Awakening the Mobster (8 page)

The waitress comes over, and I order a to-go sandwich for Antonio. Darla is talking to Vito but now he is flat out ignoring her. He reaches in his wallet, pulls out a hundred dollar bill, and hands it to the waitress.

Darla’s eyes go wide.

“Take it all out of that,” he says.

“Dude,” Troy says. “I can pay for my own lunch.”

Vito puts up a hand. “I know you can. I jus’ wanna get out of here and take a nap.” He scrubs his hands down his face.

“What’s the matter?” Erin asks, cockily. “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

“As a matter-of-fact, no, I didn’t,” he replies. “This little redhead I was sleeping next to kept hogging the covers.”

I didn’t miss a beat. Vito was saying he slept in Erin’s room again.
WHY?!

I give him a knowing stare, and the waitress puts a brown paper bag and Vito’s change on the table.

“Thank you. Come again.”

“Well. Sleep in your own bed then,” Erin retorts. “I’m going to the ladies Room.”

“What was that about?” Troy asks.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Vito says.

“Megan?” Troy asks me.

“She’s been having some bad dreams,” I say.

“So? Why does
Vito the bodyguard
need to sleep in her bed?” Troy asks vehemently.

“Troy... She sleeps better when someone is with her.”

“Why don’t you sleep with her?” he asks.

“I am not having this conversation with you,” I say. “It’s truly none of your business.” His brother cheated on my sister. I don’t want anything getting back to Connor about Erin’s nightmares. Connor can wonder and wallow in self-pity for all I care.

Darla was listening to this conversation like she was watching a tennis match, back and forth.

“Oh... I get it. So you can screw Antonio!”

Troy’s words slap me in the face. But I don’t get a chance to even come back with a response because Vito’s face is mere inches from Troy’s face.

“Don’t. You. Ever. Make. It. Sound. Like. She’s. A. Whore. Again.” Anger and intensity radiate off Vito. His fists are clamped by his sides. In a very low voice, that would frighten Superman, he finishes, “Erin thrashes and kicks when she sleeps. Antonio doesn’t want Megan to get hurt. Got it asshole?” He pokes Troy in the chest.

Darla steps way back from us, way back. Erin is coming from the bathroom trying to figure out the scene. Vito’s hand goes behind Erin, and he gently guides us towards the exit leaving Troy and Darla standing with gaping expressions.

It was going so well with Troy. I thought we were overcoming this rivalry/jealousy thing. I step outside; the sun feels warm for October. I need to feel it. The warmth helps to cleanse the ickiness away. Troy’s hurtful words replay in my mind. I hope Vito doesn’t repeat them to Antonio.

“Come on,” Vito orders, and we walk back in silence to the suite.

Chapter 9

Gabroni (ga-bro-nee): dumbass

Megan:

Antonio comes through the door an hour or so later. The pang of truly missing him hits me. The day was so busy and filled with more drama. Vito had gone to lie down in his
own
room, and Erin and I were watching T.V.

“Hey, how’s the college girls?” he asks joking.

“Good,” I say getting up to greet him with a kiss.

“Where’s Vito?” he asks.

“Vito decided to lie down. Today took a lot out of him.”

Knock, knock...

Antonio swings around his hand immediately goes to the gun at his waist. He motions for me to move over. I do. Erin stays frozen on the couch.

He looks through the peephole. “It’s Troy. And that kid from last night,” he says. I bristle with anxiety.
What are they doing here?
Antonio puts the gun back and opens the door, checks the hallway, and allows them inside.

“What’s going on?” Antonio asks. He has no clue about what went on little while ago. If I could read Troy’s mind, he is worried whether or not Vito had talked to Antonio.

Troy looks around the room. “Where’s your sidekick?”

“Sleeping in the other room,” Antonio answers.

“I was wondering if I could speak to Megan...alone?” Troy asks.

“Sure,” Antonio says, right when I’m about ready to protest his vehement ‘No!’

Jake stands near the doorway. Antonio turns to him.

Jake puts his hands behind his back, grinning. “I’m just here to see how Erin’s doing after last night. See? I’ll keep my hands behind my back,” he says, joking.

Erin is blushing. Jake smiles at her. He walks towards the couch with his hands clasped behind his back. Erin giggles.

“Megan?” Troy’s voice is soft. “Can I talk to you?”

