Chance Encounters

by C L Wesley

  A slower song came on and I kept her on the dancefloor wrapped in my arms. About halfway through the song she pulled back and looked up at me, “Why do you call me kitten?”

  “Because you are sweet and cuddly but you also have claws.” I smile down at her.

  “I just wondered because you called me kitten the night I got loaded with your trainer and I didn’t know if I did something to earn that name.” She smiled back.

  “You remember that night?”

  “Pieces.”

  I pressed my forehead down to hers and closed my eyes. “You’ll remember it all eventually.”

  “Is there anything I should be remembering?” I open my eyes to see her royal blue eyes staring into mine.

  “Me holding your hair back?” I laugh at her.

  “HA-HA.” I held my head up and she laid her cheek against my chest for the remainder of the song. A few songs later we left the restaurant and started up the street when Cameron stopped immediately grabbing my arm.

  Cameron

  “What’s wrong?” Cappie asked as I held his arm from continuing down the sidewalk.

  “That’s Elina isn’t it?” He looked ahead and saw the woman standing outside the restaurant that caught my attention.

  “Yes.” He said as he gently moved us against the building. “She took pictures of us at the pool hall when Luca was in Chicago, let’s hide you so you don’t get in trouble.” He giggled but I was in no mood for fun and games right now.

  “Why would I get into trouble?” Before Cappie could answer a man joined Elina. A silhouette I knew quite well. “What the fuck?” Cappie used his rather large body to try to hide me from the two of them. They were standing rather close fueling my anger. I grab my phone.

  Me: What are you up to?

  I watched as he pulled his phone from his pocket, excusing himself a moment.

  L: In a boring meeting, you?

  Me: In Chicago?

  L: Yes in Chicago, why?

  Me: Just wondering what is so boring about Chicago

  L: I miss you.

  Me: See you Sunday when you guys get home. I am going to your mom’s tomorrow.

  L: Why? I thought you were going to shop tomorrow.

  Me: Changed my mind

  L: Trust me, with dad’s state of mind, maybe not a good idea. I think they are fighting.

  Me: I’ll be fine.

  L: I’ll call you in a few after my meeting ends.

  “He’s such a fucking liar, Cappie.” As much as I tried not to, tears fell down my face. I felt myself pushing against him because I knew where I wanted to go. I wanted to run up the street and kick Luca’s lying ass straight in the balls.

  Wiping away my tears, Cappie placed his hand in mine and brought it up to his mouth for a feather light kiss. “Let’s go home, kitten. You can stay with me tonight.” I nodded my head as we made our way to Cappie’s bike and finally to his apartment. Cappie had a way of calming me down and making the catastrophic events in my life seem small. Walking in through the foyer I had a feeling come over me-warmth. I was back home.

  I had all of my things moved to Luca’s condo and with nothing to change into I wandered into Cappie’s closet. I slowly walked through the closet holding my hands out touching each piece of clothing hanging ever so perfectly on the evenly spaced hangers. I came to a stop when I came across a long-sleeved football t-shirt from St. Ignatius High School. Pulling it off the hanger, I brought it up to my face and inhaled- Cappie. I unzipped my dress and let go of the straps allowing it to pull at my feet. I slide the shirt over my head and put my arms through the rather large sleeves when I hear a gasp behind me. Slowly turning around, I see Cappie standing in the doorway in only sleep pants.

  Our eyes locked and there were no words spoken between us, in these moments there never is. We didn’t need to speak, our eyes said it all, what I’ve known all along but was too troubled to see. I made the first move, taking step by step until I was standing in front of him. Cappie placed his hands under my arms and lifted me straight into the air before letting me slide down his body until our faces met, holding me tightly in place. I smiled when he began walking us backwards towards his bed. Cappie turned around and laid us both down gently. It was truly that moment that I understood just how strong he was. I placed my hands on his arms appreciating the muscles beneath and realizing that I have had these strong arms around me every night for months now.

