Callie
“I can’t believe he just let you go.” Josh sounded amazed as we rode back to the dorm in a yellow taxi. Troy had been nowhere to be found when I’d left Antonio and gone back into the club. “I thought Jimmy would do to you what he did to Troy.”
“Jimmy did something to Troy?” I asked in surprise, looking over at Josh, whose skin was still pale.
“I’m not sure if he did anything, but he came up with two big, beefy guys and grabbed Troy off the dance floor.” He wrinkled his nose. “Then he looked at me and told me I needed to watch it or I’d be next.”
“They won’t do anything to you.” I reached over and touched his leg, which I immediately realized was a mistake because he shifted toward me and reached down to grab my hand.
“I wanted to protect you,” he said softly as he held it tightly. I bit down on my lower lip and tried not to scream at him. I didn’t want to be rude and tell him to stop touching me, but I didn’t want him to think he could try something with me. This had been the worst day and night of my life.
“I don’t need you to protect me, Josh.” I sighed. “How many times do I have to keep—” I stopped as my phone started ringing. As soon as I saw it was Gia, I answered. I didn’t want to talk to her, but I didn’t want to deal with Josh anymore this evening. I was done with annoying men. “Hey, Gia, you okay?”
“Hey,” she said softly, laughing slightly. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“I’m fine. Just headed back home.”
“Oh wow! You went partying tonight?”
“Not really, but kinda…” I looked over at Josh, who was pouting slightly. I should have known his “I’m cool only being friends” had been an act. “Everything okay?”
“I’m fine.” She sounded annoyed. “Alessandro keeps messaging me.”
“Oh?” I didn’t want to push it because I still didn’t know what had gone down between them.
“Can I come over to your dorm and stay the night?”
“Oh?” I sat back in the taxi, my spidey senses starting to go crazy. Was this a setup?
“I think he’s going to try and come over to my dorm, and I don’t want to talk to him.”
“Um, why would he do that?”
“I think he wants to talk.”
“Okay, about?”
“Nico and Marco Di Lorenzo,” she said as if I should know exactly who they were.
“Um… okay…” My voice trailed off. “Are they famous actors or something?”
“No.” She giggled. “Sorry, sometimes I forget you’re not from our world.”
“Oh, are they two Mafia bosses?”
“Nope. Well, Nico Di Lorenzo is a Mafia boss. He runs Philly. Marco is his younger brother.” She sighed. “I can tell you more at your place.”
“I’m kinda tired, Gia.” I didn’t want to be rude, but after what Valentina had done to me, I didn’t know if I trusted her.
“Oh, okay.” She sounded disappointed. “I understand. I’ll try and call my cousin or something and see if she’s up. You have a good night, okay, Callie?”
“Fine,” I said, feeling bad. “Come over. We’ll be back at the dorm in about fifteen minutes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes! But I really am tired. How long will it take you to get downtown?”
“Um…” She giggled. “Not long.”
“What’s so funny?”
“I’m here already.”
“What?” I wondered if I’d heard her correctly.
“I came over to see if you wanted to hang out, and some guys let me in, but then you didn’t come back and, well, I just wanted to see if you’d be back soon.” She sighed. “Do I sound super shady?”
“A little.” I closed my eyes. “But I do trust you, Gia. Maybe I’m stupid, but you’re my friend, and you helped me at the ball…” My voice trailed off.
“You have to know that I would never betray you in any way, Callie. You’re my first real friend not in this world, which means you’re my first genuine friend. I wouldn’t allow anyone to break up that friendship. It means a lot to me.”
“I know. And I’m glad we’re friends, too. Antonio has just screwed with my head so much…” I paused as I saw Josh rolling his eyes next to me. “Hey, I should go, but I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Okay,” Gia said happily. “Ciao.”
“Bye.” I hung up the phone and held it in my hands. “My friend is sleeping over tonight.”
“Figures,” Josh muttered, and I frowned.
“What’s your deal, Josh?”
“It’s just been a crazy night, and you’ve been flirting with everyone but me, and I’m just wondering what’s up.”
“Who was I flirting with?”
“That guy Troy, and Antonio, and then Jimmy.”
“Jimmy?” I burst out laughing. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw you following him and spying on him and getting all jealous when he was bumping and grinding with that hot redhead.”
“You thought she was hot?” I wrinkled my nose. “I thought she looked kinda trashy.”
“See? You were jealous.”
