I grimace. “Not long enough.”
“See? That’s a great thing to strive for. Holding a note for several measures is so important in any kind of music. I’m sure in your Chorus class they’ll be teaching you the same thing.”
“I think Ms. Juarez already mentioned that once or twice,” I say with a nod.
“Well, if that’s the case, there’s no time to waste. You ready to go again?”
I reluctantly nod. Cass picks up a slow jog again and I follow slightly behind her. She slows her pace even further to match me. I feel a little guilty for ruining her daily jog with my inability, but she flashes me smiles along the way to show me she doesn’t mind. She’s a tough trainer, but her sweet nature keeps me from feeling like a failure. I just keep telling myself over and over as my aching feet pound the pavement that I can do this. If I can put up with Raven, if I can deal with the media, if I can hide a relationship with the hottest guy in L.A.—scratch that, anywhere—I can run a damn 5K, even if it does feel like my heart is going to drum right out of my chest.
Cass brings us back to the mansion about forty minutes later when I can barely even move, let alone run. She reassures me of how well I’m doing as we approach the front gate. Just at that moment, Gio drives past us in his Maserati from having dinner out with Steph and Alfonzo and sees Cass and me. I force a smile when he waves at us even though I actually want to melt through the ground. He has now seen the beet red face and hair soaked with sweat that results from me doing any sort of strenuous exercise. I wasn’t planning on him seeing this side of me until we were married and having our first child.
I hurry inside to take a cold shower. For once, I actually enjoy the cold water hitting my skin. Hot water would roast me alive after having my internal temperature spiked a good five degrees. After getting all fresh and fruity-smelling, I dry off quickly and put on a fresh t-shirt and athletic shorts. I have a ton of homework to do in a very short amount of time, so I need to get comfy and get on it right away.
I hear a buzz on my nightstand and go over to check my phone. The heat returns to my cheeks when I see a text from Gio.
Gio: Hey, sexy. Saw you running in on the way home. Looking forward to inching my fingers toward your fit butt and getting them slapped away later.
I giggle and text him back.
Me: Please don’t judge my hot, sweaty face. I didn’t grow up running 5Ks or even miles.
Gio: Your face is hot, all right. I wish it was across from mine as I’m lying in my bed on top of the covers.
I smile and lie down on my bed.
Me: I’m on mine pretending I’m with you right now.
Gio: Yet you’re right next door…
Me: Yeah :/
Gio: This really sucks. Sneaking around, having to hide everything, not being able to be together when we want to…
Gio: Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to do it if it’s the only way I can have you. It just sucks.
Me: Agreed. I miss you :(
Gio: I miss you too, even though I just saw you in Physics today.
Me: That doesn’t count. We can’t make out in the middle of Physics class.
Gio: We can’t even go under the bleachers.
Gio: Are you sure you want to stay on Raven’s good side?
I mash my lips together in thought. Do I? Come to think of it, I’m not really on her good side, anyway. She just has to stick up for me and support me in front of other people because we have a deal. Still, she holds a lot of sway not only at Wilcox, but with the general public. I still need to keep her from destroying me. Plus, there’s the thing with Jess…
Me: Idk. I’m still thinking about everything. It’s hard because things are really complicated right now.
Gio: How so?
Me: I can’t really say. Not yet. It’s a private family thing.
Gio: You can’t even tell your boyfriend?
My stomach jumps. Excitement buzzes in every nerve of my body. I reread his text five times to make sure that word is actually there.
Me: You’re my boyfriend?
Gio: Well, I assumed you weren’t seeing anyone else.
Me: I’m not. We just never talked about this.
Gio: Well, let’s talk about it then. What do you think about having a secret boyfriend?
A smile bursts onto my face in spite of myself. Part of this feels wrong, but the other part has me soaring fifty feet above the ground. Giovanni Abate just referred to himself as my boyfriend. My boyfriend. I never knew what cloud nine felt like until now.
Me: Hmm. “Secret boyfriend.” The concept is intriguing.
Gio: Intriguing…and naughty ;)
Me: Lol you’re just naughty in general.
Gio: And you love it.
Me: Yes I do.
Gio: You love me. Just admit it.
Me: Let’s not push it, babe ;)
Gio: Damn. I’ll wear you down one day.
I grin and shake my head, thinking that day might not be too far away.
Me: Lol. Maybe so. Anyway, I’m down as long as you swear you can keep a secret.
Gio: I swear.
Gio: I’m so happy you’re my girl, bella.
I muffle a squeal into my pillow.
Me: Me too :)
Chapter 25
October 13, 2015
Somebody Pinch Me
Since I can’t seem to make this real in my head, I’m going to see if writing it down makes a difference.
Giovanni Abate just asked me to be his girlfriend.
I said yes.
That means Giovanni Abate is my boyfriend.
If I didn’t have an evil twin, I could go to my Facebook profile right this second and update my Relationship Status to “In a relationship with Giovanni Abate.”
