by Piper Rayne
“We’re splitting the table up, boys and girls?” I roll my eyes and slide into the seat because I need to be far away from Ethan at the moment anyway.
“The boys want… Ouch!” Bella grabs her leg and stares at Val.
“It’s a muscle spasm. The baby is stripping me of my minerals.” Val smiles sweetly like ‘feel sorry for me having to carry this bowling ball around all day.’
“They do know we’re not together?” I ask my question more to Val.
“I thought when you came over…”
“Turns out Sierra isn’t cool with it, so I broke things off.”
None of them say anything, but instead, exchange looks with one another. “Girl code?” Annie asks.
“We just reconnected after all these years. She wasn’t cool about it and who knows how long it would last with him anyway,” I grumble.
They all nod their heads but don’t offer any advice. My vision shifts down to the end of the table where Ethan is already in heavy conversation with Carm. “I knew I’d heard Mancini before. You’re the billboard guy.”
“Oh great, someone else to boost Carm’s ego.” Bella laughs. “He tried to convince me to do a billboard with us in bed.”
“I told you a cute morning in bed with the newspaper, coffee and breakfast might work,” Annie adds.
“Annie, I hate to break your naive heart but that’s not what Carm had in mind.” Bella grins.
“Ew.” I stop the waitress and order myself a drink. She scans the table and then heads over to my three brothers and Ethan.
“So, how serious were he and Sierra?” Val whispers.
The guys’ attention is all on the television by the bar, their conversation shifting to football, talking fantasy leagues and how much their leagues cost.
“Over a year.” I raise my eyebrows.
“That’s a long time.” Bella bites the inside of her mouth. “But,” she reaches over and touches my hands, “you’re sacrificing your own happiness.”
I squeeze Bella’s hands for her concern. “Who knows where it would’ve gone with us. We were in the early stages.”
“I think it’s admirable.” Annie puts her arm next to us. “But he is adorable.”
“You want in?” Carm asks and my attention shifts to the other side of the table. “I think we need another to make it even and Val won’t let Ryder play.”
“I’d rather him not gamble yet,” she chimes in with a roll of her eyes.
“It’s not really gambling,” Carm says.
Dom gives Carm a look to say, ‘shut the fuck up.’ Knowing Dom, he’s already said as much as he could to try to get his stepson to play in the Fantasy Football League.
“We’ll spot him,” Carm eggs him on.
“I said no, and my word is final,” Val says.
Carm holds up his hands. “Whoa, Mommy Dearest. Chill.”
Val’s icy glare hits Carm and he cowers like he always does. I stifle a smile.
“You really need to teach me that look,” Bella says.
“Well, we’ve got Ethan to join our pool now.” Carm recovers quickly. “And no you don’t need to learn that, babe.” He blows her a kiss and she blushes.
“I don’t know,” Ethan says.
“Come on. You said you were in a league before. If your buddies want in, we just have to make sure we have equal numbers. We have a killer draft night in a private room. It’s a great group of guys. You won’t regret it.”
Leave it to Carm, the convincer.
I lean forward on the table to see past Annie and Enzo. “Carm. He’s my co-worker.”
“Relax Blanc. I like him.” His attention turns back to Ethan. “What do you say?”
Ethan looks down at the table at me. There’s no way he’ll agree to this. But he puts out his hand and shakes Carm’s. “I’m in.”
“UGH… why?”
Everyone’s gaze shifts to me. The girls understand that he’s weaseling into my life when we’re not anything. How will Sierra take this?
“Should we rock, paper, scissors it?” Carm asks and I want to take my napkin and shove it into his mouth.
“No. You know I don’t do that immature act to see who wins,” I snip.
Annie squeezes my leg under the table, silently saying to keep my shit together.
“You should come to a Sunday dinner,” Carm continues and my mouth hangs open.
“Carm. We’re not dating,” I say between clenched teeth.
“They’re not dating,” Enzo repeats and then his head flies to mine again. “You’re not?”
“No. He’s Sierra Sander’s ex.”
Enzo waves me off. “We heard.”
Carm turns to Ethan. “She must’ve been a hard one to handle.”
Ethan laughs. “Demanding as hell.”
“She used to come into our bedrooms when she’d be over to play with Blanca.”
He cannot be serious. “There are so many problems with what you just said.”
“What?” Carm asks.
“She wasn’t over to play.” I put play in quotations. “And she had a crush on you guys. Try growing up with these three as your older brothers. It was not easy.”
“Sorry man, Blanca’s girl code all the way,” Carm says with what sounds like disappointment.
Ethan’s gaze finds mine and I wiggle in my seat.
The waitress returns and takes our orders and the conversations switch back to football for the guys and work for me. We talk about the baby coming, Annie and Enzo’s upcoming wedding, Bella and Carm’s vacation next week.
Halfway through lunch, my eyes linger and I find Ethan in a game of rock, paper, scissors with my brothers. They’re all laughing and having a great time. You’d never think Ethan only just met them.
Annie leans over to whisper in my ear. “He’s like the fourth Mancini brother.”
