by Jackie Wang
Mom wiped a couple tears from her cheeks. “Don’t let me stop you, honey.”
After I finished packing, I came downstairs with my overstuffed suitcase (I’d bought a few souvenirs for Nate and Dom, even though they insisted no presents), and said my farewells to my family. Two weeks hadn’t been enough, but at the same time, it’d been enough. It was a bittersweet farewell, knowing that I wouldn’t see them again for probably seven or eight months.
“Stop sending us so much money,” Dad said. “Keep more of it and move into a nicer place. I don’t want to take this money knowing what you had to sacrifice to get it.”
“It’s hardly a sacrifice. Nothing compared to what you and Mom went through to raise Zane and me.”
“I’m serious, Winnie. Get yourself a nicer place. We’re proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we know you’re doing everything you can. We’re happy and touched by your generosity, but honestly, all we ever wanted was for you to spread your wings and fly.”
“I am flying, Dad. No, I’m soaring.” Tears pricked my eyes. I wasn’t expecting our goodbyes to be so emotional.
Dad kissed me on the forehead. “Good. We want you to shoot for the stars.”
“And the moon,” I added. “The sun, too, eventually.”
“Damn straight,” Dad said, trying to hold back tears. “You’ve always been the brightest star in our sky, and I know you’ll accomplish amazing things.”
“Thanks, Dad. You’ve always been my biggest believer.”
“Call often. And maybe you can video call us and show off that new boyfriend of yours,” he teased.
“He’s not my boyfriend. Not yet, anyway.”
“I’m sure he will be by the next time we call.”
I laughed it off. “Bye, Dad.”
I turned to Zane and gave him a bear hug. “Feel better soon, baby bro.”
Zane rolled his eyes. “Don’t call me that. I’m only two years younger than you.”
“You’ll always be my baby bro, and I’ll always look after you. If you need anything, don’t ever forget I’m just a phone call away.”
“I know.”
I kissed him on the forehead. “Talk to you soon.”
“You bet. Have a good flight, Sis.”
First thing I did when I got back was call up Dom. I’d promised I would. And I half-expected that he’d be eagerly waiting by the phone for my call. He knew exactly when my flight arrived, and he’d promised to drive me home from the airport. But I tried once. Then twice. Then four more times. It went straight to voicemail each time.
I panicked. I shouldn’t have, but I did.
Calling anyone four times in a row seemed a bit desperate.
I shouldn’t be anxious. I had no reason to panic. His phone was probably dead. No, if it was dead, it wouldn’t ring through, would it? Maybe he got the dates mixed up or misheard me. There were so many reasons. Too many to possibly contemplate. It wasn’t like I didn’t know how to get back to my apartment via public transit. Sure, the commute would be shitty, especially in the middle of a snow storm, but I’d get home, eventually. It would take three buses, and probably a lot of waiting time in between, but I’d make it home. My suitcase would get soaked, and so would I, but I’d be fine without a ride.
I just hoped Dom was all right. Nate, too. I knew how much he wanted to drop me off at the airport, and the last time we spoke, Dom mentioned wanting to bring Nate to come pick me up. They both sounded so excited that I was coming back. Dom said he missed me so badly he wanted to keep me locked up in his bedroom for the rest of the month.
So, where were they?
By the time I got home, shrugged off my jacket, kicked off my waterlogged sneakers and peeled off my soaked socks, it was already almost 10 p.m. I checked my phone one last time, hoping that Dom had called me back and perhaps I’d missed it going through a tunnel or while I was napping.
Nothing.
No texts, voicemails or missed calls.
Determined not to overthink anything, I crashed for the night.
The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, I scrambled for my phone. I wasn’t sure when I became schoolgirl-level obsessed with Dominic Fieri, but it definitely wasn’t healthy.
My fingers drummed over my dresser, along the wall, until I reached the bedroom door. Maybe if I went downstairs, I’d see him waiting outside with a bouquet of flowers and an apologetic smile on his face. He’d surprise me and say that he couldn’t see me the night before because his neighbor died, or his aunt got food poisoning. Some plausible excuse.
