Chapter Twenty-Six
Reality Hits
Lorenzo
I woke up about noon and jumped in the shower. Victoria was sound asleep. I think I managed to stay still last night. She wasn’t curled in the corner away from me so that was a good sign.
Last night went better than I’d hoped. I wasn’t going to wake her anytime soon. She needed her rest. Maria was going to be on a warpath in the coming week, with final wedding details. I knew she already had my Tuesday booked.
I was in jeans and a t-shirt and out of the room, before I could make too much noise and wake Victoria. Chris and Angie were at the little dinette table, looking hungry. I laughed to myself.
Thank goodness I got the cousin that could cook. Chris could make his way around the kitchen just fine, so I had no idea what his problem was.
“You two are the worse,” I said, as I pulled supplies out to make breakfast.
“Dude, I didn’t want to eat anything I shouldn’t,” Chris chuckled.
“Right, and that stopped you before…when?” I teased.
“Is Vic still sleep?” Angie asked. “I don’t want to stay too late, but I want to get some time with her.”
“Sorry, Ang, she’s wiped out. Give her some time, she’ll get up,” I told her.
“No problem, I guess Chris will have to do for now,” she teased.
“Where’s the love, Babe? I thought you missed me?” he said, with mock shock on his face.
“Oh, please, Chris. I do miss you. I miss everyone. Matt and Martina are so far away and you guys are always busy or whatever is going on,” she sighed and frowned. “I’m all by myself this year.”
“If you’re that bored, you should come home school with me,” Victoria yarned, as she cut the corner.
“I wish. Hey, we didn’t wake you, did we?” Angie asked, looking at Victoria.
“No, Lo wasn’t being as quiet as he thought. It was cute that he tried,” Victoria giggled.
“Sorry, Baby,” I said. “I was trying to be quiet.”
“I know… it’s okay. Do you want me to do breakfast?” she asked.
“Nope, got it,” I said as I cracked some eggs into a bowl. Victoria strolled into the kitchen anyway, coming up behind me. I leaned back and kissed her nose. “How did you sleep?”
“Like a baby. Thank you,” she said, as she put her arms around me and pressed her face to my back. “You even behaved yourself, surprisingly. Not even an elbow in my back. Or at least, I didn’t feel it,” she giggled.
“Funny,” I replied, sarcastically.
“Hey, could you let him make our breakfast, woman,” Chris called.
“Shut up, Chris,” Victoria and I chided in unison.
Everyone laughed. I had my family all together with me, it felt nice. Victoria and Angie were giggling about the bridal shower, while I finished up the eggs and some turkey bacon.
I was in the mood for French toast, so I had that going as well. Chris tried to get the scoop on what they did last night. Fortunately for him, Angie was little miss info.
“Oh, my goodness it was so funny. Lo’s aunts were following Vic all over the place. They were giving her tips on how to keep her husband, ‘happy.’” Angie motioned air quotes and roared with laughter. “You should see the gifts they bought her. I guess they wanted to make sure she followed their advice. Oh, but that wasn’t the best part. One of the strippers had a crush on Vic.”
My head snapped up with that comment. I had no idea they were going to have a stripper. What did she mean one of? I saw Victoria shaking her head at Angie, while mouthing, no.
That pissed me off more. She wasn’t going to tell me, was she? Angie was too busy laughing and talking to Chris, to notice Victoria.
“He was all over Vic. You had to see her face. She was hiding behind Maria and Sharon until they finished dancing. That didn’t stop him though, he asked Lisa Vic’s age and if she was really getting married? He was a pig. He kept grabbing at her butt. I think he gave Lisa his number for her.”
“Ang!” Victoria screamed.
“What, Vic, it was funny. The other stripper thought you were cute too.”
“Angela, please,” Victoria roared and turned to look at me.
I almost burned the French toast. I watched Victoria the whole time, as she shook head for Angie to stop. I finished what I was doing and made everyone a plate.
I took the food to the table in silence, but I knew everyone could see the steam coming off of me. When I placed Victoria’s food in front of her, she reached for my arm, but I pulled away.
“Lo, please, don’t be like that,” she pleaded. “I wasn’t interested in him.”
“Whatever,” I said, through my teeth.
“Wow, Lo, you’re really mad at me about this,” she whined. “Babe, I didn’t even want him next to me. I was furious…you don’t even touch me the way he was trying to.”
“Exactly Victoria, and you weren’t even going to tell me were you,” I growled at her.
