Page 14 of Giovanni
His voice rumbles close to my ear. The warmth from his body is a stark contrast to the cool air of the gym, and I’m acutely aware of every point where we are touching.
“Thanks,” I manage to say, my voice steadier than my legs. As he helps me back to my feet, I’m reluctant to let go of him. He smiles, that easy, disarming one.
“An Epsom salt bath will help with the soreness. Next time, we’ll stop earlier and walk the treadmill together. That helps as well.”
“Okay.”
“And Kacie. I’m proud of the work you put into tonight. You should be too.”
His eyes dance with the lightness I saw when he looked at her, warming my heart as his praise tickles my brain. I nod, unable to think of a witty retort as I wobble to the locker on tired legs that feel like I’m floating on air.
5
GIOVANNI
“I’ve got next,” I holler over the sounds of explosions and gunfire as Seb hogs the controls for Call of Duty. I could play from my laptop. I brought my headset, but nothing beats playing on the big screen in his theater room. Seb grins, his eyes fixed on the game as he maneuvers through a virtual battlefield, his fingers rushing over the controller.
“You’re just jealous because I’m owning this round,” he brags, his eyes never leaving the screen.
He’s always been competitive, but tonight, he’s on another level. I grab a cold water bottle from the fridge and a bag of trail mix, waiting for my turn and watching him play.
“So, how was New York City with Chloe?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
I’ve been curious ever since he mentioned he was spending the holiday there. I can’t recall if he’s ever been as an adult. His mamma always flew there to shop during the holidays, but I don’t think she ever took him. He pauses the game and turns to me with a faraway look.
“Man, it was incredible. Chloe knows the city like the back of her hand. We saw the ball drop at Times Square, the suite atthe hotel was cool, and the rooftop bar was even better. Out of respect for my girl, I won’t say much, but let me tell you, she brought a suitcase full of lingerie. Lingerie, man! On vacation! Can you believe that? I almost died and went to Heaven when she opened that thing. Let’s say she wasn’t walking right the whole trip.”
He’s grinning ear to ear. I can only imagine how happy he was by the look on his face now.
“So better than Cabo?” I ask, and he lobs the controller at my head, which I easily dodge since he’s slow and hasn’t been to the gym in weeks.
“Fuck Cabo. And fuck you for bringing it up.” He stands, getting all blowhard with me, and I laugh. “Now give me back my controller. It’s still not your turn.”
It’s undoubtedly my turn since his character died when he thought he paused the game. I continue munching on my snack when he stomps over, grabs the controller, and slaps me on the back of my head.
“Chill, man. That hurt.”
I rub the sore spot he left as he grumbles and walks back to his chair in front of the screen. Cabo and the whole ordeal with Veronica still bothers him. Chloe understood from what he told me, and they are together now, so he shouldn’t be so upset over it.
I asked if it was the money he spent on Veronica that day he went to see my dad, that she lied to try to trap him, or the possibility of being a dad and having to grow up. He never answered me. Just told me to mind my own fucking business and has been snappish about it ever since.
“You know I don’t want to talk about that shit, and here you’re bringing it up when I was talking about my nice vacation.”
His face is sour, and his tone is grumpy as he spreads out to play another round.
“Hey, what about you and Jenna?” Seb asks suddenly, a retaliatory glint in his eyes.
I shake my head a bit too quickly.
“Nah, let’s not go there. She’s getting married, and it’s just a crush. Nothing more.”
Seb raises an eyebrow but, unlike me, doesn’t press further. He resumes his game, and I take the opportunity to shift the topic back to him and Chloe.
“How did you know an older woman would make you happy?”
I can’t help but think about Kacie, who’s much older than me. She’s been on my mind lately, and I wonder if age makes a difference in relationships. It doesn’t bother Paolo. Seb is happier and more stable than I’ve ever seen him. He pauses the game again and leans back, looking thoughtful.
“It isn’t about her being older, dumbass. It’s how she accepts me for me. She doesn’t try to change me, tell me to calm down, or be quiet. But she also doesn’t put up with any of my bullshit, and she’s generally a very nice person. It doesn’t hurt that she’s hot as hell and a real tiger in the sheets.”
