Page 107 of Spark

“So.” Melvin said. “That money was not for you to spend on a dress.” He crossed his arms and gave her a serious look. “The money was to help move you home.” He said, looking to Mikey.

“Bug, your future is so bright.” Mikey said, gesturing outward. “The world is open for you now, you can do anything.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “So what do you want to do with forever?”

Mia paused. Here, towering before her, was her past. The people who had held her heart for so long, the missing pieces she just couldn’t reach to feel complete. And now, she had the chance to go home, be with her family.

But home would never be home, not without Aurelio. Realization dawned on her as she looked between each of her brothers, there matching eyes gazing at her.

“I want to be wherever Aurelio is.” She said, and each of her brothers smiled, each one bearing a slightly different emotion she felt inside. Some sadness, some joy, some pure love. Melvin grabbed her hand, locking his eyes with hers.

“Then tell him that.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Melvin was right, Mia realized as she sat in the back seat with Matty on the way home. She and Aurelio had never talked about what their feelings meant. They had exchanged "I love you's" and promises of forever, but they hadn’t really discussed the future. Watching the scenery shift from highway to street, she decided they would tonight. Before any hanky-panky—or maybe after a little hanky-panky. Mia shook her head, thoughts of sexy Aurelio clogging her mind.

Mikey pulled into the mostly empty parking lot of the diner. The shop had only taken about half an hour, so Mikey had decided to joyride, getting them lost, until Mia had been the smart one and pulled up navigation. Now, at almost nine, they were starving and ready to eat. Mia looked for Aurelio or Mac's cars but saw neither. However, she did spot a very nice Corvette and thought it could be him; Aurelio had been riding his bike mostly, she imagined his access to other cars was becoming much more limited.

They piled out of the car, the boys crashing into the diner and heading to the booth. Mia waved to Amy and Flory, who smiled and waved back. Amy looked tired, her entire posture radiating exhaustion. Mia made a note of it and joined theboys at their table. She pulled out her phone and typed a quick message to Aurelio.

At the diner. Hope things went well with Mac. Going to try and chat with Amy. Love you.

She waited a minute, seeing no dots or response, so she slid her phone back into her pocket. Flory walked over then, all smiles, ready to take orders.

“I thought Amy would be our server?” Mia asked when it was her turn to order.

“Nah, that girl is dog tired. I told her to head out,” Flory said.

“Oh, okay, excuse me.” Mia slid out of the booth, everyone watching her.

“What do you want to eat, girl?” Flory yelled after her.

“Usual!” Mia yelled, ducking out the door. She spotted Amy climbing into a beat-up Honda Civic.

“Amy!” Mia yelled, and the poor girl turned to see Mia running up.

“Hey, Mia.” Amy's tired smile seemed forced. “I’m about to head home; I’m really tired.”

“Yeah, Flory told me. Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Amy said, wringing her hands around her skirt. “Well, actually…” She bit her lip, her expression torn. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” Mia placed a hand on Amy’s shoulder. “Anything.”

“If you knew someone was in trouble, like big trouble—like both sides of the coin were going to come for them—what would you do?”

“Amy, is someone coming after Mac?” Mia asked, not liking where this was heading. “Do you know what’s going on with him?”

“No,” Amy said, “kind of?”

“Amy.”

“Okay, he is working with someone. I don’t know who or anything. But yesterday, Mac told me all about the jobs he does for Aurelio. He said Aurelio was out and that he needed to make sure Aurelio stayed out, and then he took off.” Amy rubbed her arms with her hands. “I’m worried about him. He won’t answer my calls or texts. I told him I would break up with him if he didn’t tell me what was going on, and now…” Amy started to cry, tears streaming down her face. Mia wrapped her in a hug, letting her cry. She understood what it was to love someone who wasn’t responding, to worry that they wouldn’t ever respond again.

“Amy,” Mia said, choosing her words carefully, “Mac is probably just laying low. Let him come to you. Just keep an open mind and listen.” Amy nodded slowly.

“But if he is an ass, dump him. You deserve the world, girl.” Mia added, earning a genuine smile from Amy. She patted Amy’s arm and stepped back, letting her get into her car. Mia turned to go back inside as Amy pulled out onto the road.

As she turned back to the diner, she heard a bike roar into the parking lot. Turning, she saw the familiar body she had come to know so well. But when the helmet came off, she saw the face of the man who gave orders.

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