This is my wildest, craziest, most ridiculous dream come true. If I could go back in time one year and visit myself, I’d laugh in my own face at the thought of ever being this person’s girlfriend. It was the most unattainable thing I could have imagined back then, and now it’s a reality. I can’t even believe how far I’ve come. I went from a geeky farm girl with glasses and braces to Gio Abate’s girlfriend in under a year. Is there some kind of medal you can win for that kind of transformation? Even if there was, I’d probably turn it down. The only rewards I need are Gio’s lips on mine and his promise he won’t be sharing those lips with anyone else.
The only damper on this incredible event in my life is, of course, the fact that we have to keep this a secret. I can’t brag about this to anyone the way I want to. There are only a couple people I could tell that I know won’t breathe a word to a soul, and those are our two best friends. I’m about to call mine right now.
I just kind of needed to believe this before I called Ana to talk about it. I still don’t, not really, but I’ve got the proof here in my phone if I start to doubt myself again.
I wonder if he’s still planning on giving me the bracelet he showed me in his dresser the day I first went over to study with him. That would be a nice tangible reminder of the reality of this moment…
I guess I shouldn’t be greedy. I got Gio. Millions of girls want to be me right now. I should be grateful I’m able to type this at all. Bracelet or no bracelet, he’s all mine, and I’d take him even if he wasn’t the hottest celebrity guy that ever walked the planet.
Ttyl,
Mads
***
I have to hold the phone six inches away from my ear to avoid going deaf after Ana hears the news of my new relationship status. Her shriek could wake the dead and compel them to rise from their graves to obliterate the human population. I laugh as she continues to squeal and gush over how sweet we are. I’ve told her everything that happened over the past few weeks. She’s been rooting for this outcome ever since I told her I thought Gio might still be interested in me.
“I’m so glad you two are back together. I didn’t think I could take any more of your sighing and pining over him,” Ana jabs.
“Thanks a lot
, girl.” We giggle. “Nah, I know I’ve been a hopeless case lately.”
Ana’s voice lowers with concern. “What about Raven?”
I grunt. “Never mind her. She faked a relationship with Gio and lied to my face. She is not a good person. Gio and I shouldn’t have to suffer any more than we already have.”
“I guess that’s true,” Ana concedes. “Just be careful, okay? This could get ugly real fast if she ever finds out.”
“Oh believe me, I know. I’m glad she’s not at the house anymore so I don’t have to worry about her overhearing us.” Raven just went back home yesterday.
“Congrats, Mads. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks! By the way, how are things going with you and Jerica?”
“They’re going. It’s hard growing closer to someone who’s so far away from you, though.”
The sadness in her voice damn near breaks my heart. “Ana, I’m so sorry. You haven’t mentioned anything to your parents yet, right?”
“Oh, heck no. I’m not saying anything to them until I turn eighteen. That way if I have to leave, I’ll be able to go freely without any kind of attachments here.”
“Okay. That sounds like a good plan.”
A tremor enters her voice. “I miss you so much. I don’t know how I’m going to last more than six months without you.”
I smirk. “Well, unless you plan to tour with me someday, you’d best get used to this distance, hon.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right.” Static crackles in the phone when she blows out a forceful sigh. “I love having you as a best friend, but I gotta be honest, sometimes I feel like I got screwed. Am I ever going to see you again?”
“Of course,” I say with a chuckle. It’s funny when she gets all theatrical on me. “I’ll see you soon. Hang in there.”
“I will.”
***
The next day at school, Raven sends out an e-vite from the lunch table to all the people she deemed worthy of attendance at our Halloween birthday party. We’ve been discussing party plans with the minions today, which seems to have put her in a slightly more cheerful mood. I can almost feel the collective deep breaths the assistants are taking. The smiles on their faces make me happy. I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of getting attached to these girls.
By the time school’s out, over a hundred people have already RSVP’d yes to the party. As we’re standing on the sidewalk waiting on Raven’s limo with her, she beams with approval at the good reception among the Wilcox students. Other young celebs were invited too, and some big names have promised they’ll be there to help us celebrate. I love the fact that this party is taking her mind off of Jess and making her a little more civil. As much as I can, I’m going to try to get her absorbed in planning for the next couple of weeks. It’ll be painful spending extra time with her, but it’s a public service, really.
Fifteen minutes later, Raven’s driver hasn’t showed up, and she’s back to her usual prickly self. She dials his number and shouts English profanities at the poor man when he tells her he’s home sick and just woke up. After purging the bitchiness from her system, she hangs up and roughly shoves her phone in her book bag. She clears her throat and takes on her most syrupy tone of voice.
“Madison, could you be a dear and take me home today? I don’t have another option unless I call another driver, and that could take a while.”
Great. Just great. Now I won’t have any way to escape her at all for another half hour.
“Of course, hon,” I say, also putting on a sweet tone in front of the students who are still lingering on the sidewalk around us.
