by Toni Aleo
I laugh. “I actually do volunteer at the children’s hospital.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet! You should do, like, Big Brothers or something. This guy I dated for a while was in that program, and he sucks at math. He could really use your help.”
I nod. “Send me his info. I’ll contact him.”
She grins over at me. “How did you get so good at this?”
“I’m not sure. It’s just easy for me. I always was in advanced math classes when I was growing up. If I hadn’t loved hockey so much, I would have done something in the math field,” I say with a shrug. “But hockey is life.”
She leans on her hands, her eyes on me. “So, you were a nerd in school?”
I scoff. “Not at all. Math was the only thing I was good at. It has something to do with the numbers and how my brain works.”
She’s engrossed in what I am saying. “I have a friend in school. He’s autistic. I think Asperger’s, but he’s like that. Everything else overwhelms him, but he gets lost in science and math. He loves it, but man does he hate gym and English.”
My heart jumps up into my throat.
“He’ll freak out, but it’s understandable because he gets so overwhelmed. Super cool dude. He sits beside me in class and helps me a lot. He’s so funny too, big IceCats fan.”
I feel sweat drip down my brow as I breathe heavily.
She must have noticed the change in my body language, because she draws her brows in. “Nico? What’s wrong?”
I stare into her eyes for a long time. Everything inside me is going crazy, firing up like mad, and I don’t know what to do. Do I get up and leave? Do I ignore her statement and move on?
“I’m autistic too.”
Well, I guess that’s another option.
I tell a sixteen-year-old something I’ve never told anyone.
Chapter Sixteen
Nico
Callie moves her eyes along my face, her brows furrow, and panic sets in deep inside me. Before I can try to say anything, maybe take it back or laugh it off as a joke, she asks, “Really?”
Lie. Lie. Nico, lie! “Yeah, I have a rare kind of milder autism. My mom calls it atypical autism. There is another big name for it, but I always forget. At first, they said it was a more regular form of autism, but as I got older and went to more doctors, we figured out what it really was. I didn’t talk until I was four, and I was super freaked out by everything. Things overwhelmed me really fast, and if it weren’t for hockey, I don’t think I’d be the guy I am now.”
So, I guess lying wasn’t an option. Instead, I word-vomit on a child. A girl who thinks I’m cool and good at math. Now she’s going to think I’m a crazy, weird person. Just like everyone else when I was growing up. Just how I didn’t want anyone to see me.
“That’s so cool,” Callie says, her eyes wide and excited.
Huh? “What?”
“Like, you’re a superhero,” she gushes, pushing my shoulder back. It reminds me of the way Aviva does it. “Look at you. You came from not being able to speak to playing a position the people on TV say is hard as all get-out. I mean, you’re amazing!”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I’m weird.”
“No! Your mind works differently. That doesn’t make you weird. I think it makes you awesome,” she says, smacking me again. “That’s so cool, and I know you. I’m so excited.”
I don’t know what to say. “Um. Okay.”
“For real,” she giggles, shaking her head. “Man, I know Camden is really awkward, but he has an excuse. Meanwhile, I’m just awkward and say things because people freak me out. They’re so unpredictable.”
I smile. “Yeah, I feel like that a lot.”
“For sure,” she says, smiling over at me. “So, you said your mom taught you?”
“Yeah, she was my teacher my whole life. She helped me learn in a way that worked for me.”
“That’s incredible,” she sighs, leaning on her hand. “You know, when I Googled you, your autism diagnosis wasn’t on there.”
“I don’t tell people. You’re actually the first person I’ve told.”
Her jaw drops. “Like, ever?”
“Yeah,” I admit shyly.
“Why? Are you worried people will treat you and think of you differently?”
I nod. “Exactly that.”
“But they won’t. They’ll think you’re a damn rock star, and if they don’t, screw them. You’re awesome in my opinion. Man, just solve a problem or block a shot, though. Lately, you’ve been sucking.”
I scoff; she’s so much like her sister. “Please don’t sugarcoat it.”
She grins. “You should be open about it. You could help a lot of people.”
I cock my head. “Why would me having autism help people?”
“Because,” she says softly, “people with autism are treated like there is something wrong with them, when really, there isn’t. There isn’t anything wrong with any of us. We’re all just made up differently. We all have paths that are meant for us, and you could show the world that you can do anything, no matter what, as long as you fight for it.”
I hold her gaze. “You’re very optimistic for everything you’ve been through.”
She nods, her eyes sad. “It was hard watching my mom die, and then when Aviva got her diagnosis, I was terrified. But I watched my sister fight for us. We each only have one life, and I want to be happy. I want to change lives. I want to be what your mom was for you, but for another kid. All kids. I want to help them.”
“You will.”
“I hope so,” she says, shaking her head. “I need to get a scholarship so that it takes the burden off Aviva, but she is freaking out about paying for gymnastics, and she won’t take a handout from the gym.”
“Does she take one from anyone?”
“Nope. She’s too proud.” She looks back at me. “She’s very proud.”
“I know.”
“That’s why she’s an idiot sometimes.”
“I think it adds to her charm.”
She smiles, and I love how her eyes dazzle. “Does Aviva know?”