My overactive imagination only made the disappointment of not seeing Dom downstairs worse. He had gone AWOL. Or he was just ignoring me. I could reach out to the fire station and ask his coworkers, but that would be too stalker-like, right? Besides, school started up again tomorrow, so I’d see him and Nate anyway.
Instead of moping around and letting my imagination run wild again, I decided to spend the day deep-cleaning and reorganizing my closet, pantry, and just about every organizable space I had in my tiny apartment. New year, new resolutions, new attitude, right? All that cleaning managed to kill about three hours. After that, I went for a jog and took a shower. Killed another hour. Read, or tried to read a book.
It was sheer agony not knowing what was happening on Dom’s end. If he had decided at some point in the past few days that he didn’t want to be with me anymore, he could’ve at least given me a heads up. Or was I being petty for thinking that I even deserved one? Had we ever been anything more than a one-night stand?
Yes. Yes, a million times, yes.
We’d spent the past two weeks talking on the phone every single day. For hours.
He must’ve cared, at least a little. I refused to believe he didn’t like me, at least a little.
After I finished prepping my materials for back to school, I slept early, and hoped that when I saw Nate the next morning, his father would have an explanation for his behavior.
“I have no excuse,” Dom said as soon as he saw me the next morning. “None.”
I shot him a warning glare, as if to say not here. “Welcome back,” I said with a big smile. I bent down and greeted Nate. “Did you have a good winter break?” Did you miss me? I wanted to add. Are you okay?
Nate just shrugged, as if he didn’t know who I was. I arched a brow at Dom. Dom shook his head sadly and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Listen, I gotta run. Can we chat…later?”
I gave him a quick nod before moving on to greet the other kids and their parents.
The day dragged on, seemingly indefinitely. My heart was not in Circle Time or counting ducks or the alphabet. My heart was singing for a man who had the ability to squeeze it until it popped like a water balloon. My heart craved the touch of a man who could snap me like a violin string.
I wanted Dom.
I needed Dom.
At three, when Dom came back to pick up Nate, he whispered, “Meet me in the parking lot in fifteen.”
I hated the hiding and whispers, but I knew it was for my protection. I took my time packing up my bags, and stayed a few minutes to mark a few assignments. Then I hobbled to the parking lot, laden with a heavy cross body bag filled with homework I still needed to mark, and a couple textbooks. I saw Dom and Nate waiting by their car, deep in conversation.
I wanted to be mad at them, but how could I, when my heart did a happy dance every time I saw the two of them? They’d quickly become an integral part of my world, and I couldn’t imagine how life was like before them. It felt as if we were already a family, which made Dom’s behavior hurt all the more. Why hadn’t he returned my calls?
When they were a few feet away, I feigned anger and said to Dom, “You had me worried sick. I thought you were hurt or dead! You could’ve at least called or texted me.”
“Nate’s mom died from cancer two days ago,” Dom blurted out. “I know it’s no excuse. But it is an explanation.” He sucked in a sharp breath. “We went to visit her at Austin Oaks do
wn in Austin. It took almost four hours each way because a jack-knifed semi was stuck in a ditch on highway 35,” Dom continued. “Nate got a bit of motion sickness on the way back. Didn’t feel very good for the rest of the day. The next morning he began violently throwing up. I took him to the ER. They said he was dehydrated and must’ve caught a stomach bug, too. I was looking after him and totally forgot to pick you up. I left my phone in the car overnight and didn’t even think to check it.”
How could I possibly get mad at Dom for being a good dad?
His wife was dead, holy shit. What was I supposed to say? He hated the woman…but was I supposed to offer my condolences anyway?
“Are you feeling better now, Nate?” I asked. The poor boy did look worse for wear, and he’d lost his smile, probably back in Austin. Did he miss his mother? Was he grieving?
Nate gave me a slight nod before hopping into the backseat of the Highlander.
“Want a ride home?” Dom offered. He scanned the parking lot. “No one’s around to see you get in.”