We say goodbye to the minions who waited with us and, reluctantly, I let Raven climb into the passenger seat of my car. We throw our bags into the back seat and as soon as I crank the ignition, Raven finds a pop channel on the radio and turns it up to full blast. I roll my eyes but don’t say a word, thinking the sound of a music genre I generally dislike is better than listening to Raven’s complaining all the way to the mansion. She’s quiet until we’re about five minutes down the road, and then she starts singing along with the radio.
I don’t believe my ears. She sings just as well as me, if not better. I turn my head periodically to watch her, amazed that we both inherited Dad’s talent. I’m even more amazed she hasn’t said or done anything about her music talent until just now.
After the song is done, I can’t help but comment on what I just heard. “Raven, that was amazing. Why didn’t you tell Dad and me you could sing like that?”
She shrugs, her sour attitude returning. “It didn’t seem relevant.”
I scoff. “Good singing ‘not relevant’? To Mike and Madison Daley?”
“I don’t plan to pursue music any time soon, so I didn’t see a point in telling you,” she explains, taking out her phone and looking at a social media app as we continue down the road.
“Well, for what it’s worth, if you ever did pursue music, you’d be pretty good at it.”
I hear a slight smile in her voice. “Thanks.” She gets absorbed in her phone for a few minutes, but then she breaks the silence again. “Do you think W3 would perform at our party?”
I smile with amusement. “They would, but I don’t think I want my dad policing my eighteenth birthday party. The last thing we need is an excuse for Mr. Overprotective to stick around.”
“Good point.” Raven flips her hair back. “Are there any specific foods you want catered?”
“Nah, surprise me.”
“Well, that was uncharacteristically agreeable of you.”
I turn to look at her briefly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, come on. You know you’ve been a little difficult lately,” Raven accuses.
Me? Difficult? I guess her definition of difficult must be anyone who doesn’t bend over backwards just to fulfill her every whim. I really want to laugh in her face right now, but I don’t. Instead, I just shrug and utter a sentence I know is going to piss her off.
“Somebody has to make sure you don’t spiral out of control.”
“Excuse me?” Her defense mode activates immediately. I don’t even have to look—I can feel her scowl. “Are you suggesting I’m spiraling?”
“Well, you certainly don’t seem very stable lately,” I say. “It’s understandable. The only parent you knew for your whole life has cancer. I’d probably be freaking out too.”
“I am not ‘freaking out.’ I’m fine. Everything is under control when it comes to Mother and me.”
You just keep telling yourself that, I think.
“It’s the truth!” She balls her fists in her lap. I instinctively know she’s trying to convince herself right now instead of me.
“Okay, okay, Raven. I’m sure you’re fine. And surely if there’s anyone who can survive this cancer, it’s Jess. She has the best doctors, the best resources, and a hell of a lot of fight in her. It’ll be okay.”
I hope.
Raven nods and flashes me a smile light with relief. She doesn’t say anything else, but I know my words have appeased her.
I pull into the Redingers’ driveway and Raven invites me inside to see Jess. Not wanting to be rude, I agree to come in and see her for just a few minutes before going back home. I’m let up the stairs in the entry hall to Jess’s bedroom, which is just as rich and luxurious as I was expecting it to be. A red canopy is hung from the ceiling over the bed. Priceless paintings adorn each of her walls. Her bed set looks so warm and inviting I’m tempted to crawl into it myself, and then I see her bandaged-up head.
Poor, miserable Jess.
You can tell the surgery took a lot out of her. The bags under her eyes are even darker than before, and her face looks pale and wan. Her face is swollen from chemo, yet it doesn’t quite hide her frail state. One look at my paper-thin mother is enough to convince anyone this is one thing she didn’t have to fake. She attempts a smile at the sight of me. I walk up beside her bed and lay my hand on her forearm.
“Hey,
Jess. I was dropping off Raven and thought I’d say ‘hi’ before I left.”
“Thank you, dear,” Jess rasps. “You saved us today. I owe you a favor.”
A part of me still feels like she owes me a lot more than a simple favor, but now doesn’t seem like the right time to try to get something out of her. She’s in pain. She’s terribly ill. No matter what she’s done to me in the past, I can’t hate her or use her right now.
“I’ll cash that in later,” I assure her. “How are you feeling?”
Her lips twitch. “About as good as can be expected,” she answers honestly. “The good news is, they got the tumor out. The bad news is they found more in another part of my brain. It’s possible it may have spread to other places too.”
“Oh, God…I’m so sorry.” My stomach churns at the thought of going through round after round of treatment and surgery just to be told you’re nowhere near done getting rid of it yet, and it’s spreading.
Jess shrugs her bony shoulders. “I don’t think the reality has fully set in for me. When it does, I might be frightened, but right now I feel unfazed.”
I glance at her nightstand and see a cluster of prescription bottles. “Pain meds are a great thing, right?”
She chuckles with a sad note in her voice. “Yes, they are. Not only do they make my recovery bearable, but they help me forget too. I’m not taking the ones I got addicted to last time. These are a different type, but they work just as well.”
The Sister Code (D.O.R.K Book 2) Page 16