Code of Honor (Spontagio Family 1)

My heart thuds in my head as one foot then the other hits the pavement over and over again. I could run for hours, and that morning I do. When I finally keel over, my body unable to handle any more punishment.

I take a few minutes to catch my breath before making my way back home. In an odd way, I feel more energized than a full night’s sleep could ever have given me.

Chapter 14

Lucy

After class, I head home, angry that it’s been all day and I’ve still heard nothing from him. No missed calls, texts…hell, I even checked my email. I can’t believe what an asshole he’s turned out to be.

I toss my bag on the floor and flick off my shoes. As frustrated as I am, I do get it. I’ve spent my life trying to break away from my father. Pietro’s spent his trying to repay what he feels he owes. I’m angry with him, and with myself for letting this happen, and I’m angry at my dad.

My phone vibrates just as I throw my frozen dinner in the microwave. I lunge across the counter to where I’d tossed it, next to my keys. It’s him. My heart pounds as I read the text.

Pietro: I never wanted to hurt you. You have no idea how much I want to be with you, but it will never work.

I sigh and press CALL. I refuse to have this argument again through fucking texts. He answers right away.

“Lucy,” he says. I close my eyes. I don’t want to think about how much I love hearing my name fall from those lips. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to talk to me.”

“I’m not sure I do,” I admit. I’m already regretting the call. What difference is it going to make? “I have no idea why I even called.”

“I’m glad you did,” he offers. “I’ve wanted to call, but I thought you might want space.”

“That’s the problem, Pietro.” I laugh, running my hand through my hair. He still just doesn’t get it.

“I don’t want space. I want you.” I end the call and throw the phone on the sofa, angry that I was first to break—and annoyed that nothing has been resolved.

I need to talk to someone, and the only person I can think of is Bella, who is notoriously hard to get ahold of these days. I call her number, praying she answers. When she does, I almost cry with relief.

“Hey, lovely. What’s up?” She sounds concerned. Just the sound of her voice makes me feel better. I feel less alone knowing she’s there for me.

“Just homesick, I guess,” I say, smiling through tears. “I guess being over here is harder than I thought it would be.”

“You’ve always got me. Just a phone call away.”

“Except you rarely answer these days.”

I giggle.

“Shit, sorry about that. I guess I have been spending more time than usual with Ryan.”

“I still can’t believe you’re on week six with the same boy,” I tease. “And you’re not even sick of him yet.”

“Not even close, Luce.” I love how happy she sounds and it makes me second-guess spoiling her mood with all my problems. “Anytime you need to talk, text me saying it’s urgent and I’ll be on the phone that very second, okay?”

“Thanks, Bell. You’re a great friend.”

—

Should I call him? No. Fuck him. Why should I be the one to cave? Again. He’s the one acting like a child. I’ll wait for him to come crawling back to me, no matter how excruciating the wait will be.

What if he doesn’t come back?

I don’t even want to think about that, suddenly terrified that we’ve ruined our friendship.

I occupy myself for the rest of the day by cleaning the apartment and shopping. Afterward, I stand back and survey my work. I’ve never seen my fridge so full of this much food I’ll probably never eat. I reach for a packet of goat cheese and make a face. That’s what I get for shopping to drown my emotions. I don’t even like goat cheese.

When I’ve run out of things to do, I turn on the TV and park myself in front of it. There’s nothing worth watching, and I soon find myself thinking about our night together. Everything about him was amazing, from the way he kissed me to the way I felt when he was inside of me.