“Trust me when I say I was not jealous in the least. I couldn’t care less about Jimmy. Though he has seen me naked.” I shook my head as I laughed sarcastically. “Which sucks.”
“Why did he see you naked?” Josh’s voice rose in jealousy.
“It doesn’t matter.” I pressed my lips together. The last thing Josh needed to hear about was how Antonio had been fucking me from behind, and my breasts were bouncing, and Jimmy had gotten a show worthy of a porn star’s Oscar, whatever that would be called.
“You’re really not the girl I thought you were, Callie,” he said, shaking his head. “I thought you were this sweet, innocent bookworm, but you’re a freak, aren’t you?” He licked his lips. “They do say the quiet ones are the most daring and dangerous. Is that why you liked that douchebag? He represented a walk on the dark side to you?”
I knew I had to be concise and curt in my response to Josh. As much as I’d initially hoped we could be good friends, I could see that that wasn’t going to be possible. Josh was still a boy. Immature and childish. I didn’t want to deal with his attitude any more than I’d wanted to deal with Antonio. My brain throbbed as I thought of Antonio. That moment, when he’d been on his knees, his head pressed against me, it had felt surreal. It had felt intimate. I’d seen the real Antonio—one who didn’t know how to process his emotions. At least, that’s what the psychologist in me said. The saner part reminded me that I’d grown up thinking romance novels were true life, and my thoughts could have just been wishful thinking. I wanted to believe that I meant more to him than just a want for revenge. I wanted to believe I’d touched some part of his heart the way he had mine, but I didn’t want to be made a fool twice. I couldn’t handle that.
Silence filled the taxi as Josh turned away from me. Apparently, he now realized he was never getting in my pants again. My attraction to him felt like it was something that had occurred many moons ago. Now that I’d been with Antonio, well, a basic college guy could never compare.
“We’re here,” the driver said as he pulled over and pressed the meter. “That’ll be forty-two dollars, please.” I looked over at Josh, who held a twenty-dollar bill in his hand, and then gave me a look. I sighed as I reached for my wallet. I should have known he’d be a prick once he realized it was a definite no. I pulled out a twenty as well and handed it directly to the driver. I jumped out of the car and could hear the man cussing at Josh as he paid the rest. Not only was he not getting a tip, he wasn’t even getting the full fare, either.
I ran toward the building and punched in the code quickly so I could enter before Josh caught up with me. I didn’t want to talk to him again tonight. I knew if I did, I’d totally go off on him. And I didn’t want our friendship to end that way. It was over, as far as I was concerned, but I didn’t want to be mean. He didn’t deserve that.
I hurried to the elevator and closed my eyes as the doors closed. I felt overwhelmed and totally despondent. I wasn’t even sure how I’d gotten through the last twenty-four hours. How I’d survived and not broken down, given everything that had happened. I was definitely stronger than I’d ever imagined. The sad part was that it didn’t make me happy. I didn’t want to be strong. I didn’t want to develop a thick skin. I didn’t want to see the world in all its ugliness. There was something to be said about living life when you saw the positives in people. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to trust someone now.
The elevator bell dinged, and I was grateful to finally head to my room. As I made my way down the corridor and saw people chatting and laughing, I suddenly wished I had my own apartment. I wished I lived alone. I wished I had a bathroom. A private bathtub that I could soak in. I’d pour in Epsom salts and oils and bubble bath, close my eyes, and imagine I was floating in the ocean. What I wouldn’t give to float in the water under the night sky. I’d stare up at the stars and talk to my mom. My heart ached as I realized I would have loved to have called her then. I would have loved to have her holding me in her arms, telling me it would all be okay. Telling me she loved me. Telling me she’d make everything all right. I stopped suddenly as I thought of Antonio and his mother. His mother had been stolen from him as a young boy. And it was all due to my dad. I thought about my own mom. What if the situation had been reversed? What if his dad and my mom had been having an affair? What if his dad had killed my mom? Would I have wanted revenge? Would I have done anything in my power? My head pounded as the answer came to me instantly.
“There you are, Callie.” Gia popped out of nowhere, wearing a cute red hoodie and skinny blue jeans. She gave me a quick hug and looked at me carefully. “Oh boy, you do look tired.”
“Thanks.” I laughed, rubbing my eyes. “Is that your way of telling me I look like shit?”
