Page 2 of The Devil's Deal

But it’s no use. He’s heard my father tell me to stop being friends with “that boy.” But I never listen. He can’t control who I’m friends with while I’m in school. I’m not going to let my dad ruin my entire life. He’s already done a great job at it.

“It’s okay, Chiara. I don’t care what he thinks about me. As long as…” He takes a pause.

“As long as what?”

“As long as you don’t agree with him.”

“Of course I don’t! You’re like the best ever. Okay?” My exhale jumps out of me angrily. “Don’t let my douchey dad make you think anything else. He hates everyone, anyway. He doesn’t even likeme.”

“Douchey dad,” he laughs, making me giggle too. “I like that.”

“Dominic! Respect!” I hear his mom, Carmella’s scolding voice.

“Sorry, Ma,” he grumbles. “But it’s true.”

He lowers his tone to a whisper with that last part, causing us both to let out a giggle.

“Tell Chiara I said hello,” his mom continues. “And I miss her coming to the bakery.”

“I think she heard you, Ma,” he says in a joking way. “You’re kind of loud.”

“Hey, you’d better behave over there or you’re not getting any of that chocolate cake your papa promised to bring home from work.”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry,” he mutters. “But I want two slices.”

“Dream on. You’re barely getting one as it is.” I can tell she’s kidding, though.

“Tell your mom I miss her too,” I jump in between their teasing conversation.

“She misses you too,” he tells her.

“Give me the phone,” I hear her say, and the next thing I know is her voice coming through the line. “Hey, honey. Is everything okay at home? I haven’t seen your mom or you in weeks. I miss you girls stopping by.”

“We’re okay. The same, you know.”

But I don’t know. I have no idea how much she knows about my family.

“Yeah, I know, honey. Listen, you’re always welcome here. I told your mom the same last time we spoke. You guys are like family to us.”

I huff out a defeated breath. My mom loves their bakery. It’s the best one in town. She started to go because I’d beg, and the only reason my dad allowed it was because he liked the chocolate cake she’d bring home for him.

Whenever we stop by, my mom and Carmella always have their chats. But my dad hasn’t been letting us go lately, saying we go too much, and I’m too embarrassed to tell them that. My dad doesn’t let us do anything without his permission.

“You there?” Carmella asks with concern.

“Yeah. I guess.”

“You can talk to me, you know? I would never betray your trust, Chiara.”

My stomach does this twisty thing and my heart jumps with nerves. I wish I could tell her everything, but I tell no one but my diary.

I clear my throat. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Why do you like us? My mom and me? No one seems to. At least no one likes me at school and no one lets me come over. I think it’s because…”

I don’t finish the sentence. I can’t. She’ll ask more questions and I won’t be able to give her the answers. If my dad finds out I talk bad about him or the family, he’ll hurt me.

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