I say nothing but my heart is screaming, he’s mine.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ethan
To say I was terrified when Blanca said we were having lunch with her brothers is like saying I’m cool coming face-to-face with a black bear. But they were all cool and seemed to know a little about what transpired between us.
Carm was the most outspoken and joining their Football Fantasy League is probably a bad decision, but it’s a way to keep me in Blanca’s life.
Once lunch is finished, I eye Blanca to see if she’s ready to head back to Cliffton Heights, but she’s laughing with the girls. I try to be discreet while watching her because there’s nothing better than Blanca’s smile. It has the ability to light up an entire room.
“What’s your plan?” Carm’s forearms rest on the table and he leans forward.
My vision quickly falls away from his sister. “What do you mean?”
“You look at her like I look at my hottie at the end of the table. Sierra cockblocked you. What’s your plan?”
“Stay out of it, Carm,” Enzo says.
“This lunch ambush wasn’t my idea.” Carm looks offended.
All their eyes land on Val, who’s too busy talking about indigestion and swollen ankles to notice.
“She’s a romantic,” Dom says like that’s just the way it is.
“As is Blanca.” Enzo tips his water glass at me before taking a sip.
“Which makes me ask… what is your plan? Bounce some ideas off us.” Carm leans back in his seat.
My vision shifts once again because Blanca laughs so hard she almost spits out her drink. Bella continues to tell whatever story it is that’s entertaining all the women.
“Look at my girl down there. Probably telling some story that doesn’t paint me in the best light, but she loves me regardless of the stupid shit I do.”
“See that look?” Enzo points to Carm. “That’s you right now in case you were wondering. That’s why he wants to know what your plan is because if you don’t come up with one, he will. And trust me, you do not want to go with whatever Carm’s plan is.”
“Trust us on
that one,” Dom says, and the three brothers laugh like it’s an inside joke. “Besides, if you don’t figure something out soon, you’re gonna lose your shit. I know I would.”
“I fear I already did right before we ran into you.”
Enzo and Carm share a glance.
“You heard?” I ask.
Enzo’s smile slides on easily and Carm outright laughs. “We heard. In all truth, we were going to surprise the two of you when we saw you crossing the street, but then you guys stopped, and we had to hide.”
“Then you heard me.”
“Yeah, and that’s not the way to win Blanca,” Enzo says.
They all shake their heads and I want to ask Dom what he’s shaking his head about. He wasn’t even there.
Enzo glances down the table and then back to me. “Think of the cheesiest romcom out there? Something you’d hear about from someone else and think ‘what kind of idiot would do that?’ You need to do that for Blanca.”
“You gotta smack those feelings right on your chest and tell her what she’s missing without you. Tell her about the man you are and how cut you are that you can’t have her,” Carm says.
It’s true. I’m awake most nights thinking about her. Thinking about where we would be if she wasn’t Sierra’s best friend and I wasn’t Sierra’s ex. That if we met in the city before she reconnected with Sierra, would things be different.
Even worse is the constant hard-on. The beating off in the shower, at night and in the morning. Which only turns to sexual thoughts with her and since I’ve already had her, it’s excruciating to know exactly what I’m missing. It’s not like I can convince myself that she might not suck me off well or that she’s probably too inexperienced or not a team player. I know all that isn’t true. And I know what a rock star she is in bed.
I nod at her brothers, taking it all in.
“Hey, we’ve been there. With that big guy right there it was the like pulling twenty pounds of feelings out of a pinhole. He was the worst.” Enzo points to Dom and he sighs but doesn’t deny it.
“We had a lot of issues, but hey, I’m bringing the first Mancini grandchild to Mama, so guess who her favorite is now?” Dom winks and his hand falls to his wife’s belly where she links her hand with his.
I’m not usually the jealous type but watching them happy makes me wonder what I’m missing with Blanca.
Carm’s ordering another round of drinks when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Seeing my mom’s name, I excuse myself from the table.
“Mom?”
“Oh good. Your dad needs you. He’s acting up and they can’t calm him down. They want one of us to go over there. I told them you’re in Cliffton Heights. I can’t get a hold of Kori and you know I can’t take off. Carol is off on maternity leave and there’s no one to cover for me.”
I run a hand through my hair, stepping out of the way of a man who wants to go to the restroom. “I’m in the city.”
“Oh heavens. Thank goodness. So I’ll tell them you’ll be there in?”
I estimate the train and bus ride from downtown to the Bronx in my head. “Probably an hour.”
“That’s better than if you were in Cliffton Heights. I’m so glad you’re close.”
The thick layer of guilt is clear in her tone. She’s silently saying if you lived in the city, it’d be so much easier.
“I’ll leave now and call you after.”
“Thank you, Ethan. I love you.”
“Love you.” I pocket my phone and turn around only to find Blanca there.
“Everything okay? Was it Mr. Copeland?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. No, it wasn’t Phil. I have to go. Do you mind getting on the train by yourself? I’ll be in the city a bit longer than we thought.” I dig my wallet out and prepare to throw cash down on the table.
I head to where I was sitting.
“Where are you off to?” Carm asks.
“I’ve got something to do. It was great meeting you all.” I shake all their hands and throw some cash on the table.
