Page 99 of Always You
“Mila, please, can I just stop by his school to say hi or at your place just five minutes? Please.”
I exhale releasing the knot jammed in my throat. “Okay, umm, you can stop by and see him here.”
“Thank you,” he says, his voice gruff.
Damnit, I’ll have to ask Sophie to stay while I hide. I’m not ready to see him.
Not yet.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Have a good day.” He hangs up right after.
I grimace in disbelief seriously, have a good day after finding out his mom killed my dad, and he has bimbo all over him, Ms. High-end bitch. Yeah, I’ll have a swell day, asshole. Not realizing I’m shoving a bagel down my throat eating angrily. Sophie’s face looks horrified.
thirty-one
DOMINIC
The past couple of weeks have been some of the worst days of my life. My brothers and I all gather at Rocko’s, nervously waiting for news from Liam. Today is the day they’re arresting my mom at work. My head is spinning like a carousel. I can’t get my head around it all. Thoughts and questions race through my mind like a tornado. This has been such an awful experience; one I wish to wake up from.
We hoped that maybe it wasn’t my mom, or she was forced to commit this atrocity. The footage had already proven mom had been lying about Mila for years and had kept her away from me for five of them. It was hard to imagine she would take things to such an extreme, with such a cruel act. Therefore, I’m compelled to let Mila go. My family is too toxic, she will never look at me the same. Nothing could ever erase what has happened.
How could she—I’m the son of the woman who killed her father cruelly and attempted to harm her. I will always love Mila; she will always hold a special place in my heart. She’s the only one I’ve ever loved, and devotionally, she will always be. I hate that I’ve hurt her. I hate that I broke her heart. If I hadn't asked for another chance and stayed with Samantha, this wouldn’t have happened. All I did was break her heart all over again. The memory of our last night together plays on repeat in my head. It’s better this way. I’m not good enough for her.
Mark's leg shakes uncontrollably under the table. Will approaches us with a round of beers.
“Beers on me tonight, boys, drink up no kid should go through shit like this.” He scratches his long gray beard we tip our beer in appreciation.
“Thank you, Will, we appreciate it.”
“Let me know if you boys need anything. I’m always here for y’all.”
“Thank you,” Santiago says with gratitude.
My phone buzzes. Mila’s name and beautiful picture flash on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Daddy!”
I smile so big my cheeks hurt. My boy can make a bad day good. “Hi, little man, how’s my boy doing?”
“Good,” he breathes out.
“I think about you, every day, all day long, seriously, you’re my favorite person. I miss you. How’s school?”
He huffs a breath. “Guess what, Daddy? I’m going to be in the Christmas play. I’m going to be one of the twee wise men.” His breath is heavy; I’m sure he’s pacing up and down as he talks.
“That’s cool. I’m so proud of you. You’re going to be the best out there. The fucking best.”
He giggles when I curse. Mila always scolded me with a look. Whenever I’d cuss, her green eyes would twinkle with reprimand, but then I would give her my signature charming smile that melted her heart. God, I miss her.
“Are you coming to my play next weekend?”
“Of course, I’ll be there.” If your mother lets me. “I love you. Is your mom there?”
“Love you too. She’s right here.”