  Cappie leaned back on his hunches, running his large hands down my sides in an antagonizing pace until he reached my strappy heels. I never thought taking off my shoes would be such an erogenous event until now but hell I think it is the person doing it. I took in a deep breath when he began running his hands back up my legs. I was getting lost in fantasy when I heard my cell phone go off in the kitchen pausing all Cappie’s actions further pissing me off because we both knew who was calling. “Go get it.” He said rolling off of me.

  “No.” I sternly replied not willing to move from the man in this bed.

  “Cameron!” Cappie stood up and started walking to the door.

  “Fuck him!” I sat up and accepted the phone Cappie so graciously got for me. The call went to voicemail before I had a chance to answer. I looked up at Cappie, so much confusion on his face. I went to speak when my phone went off again sending Cappie to his bathroom. “Dammit.”

  Knowing that he will just keep calling, I answered, “Hey Luca.”

  “Hey baby. What are you up to?” I looked at the clock noting how late it was.

  “Chilling at Cappie’s place.” I know he knows I’m here. Security is close but not too far up Cappie’s ass to get away once in a while.

  “This late?” I hear the disapproval in his voice.

  “Is that a problem?” I reply fully aware of the attitude I’m giving as I hear Cappie’s shower turn on.

  “We have a perfectly safe home, you shouldn’t feel the need to stay there any longer.”

  “I’m aware, however I do not like being alone now that I know people watch me and that I could be in danger in any particular situation.”

  “You have security.”

  “Shall I invite them in to watch television with me?”

  “I wish I was home, we don’t communicate well over the phone.” Fucking liar is home. Probably hanging at the manor with Elina.

  “No, we really don’t. I think we need to talk when you get back from wherever you’re at.” I couldn’t believe I actually said it.

  “Talk about what? And I’m in Chicago, you know that already.” He spat into the phone with a lying growl.

  “Our lives and why I am in yours.”

  “I’m flying home tonight.” Luca responded adamantly.

  “You have meetings and such don’t you? This can wait until Sunday. Good night Luca.” I threw the phone and crawled up into my spot in Cappie’s bed, feeling him curl up behind me shortly after.

  I spent Saturday with Cappie being normal, not the hunted girlfriend of a mafioso boss. We had breakfast on his balcony, I watched some tv while he finished up some work for his internship, I cooked us lunch consisting of fish sandwiches made with Lake Erie perch Cappie caught on a charter Thursday with freshly battered onion rings purposely showing off more of my culinary skills. Later that afternoon Leroy brought me some clothes from Luca’s apartment. I can’t help but wonder what these security guys think of me bouncing around between Morano homes and constantly moving my underwear. Cappie told me they get paid well enough not to think or have opinions.

  I had managed to avoid Luca’s text messages all day with simple responses but now I was heading out with Cappie on the bike and did not want to be bothered by him so in full déjà vu fashion, I placed my phone on the foyer table and stepped into the elevator. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.” Cappie smiled, noticing the placement of my phone, his one mischievous little dimple appeared. “You’ll have fun, I promise.”

  “I know.” I smiled and looped my arm t
hrough his as we walked into the parking garage towards my favorite new hobby- wrapping my arms around this amazing, sweet man.

  24

  Cappie

  I love that Cameron loves to ride with me. From the first time she was on the bike until now she has fully healed and jumps right on like it’s her bike and I’m just allowed to drive it. I’m lost in thought as we pull into the marina and I park the bike in the private parking lot. “Ready?” I ask as she climbs off the bike patiently waiting for me.

  “You have a boat too?” She asks as she looks around at the different sail boats, yachts, and motor cruisers surrounding this area of the marina.

  “No, my parents do.” I grab her hand and lead her down the dock to my parents slip. “Come aboard matey?” I smile and she squeezes my hand as she boards their boat.

  “Cameron! Ciao bella! How are you dear?” My mother rounds the starboard side and pulls her into one of her motherly hugs. “Cappricio?” She let go of Cameron as I leaned down to kiss my mother on the cheek.

