged edges deep in my soul, to see this side of him again. The happy, playful man that I once loved. Maybe he is still in there, underneath the years and hurt that have driven a wedge between us.

Just as I was getting ready to speak, I hear a soft giggle from my left, and sure enough, as I turn to glance in that direction I see a small horde of women, puck bunnies, all vying for attention. A chance to catch the eye of Theo or Bash, both eligible, hot, hockey stars. I even see a few curiously eyeing Jonathan, despite him still having an arm around my shoulders. I throw a look over at Bash, who just shrugs in response with a roguish grin, and for a moment I am taken back. I may have moved to a different state, and be sitting with a different group of men, but the ravenous puck bunnies always stay the same. I can’t help but shake my head with a bemused smirk.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go see to that group of ladies. Danica, Sebastian, Jonathan, it was nice to meet you all.” With a quick nod in our direction, Antonio turns on his heel and is off headed towards the crowd which seems to just be getting larger now that word is starting to spread about who is here.

Antonio’s introduction seems to have broken through the tension of our little group, and the rest of the evening passes by with relative civility. Bash and Jonathan take up most of the conversation between the two of them. Discussions of Finn and Jay’s security business, Bash’s team and how they are holding up in the league this season, even mentions of Caleb and how he has been doing with the family business that he had to take over after my father’s absence. Through it all, Theo remains quiet, and I catch him staring in my direction often, his expression serious as he observes me .

The evening begins to wind down and the customers slowly filter out until we are the only ones left. The food has long since been devoured (I forgot just how much three athletic men could eat between them) and we have transitioned into more casual topics of conversation as we linger over our glasses of wine. I feel the drinks work as they begin to relax me, easing some of the tension between my shoulders.

“So, Theo-” I cast a startled glance in Jay’s direction, before working quickly to school my features. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” His eyes narrow, and I know that expression. Have been subject to it myself more times than I can count. Reaching down, I squeeze Jonathan’s thigh in a silent warning, but the motion doesn’t go unnoticed by Theo, who narrows his eyes at Jay in return.

“Oh yeah?”

I squeeze Jonathan’s leg tighter, and I know at this point my nails are digging in enough that there will surely be crescent-shaped marks marring his toned thigh. To his credit, Jonathan doesn’t wince, doesn’t give any sign of acknowledgement to my anxiety being channeled into him as he continues.

“Yeah, you and Danni used to be a thing.” Not a question. Jay is always blunt with his interrogations. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his overbearing protectiveness.

Theo raises a sardonic eyebrow in response, waiting. Bash glances between Jay and Theo, before sending a bemused glance in my direction. “Hey, uh, hotness. You know, I forgot I needed to show you something.” Bash rises quickly from the booth, coming to my side to pull me up and drags me over to the far side of the room, leaving Jonathan and Theo to talk.

“What are you doing?” I hiss, my words coming out in a harsh whisper.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m leaving them to duke it out.” My eyes widen at his words, and I cast a glance over his shoulder to see the two men having a heated discussion.

“Not literally. I don’t think there will be any punches thrown tonight.” I glance back up at Bash’s face, the bruises deepening into a garish purple, the swelling still pulling tight at his lip, and he winces in response. “At least, not in here. Theo may have been a bit hot-headed on the ice tonight, but that was just because we caught him off guard. He wasn’t expecting to see you there; let alone see you with another man wrapped around you. Seriously, babe, what were you thinking showing up there with Jay? ”

“Me? What was I thinking?” I hiss, “What were you thinking? You were the one who wanted me to show up tonight. You knew how hard it would be for me to be there. To see him. How could I not ask Jonathan to come with me?”

I am glaring at my friend now, but it can’t be helped. I am really overwhelmed by the whole course of events that have led us here tonight. And rather than dissolving into a mess of tears and a puddle of anxiety, I am choosing to channel all of those emotions into anger, directed at one of my closest friends. Oh man, my therapist is going to have a lot to say about this at our next visit, I just know it.

Before either of us can get in another word, a notification starts loudly chiming from my phone. From the corner of my eye, I see Jay glance at his watch, a grim expression on his face as he glances back at me as their conversation comes to an abrupt halt. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the phone as Jonathan quickly stands and walks over to us, Theo following close behind.

I feel Jonathan's hand glide across my waist as he draws me close, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “There’s been another one. I’ll handle it. You stay here, I’ll fill you in as soon as I can.” He places a chaste kiss on my temple before stepping away. “Bash, it’s been great to catch up. Theo.” He nods at the two men. “Something’s come up with work and unfortunately, I have to head out. Danni, you good?”