I shake my head. “Not at all. Please don’t tell her.”
“I won’t,” she promises. “I’m surprised you didn’t tell her when she showed you her scars.”
I press my lips together, eyeing her. “You know about that?”
She nods. “Oh yeah. I heard her with Jaylin, and then when you came into the shop the other day, I was listening in the back.”
I shake my head. “She’d kill you if she knew.”
Callie shrugs. “I don’t care. She hides everything from me. If I didn’t eavesdrop, I would know nothing.”
“I guess not,” I say with a laugh. “Still, that was our business.”
“You’re right,” she says as our eyes meet. “But if I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have been able to tell her how much of an idiot she’s being.”
I bring my lip between my teeth. I’m about to ask what Aviva said to that when the door opens. Aviva comes out, looking as gorgeous as ever, carrying a tray holding a fountain drink cup and a sub. She looks from Callie to me, her eyes, those green depths, full of wickedness. Wickedness I want to consume. She doesn’t want me here. I can tell. She sets the tray down and pushes it toward me.
“You haven’t been by in a couple days. Figured you might be hungry.”
I pull the tray toward me. “Thank you. I have missed this.” And other things. But from the way she is looking at me, she doesn’t want to hear it. She taps her foot against the ground as our eyes stay locked. “You look really pretty today. I like that you pinned your bangs to the side.”
She touches the pin, her face turning red. Her eyes are so dark and burning into mine. If Callie weren’t here, I’d grab Aviva and throw her on this table. Kiss that pouty mouth of hers and make her cry my name. “Thanks. Um, er…” She pauses to look at Callie. I don’t have to glance at Callie to know she’s giving her big sister a look. “Thank you for
helping her. I have no clue about that stuff.”
I nod. “Anytime.”
“I didn’t want her bothering you, but Amelia said you wouldn’t mind.”
“I don’t. She can call anytime,” I say, opening the wrapper on my sub. “You can too.”
When I wink at her, she presses her lips together and looks away. The color is creeping up her neck, and I want to trace it with my tongue. I’ve missed her. So damn much. As I take a huge bite of my sub, I’m in heaven. There is one thing that would make this even better, and that’s if Aviva came and sat in my lap. I almost invite her to since she looks silly standing there, all unsure of herself. I don’t care about our fight; I’m over it. I just want to see her. Be with her. Kiss that mouth of hers.
Around my bite, I ask, “Can I take you out?”
She whips her head back toward me. She furrows her brow as she asks, “What?”
“Can I take you out?” I ask again before I swallow. “I think we need a do-over.”
“A do-over?”
“Yeah,” I answer before taking a sip of my Cherry Coke. Aw, she remembered. “I think things heated up the other day, and we should go out. Maybe I was in the wrong for not showing you a good time.”
Her eyes cut to Callie and then back to me. Once more, they go to Callie before she says, “Do you mind?”
Callie kicks her feet up on the table. “Not at all. I’m just listening as I work.”
I snort, but Aviva is not amused. “Callie.”
Callie waves her off and points at me. “Pay attention to him.”
Aviva groans loudly as her eyes settle on mine. “You showed me the best time. I had a blast. First time in a while.”
“Good. I was worried you hadn’t.”
She swallows hard. “I think we were both in the wrong, but I really don’t want to talk about this right now.”
I nod. “Which is why you should let me take you out.”
“When?”
“Now.”
“You’re eating!”
“Yeah, but I’ll be hungry again in a bit. Or we can get ice cream.”
Callie perks up. “Oh! Can I go?”
“Sure,” I say, just as Aviva says, “No!”
I point to her sister. “Or no.”
“Rude.”
“So rude,” I say under my breath, and again, Aviva is not amused.
Her eyes look like they’re about to pop out of her head. She crosses her arms over her chest and sighs deeply. “I have things to do.”
“Then afterward.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. I think it’s for the best—”
“Do you not want to see me?”
She widens her eyes, and her face burns with color. Damn it, if she isn’t the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. She licks her lips, setting me on edge, and I think I’ve almost got her.
“Come on. You know you do.”
She looks down at the ground just as a car pulls up. It draws all of our attention, but since it’s no one I know, I start eating again. I bring my focus back to Aviva just as she tenses up. What in the world? I look to Callie, and she’s doing the same.
“Callie, get the hell inside,” Aviva says quickly, but before Callie can even get up—though, I’m unsure she would have—the man who is getting out of the car says her name.
“Calliope, come here and give Daddy some sugar!” His thick accent is very Southern. Almost reminds me of Shelli’s. I take in the man. He’s tall, like Aviva, real skinny, and looks sick. Like too many hits of the crack pipe. I thought he was gone?
“Callie, don’t you dare move.”
Callie is torn; I can see that. I put my sub down and reach out, squeezing her shoulder. “Why don’t you go inside?”
The man points his finger at me. “Who the hell is that?”
“None of your business,” Aviva sneers. “Get inside, Calliope.”
Callie gets up quickly and goes inside, leaving her books and papers outside. I look between Aviva and her dad. The resemblance is there, but so is a lot of disdain. Pretty sure Aviva may rip his eyes out.
