Chapter 15 - Mother Knows Best
“What’s troubling you, Isabella?” Ma asked as she sat down next to me at her kitchen table.
James and I had been texting for the last twenty-four hours—a constant volley of messages to drive each other insane. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. The world seemed to be conspiring against me when it came to James. Was I the only one who thought we were a terrible idea?
“James,” I whispered without looking at her as I rubbed the smooth wooden table with my fingertips.
Placing her hand over mine, she stopped my nervous motion. “Izzy, look at me.”
I met her soft, kind eyes. My mother was and would always be my best friend. I looked up to her and how she lived her life. From the outside, people would assume that she didn’t run the show, but make no bones about it—she was the boss of this family.
“What are you so scared of?” she asked, stroking the back of my hand with her thumb.
“He’s just so…“
“Perfect for you?” she asked, smiling wide.
“Ma, are you crazy?” I asked, flabbergasted by her question.
“I know when a man is smitten. I’ve seen you with other men, Izzy. No one got the reaction out of you that James did.”
“Isn’t that a bad thing, Ma?”
“Oh, honey, no. Your father still gets a rise out of me. It’s what keeps us going after all these years of marriage. Without the fire between us, we would’ve ended long ago.”
“But you and Pop love each other.”
“Fiercely,” she said, staring out the window as she watched my dad tend the garden. “Even after all these years, he makes me batshit crazy.”
“Pop isn’t bossy like James.”
“Isabella, you look at your father through rose-colored glasses. Salvatore was the bossiest man I’ve ever met.”
“Not Daddy,” I said, following her eyes to watch him as he handpicked some tomatoes.
She laughed, patting my hand. “Child, that man made your brothers look soft. I’ve worn him down throughout the years. Don’t tell him that, though.”
I giggled, thinking of my mother laying into my dad. “I remember what you told us before Suzy and Joe were married.”
“Men like to think they have all the power, but we really know who rules the roost.”
“Ma, if you start talking about sex, I’ll puke right here.”
“James will make you happy.”
“He makes me miserable. What if I become one of those women who changes for her man?”
She shook her head, turning her attention back to me. “Izzy, baby. I raised you to be strong and independent. That’ll never happen. A man like James needs someone who is his equal. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you.”
“What do you see?” I asked, wondering how I missed all the signs.
“He looks at you like your father looked at me when we dated. Hell, he still looks at me that way now.”
“Like a piece of meat?”
“Like a challenge worth the fight, baby girl.”
“I don’t know, Ma.”
“Have I ever given you bad advice?”
I thought about it for a moment before I answered her. Shaking my head, I said, “No.”
The door opened as Dad walked in. “Baby girl, what are you doing here?”
“That happy to see me, Daddy?” I asked, jumping to my feet to kiss him.
“I’m always happy to see my favorite child.”
I slapped him on the shoulder and smiled. “You say that to all of us.”
“You’re my favorite daughter,” he said, setting the tomatoes on the counter.
“Your only daughter.”
“You mince words. Give me a hug,” he demanded, holding out his arms.
I buried my face in his chest, wrapping my arms around my dad. Even at his age, he was still toned and muscular. It was in the male genes in the Gallo family. They didn’t breed them small.
He stroked my hair and spoke softly. “What’s troubling you, Isabella?”
“You and Ma are scary,” I said, moving from his arms to look up at his face.
“Why?” he asked with knitted brows, creasing the lining his forehead.
“She asked the same exact question.”
“What was your answer?”
“James.”
“Ah. I like that man.”
I rolled my eyes, releasing my grip from my dad’s shirt. “Who doesn’t?”
“I know you’re sweet on him too, baby girl.”
“Dad—”
He put his finger against my lips. “I always have your best interests at heart. No one will ever be good enough for my baby girl, but James is a man’s man. I know he’ll protect you when shit gets bad. I won’t ever have to worry about your safety.”
“I’m kind of old for you to worry, Daddy,” I grumbled, smiling and rubbing his face.
“You’ll always be a little girl in pigtails to me, Isabella. The little tiny thing playing with her Barbies in her room or trying to tackle her brothers in the backyard when they played football. You may be a woman, but I don’t see you that way. I just can’t.” He sighed, brushing a hair away from my face.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, baby girl.” He leaned forward, kissing me on the cheek. “What did you say, my love?”
My mother sniffled, rubbing her eyes as I turned to look at her. “I said the same, sweetheart.”
“There is just too much loving going on in this room. I need to go.”
“Where are you headed off to today?” my pop asked as I grabbed my keys.
“I have to work and then I’m headed out with the girls tonight.”
“Mia and Suzy?” Ma asked.