“No, Lo, I wasn’t just because of this.” She said, pouting. “Lo, I didn’t throw the party or hire the strippers. I did everything I could to get away from him. I didn’t want him touching what belongs to you. Now you’re going to be mad at me…for what?”
“For not telling me, that’s for what,” I hissed. “I don’t care about the rest. Yeah, I’m pissed he touched you, but I’m more pissed you were going to just act like nothing happened. Was that what made the party so perfect…being groped?”
“Wow. Lorenzo.” Victoria narrowed her eyes and pushed the plate away. “Don’t bother with that house, unless you like living in huge places alone.”
She got up from the table to walk away, as I realized what I said was harsh. I slid my chair back and grabbed the back of her t-shirt, pulling her back to my lap. Victoria struggled and tried to get up, but I locked my arms around her and pressed my face into her neck.
“Sorry,” I breathed, as I kissed her neck lightly. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Lorenzo, just get off me,” she yelled.
“No,” I whispered, with an edge in my voice. “I’m sorry, please, calm down.”
“I’ll calm down when my bags are packed and I’m away from you,” she growled back.
“Well, I guess we’ll be sitting like this for a very long time,” I said, as I tighten my grip.
“Lorenzo, don’t make me hurt you,” she yelled. “Let me go.”
“No,” I insisted. “You’re not going to hurt anyone. I said sorry, Baby, relax. I went too far. I’m sorry.”
“Okay, Lorenzo…you’ll let me go. You want to know what happened, the cutest stripper out of the four. The one that looked like an underwear model, grabbed my butt and brushed up against my breasts. He even tried to lick my face. Now that I’m not marrying you, I just might get his number and let him.”
I wanted to snap his neck and for a brief moment, hers. She was trying to make me mad, with much success. I still held on to her, tightening my grip a little more. She stopped squirming, sitting still, as she stared in my face. Her little face all twisted and angry. I wanted to laugh at her, but I was still too pissed off to try.
“Vic, don’t you think you’re going a little too far?” Angie asked, a little above a whisper.
“Don’t you think you did enough talking?” Victoria fired back. “Lorenzo, have you had enough or do you want to know more?”
“You can keep going,” I called her bluff. If Victoria was fighting me this much, there’s no way one guy got away with half of what she was implying.
Her eyes blazed at me. “Ugh! Just get off me,” she yelled.
“What? There’s no more to tell? Because my bachelor party is next week and I want to make sure I don’t disappoint,” I teased keeping my voice nice and smooth.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she said narrowing her eyes at me. “Lo, what I did to Sabrina would be preschool next to what I’ll….”
“I thought you weren’t marrying me. What do you care?” I cut her off causally.
“Lo, get off me. I don’t care. I’ll give you a ride to the strip club.”
“No. I’ll let you go when you kiss me and tell me you forgive me.”
“Well, I hope I put on a couple of pounds. I don’t want you to feel comfortable at all,” she grumbled and wiggled her butt in my lap, trying to press all her weight down on me.
“Actually, you did,” I said with a grin. She shot me the evil, as her mouth fell open. “I like it.” I winked at her.
She was good and pissed now. I kissed her neck, but she pulled away as far as she could. I just sat, watching her pout. Victoria would calm down soon enough.
I didn’t want her to leave, even if I was mad. Chris finished his breakfast and sat back watching us squabble. Angie looked sorry for opening her mouth. She was the first to make a sound.
“Lo, Vic, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to start a fight. I miss you guys. Please don’t ruin the little time I get with you. Vic, you know your temper is just as bad as Lo’s. You would’ve reacted the same way.”
“I thought I told you to shut up. Or maybe I didn’t say it the right way, shut up, Angie,” Victoria hissed.
“Fine,” Angie whined.
“Baby, she’s right. You’ll be mad tonight when she’s gone and you wasted time you could’ve had with her.”
“No, I won’t… she can stay with me tonight and I’ll drive her to school in the morning,” Victoria said smugly. “Maria and my dad won’t mind her staying at their house with me.”
“Ha, ha, that would be the case if you were staying with them,” I hissed. She was being stubborn and getting on my nerves. “Victoria, get over it. I love you and you drive me insane, which makes me say things I shouldn’t. I’m sorry.”
Victoria made a face at me, as I watched her think about that. She kissed me on the lips. “I forgive you,” she said too kindly.
“Yeah, sure,” I rolled my eyes. “I so believe you.”