“You could never look like shit. You’re beautiful.” She grinned as we walked into my dorm room. I noted that Valentina’s bed was still the same. Not that I’d anticipated her coming back. I’d be shocked if she ever set foot in the building again.
“You’re too sweet, but I’m glad you’re here.” I yawned heavily, and I could feel my eyes drooping. “Though I’m sad to say I don’t think much of a conversation will be had tonight. I’m knackered.”
“That’s okay, doll. I’m tired as well.” She looked over at Valentina’s bed. “Should I sleep there or…?” She looked at my twin bed and frowned. “Not very big, is it?”
“No.” I laughed. “And as much as I love you, girl, I don’t need you all over me tonight.”
“Don’t worry.” She giggled. “I prefer my bedmates to be male.”
“So do I.” I laughed but then stopped as my heart pounded. The only real bedmate I’d had was Antonio, and look where that had taken me. I sank down on my bed, knowing I should change my clothes first, but I was too tired.
“Sweet dreams, Callie,” Gia said as she sat on Valentina’s bed. “We can talk in the morning.”
“Yes,” I murmured as sleep overtook me. “I have so much to tell you.” My phone beeped, and I pulled it out of my pocket. I blinked as I gazed at the screen. It was Antonio. I growled at the screen, though I still read the text.
Antonio: Did you get home okay?
Me: I'm fine.
Antonio: You're in bed, safe and sound?
Me: I'm naked, waiting on Josh to…
Antonio: Callie.
Me: Stop texting me.
Antonio: Don’t make me come over there.
Me: Don't make me call the police on you.
Antonio: Try it.
Me: I'm going to block you.
Antonio: Try it.
“You’re so annoying.” I glared at the screen and looked over at Gia, who was staring at me with a curious expression on her face. “It’s Antonio.”
“So you’re still texting him?”
“I’m about to block his ass.”
“I blocked Alessandro, and he still gets through.” She made a face, and I rolled over on my side to look at her through hazy eyes. “I thought you were going to sleep, girl.”
“I did as well.” I groaned slightly. “I’m tired, but…”
“But Antonio’s text got you mad, and now your brain is running a million miles a minute and making you anxious and you can’t sleep.”
“Something like that.” I smiled lazily. “I take it you know the feeling well.”
“Yeah…” Her voice trailed off as she moved onto her back and looked up at the ceiling. “Those Marchesi brothers will drive you crazy.”
“Did you and Alessandro date?” I asked her bravely, hoping she wouldn’t think I was being too nosy.
“Oh, hell no.” She sounded aghast, like she thought that would have been a fate worse than death. “We were just friends for a long time… best friends.”
“And the friendship ended?”
“Yeah.” She took a deep breath. “I know you’re curious as to what happened, but it’s complicated and still a little painful.” She turned back to face me. “And it’s so stupid that it’s not even worth talking about. Though I still stand by my comment. The Marchesi brothers are bad news. Stay far away. Far, far away.”
“Antonio took my virginity,” I said quickly, the words rushing out of my mouth in acute embarrassment. It wasn’t that I felt like a slut or anything, but I felt like I’d moved fast. I hadn’t used much discretion in deciding he’d be my first.
“Oh, wow.” Gia sat upright, her eyes wide. “I wasn’t expecting you to say that, but I suppose they call Antonio a wolf for a reason. He really just goes for it, huh?”
“I guess so.” I made a face. “But I wasn’t exactly protesting.” I blushed slightly as I recalled just how eager I’d been. “He’s hot and—”
“Girl, you do not need to explain to me.” She grinned. “I may think they’re both douchebags, but I’m human. I can see how hot they are. It’s just a pity that they know it and so many women throw themselves at them.”
“It’s disgusting.” I bit down on my lower lip. “And Antonio is a right asshole.”
“You going to tell me exactly what happened or…?” She raised an eyebrow, and I stared at her for a few seconds and then nodded.
“Be prepared for a wild ride,” I said softly. “The bumps on this ride are crazy.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” she said with a slight, ironic laugh. “Trust me when I say I’ve heard it all. When you grow up in this world, you see almost everything.”
“Well, let’s start at the beginning.” I leaned back against the wall. “And the fact that my dad and Antonio’s mom had an affair.” Gia gasped in shock, and I nodded in dismay as I continued. I was tired, but I really needed to tell all to someone in person that wasn’t trying to get into my pants. And even though I didn’t know Gia well, I intrinsically trusted her.