AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Just like admiring the view.” He laughs shamelessly.
“Don’t even try to deny it. I know you well enough, old man. And trust me, if women don’t like wrinkly old dudes, they hate kissing a guy that tastes like an ashtray.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you, kiddo. However, before you start setting me up on dates, let me just make sure my main girl is looked after,” he replies with a chuckle, the golden mirth in his eyes even more pronounced.
“I’ll be fine, Dad. Promise. Now can I go?” I ask impatiently, wondering what the boys must be thinking, being stuck in the foyer while Dad and I have our heart to heart.
“Come on then. Let’s not keep your friends waiting,” he says, pulling me to his side and ushering me along to where my new friends stand restlessly, waiting for our arrival. “Okay, boys, I’m going to leave Val in your care. But if you bring her back damaged in any way, then there will be hell to pay?Capisce?” he adds, pinching his fingers together like he’s an extra in a bad mob movie.
Eric Rossi might be of Sicilian descent, but his whole Italian vocabulary was learned watching those oldGodfathermovies. That’s as close as my dad has ever been to his Italian roots. Well, that and his famous lasagna.
“Yes, sir. We will take good care of Valentina, sir. Don’t you worry,” Logan quickly replies, and I half expect him to salute my father with the military tone he just used.
“Glad we are in agreement. Now, let’s get in my car and I’ll drive you.”
“Dad, we can walk,” I plead beside him.
“Learn to pick your battles, kiddo. This isn’t one you will win. Everyone in the car.” He shoos us outside, picking up his car keys from the foyer table.
“Sorry about that,” I mumble shyly as dad locks up and we walk over to the SUV.
“Are you kidding? It’s great your dad is taking us. It’s too hot to walk anyhow. This way, we'll be in the water in no time,” Logan placates, nudging me on my shoulder.
Quaid and Carter give me the same pleasant smile, and my insides melt at how nice they are being. Especially since I’m sure Dad tried to put the fear of God in them while I was getting dressed.
I jump into the front seat while the guys take the back. From the rearview mirror, they look a little squished together, but if they mind the confined space, they don’t say a word. Discreetly, I look at each boy and find the same excitement I feel plastered on their boyish faces. Butterflies start running rampant in my belly at just the idea of having these three new friends in my life. Dad has always been the optimist in our little duo, while I’m more a feet on the ground type of girl. However inexplicably, I’m conflicted with the same positivity running through my veins. I felt it in my bones that coming to San Antonio would be the new start we needed, but I hadn’t been able to envision it so clearly yet. Not like I am now.
Something tells me that Logan, Quaid, and Carter were always destined to be a part of my life, and that certainty not only confuses me, but also leaves me hopeful for what’s to come.
This new life can’t start fast enough.
Logan
As suspected,when Val's dad drives up the long dirt path to the secluded river, there are already some high school kids messing about in the water. When Quaid suggested we take Val here, I have to admit I had my qualms about it. Maybe out of selfishness or misplaced jealousy, I wasn't ready to share her yet with the rest of the world. I mean, we just met Valentina yesterday, so it's perfectly natural I want her to get to know us first before someone else grabs her attention away from us.
Once the SUV comes to a full stop, I open the door, ready to get us as far away from the older crowd as we can, when Mr. Rossi holds onto Val's elbow to keep her in place.
"Remember if you need anything I'm just a phone call away.”
“I'll be fine, Dad. Don’t worry. Remember? Wrinkles,” she jokes pinching her dad’s forehead.
“I'll always worry, kiddo. That's my job.”
She throws him a sweet smile and something inside me melts into a mush, wondering what I could do to have her smile like that at me. Just once.
Mr. Rossi then throws his attention to the back seat, his face sterner than it was a minute ago, instantly making my spine straighten.
"Now, boys, I see a lot of beer cans being passed around. If I hear that any of you drank in front of my little girl, or tried to bully her in any way to have a sip, be prepared to meet my wrath. Is that understood?”
"Yes, sir. No drinking. We promise you, sir," I reply in haste, his martial tone reminding me too much of my military father's.
“Kiss ass,” Quaid mumbles below his breath, then gives Mr. Rossi one of his wide braced smiles. "Don’t you worry about Valentina. She's in good hands with us," Quaid states with his best all-American boy next door smile.
And I'm the kiss ass.
Mr. Rossi takes a long hard minute to look each one of us in the eye, his expression leaving no misinterpretation that he would have our hides if something were to happen to his daughter under our watch. A trickle of sweat falls down to my temple and straight into my eye, burning my pupil. Since I don't want him to think I’m weak, I bear the pain in silence, just so I can keep my stare fixed with his.
“Dad, I think you scared them enough for one day. Can we go now?" Val singsongs, patting his shoulder lovingly, as if she’s used to her father's demeanor.
