Page 92 of Always You
“We will get through this, Mila. You’re not alone. You have me always, sisters for life.”
Sniffling, I wipe my tears with my shirt. “Why, Sophie, why? I’ve been through so much. I lost my dad because of her then I thought I lost Dominic. I spent five years mourning his loss. To find him engaged. He asked for another chance. For another chance atus.But for what? So he can shatter me, leave me? To mess with my heart? He lied to me. God, Sophie I’m so confused. My head’s spinning.” My shoulders deflate as I rest my head against the bathroom wall.
“Maybe you shouldn’t let him see Dante until things get sorted. His mom is dangerous. I don’t presume Dominic would let anyone hurt Dante, but I don’t trust his mom. We don’t know what she’s capable of. She’s a conniving bitch.”
Shit, she’s right. My head is spinning; I didn’t think of it.
“You’re right. I told him he can pick him up Wednesdays and Thursdays. I’ll just let him know I changed my mind.”
“Come on, let’s go downstairs. I’ll make us some grilled cheese and a glass of wine. Dante will be looking for us.”
I nod, wiping the snot dripping down.
“Mommy, look, I made Santa a letter.”
My heart breaks, Dante standing in front of me with his beautiful big brown eyes. My innocent baby. We tangled him in this mess, and all he wanted was his father and a family. Sophie is correct, I don’t know what dynamics Dominic has played in this, or what his mother is capable of. She’s dangerous, after all; it’s my fault I should have guarded my heart, keeping my walls up.
As a mother, keeping my son safe is my priority. I let love and lust cloud my thoughts like they say love is blind. My heart bleeds. He’s in love with another woman. It was never me; it was a lie, all of it I’m the fool, the one who got played.
“Oh, that’s sweet, honey, Santa will love it.”
He frowns when his eyes meet mine. “Mommy, are you okay?”
I caress his cheek.
“Yes, baby, I’m fine, just tired, and I think I’m getting a cold,” I lie.
“You should lay down, Mommy. Me and Auntie Sophie will make yummy grilled cheese,” he says, his smile reaching his brown eyes.
“Little man is right, lie down on the sofa, Mila, we will get dinner started, as requested by my Dante.”
The gratitude I have for Sophie is above and beyond. She has been my rock from the very beginning. My New Yorker is a fierce warrior, generous and devoted, the kind of friend you keep safe and never let go. She’s like a sister to me.
While I massage my throbbing temple, my phone buzzes with twenty missed calls and ten messages for Dominic. I erase the messages; I don’t bother reading; instead, I turn off my phone. I sigh, why me? What did I do to deserve all this? Why did my dad have to pay for all this? It was all my fault. I should have never dated Dominic. My dad might still be alive. Howling sobs escape me. I bring a pillow to my face to cover my sobs.
“Here you go, milady, a strong glass of wine. Oh, honey, I’m going to strangle that son of a bitch and his fucking psycho mother. And the dumb ass bimbo he has.”
“Thank you for always having my back.”
She grabs a tissue, wipes away my tears, and brushes off the boogers. I feel like a child. “Always, Mila, you, and Dante are my family.”
I sip the tall glass of wine, letting the alcohol cloud my brain. I need something more substantial.I need to feel numb, but this will do for tonight.
twenty-nine
DOMINIC
My phone is grasped so tightly in my hands that it might break. I take a few breaths in an effort to compose my racing thoughts. I've lost track of how many times I’ve called Mila, yet she never answers. The words she left me with replay in my head: ‘I hate you.’ I had somehow known this would be her response. I don’t blame her; my mom took her father away from her and plotted on her being there as well. I don’t know how she found out, but I phoned Liam and asked if he had told her.
He said no and said I told you to tell her before she heard from someone else. I pound my fist on my desk; I need to get the fuck out of here. I’ve lashed out at everyone in sight. I’m so close to knocking Mila’s door down. I know I can’t do that; I’ll scare Dante, which is the last thing I want to do. I prepared myself for this for an entire month. The truth is nothing can prepare me for losing her all over again. With my keys, I walk to my car and drive to the nearest liquor store. I grab a twelve-pack of beer and a bottle of whiskey from the cooler. Tonight, my only solace is to drink until my pain is numbed.
I chugged the last lukewarm beer of the twelve-pack, leaving a foamy mustache on my upper lip. Staggering, I make my way across the room to a bottle of cheap whiskey. The surround sound system blaresDon’t Let Me Goby Cigarettes After Sex, as I pour a shot of whiskey and slump onto the sofa. The burning sensation trickles down my throat warmed my chest. I close my eyes and think of Mila as the song plays, just then there is a knock at the door.
“Mila,” I say, stumbling to the door. No, it’s not Mila. It’s a hot blonde at my door… Samantha.
“Hey baby, I missed you,” she coos, barging in. “Let me take care of you.”
I let her in and close the door behind her. She throws her expensive handbag on the table.
