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Massimo and I turn at the same time. Everyone is gathered there. Including one new person. A slightly disheveled, red eyed older man. I look to Massimo, then back at him. The similarities are hard not to notice. This must be his father.
I quickly extract myself from Massimo’s arms and stand. Then I reach for Massimo to help him stand. Not that he needs it. If he did, I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to make him budge. He is solid muscle. And I love it.
“Dad?” Asks Massimo. It’s like he can’t believe he’s here.
“Your mother called.” His dad replies. Massimo stiffens.
“What did she want?” I tuck myself under Massimo’s arm and latch onto his waist. I’m hoping my presence lends him a bit of strength.
“Her husband ran off with his secretary. Wants to know if she can come stay with me for a bit until she’s back on her feet.” Massimo growls next to me and takes a step towards his dad, who holds up his hands in a gesture of compliance and innocence. “I told her to fuck off. Told her she’s on her own.” He exhales loudly. A few tears drip down his cheeks.
I use my hand on Massimo’s lower back to push him forward. He needs it literally and mentally. Whether he wants to admit it or not, his dad and him need each other right now.
“She said she’s sorry. She misses us. And she still loves us.” His dad breaks. His knees buckle. Massimo is there to catch him. Milan, Val and Elena are the first to leave. They each give Massimo a smile and nod. Letting him know they are here for him. But leaving so as to not intrude on a family matter.
Greta and Luca leave next.
Ricco is beside his friend. Rubbing his back. Offering him his silent comfort.
“For the first time in years, I felt nothing. I had been waiting so long for her to come back, and now I don’t want her. I don’t want to drink.” He looks up at Massimo. “I want help. I need help. I should never have abandoned you.” He holds a hand against Massimo’s cheek.
Massimo covers his dad’s hand in his own. He presses it harder against him as Massimo leans into it. I’m willing to bet this is the first time in years they have held each other or shown this level of affection.
“You didn’t abandon me.” Massimo says. His eyes starting to glisten.
“I did.” Gio sobs.
Massimo grabs his father’s face. He holds him steady, ensuring their eyes remain locked. “No. You didn’t. You were still here. If I needed you, I know you would have been there. Drunk or not. I know it was hard for you. You loved mom.” His dad nods his head in Massimo’s hands. Not breaking eye contact. “And the days I visited. You didn’t drink until I left. You know I needed that, even though you needed that drink.”
His dad nods again, eye contact breaking as he closes his eyes and sobs harder. Massimo grabs his dad by the back of his neck and smashes him into him. Chest to chest, they cling to each other.
Ricco and I let them have their moment. Knowing they both need this. Both need to let go of the past.
“I want to go to rehab. I need it.” Pleads Gio. “I don’t want to drink anymore. I don’t need it. When your mother called, I realized I didn’t love her anymore. Not like I did. I got the closure I didn’t want to admit I needed.”
Massimo nods. “I’ll take you dad.”
“No.” Gio pulls back slightly so he can look at his son. “I already asked Ricco and Greta to drop me off. I have already booked my room for ninety days. I came to apologize, and to meet your girl.” They break away from their hug and Massimo calls me over with a silent nod of his head.
“Hi Mr. D’Angelo.” I greet him.
Massimo tucks me under his arm again. “Please, call me Gio.” He says as he takes my hand and gives a little shake before bringing my knuckles up to his lips for a gentle kiss. “Take care of my boy for me.”
The tears I was trying to hold back fall. “I will.” I say with a sniffle. “You take care of yourself. And call us often.”
His face lights up at that. “I will, sweetheart. I’ll need to get to know my daughter-in-law before the wedding.”
Massimo tenses next to me. Surprisingly I don’t. Any fear I might have had about marry Massimo seems to have faded when I told him I loved him. When I declared him mine. I’m not ready to marry yet. We have to still deal with Ramirez first.
I grip tighter to Massimo. “Sounds good.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Massimo
I USED TOlove coming to Club Vivid with Luca. It’s a Caruso establishment and we have the entire VIP section to ourselves. Tonight, I hate it. I may never come back. Girls from the past are eying me like a piece of meat.
In the past I might have soaked up the attention and taken one of their girlfriends to a hotel to bang. Presently, I am trying to keep their hands off of me, while I dance with my girl. We could have danced in VIP, but no. She wanted the real Vivid experience. I bet it was Elena’s idea. She’s a shit-stirrer. It’s why Luca has her handcuffed to him upstairs. He won’t let her down here again after last time.