“I’m not—I’m not embarrassed or anything to be seen with you two. It’s just…school policy…”
“I know, I know,” Dom said. “Hop in.”
“Thanks.”
Once I was inside the car, I blurted out a confession of my own. “When I couldn’t reach you, I pictured the worst, Dom. I was so scared of losing you two, it made me feel physically sick.”
“She loves you, Dad,” Nate translated. Despite the weakness in his voice, his humor was not lost on us.
Dom laughed. “Is that true, Winnie? Do you love me?”
I chewed my bottom lip and tasted my berry lip gloss. “I don’t know about you, but I do love Nate.”
Nate cracked a smile, and it was like sunshine peeking through clouds. “She loves me, Dad.”
“And I love you too, buddy,” Dom said.
“Do you love Winnie?” Nate asked.
“What do you think? Should I tell her?” Dom asked Nate.
“Tell me what?”
“Tell her!” Nate said. “Or I will.”
“Okay, okay.”
“Tell me what?” I repeated.
“Tell you that we both love you,” Dom said, leaning over and giving me a deep kiss. “We love you so much, Winnie.”
“Is it true?” I asked Nate. “Do you two boys really love me or are you just saying that so I won’t stay mad at you?”
Nate nodded vehemently. “It’s true. Honest. You’re all dad ever talks about. It’s always Winnie this, Winnie that. He’s crazy about you. Head over heels.”
“In that case,” I said, beaming, “I love you both as well.” As soon as I spoke the confession out loud, I felt happier than I had all winter break. We loved each other, and true love was unstoppable. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I finally belonged. Dallas was finally becoming a place I could call home.
Chapter 12
Dominic
For the next two weeks, as my way of apologizing, I drove Winnie to and from school every other day, when I had my days off. She fought against it at first, but a Fieri never took no for an answer. Besides, the weather was getting crappier each day, and Dallas’ public transit system was notoriously unreliable.
I thought I would grieve Lisa, at least a little bit, but in mind, she’d died the moment she faxed over those divorce papers. As for Nate, he seemed well-adjusted as well, too busy making new friends and playing basketball. I’d gotten him to try a few new sports lately so he had a chance to exercise more. With Winnie in our lives, Nate hadn’t brought up Lisa again after that day at the hospital, so I didn’t push the subject.
Mid-January, while I was driving Winnie and Nate to school, I popped the question. Unplanned. Out of the blue. I felt the urge, so I asked her. “Will you be my girlfriend, Win?”
It wasn’t particularly romantic, especially since the weather was crap and we were stuck behind a pile-up. There wasn’t even nice music playing, just the radio announcer warning drivers about accidents around the city. Nate was in the backseat, munching on leftover apple slices from breakfast, and Winnie was applying lip gloss.
Winnie put down her lip gloss and looked at me as if I’d asked her to marry me. “Dom…”
“I didn’t want to make a huge deal about it. And I wanted Nate to be around when I asked, so he didn’t feel left out,” I explained, running my tongue over my front teeth.
“I’d love to be your girlfriend,” Winnie said. “But we still need to keep it a secret until school lets out mid-June.”
“Does this mean you’re going to be my new mom?” Nate asked from the backseat.
“No, honey,” Winnie reassured him, giggling. “I’m still just Winnie.”
“I don’t mind if you become my mom,” Nate said nonchalantly. “My old one sucked. I bet you’d do a much better job.”
Winnie burst out laughing and finished applying her lip gloss. She didn’t answer Nate’s comment, though. I was certain if Winnie wanted to, she’d be a great mom.
After Winnie officially became my girlfriend, I became fiercely protective of her, as much as I was of Nate. She was my girl, and I hated the thought of other men hitting on her at school because they didn’t know she was taken. Winnie assuaged all my fears by informing me that contrary to my belief, no one hit on her at school, or in public, for that matter, and she was in no danger of being “poached” by another man.