“Yep. It’s a girls’ night out. The boys are all going to play poker at Joe’s place while we have drinks.”
“Just be careful,” he said as I kissed him quickly.
“I will, Daddy.”
“Call me tomorrow, dear,” my ma said as she walked me to the door.
“I will, Ma. Love ya.”
“Love you too, my sweet child.”
After we kissed goodbye, I headed to my car feeling entirely different than what I’d felt when I’d arrived.
Maybe I needed to give James another chance. Either that or I needed my head to be examined. I’d think about it over drinks.
I downed another shot of Patron, sucking on a lemon before I wiped my lips. My legs felt numb from the three shots I’d already ingested.
“Izzy, you may want to slow down,” Suzy suggested, sipping her virgin something or other.
“I got this shit,” I said, slurring my words as I threw the lemon on the napkin in front of me. Picking up my phone, I typed out a little message to James.
Me: What are you wearing?
I giggled, figuring I’d turn the tables on him. He wasn’t the only one who could send nudies.
“Okey-dokey,” she whispered, rubbing her belly and frowning. “I can’t carry you out of here tonight.”
Cocky Bastard: How much have you had to drink?
Me: Enough.
Cocky Bastard: Clearly you’ve reached your limit.
“What?” I asked, missing what Suzy had just said.
“I can’t carry your drunk ass out of here,” she repeated.
I blinked, my vision partially clouded and my mind a little muddled. “Mia can do it,” I slurred, laughing before I typed another message.
Me: You’re always so serious. Do you even know how to have fun?
I set my phone down on the table, resting my head in my hand.
“Bitch, I’ll roll ya out, but I sure as fuck am not carrying you anywhere.”
“Whore.” I laughed, moving my head to rest on the table.
“I think we should get the check,” Suzy said, touching my chair.
I lifted my head, squinting toward her to bring her face into focus. “Don’t you dare! We’re not done here.”
“What’s crawled in your snatch and died tonight?” Mia asked, polishing off her martini.
“James.” I smiled, the dopy grin spreading across my face. I felt heat creep up my neck and settle in my cheeks. My entire body overheated. I pulled at the scoop neck on my shirt, trying to cool off.
Cocky Bastard: I think I showed you a good time not so long ago. Let me remind you.
Suddenly a picture of his cock, piercing and all, popped up on my screen. I blushed as I stared at it, almost in a trance.
“He has your panties in a wad,” Mia teased, raising her hand to get the attention of the waitress.
“He hasn’t been in my panties since last weekend,” I croaked with a frown as I scrubbed my hands across my face.
“Missing him?” Suzy asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“I kicked him out of bed.” I set my phone down on the table and looked at my girls with a giant-ass smile. I was proud that I’d kicked his ass out of bed.
“You did what?” they asked in unison, moving backward as if I’d slapped them.
Mia leaned forward, confusion all over her face. “Back the fuck up. You kicked him out of bed?”
“Shameful,” Suzy muttered, shaking her head and staring with her beady blue eyes.
“I did,” I yelped, slamming my hand down on the table. I tossed my head back and giggled, thinking that the entire situation was funny. I stopped when I realized that I was the only one laughing. “What?” I asked, calling over the waitress.
“Why the fuck would you do that?” Mia asked.
“Hello? James is a bossy fuck.”
“He’s sexy too.”
I smirked and looked at Suzy. “I know.”
“Are you going to be a hardass your entire life?” Mia asked, handing over cash to the waitress and shooing her away.
“I wasn’t being a hardass.”
“No, you’re being a pussy,” Mia spat.
“Am not.” I stuck out my tongue at her and snarled.
“And a child.”
“I’m drunk,” I blurted, burping and covering my mouth.
“Have you at least talked with him?” Suzy asked, taking another sip of her drink.
“When is that baby going to pop out so you can drink with us again?” I asked, leaning over the table and poking her belly.
“More months than I wish to count.”
“It better have a pussy, dear Suzy. No more cocks in this family.” I sat back down just as the waitress approached. “Ahh, perfect timing,” I howled as I grabbed the drink off her tray and set it in front of me without spilling a drop.
“We want it to be a surprise,” Suzy said, smiling.
“Surprises suck,” I shot back. “To pussy!” I yelled, holding my glass high before taking a sip. To my shock, it wasn’t what I’d ordered. “What the fuck is this?” I asked, looking at the drink.
“I cut your ass off,” Mia replied.
“You’re such a party pooper.”
“You’ll thank me tomorrow.”
“Are you going to see him again?”
I turned my head to look at Suzy as her words registered with me. My brain had to work overtime to process each phrase. Clearly Mia had been right in cutting off my drinks.
