Page 49 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

Sal, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "We’ll find a way to help him, together. But he also needs to want to help himself. I’ve dealt with addicts before. You can only do so much for them unless theywantto get better.”

"I know. I just hope it's not too late."

Mom wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight, and for a brief moment, I felt safe despite all the craziness in my life.

Mom’s eyes welled with tears, her hand resting on my cheek. "What’s been going on with my son?” she asked out loud to no one in particular. “My baby boy.”

“Mikey was so ashamed, Mom. He thought he could handle it, and I wanted to believe him. I threatened to tell you if he got high while we were here. I just... I thought if he had some sense of responsibility, of someone waiting for him to get better, he would try harder."

Pulling back, I looked at her, tears streaming down my face. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I thought he'd get better. But it's so much worse than I could've imagined."

Mom’s eyes searched mine. "How bad, Beck?"

I took a deep breath, searching for the right words, "Real bad. There were times I'd get calls in the middle of the night, not knowing where he was or what he had taken. Times I'd find him passed out, barely breathing. It's scary bad."

A chilling silence enveloped the room. The air felt heavy, the undercurrent of tension almost palpable. We all sensed it - a feeling of foreboding. Mikey's situation wasn't just a problem anymore; it was a looming crisis.

Sal leaned forward, his expression serious. "We’ll help him. But first, we need to find him.”

Mary nodded slowly, though her eyes spoke of the pain she felt. "I just wish I had known. I wish I could've been there for him."

I felt a hand squeeze mine and turned to see Archer, his eyes filled with understanding. "We're here now, Becca. All of us. And we'll all face whatever comes next. You’re not alone in this anymore."

Chapter 31

Isaac

Sal's imposing presence brought a weighty silence in the room, and all eyes turned to him. His gaze was steady, exuding an authority hard to ignore.

"We've addressed one issue, but we have another elephant in the room that needs further discussion," Sal began, nodding subtly toward Becca and the rest of us.

The implication was clear. We’d brushed over the matter, but now there was no option but to discuss what was happening.

I held back, preferring to gauge the situation. While I wasn't blood, Sal had always made me feel like part of the family, and I had a fierce loyalty to him. However, this was a delicate matter, and I wasn’t about to dive in headfirst without knowing the depth of the water.

Before I could piece together my thoughts, Archer spoke up. "Dad, I know this might not be easy for you and Mary to hear, but what Becca and we have... it's real. It might be unconventional, but it's genuine."

Vinnie chimed in. "We never meant for it to be a secret. It just... happened. And we didn't want to spring it on everyone, especially with the wedding news."

Sal raised a hand, asking for silence. The room hushed immediately. "I've always taught you boys to lead with your hearts, to be honest, and to be true to yourselves." He paused, letting his words sink in. "But Becca is our family now. Or is about to be. This complicates things."

Becca looked a little defensive. "I never expected any of this. The care and bond I share with them... it's real, Mr. Gallo. I promise."

“Sal, please,” he said, offering a brief but warm smile.

I felt the need to contribute. "We understand the concerns, and believe me, we've discussed them at length. We want to make sure Becca is always treated with respect and love."

Sal sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "This isn’t easy for any of us. But I trust my boys, and I trust Becca. If this is what all of you want, then I'll support it." His gaze shifted to Mary, who nodded slowly in agreement.

The room seemed to let out a collective breath, the tension ebbing away. This wasn't the end of the discussion by any means, but for now, there was a semblance of understanding, a bridge to potentially navigate these choppy waters.

I watched as Archer leaned forward, his confidence sure even in this heavy atmosphere. "When this all started, none of us expected it to become more than just some fun. We didn't plan this." Archer looked between Sal and Mary, sincerity etching his features. "But somewhere over time, things changed. Profoundly. It isn't just about fun anymore."

Sal's eyes narrowed, a mix of surprise and caution. He had always been protective, and watching his expression change was like witnessing a storm brew, unsure of where the lightning would strike.

"I've fallen for Becca," Archer's voice was steady, unwavering. "And I'm not going to hide it. I’m not ashamed of it."

Mary's gaze shot to Becca, her maternal instincts clear as day. "And you, Becca? How do you feel about all this?"

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