“You said to say it. You didn’t say I had to mean it,” she chimed.
“Ouch, Baby, I thought you loved me.”
“I did, before I knew you were a jerk.”
“Wow, so you really don’t want the house? I was going to tell you later, but my father already put in an offer last night. Amy really wants that commission, she called him when she got to her office.”
“I want the house. I just don’t want you.” She soaked.
“Aw, I still want you,” I crooned. “The house is sort of a package deal. I come with it and since the offer was accepted, I kind of own it now. You wouldn’t make me live there alone, would you?”
Victoria’s whole face changed. I know how much she wanted that house. I was saving the news for when we were home alone, but this was going to have to be the right time.
Forgetting about everything, she threw her arms around my neck. Victoria kissed me and meant it this time. I loosened my hold on her, so it was less aggressive. The tension between us melted away.
“Really, Lo, you’re not just saying that because I’m mad at you?” she asked with tears in her eyes. “It’s ours? You promise?”
“Yes, Baby, I promise. I was going to tell you tonight when everyone went home,” I said with a big grin. “My dad knows the builder, we got a great deal and the inspectors are going out tomorrow. You still mad at me?”
“No… well, maybe a little, but I won’t hurt you today. I forgive you.”
“I’m sorry,” I said and kissed her. “Can I eat now?”
“No one was ever stopping you,” she frowned at me and jumped off my lap.
“Okay, so you guys are moving? Where to now? I hope it’s not far?” Chris riffled off.
“Relax, Chris. Lo is bringing me back to Jersey,” Victoria beamed.
“Really!” Angie almost sang.
“Yeah, I don’t know if Victoria realized, but we won’t be far from Chris’s parents,” I replied.
“No, I didn’t,” Victoria quirked a brow. “Great, now Chris can eat before he comes over,” she chuckled, as she shoved her cold food in her mouth.
“Nope, just means more options,” Chris shot back.
“This is great, my family is coming home,” Angie chimed. “Seriously, I’m sorry guys. I do talk too much sometimes.”
“You think?” Victoria said sarcastically.
We were all back to joking and laughing in no time. I was still a little annoyed that Victoria wasn’t going to tell me everything. However, when I thought about how I reacted, I could see why she wasn’t going to.
We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in the living room. Victoria and Angie had one of the laptops out looking at furniture for the new place. It made me happy to see she was already working on making it home. I’ll have to thank my father for working so fast on that for me.
Victoria had fallen asleep in my arms, while we were watching a movie. Angie needed to get home and Chris’s parents were demanding that he meet them in the city for dinner tonight. He wouldn’t be able to give Angie a ride home.
Angie felt bad about waking Victoria. After debating on what to do for a while, I told Angie to take Victoria’s truck. We could pick it up on Tuesday. I couldn’t see anything wrong with that. We still had three more cars downstairs.
Chris and Angie headed out, while Victoria was still asleep. I carried her into the room and put her in the bed, so I could get some studying done. I had a little catching up to do, but nothing too serious.
I threw on some pasta, while I worked on reading my textbook. I figured Victoria would be hungry when she woke up. I was drained.
The whole weekend had me ready to go curl up next to Victoria, but I had to get something done. I’d been sitting with my books for two hours, not realizing the time. I had told Angie to call me when she got home.
She should’ve been there a long time ago. Angie is pretty much a loose cannon, so I decided to give her another half hour or so. She probably called Chris by now.
I tried to get back into my studying, but it was really bothering me that she didn’t call yet. I decided a text to Chris would let me know if she called him. While I text him, I went to look for Victoria’s phone to see if Angie may be called or text her.
I sent my text and found Victoria’s phone, but there was nothing. Chris text me back an urgent text, telling me she hadn’t called or text him. He’d been calling her for a half hour now, trying to reach her.
I felt like someone had cut off my air supply. I had given her Victoria’s car. The same car Victoria was seen in the day before. What had I done? No one knew to follow Angie around. She wasn’t in danger before coming here, before being with Victoria.
I kept feeling in my gut that things were too quiet, but we weren’t leaving any openings. At least, I wasn’t, not until now. How could I be so stupid?
All I could see was Victoria’s face. The same face the girl that I couldn’t reach owned. The same face my best friend loved, on the girl I’ve just put in danger. My mind was screaming at me.
I was frozen in the middle of the living room, as my phone rang. I felt a little relief, it had to be her. Angie was safe, I had overreacted. I just needed to be more careful, make better decisions.
Nope, wrong again.