“Oh no, it’s Dom’s treat.” Enzo winks at him and he sighs.
“You can’t just go. We were in the middle of—”
I ignore Dom when Blanca comes by my side with her purse swung on her arm like she’s coming too. “What are you doing?”
“For the record, that’s certainly not the tone I’d use to win her over.” Enzo’s eyebrows raise.
“I’m coming with you.”
I grab my messenger bag and swing it over my shoulder. “No, you’re not.”
“Strike two,” Carm says. All the brothers’ arms now crossed over their chests.
“Listen, Blanca. It’s a family thing and…”
“You looked upset when you hung up the phone. We’ll go and if you want me to stay in the taxi, I will. I won’t interfere, but it’s senseless for us to take separate trains.”
“You can take our car. We’re heading to the office after this.” Carm pulls out his phone. “Hey babe, Travis is off lunch by now, right?”
Bella lifts her wrist to check the time, probably on a watch that could pay my rent for a year. “Yeah.”
“Perfect.” Carm presses a button on his phone. “Hey Trav. Change of plans, you’re going to pick up my sister and her…” He looks at me and smirks. “Her platonic co-worker at the restaurant here and take them where they need to go and then to the train station. After you’re done, you’re done for the day.”
He says a few other things and clicks. “It’s a black Range Rover. He’s around the corner, so give him a minute or so. My—”
“Our,” Bella clarifies, and everyone laughs. Everyone but me and Blanca.
“Of course. Our company logo is on the side of it.”
“Thanks.” There’s a relief that I’m not at the mercy of a taxi or public transportation. By taking Carm’s driver, I’ll get there earlier, which will hopefully make the orderly and nurses happy.
“No problem. We’ll see you soon,” Bella says.
“At Sunday dinner,” Carm adds.
“Mama’s next,” Dom says, his eyes widening like I should be scared.
“Pops too. Let’s remember, Blanca is his only daughter,” Enzo says and they all grin at one another.
“You should stay with your family,” I tell Blanca, ignoring them for the most part. They weren’t that scary so hopefully it’s the same for her parents should there ever come a time I meet them.
“No.” She hugs and kisses everyone, telling them she’ll see them Sunday.
Without waiting for me, she walks out of the restaurant before me.
“Thank you for everything.” I wave to everyone.
“Remember, open up your chest and let your heart fall out. That’s how you get Blanca,” Carm calls out after me.
We file out of the restaurant and the Range Rover with Carm’s half naked body plastered on it is already waiting for us. Blanca wastes no time in climbing into the backseat, saying her hellos. I get in next to her and both of them stare at me for the destination. I stare at Blanca because she’s about to find out something about me I don’t share with anyone.
“Willow Court Assisted Living in the Bronx.”
Travis nods and pulls away from the curb.
“A grandparent?” Blanca asks.
“My father.”
Her head rears back in surprise and her hand covers mine, squeezing.
I want more than anything to pull her closer to me. To allow her to comfort me, but we’re not a couple. She’s decided that her friendship with Sierra is more important, so I slide my hand out from hers and pull my phone out, checking my email.
She stares out the window as we go from one of the wealthiest parts of the city to the poorest. Whether I like it or not, Blanca Mancini is about to find out exactly where I come from.
Chapter Thirty
Blanca
I allow Ethan to keep his space from me on the way to his dad’s assisted living facility. Hopefully, I was able to mask my surprise
when he said that’s where we’re going, but from his reaction, I’m guessing I didn’t do a good enough job.
We arrive outside a big building that reads Willow Court Assisted Living. The outward appearance is nice but dated. The letters of the name bear more rust than paint, the planters on either side of the door are unable to hide the years of use.
“Thank you, Travis.” Ethan attempts to hand him money for a tip, but Travis puts up his hand.
“I was instructed not to take any money.”
Ethan tucks the cash back into his wallet, grumbling something to himself as he exits the SUV.
“Thanks Travis,” I say and follow Ethan.
My feet land on the cracked sidewalk and Ethan’s eyes drill holes into my head.
He peeks his head back into the truck. “Hold up a sec, Travis.”
My eyebrows crinkle.
“You should go.” He places his hands on my shoulders and turns me back around toward the truck.
I dig my heels into the ground. “No. I’m coming.” I swivel around but Ethan presses me closer to the car. “Why don’t you want me to come?”
I flip back around. His shoulders deflate and he lets out an annoyed breath. “You don’t want to see what’s in there.”
“Listen. Whatever is going on is affecting you. I see it in your face, in your demeanor. I know we’re in this gray area right now in our friendship but I’m here for you.” I grab his hand, linking our fingers.
He doesn’t pull away which I take as a good sign, stepping forward to allow Travis to leave and us to visit his father.
“You can stay in the waiting room.”
Progress although I have no plans of staying in the waiting room. “Okay.”
We say goodbye to Travis and after he turns the corner, we walk into Willow Court.
“We have to sign in here. You can wait here, but I have to go up to the thirteenth floor.”
“I’ll go too.” I dig in my wallet for my driver’s license and hand it over to the woman like Ethan did.
He blows out a breath. “Blanca,” he sighs and runs his hand down his face.