Page 91 of Carnal

"Wrong word?" Flex asks.

"No. Involved is fair," I reply, then try to change the subject. "So tell me about your weekend with Callie."

Arrogance lights up Flex's face. "It was good. We were at my place all weekend."

"So, no details?"

"Are you going to tell me about you and Pina?"

"Okay. Next topic," I assert.

He chuckles. "Fair enough."

I glance at the traffic around us, inquiring, "I assume nothing crazy happened since Papà and my brothers left me alone all weekend?"

"Quietest one in a long time. I won't lie, I kind of enjoyed it," Flex admits.

"Yeah, me, too." I pull out my sunglasses and lean the seat back to a forty-five-degree angle. I close my eyes and announce, "I need to catch some Zs. Wake me up when we're home."

He accelerates, replying, "Done."

As hard as I try, I don't sleep. I keep my eyes shut, remembering different pieces of my perfect weekend. While it's still not ideal I fell for Pina, what's done is done. Now that we opened Pandora's box, there's no going back. The weekend only solidified that we're good together. And I've never felt so connected to a woman before. I don't know if it's because of Pina and my long history or what it is, but everything about us feels different.

When we get to the house, Flex taps my shoulder, announcing, "Home sweet home, boss." He parks in front of the steps.

I adjust the seat and slap Flex's hand. "Thanks for the ride, bro."

"Anytime."

I get out, pass the guard, and go into the house. It's barely five thirty. Everything is quiet. I go to my bedroom and change into workout clothes. I go to the gym, and my brothers and Papà are already there.

"Look who's back," Massimo booms.

Dante, Gianni, and Papà turn.

"How was the sunshine?" Massimo questions.

"Awesome. Wish I could have stayed," I confess.

"Don't blame you, bro," he adds, then motions to the squat machine.

I help him add weights as Papà asks, "Where did you end up going?"

"Bahamas."

"Ah. I took your mamma there once. She loved it."

My heart swells and also hurts thinking about Mamma. She died way too early. I'd give anything to hug her once more. I nod and reply, "I can see why. It's an amazing place."

"Who'd you go with?" Dante inquires.

My chest tightens. I didn't think about these things. I quickly lie, "Flex."

"I thought you were going with a girl?" Papà questions.

My anxiety grows. I'm not used to lying to my family. I shrug, adding another weight to the machine. "I did. But Flex came at the last minute."

"Don't tell me you're into threesomes with him, bro," Gianni taunts.

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