I loved having Winnie in our life, and she brought sunshine to the rest of the bleak Dallas winter. We’d begun relaxing more, too, paying less attention over who saw us together. In the beginning, Winnie would get out a block away from the school and walk in. Now we walked in almost simultaneously. When it was time to go home, she left with us. I stopped parking at the parking lot, where traffic was busiest, and avoided the car drop-off/pick-up lanes for the same reason. Instead, I parked in a residential neighborhood a block or two away from Walnut Hill and did a bit more walking. The walking did us good, anyway, and the brisk air served as a better wake-up call than coffee.
Everything was going smoothly, too smoothly, until one day it all came crashing down.
One late-February afternoon, the three of us were walking to the car when Grayson stopped us. He was squeezing his son, Jason’s hand, so hard it was going purple around the fingertips. I tried to steer clear of the asshole, but he went out of his way to block our path.
“Jason tells me he sees Ms. Williams and Mr. Fieri together all the time,” Grayson announced. “Seems you two are awfully friendly.”
Grayson’s grating voice immediately set me on edge. My knuckles ached to connect with his jowl. “Grayson. How does your nose feel?”
“Is that a threat?” Grayson lashed out.
“No, just concerned about your wellbeing,” I bit back.
“Nothing to be concerned about, I’m perfectly healthy.” Grayson pointed a stubby finger at Winnie. “Her, though, I’m not so sure about. No self-respecting teacher with standards would date her student’s father. Seems she’s a bit messed up in the head.”
“We’re not dating,” I said. “And you need to mind your own business, not start unfounded rumors.”
“Oh, they’re not unfounded, Dominic,” Grayson said. “I have proof. And I fully intend to show the Principal when I see him for dinner tonight at my sister’s house.”
That fucking dipshit-asshat.
“Go ahead,” I challenged. He was bluffing. He couldn’t possibly have anything damning because Winnie and I never so much as held hands or kissed at school before. We’d been careful. Vigilant.
Grayson whipped out a photo and handed it to me. “Are you sure about that?”
It was a picture taken, not at school, but outside Winnie’s apartment. We were giving each other a passionate kiss good night, my arms snaked around her waist. I tore up the photo and glared at Grayson. “You followed us?”
“You two weren’t very good at keeping your dirty little secret, were you?” Grayson sneered.
“This,” Grayson gestured to the torn photo on the ground, “is leverage. My bargaining chip.”
“What do you want?” I snarled. Goddamn asshole thought he could blackmail us…well he had another thing coming.
“I want you to get on your hands and knees and beg,” Grayson said, a sinister laugh rippling through his body. “Beg me not to tell the world your about your little affair. Beg and apologize for what you did to me.”
“You deserved every punch,” I said. Both him and I knew he wasn’t talking about the parent-teacher conference. Our beef went way back. Back to when he almost raped my baby sister in high school. Back when I beat him up so hard he could hardly talk or walk for weeks. If I could go back in time, I would’ve made sure I punched his dick so hard he couldn’t procreate. That was my only regret: that I hadn’t punished him more for violating my sister. She’d only been fifteen, he seventeen, going on eighteen. Piece of shit.
“How is Arlene, by the way? Still a slut, or has she mended her ways?”
At the mention of Arlene, who was now happily married and pregnant with her first, I lost it. I reached forward and fisted his collar. “Don’t you dare say her name.”
“Who, Arlene?” Grayson taunted, dragging out each syllable. “My pretty doll, Arlie?”
I saw red and my knuckles connected with his cheek before I even had time to think. I could vaguely hear Winnie screaming for me to stop, but I couldn’t stop, and didn’t want to. Grayson had it coming. His smug face was begging to be disfigured. I stopped when my final blow ended with a sickening crunch. Blood gushed from Grayson’s nose, spewing like a fountain. Grayson pulled out his phone to call his cop buddies for backup.
“Assaulting a police officer…Fieri, you’re done, buddy,” Grayson said, his teeth stained pink. He smiled, like the Joker. “Done.”
“Come on, let’s go,” Winnie urged. “Don’t make things worse on yourself.”