“Why’d you go on and do that, sugar?”
“Because I told you, we are done with you. Why are you here? You aren’t welcome,” she says, her voice low and threatening.
I have to admit, I’m sorta turned on.
I find myself standing up and moving toward her. I don’t think the guy is a threat, but just in case, I want her to know I am there. As I come up beside her, she looks at me, and I see the fear in her eyes. Her jaw is tense, and she looks like she might blow a gasket. I don’t know what this guy did, but my heart shatters in my chest for her. Gone is the playfulness and teasing from before.
I have to protect her.
Chapter Seventeen
Aviva
You’ve gotta be kidding me.
I have been thinking nonstop of Nico all week. At first, I was pissed he came into my shop and started a fight. But the more I thought about it, the more I understood. I could have left a note that morning, but I ran because I was scared. I didn’t want to know if he didn’t want me. If he did want me, what was I supposed to do? I’m such a mess, and he’s not. I’ve gone back and forth with myself about calling him and trying to figure things out, but my pride wouldn’t let me. Plus, I told Jaylin I wouldn’t, no matter how much I wanted to.
When I saw him get out of the car, all my anger from him yelling at me and losing his shit on me came back. I knew I couldn’t say anything to him. Wouldn’t say anything. But then I watched him with Callie. It wasn’t the first time, but after being intimate with him, being in his arms and kissed gently… I don’t know, but this time is different. The way he tended to Callie, made sure she understood while also making her laugh, pulled at my heartstrings. Next thing I knew, I was making him a sandwich and pouring him a big cup of Cherry Coke.
When I came out here, it was honestly to give him the sub and go. A thank you without saying the words. I didn’t expect him to ask me out again. I figured after I went wild on him, he’d be bored by me. But he still stared at me with that look. That all-consuming look that sends me over the edge. I know I should resist; I know he won’t want me for long, but I really want to say yes.
And then, of course, because life likes taking me in the ass, my dad shows up.
I just want one thing in my life to go well.
Nico’s hand moves along the small of my back, and I know it’s to let me know he’s here. I appreciate it more than I can ever express, but it would be great if Nico could just leave. I look up at him. He doesn’t look back at me. “You can go.”
His eyes stay on my dad. “Nope, I’m good.”
Why do he and Callie want to send me to an early grave? Dad points to Nico. “Boyfriend?”
“That’s none of your business,” I say sharply, my eyes cutting to his. He looks like absolute shit. All scraggly and dirty. I don’t know where the car came from—oh, wait. Yes, I do. From the money he stole from me. Surprised he didn’t use all of it on drugs. Would have been nice if I could have used it to do the same, but nope, I’m scrambling to make ends meet. “What do you want?”
“I think we need to talk. You’re trying to get me off the damn lease of this place. I own this shop.”
“You own jack shit. This is my shop. You gave it up when you decided to chase your next fix,” I sneer. I swear to God, I have a few choice words for Dustin Sr.
“You can’t take me off.”
“I can, and I have. It’s all legally complete.”
“But it’s not,” he says, his beady brown eyes on me. “I want my share of this business.”
I scoff. “I have run this place, by myself, for nine years. You get nothing.”
He knows this; he’s not stupid. Yet he has to say something to hurt me. “Then I’ll fight you for Callie.”
I laugh out loud. To the point where I bend over, laughing so hard, my stomach hurts. Probably to keep from crying. Nico’s hand doesn’t leave
my back. When I stand up, my dad is glaring, but I don’t care. I have no respect for this man. “Dad, who are they gonna give Callie to? A drug addict or a well-rounded citizen? Be real.”
His dark eyes turn black as he shrugs. “I think they’d want her with her father, especially after losing her mother.”
“I am her mother.” I narrow my eyes to slits. “No one would give her to you.”
“We’ll let a judge decide.”
“Yeah, when you get the money together, let me know.”
With a toothy grin, he says, “I already have it. Came into some money a couple weeks ago.”
My blood boils. “You stole it. But please, try me. You won’t get shit. I have records, I have voice mails, everything. This place is mine. That girl in there is mine. You are dead to us.”
He glares, and I can see the anger boiling inside him. I was always the one to fight with him when he was wrong. Mom never understood why we were oil and water, but I know. He’s a piece of dog shit. “You’ve always been a real—”
“Before you finish that sentence, remember that I’m here,” Nico says, and when I look up at him, I’ve never felt safer. “I don’t do well with women being called names.”
I look back at my dad, and he’s fuming. He looks like he did when my mom died. He was pissed, hating everyone. We got into our biggest fight, the one that ultimately ended with him leaving us. I don’t regret that fight. He was only concerned with getting his fix—not helping Callie or me, or settling Mom’s affairs. He goes to turn around, but before doing so fully, he mutters, “I’ll be back.”
“And I’ll be here.”
Dad pauses, his eyes cutting to Nico’s. But thankfully, he doesn’t say anything. He gets into his car and drives away while Nico’s hand continues to stroke along my back. I almost lean into him, but I’m completely humiliated. Out of all the people to be out here with me, it had to be Nico? He probably thinks my life is a pile of shit on fire. He’ll want to run, I’m sure.