Page 191 of SINS & Riley
Halfway there, he second-guesses himself. Turns back and frowns like a total grump.
“What now?” I snap.
He yanks the scanner straight out of my hand scans six times before I can blink. Three of the items are diaper disposals.
Then he raises his voice to the clerk. “And if she doesn’t keep scanning, I’ll buy the whole damn store.”
“Yes, sir.” The clerk looks at him like he just paid off her student loans. Cute.
I’m laughing. Furious. Hollowed out. And I can’t tell which feeling is going to eat me alive first.
I should’ve watched it with Kennedy. And now I know why she said she couldn’t just explain it. It was all too much.
By the time I finished watching the video, I was nothing but tears and rage and broken beyond repair.
I’d thrown up everything I ate for dinner.
Twice.
And then I summoned the strength and did what Dante asked. I Googled them all. Every scrap.
Trinity’s attack. Their father ripped from the world like someone erased him. The scars they carry like badges.
Anger rose in me, raw and ridiculous. What Andre did to Enzo—and my Da—he tortured them both.
It made me want to kill him with my own hands, and I’m not even related. The abuse Enzo took from Andre was beyond unconscionable. Enzo was a kid. A fucking kid.
I used to tremble when I saw Enzo.
Now? All I feel is this ache for the boy he used to be, the kid who survived his own monster.
He didn’t kill Da.
But he carried the trauma so long, it became easy to blame himself for Da’s death.
But I don’t blame him anymore. Now I see the truth. Da loved him. And Enzo loved Da.
I grab the last tissue in the box, curl into myself, and sob.
How do I forgive him to his face when he can’t even speak to me about it. We all drag our trauma like chains. I want to free him. Not shackle him more.
I scrub at my cheeks, tears still streaming, and do the only thing left to do.
I text him.
Enzo
I’d love a baby shower.
65
RILEY
Ridiculous.
That’s it. That’s the word. The only word I have for this joint baby shower.
Well… fine. Maybe not the only word.
