Page 142 of Forbidden

ALDO

Dragging my eyes away from the swimmers tearing their way down the length of the pool, I elbow Joy for the sixth time. “Go home.”

“No,” she mumbles, peeling her eyes open. “I’m being supportive.”

“You’re sleeping.”

She huffs and I sigh, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her against my chest. It was five thirty before she got home last night, or rather, this morning. Her gig was on the other side of the City, and we told her to get a hotel, but she didn’t want to miss this.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I manage to pull it out without dislodging Joy who’s fallen asleep again already, despite the bleachers filled with cheering friends and family. When I see my eldest sister’s name, I swipe to answer.

“Hey, Avena. Everything okay?”

“Are you still okay to go to that meeting with the new supplier?”

I raise my eyebrows. No pleasantries today. “The one in Monterey? Yeah, of course, why?”

“Because I just saw you have the swim meet on your calendar.”

“It’ll be done by two and the meeting isn’t until five thirty,” I reassure her. “Stop stressing.”

The line goes silent, and I can picture her pinched face as she tries to tell me she’s not stressing without sounding like she’s stressing.

This year, our parents have taken a big step back from the business, handing over a lot more of the responsibility to me and Avena. Which is fine, when certain sisters aren’t stressing out.

“Well,” she says finally. “If it looks like you’re going to be late—”

“I’ll call them. I know. I’m twenty-six, Venie. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

She sighs loud enough that I can hear it, despite the noise around me. “I know. I’m sorry. How’s it going, anyway?”

I grin, looking over at where Doug’s crouched down, speaking to one of the boys up next to race, while Lane shouts encouragement to those already swimming their final laps of the two-hundred-meter freestyle.

“It’s going really well,” I say. “The place is packed.”

“I’m so glad. They deserve it. Okay, Olly, I’m going to go, but make sure you say hi to everyone for me.”

“I will.”

“Oh, and make sure you don’t forget Angelo’s birthday meal next weekend.”

“Of course. It’s in the calendar.Ciao, Venie.”

“Ciao!”

I hang up, smiling to find Joy still out cold against my chest, but before I can put my phone away, it vibrates again. Frowning, I swipe at the message.

DOUG: Take her home

I look down at the pool again to find Doug watching me, his phone in his hand. He looks pointedly at Joy, and I shrug as much as I can with her leaning against me, before typing out a response.

ME: She won’t go. She’s being ‘supportive’

I can almost hear Doug’s laugh from where I’m sitting.

DOUG: She’s asleep!

ME: I know! That’s what I said!

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