“Umm, sure. Let’s go in here,” I point and walk Troy into the unused living room in Antonio and Vito’s suite.

I stand there. I’m not going to be the one to say anything.
He hurt me.

“Meg, I’m sorry,” Troy says sincerely. “That was way out of line. I don’t want anything to mess up our friendship. I keep screwing up and I’m sorry.”

“What’s goin’ on out there?” Vito calls out groggily.

“Nothing!” I yell back. I reach for his door and close it.

Troy continues, “...and I’m really sorry about Erin. My brother’s a dick. Erin is a great kid, and she didn’t deserve that.”

“Thanks Troy. I appreciate it. I don’t want to ruin our friendship either.”

“Jake’s sorry too, about last night. It was just messed up. Meg, he really is interested in Erin.
Call off the hounds!”
he says is a fake British accent. “He’s a nice guy.”

“He seems really nice.” I pause. “It would be great for her to make some new friends. Take her mind off things. Antonio voiced his opinion on Jake last night... He’s uncomfortable with Jake’s age, being in college, etcetera.”
No need to repeat what Antonio said and how he said it.
“She’s been through a lot. Being friends is fine, but I have to agree with him.”

“He’s not looking for marriage. He just wants to get to know her. Besides, Jake is a ‘young-un’, he’s seventeen.” Troy adds dismissing my apprehension. “He graduated a year early and is getting groomed for the football team. He’s good. I bet he makes second string quarterback in a couple of years.”

“Really? That’s awesome.”

“Are we good?” Troy asks. “I’ll work on not being an ass.” Troy gives me sad, puppy dog eyes.

I smile. “Yeah, we’re good.”

“Great, let me make it up to you. Jake and I want to take you all out to dinner and a movie. Ladies pick.”

“That’s nice, but let me check with everyone,” I say.

“Come on, Chewbacca paid for lunch. Let me do this.”

Vito’s door flies open, he’s got
tired-but-hasn’t-slept
written all over him. “Aw! Boohoo, you’re sorry. Wah wah... You’re lucky you apologized. Now let me fuckin’ sleep!”

“Don’t you have little furry people to save on a planet far, far, away?” Troy asks mockingly. Vito slams his door shut.

Troy yells to the closed door, “And you really need to work on your fake crying! I didn’t believe you for a second!”

Back in my suite, Jake and Erin are watching T.V. and talking. Antonio is on his phone in the corner. He hangs up when he sees us.

“Troy and Jake want to take us out tonight,” I announce.

“Oh yeah, where?” Antonio asks. Erin and Jake look over at me.

“Dinner and a movie.”

“It’s ladies pick because I’m an asshole,” Troy says with mirth.

“Well then, it will always be ladies pick, because you’ll always be an asshole,” Antonio quips back. He walks over to me and gives me a peck on the lips. “Whatever the girls want is fine with me?”

We meet Troy and Jake at a restaurant just outside South Bend. Italian food is out because I didn’t want Vito keeling over in horror over it’s less-than-authentic taste and presentation.

We go to a burger place. It’s one of those that offer at least twenty different toppings and types of burgers. The menu is huge. We are all crowded around a round table by the bar.

I am sitting next to Antonio. His hand is stroking my leg while his other one is holding his menu. Little tingles shoot up and down my thigh. I silently hope that we can be alone again tonight. I glance at him. His dark eyes immediately find mine. We are both hyper-aware of each other.

Troy’s on the other side of me talking, but it takes a minute for it to register.

“Huh, what?” I ask turning his way. Antonio silently laughs.

“I asked if you are coming to class again tomorrow?”

Vito breaks in, “Tonio, please tell me you don’t have to go anywhere tomorrow.”

“No, I’m good.”

Jake is sitting next to Erin and says, “You could come to Western Civ. with me tomorrow if you want?”

“No, she can’t.” Vito says quickly.

“Yes, I can,” Erin says.

“Uh...no. You. Can’t.” Vito says back harshly.

“Yes. I. Can!” Erin flips back.

“Whoa, enough,” Antonio says. “Sorry Jake. One of us has to be with them at all times. Vito went today to class. I’ll go tomorrow.”

Erin sits back and pouts at Antonio’s words.

Jake leans in and whispers in her ear. A big smile crosses her face and she laughs. My sister is clearly enjoying the attention.

Without warning, Vito reaches out and jerks Jake away from her. A stunned Jake asks, “Dude, what is your problem?”

