“Really?”
“Really.”
“Wow. I’ve never known anyone who has a pet rat.”
“You still don’t,” Rocco spat. “You can bet she lied about that too.”
“I don’t know,” Celeste said. “It’s hard to see her making something like that up. It’s too random. Why would she come up with a lie about a pet rat? I think it’s true. And if it’s true, then some of the other stuff she told you might be true too. Just because she didn’t tell you she was that woman on New Year’s Eve doesn’t mean she lied about everything. Remember some of the things she admitted to when we played Never Have I Ever?”
Rocco lifted his head and pointed his finger. “There you go! Look at the things she admitted to doing. I should have known then.”
“Known what?” asked Celeste. “You admitted to the same things.”
“That’s different.”
“Why? Because you’re a man?”
Rocco turned to Dario. “You want to jump in here? Anytime?”
Dario shrugged. “I don’t know what to say. I understand the way you feel, Rocco. Definitely. But even you have to admit Celeste has a point.”
Rocco glared at him.
Dario held up his hands. “Maybe you can’t see it now. That’s fair. But … with time … eventually, maybe … you’ll be able to see it.”
“God,” Celeste said, “now I’m thinking about that black eye. That scumbag Mickey probably gave it to her.”
Rocco put his head down again, thinking of that scar on the back of her head.
I will not feel bad for this woman. I’m the injured party here. I’m the one who’s been wronged. She’s conned everyone—including Dario and Celeste.
Celeste sighed. “Well, what did she say? I mean, did she say anything about why she did what she did?”
“No,” Rocco huffed.
Celeste narrowed her eyes. “Did you give her a chance to explain?”
“Why? So, she could come up with more lies?”
“No, so she could explain. I’m not saying you should forgive her. I’m not saying you have to get back together with her or trust her. But don’t you want to know? I mean, there has to be a story there.”
“Oh, there’s a story, all right. But that doesn’t mean it’s a true one. Trust me, she’s good at telling stories.”
That stupid fucking little prince. God you’re an idiot, Rocco Vittori.
Celeste sighed. “I think she was torn. She must have feared if she told you, she would lose you. Which, given what happened, looks about right. It’s sad.”
“Excuse me! I’m the victim here.”
Dario groaned. “This is all we need on the racetrack.”
Rocco stood up and resumed pacing. “It’ll just go back to the way it was in the beginning, before Monza.”
Dario shook his head. “And that would be a good thing? Do you remember how well you were doing back then?”
“I’ll be fine. I just mean she’ll steer clear of me, and I’ll steer clear of her.”
“What about that Mickey?” Dario asked.