I give him a sharp nod, my mind traveling to the security alert that had chimed on my phone and the knowledge that Jonathan once again is heading to clean up my mess. “I should come with you.”

Another buzz, and a quick glance at his watch. “Not this time. Seriously, I’ve got this. You stay and catch up with your friends. I’ll call you later, okay?” Not giving me a chance to respond, Jonathan quickly makes his way out of the building while we all just stand there, staring at his retreating form.

“Everything okay?” Bash interrupts my muddled thoughts as I stare at the door that Jonathan disappeared through. Well damn. Something is going on, and it seems like it had to have been more than just another ‘gift’ left for me to find like the ones that have been popping up at my apartment. I nod absentmindedly.

“Danica?”

“Hotness?”

“Diavoletta.” Theo’s voice cuts through the haze of worry oozing through my pores. I feel warmth spreading along my arm, and glance down to see that Theo had reached out to grab it, steadying me with his warm presence. “What’s going on?”

Shaking my head, I pull away from his comforting touch, cutting a tight smile to both of them. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I-” Unsure of what to say, I simply shake my head, forcing the muscles in my face to relax. “Jonathan just had to see to a security issue. It happens sometimes.” I shrug nonchalantly, feigning an indifference that I don’t actually feel.

Bash and Theo exchange a glance, before turning to me with narrowed gazes.

“You’re sure everything’s okay?” Bash knows about the gifts I have been left in the past, but I don’t want to go into it. Not here, and not with Theo.

“Yep. All good. You guys want dessert?” I nod in the direction of the booth that we had just vacated.

Theo seems unsure, concern still written on his features, but I cut a look to Bash and he finally catches on. “Oh yeah, you know me. I always have room for dessert.” Grabbing my arm, he leads me back to the booth, sliding in next to Theo once more, while I return to my seat opposite them.

A waitress comes over to take our order, and despite my lack of appetite, I order a small slice of cheesecake and coffee. I have a feeling it’s gonna be a long night. Bash and Theo both place their orders, deflecting the flirtatious innuendo of the waitress, giving her a dismissive glance.

“So, Danica, what have you been up to lately?”

Though Theo’s question is polite, I shift uncomfortably in my seat as he gazes at me with pointed interest. Somehow, I had managed to not be the focus of conversation for most of the evening but now it seems I can’t avoid his attention any longer. I nod a polite thank you at the waitress as she quietly sets our desserts and coffee down before leaving without another word.

“Oh, you know.” I shrug. “Just the usual. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it; it’s still pretty new. But I opened a small gymnastics center a few years ago, Prism Tumbling. Our focus is local, small community engagement. Primarily, we outreach to families with special needs children and low-income families within the local area. I want to provide access to a safe and fun learning environment for as many children as possible. It has actually grown three times the original size over the last few years, and we just moved into our new building last spring.”

Theo nods, “That’s great. I heard about it from Caleb. It sounds like you have really been thriving in your new building. Lots of room for future growth too. Do you have plans to continue expanding?”

I smile, thinking of all the children I get to work with. “Yes, actually. The focus for the last year has been partnering with local therapy clinics, working to combine treatment plans with various forms of tumbling exercises to help our kiddos work on sensory processing and building tools for success when being introduced to new elements outside of their normal routines. We have a big fundraiser coming up in the spring to really network and spread engagement with other businesses in the area.”

Bash jumps in, “I’m planning on attending this year. I double-checked to make sure it doesn’t overlap with our schedule. Even if we make it into the playoffs, I should still be able to swing it for the big event. I’m really looking forward to going after having to miss the last two years.”

Theo looks at Bash, before turning to me, a smile on his face. “That’s really great, Danica. You should consider reaching out to all the different pro teams in the city. If even a few of the players showed up, you could really raise some major awareness for the program from their press attendance.”

Hmm. I hadn’t considered that. “Thanks. I’ll definitely think about it.”

My phone buzzes again, and without a word to the men sitting across from me, I finally unlock my phone to pull up the security feed, and my face blanches.

“I, uh.” I glance back up to find Theo and Bash eyeing me with a mixture of concern and curiosity. “I should really call it a night. Aw, shit. Jay was my ride. Ugh- Bash, are you guys still gonna be awhile? If you’re about done, we can catch an Uber together.” I gaze over at my friend who is giving me an assessing look.

“Sure, we can catch a ride together. Let me just order one.”

“No need.” Theo interrupts, glancing between the two of us. “My truck’s out back.”

I go to turn him down, but the expression on his face leaves no room for argument. I sigh. It’s a losing battle anyway. “Yeah, sure. Thanks. That would be . . . nice.”