“Whatever you need to say to her can be said in front of all of us.” Vito lets him go.

“I was just jokin’ with her. I was asking if she was a princess that escaped from her castle with her guards. Geez! Get a grip.”

Vito looks back at his menu stone-faced.
What is with him?
He is so intense. I thought Antonio was, but Vito might even surpass him.

Everyone is quiet. Antonio breaks the silence by announcing that he’s having the Texas burger.

“Yeah, that sounds good, but I think I’m having the Bleu Cheese one,” I say. “What are you going to have, Erin?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Vito what I can have?” Erin says childishly, trying to make a point. And I kind of can’t blame her. She seems to be trying to pull herself out of her funk, but Vito is really making it a struggle for her.

Vito doesn’t miss a beat, “You’re having the All-American minus the onions. If you’re a really good girl, I’ll let you pick the kind of cheese you want.”

Everyone at the table just stares at Vito.

“Vito? Erin? Outside!” Antonio commands. The two of them reluctantly get up and follow Antonio to the exit. I’m left with Jake and Troy at the table.

“Sorry,” I say to Jake. “Vito’s a little...” I can’t find the right word.

“Psycho?”Jake finishes for me.

“Well...”

“Is he a brother, a step-brother, cousin?” he asks.

“No...”

“He’s from Megan’s neighborhood,” Troy says.

“He takes what he’s asked to do very seriously,” I say.

“And what was he asked to do?” Jake asks intently.

“Ummm, look after her,” I respond. “By my dad.”

“I wasn’t going to bring this up, but these guys act like gang members.”

Troy laughs.

“No, they’re not in a gang,” I clarify.

*****

Antonio:

“What is up with you?” I ask Vito.

“Nothing. I’m not sitting in class with
Jake the Jackass
.”

“Hey! Don’t call him that. He’s nice,” Erin says.

I rub my temple. “This is fuckin’ ridiculous. Vito, back the fuck down. You.” I point to Erin. “Order your own damn food, and don’t give Jake any ideas ‘cause they’re not happening.”

“My father just wants you to watch out for us, not run our lives!”

“Oh!” I say, clipping the word. “Remember what I said this morning, watch the attitude. I don’t know this guy. I need to feel him out more.”

“At least my father let me date Connor!”

“Yeah, and look what that got you! If I ever get my hands on the fuckin’ weasel, you won’t even recognize him!” That shuts her down. She knows I’m right. “Everybody take it down a notch. Let’s enjoy our dinner and try to relax.”

We made it to the movie theater early. The line is long. We waited a few minutes. Jake is trying to lighten the mood. He kept waving his fingers at Erin.

“Oh no, Erin. I might touch you, look out.” He makes her laugh, that was cool. After a few more minutes, I was getting antsy. I nod to Vito. He knows what I want to do.

My arms are wrapped around Megan’s waist, so I shuffle us forward. We walk to the ticket collector by the entrance to the theaters.

“What are we doing?” Megan asks.

“Going to the movies.”

Jake, Troy, and Erin follow. They are immersed in their own conversation.

Vito slips the ticket collector a hundred. The guy pockets it and unhooks the burgundy rope to let us through.

Jake asks, “What are we doing?”

I give him my patented,
Shut the fuck up look.

The theater is empty. Megan let Jake pick the movie. I think she felt bad about the scene at the restaurant. It’s an action movie. At least, I don’t have to see a chick flick, although I would if it would please Megan.

“Can I say something without getting my ass kicked?” Jake asks.

“That depends,” I say.

“You guys are crazy. We have illegally gained entrance to the movie theater and it cost twice the amount than if we waited in the line.”

“And?” I say.

“I’m just pointing out the obvious for my own benefit,” Jake responds.
Smart guy.

I sit next to Megan and lift the arm rest between us so I can snuggle her closer. I think I’m addicted to her. When she’s around, I can’t stop touching her. I need it like a drug.

“Hey,” Troy says. “We’re supposed to be treating you. Not the other way around.”

“You paid for dinner, we’re good.”

I can’t keep my attention on the movie. My hands roam over Megan. I am thankful that it is so dark in here.

“I think you need to go to the bathroom,” I whisper in her ear.

“I do?” she asks.

“Yup, right now.”

I stand and pull her up with me, her hand in mine. I lean over to Vito. “I’m taking Megan to the bathroom.”