First Love Only Love (The Life 2)

They were happy enough to chatter away the three of them, thinking they’d gotten their way. Now they’ll have egg on their faces when they land and can’t find their fancy new skin suits. By the time we were headed back to the house, I was regretting ever introducing her to them.

I’m not sure if they knew I could hear their conversation from the front seat, or they felt comfortable enough to let their big brother in on their shit, though this was the first I was hearing of the plans they’d made with their delinquent friends. “No, to all of it.”

“What? Why not? It’s our birthday; Pop said we’re old enough to be on our own.”

Yeah, along with the battalion of men who are going to have the misfortune of shadowing you unnoticed while trying to blend in with the locals. They can’t seriously not know that Pop wouldn’t send them halfway around the world unprotected. If that’s the way they wanna play it, I’m not the one to tell them. But the crap they were planning is only one of the reasons why I won’t be telling them anything.

“I don’t care what the drinking age is there; you’re not drinking.”

“Oh, come on, Gabe, it’s not like we’re gonna get drunk.”

“Is that why you chose the island? So, you could tie one on?” What the hell goes on their heads anyway?

“That’s only one of the reasons. Don’t be a spoilsport, and don’t say anything to Pop.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Nana, lets us have wine with dinner.”

“Watered-down wine, and we’re not having this discussion. I’m going to be there, so there will be none of that.”

“Who invited you anyway?”

“If she’s going, then I’m there.”

Their snickers had me second-guessing myself. There’s been way too much; let’s test big brother lately. Since Lancelot looked like he was ready to chew nails, I figured they were legit this time. They moved on to something else, which didn’t necessarily mean they’d given up on the idea, but at least it wasn’t anything that would give me agita.

Back at the house, the three of them disappeared in the twins’ room, and Lance went to bug Pop about something or other, which freed me up to do what I needed to. I’d given this next move lots of thought, preferring to be here for the fallout when I drop my little bombshell, but there’s no way around it now.

Between this trip and Paris, there isn’t going to be a heck of a lot of time to do it, which means there’s no time to waste. I figure if I get the ball rolling now, that will give Fontane a week to stew, as he should. I hope he has nightmares every night until I put him out of his misery.

He’s still straddling the fence as far as I can tell, which has lost him even more of my respect which, truth be known, is nonexistent. I reread the little note that I’d typed up days ago and had rewritten a thousand times. I finessed it one last time before texting it to him. Then I sat back and waited.

I didn’t tell Gianna what I was up to; I didn’t see the need for it. She’s so innocent I doubt she’s seen beyond her own grief yet. She probably hasn’t given any thought to how he would react once he learns the truth, and I hope to keep it that way for now. I, on the other hand, have high hopes for his reaction. Twisted as it is, I’ve decided she doesn’t need him in her life when I’m gone; he hasn’t proven himself worthy of that.

FELIX

Where could one old lady be hiding? I’ve exhausted all my resources in the search for Greta without any luck; now, I’m wondering if it’s even worth it. Ella’s statements about the other woman had been so cryptic I’m not even sure what she could possibly have to say. Maybe it’s more about the way Becky treated Gia when she was younger. If that’s the case, I don’t think I can stand to hear anymore.

I’ve done nothing but think these last few days with Becky out of the house. I wonder if that’s why the Russos had stonewalled the lawyer, to give me time to come to my senses. A lot of things seemed off now that she wasn’t in my ear. Things I once took her word, for now, seemed suspect, and I was beginning to think that the Russo kid had been right all along.

I kept going back to Gia’s room and comparing it to Victoria’s, for starters. Somehow the two rooms told a story that I’d been too blind to see before. Having Gia away from home left a feeling of emptiness, which only brought home the fact that we hadn’t been that close when she was here. I can’t remember the last time I’d laughed with my daughter.