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I chuckle. I noticed her before that. But that’s when I knew I had a problem, and people were noticing. It’s why I began making that list about her.
“I always hated that fucker.” He had the girl and flaunted it. The jealousy that runs through me is alarming, and my fists clench. “It was just a matter of time before I proved to him I could get anyone I wanted. Including what belongs to him. It took me less than two months to have her yelling my name. No bookie would have ever taken this bet.” Not even me. I always thought she was better than me. Gia is like the Holy Grail of women, and I’m one lucky bastard.
“Trust me, with this move, you have everyone’s eyes on you. Smart move. If we live.”
“Gia is the key. Without her, we’d be stuck here forever.” And I would have never realized what it’s like to love someone. She’s it for me.
Romeo walks outof the house. It feels like he’s starting to detach himself. I heard him telling me he loved me, but his body seemed to move away. Now, listening to him and Max has me realizing that I’ve only been a prize.
That’s all I’ve ever been in life. I was the captain of the cheer squad. I was the school prize for winning nationals. Girls would do anything to sit with me. Not because they wanted to be friends, but they wanted to sit with the captain.
I was Alfonso’s prize. He got a girl on his arm, and not any girl. Nicoli’s daughter. I was his ticket to covering up the lie he had been living.
Now, Romeo. I was his prize to level up. He’s using me to advance himself.
No one cares about the person inside me. Everyone needs something from me. They take and take until they can move me to the side.
The old me would have allowed it. Not anymore. I’m no one’s doormat. If Romeo wants a war, he’ll get one. But he’s going to have to win it without the leverage of me.
My heart sinks, realizing Romeo never saw me. He’s a taker like everyone else. The problem is givers get discarded each time. I’m tired of being pushed to the side. Not this time.
It’s time I learn to stop giving my heart away.
Slowly, I step away from the door, going back to our bedroom. A new bed sits in the middle, like my little tantrum never happened. I slip into bed, closing my eyes, listening for Romeo.
An hour later, he comes to bed, pulling me closer to him. He holds me in his arms. I don’t move, pretending to be asleep until his breathing evens out. Only when I’m sure he’s asleep do I cautiously roll out of his embrace.
Going into his pants pocket, I grab his phone. Its weight is heavy in my hands. Quickly, I call my sister, Luna.
“Hello?” Her voice is groggy from me waking her.
“It’s me,” I whisper.
“Gia. Everyone is worried sick about you.”
“Is Alfonso okay?” I need to know if my best friend made it home alive.
“The real question is, are you all right? Alfonso told everyone that Romeo has brainwashed you. Are you hurt?”
I hear a throat clearing, then the click of a safety on a gun. My eyes slowly move from the floor to Max. His hand motions for me to give him the phone. I pull it from my ear and hang up on my sister’s voice.
“It’s not what it looks like,” I say lowly, hoping not to wake up Romeo. He steps closer and steals the phone from my hands.
He motions for me to follow him. My teeth bite down on my bottom lip as I look toward Romeo, then at Max. Begrudgingly, I follow.
When we get to the kitchen/living room area, I stop, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Who were you calling?”
“My sister.” I sigh.
“Do you know what Romeo’s putting on the line right now?” I don’t say anything. I miss my family. I’m confused, and my heart can’t help but beat for Romeo. Max continues, “The plan all along was to make a deal with your father, so Coy would see we have potential. You would go back to your family unharmed if they agreed to his terms. Then Romeo and I get promotions. We gain more respect. Romeo has gained respect and a following. He’s about to get his promotion to Captain. The problem is, he doesn’t want to let you go now. He hasn’t reached out to your father, even though the whole bloody world knows you’re here now.”
I scoff. “If they knew I was here, I wouldn’t be here anymore.”
“That’s part of my point, Gia. They’re not here yet. When they come, it’s going to be a bloodbath. One I don’t feel confident in winning.”
“You just told me that you have respect and men.”