“Who?” I asked, swaying in my chair.
“For the love of God,” Suzy whined, looking toward the ceiling.
“Is he there?”
“Who?” she asked.
“I dunno…God?”
“Jesus, girl. Get your shit together,” Suzy scolded me, biting her lip to stifle a laugh.
“Why? We leaving?”
“Are you going to see James again?” Suzy said, leaning forward, almost resting her belly on the table.
“You don’t have to be so serious,” I said, blinking slowly and opening my eyes wide. I felt like I was sitting there with my eyes closed, looking through slits.
“Mia, I’m gonna choke her ass out. You talk to her.” Suzy leaned back in her chair as she glared at me.
“James, Izzy. Are you going to see him again?”
“Fuck,” I muttered, trying to look at my phone, but my eyes were almost crossed. “We were texting and he said I’m to call him as soon as I get inside tonight and he’ll be over after work tomorrow or at least that’s what he said.”
“I like him,” Suzy said, a sappy grin on her face.
“You would,” I said, resting my head in my hand. I felt like I had a bowling ball rolling around in my head. I just wanted to lie down for a bit.
“Come on, princess. It’s time to get you home. You’re going to need your beauty sleep if James is coming over tomorrow,” Mia said, grabbing me under the arms from behind.
I slapped her hands away. “I can walk.”
“Fine, tough ass. I want to see this shit on those heels.”
“I’m a pro,” I bragged, trying to climb off the high-top chair.
“I’m filming this shit to blackmail you later,” Mia said, pulling the phone from her purse.
“I’ll kill ya,” I said as I slipped, grabbing the table for support. I steadied myself and turned to her. “Mia, put that shit away and help me.”
“You’re one crazy bitch.”
“You girls love me anyway.” I smiled, wrapping my arm around Mia as she helped me to the door.
I must’ve passed out in the car, because before I knew it, I was sitting on the couch in my living room with Mia and Suzy.
“Gimme your foot,” Suzy demanded, bending down in front of me and touching my leg.
“What are you doing?” I asked, giving her my leg without hesitation.
“Helping your hot-mess self get undressed,” she crowed, unstrapping my shoe.
“I can do it,” I argued, falling back into the comfy cushions. “Just leave me here.”
“Don’t you want to go to your bed?” Mia asked, standing behind Suzy.
Mia looked like a giant Greek goddess from where I sat. Her long hair moved as if a soft breeze were circulating in the room. Clearly, I was three sheets to the wind and way beyond my limit.
“No, don’t move me,” I begged. “Everything just stopped spinning.”
“Fine.” Suzy stood and smoothed her pretty pink maternity dress.
“Are you sure, love?” Mia asked, tilting her head and staring at me.
“Please just leave me here. Go home to your bossy-ass men and leave me in peace.”
“Love ya, Iz,” Suzy said, patting my leg.
“You’re a crazy whore,” Mia said with a small laugh as she bent down to kiss my cheek. “I love ya too.”
“I love you bitches, but if you don’t get the fuck out, I’m gonna scream.”
They threw their hands up as Mia said, “We’re going. I left aspirin and water next to you. You’re going to need them.”
“Fuck off, bitches.”
The sound of their heels grew softer as they walked toward the front door before I heard the lock engage.
I sighed, happy to be alone in peace as I let my heavy eyelids close and drifted off to sleep.
“Wake up, beautiful,” I heard a man say in my dream. “Isabella.” The deep voice rang in my ear.
As I felt something touch my lips, my eyes flew open to see a pair of green eyes staring back at me.
I blinked, clearing my vision. The alcohol must have clouded more than just my eyes, because he looked like… Fuck. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember his name.
“Am I dreaming?” I asked, reaching up and grabbing his cheek.
“You have to come with me,” he demanded, letting me clumsily paw at his face.
“No,” I said. My head fell back. I was too tired and drunk to deal with this fucked-up dream. “Lemme sleep.”
“Thomas needs you,” the man said, waking me from my dream.
“What?” I asked, sitting straight up and blinking rapidly.
“Come on, girl. He’s hurt and asking for you,” the thick, gravelly voice whispered in my ear.
“Oh my God,” I cried, pushing myself off the couch only to fall back down against the cushions.
Thomas needed me. He was hurt. Thomas needed me. He was hurt. His words kept ringing in my ears as I tried to stagger to my feet.
“Let me help you up,” Green Eyes said, wrapping his arms around me as he lifted me from the couch. “Hurry, Isabella. We don’t have much time.”
“What the fuck are you waiting for?” I asked, laying my head on his chest as he carried me from the house. “I need to get to my brother.”
Those were the last words I spoke before passing out in Green Eyes’s arms.