  “Hello Mama.” I stand awkwardly knowing she wants to talk. I see it in her eyes.

  “Bella, Stephanie is up on deck with the kids if you’d like to say hi.” My mother looked at Cam. Knowing my mother wanted a moment with me, Cameron made her way to the upper deck. “Come sit with me Capriccio.”

  My mother looped her arm through mine leading me to the stern. Taking our seats at the rear of the boat I turn towards my mother. “What’s going on Mama?”

  “I feel as if I need to ask you the same.” She pats my hand. “Why are you courting your brother’s girlfriend?”

  “Do you know where Luca is today mama?”

  “Chicago, I believe.”

  “No, he’s here. He’s been staying with Elina since Thursday night. Cameron knows he is still in Cleveland, she has seen him arm in arm with Elina Friday night.” I watch my mother’s face turn fifty shades of red. “Leroy confirmed the affair, I found out earlier today.”

  “Does she know of this affair?” My mother touched the back of her neck signaling that she was starting to stress.

  “I have not had a chance to talk with her yet.” I grab my neck noticing that I am more like my mama than I thought.

  “I know you care for the girl. Does she know you are in love with her?”

  “I don’t know.” I look up and see Cameron laughing with my sister in law, care free, happy.

  “Capriccio, I know you have your demons, I also know Luca is trying to overcome his as well. If you are going to go through with this, you have to know the repercussions your brother may be willing to take out on you.”

  “What is his connection with her mama? He can’t possibly love her if he’s screwing Elina moments after he moves her in.” She puts her dainty arm around my shoulders as far as she can reach.

  “At first, I thought guilt, then love, I’d never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at her.”

  “And now?” I ask her.

  “Possession. He knows you want her. Anyone within 100 miles can see it.” She rubs my back. “The question is who does she want?” That was the million-dollar question. What does she want? When she first came to the manor she was quiet and shy unlike the bold and tantalizing woman she has become or maybe always was before that asshole hit her with his car.

  Mama and I made our way up to the rest of the family who were busy enjoying my family’s favorite past time-appetizers for dinner. I escorted Mama to the buffet of heaven and then took our respective seats at the table. The conversation between all of us was surprisingly quite amusing, even my father laughed a time or two, something we don’t see often. Cameron was quiet throughout most of dinner and I noticed she kept staring at my father. It had my curiosity that is for sure.

  We had left port about an hour ago and took our place amongst the others on the water awaiting the firework display. I went in search of Cameron who excused herself from the table quite some time ago. I found her on the main deck leaning against the rail staring at the coastline. Leaning on the rail next to her, I bumped my shoulder to hers playfully. “Penny for your thoughts?”

  “I’m just thinking about how much my life has changed in the past six months.” She kept her focus on the coastline avoiding my gaze.

  “Yes, there is a lot that has changed for you. Me too.” I let out a giggle, trying to lighten the intense mood.

  “I went from struggling to make ends meet, to almost losing my life, to not knowing if I’d ever be normal again, to living in a multi-million-dollar manor, falling for your brother because I thought he was my hero, finding out he’s not, then living in not one but two million-dollar condos, all while losing my best friend to the tropics, being wanted for some reason by a competing mafia family, and depending on you and your family for every little thing I need.”

  I took a deep breath, “It’s not all bad, is it?”

  “I suppose not”, she bumped my shoulder back, “You are a pretty good stand in for Willa.”

  “Cam, there is something I need to tell you.” I felt my palms start to clam up.

  “I need to tell you something too.” She turned towards me. “You first.”

  “I promised you I would always be honest with you. I had Leroy check out what Luca has been up to. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was doing that but I wasn’t exactly sure why I felt the need.” I took in a deep breath, “He did take a break from Elina for a while but once you started living with me, he started seeing her occasionally.”

  “Then why am I so important to him? Why does he want me in his house and her in his bed?”

