Page 48 of Better Left Unsaid

Before I could, though, Perla said, “I love you, Maria.”

I couldn’t turn back around, my hands practically shaking with how upset and thrown off I was. I mean, she pushed me. I only shared my feelings and for her to make it out like I was being ridiculous was just unfair. Sorry, but you couldn’t judge someone and their feelings like that—I was entitled to the way I felt. I didn’t want to turn back around, so I merely responded, “I love you, too, Perla. I just need some time to myself.”

The reality was I did love her. I loved my entire family. But sometimes they annoyed me. Especially my sisters. It was rare, but it happened. It was life. And, at the end of the day, it would all blow over. It always had.

* * *

Where was my best friend when I needed him? I needed the distraction he gave me. Not the sex but him. So, sitting in my car, I pulled my phone out and texted him.

Maria:I’m mad at Perla.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait two seconds before he responded.

Dominic:Why?

Maria:I’m mad at Mom.

Dominic:That’s quite the list. Is there anyone else you’re mad at?

He’d understand, I knew he would, so I didn’t hold back.

Maria:I’m serious. I’m mad at Perla because we had it out because I’m mad at Mom.

Maria:Oh my goodness, I’m a horrible person. I’m mad at a dead woman.

Dominic:I’ve never heard you say that before. And it doesn’t make you horrible.

That was because I’d never said it before. Didn’t anyone understand the appeal to keeping things in? It avoided things like this. Regardless, I was going to say it all now. I was a can of worms, and you couldn’t put the lid back on me.

Maria:She kept Jade from us. Not that I care about not knowing Jade until recently. That’s whatever. It’s the secret, the lies that really bother me.

Dominic:I see.

Maria:That’s it?

He couldn’t give me anything else to work with?

Dominic:You’re entitled to your feelings.

Thank you.

Maria:Tell that to Perla.

Dominic:I’m out with my brothers right now, but when I’m done here, I’m coming to pick you up at your house, and we’re going somewhere.

Maria:I’m really not in the mood, Dom.

Dominic:Maria, you’re coming with me, so be ready. I’ll text you when I’m on my way.

Chapter Fifteen

Dominic

I was meetingup with two of my brothers when Maria’s text came in, so as much as I wanted to drop everything and go to her, help her, I couldn’t. Not yet, anyway. First, it seemed Vito needed help. Although, hell if I knew why, but I was about to find out.

“Why in the world did you want us to meet you here?” I asked Vito as I surveyed the parking lot of the luxury car dealership he had texted us the address for.

“Yeah, why? Especially when it’s hot as balls outside. What’s going on?” Carmine asked, closing his door and walking over to a red sedan with a white interior and black piping. Figured that would be the car that caught his attention. If it didn’t have all the bells and whistles, Carmine wasn’t interested. He had an only-the-best philosophy when it came to cars, women, and life in general. Not that most of us Delucas could argue that point with him. We were cut from the same cloth as they said.

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