  My heart raced like Secretariat as I turned towards Cameron. Focusing on keeping my eyes glued to hers, “Because he knows I want you.” I watched her eyes grow wide and her chest heave. We remained staring at each other for minutes before I finally broke the ice, “Say something please.” I placed my hand over hers on the railing. She looked down at our hands then back up at me. Finally, the corner of her mouth turned up in a smile before she stepped up tip toe and brushed her lips against mine. I wrapped my arm around her waist and helped hold her to me. If this was all I was going to get of Cameron, I was taking advantage of it. It was sweet and innocent, the way she held her warm lips against mine. She pulled back when the fireworks started and rested her head against my chest, snuggled into my side. This, this is what I want in life, the distraction I was trying to avoid.

  25

  Cameron

  I kissed Cappie. I live with Luca, the lying bastard. I kissed Cappie. Luca is seeing that bitch Elina behind my back. I kissed Cappie. I really need to just get away from this family. I kissed Cappie. That was my thought process as I listened to his heart race against my ear as we watched the fireworks display. He wants me, openly admits he wants me. I know I shouldn’t care what anyone thinks but how does this make me look? My hero of a boyfriend ‘leaves on business’ and I kiss his brother? Dammit, I really want to talk to Willa.

  After the grand finale, I joined Stephanie on the upper deck, leaving unspoken words between Cappie and I, it seems to be how we communicate. I walked past her daughters innocently sleeping on the sofa benches, stopping to adjust her angel’s blanket that was starting to fall off. When I got to the chair next to her she had a white wine ready for me. “Girl you need this.”

  “Probably.” I smile and take a sip of the smooth fruity wine. “Did the girls like the fireworks?”

  “Oh no, this conversation is going to be about you.” She lifted an eyebrow. “I’m a boring housewife, please give me the details on this little love triangle of yours.”

  “There is no love triangle.” It was not a complete lie.

  “Uh huh, I may have witnessed a steamy little smooch below that says otherwise. You can’t love them both, ya know?” She smiled.

  “I don’t love them both.”

  Stephanie turned towards me, “Want some unsolicited advice?” It was in this moment that I realized Stephanie was loaded and that she probably would not remember mu
ch of this conversation.

  “Oh, why not?” I smiled.

  “Go with the one you are in love with. Being in love makes everything worth it.” She holds up her glass for me to clink. “And besides, either way I get you as a sister.” She winks.

  “What are you two scheming up now?” Vinny asks as he walks over to his wife and kisses her on the forehead.

  “Oh, ya know.” Stephanie smiled at her husband who walked over to check on the kids before sitting next to his wife. “Planning world domination.”

  “We should be back to the marina in a few hours.” Vinny said before taking a pull from his Bud Light and snuggling up next to his wife.

  “Why so long?” I asked. It did not take long to get out here, I wondered why it would take so long to get back.

  I felt Cappie behind me before I heard him and I must have smiled because Stephanie was beaming ear to ear. “It’s because every single boat out here is fighting to get into the harbor. We have found it easier to eat and drink a little more and just wait it out.” Cappie took the seat behind me and now that Stephanie knows something is going on, I’m very self-conscious of my actions towards him.

  “Beats watching them crowded on the beach with a bunch of strangers.” I say, trying to keep the conversation light. “I’d take this over that any day.”

  I hear Cappie’s phone go off. Handing the phone to me I see Luca’s name on the screen. “It’s for you.” Cappie says handing me his phone before getting up from his seat and walking back downstairs.

  “Excuse me.” I walk over to the small bar area and swipe across. “Hi.”

  “Where the fuck is your phone?” Luca growls into the phone. I don’t deserve this.

  “Goodbye Luca.” I hang up the phone and turn it off, returning to my seat next to Stephanie and Vinnie.

  Vinny pauses his obvious groping of his wife, “Trouble in paradise?”

  “Nah, your brother is just being an ass.” I say polishing off my glass of wine.

  “We could write a screenplay about you two.” Stephanie laughs as she jokes about movie titles of my life story.