Sempre (Forever Series #1)(110)

Anger flashed across his face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Afraid she can’t hack it without you?”

“I know she can.”

“So why aren’t you going?”

Carmine glared at him but didn’t respond.

The front door opened, and Dr. DeMarco paused in the entrance to the family room. “I thought you’d be gone by now,” he said, focusing his attention on Carmine. “Aren’t you going to be late?”

Carmine’s expression softened into a pout. “Would you people get off my nuts? I’ll go in a minute.”

Dr. DeMarco walked away while Dominic punched Carmine on the shoulder. “That’s it, be a man! The sooner you leave, the sooner Haven and I can start having fun.”

Carmine rubbed his arm but once again didn’t respond to his brother. Dominic walked out, and Carmine pulled Haven to him. “I’d hide you in my suitcase and take you with me if I could.”

“Don’t worry. Go do some field goals and play some runs.”

“I’m the quarterback, tesoro. I don’t kick field goals. And it’s running plays, not playing runs.”

“Oh. Well, go quarterback.”

He laughed and let go of her. “Don’t let that cafone make you do anything you don’t wanna do.”

“Okay. It’s only a week, so I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t sure who she was reassuring more with her words, him or herself.

He ran his fingertips across her cheek, and kissed her one final time before standing. “I’ll see you later.”

“Good-bye, Carmine,” she said, the words making his steps falter as his shoulders tensed. She thought he was going to turn around and say something to her, but he simply walked out, shaking his head.

She sat quietly in the family room as he grabbed his stuff and headed for the front door. “You’re definitely going to be late,” his father said from the foyer.

“I’m going. Isn’t that enough?”

* * *

Carmine’s bedroom was quiet that night without his presence. Haven tiptoed inside and snatched his favorite pillow off his bed before running to her room. She crawled into bed and snuggled with it. His familiar scent lingered, surrounding her like a warm shroud.

Haven closed her eyes and pleaded for sleep to come quickly.

The next morning, a loud banging ricocheted through the room, and Haven jumped out of bed as Dominic’s voice carried through the door. “Rise and shine!”

She glanced at the clock—a few minutes past seven. She pulled open the door when Dominic knocked again, and he grinned brightly, raising his eyebrows. “Too tired to get changed last night?”

She glanced down and realized she still had her clothes on from the day before. “I didn’t think about it. Why are you up early?”

“Because I’m starving! Breakfast is in order.”

“Did you want me to make you something?”

He laughed. “Of course not. Damn, girl, are you awake yet? Do you really think I’d drag you out of bed so you could cook? We’re going out for breakfast . . . just you and me.”

* * *

Crossroads Diner was packed when they arrived, and much to the dismay of some waiting patrons, Dominic got a table right away. Looking through the menu, Haven ordered French toast while Dominic rattled off a list of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, and toast. She wasn’t surprised because she was used to feeding him, but he smiled sheepishly anyway. “What can I say? I’m a growing boy.”

“I think you’re done growing, Dom.”

He laughed, pushing up his shirtsleeve and flexing his weak muscle. “I need fuel, though. These guns are the only ones I carry and they don’t come naturally, little sis.”

“Little sis,” she said, echoing his words.

“Yeah,” he said. “Someday you might make it official by marrying my shithead little brother.”

She smiled at the thought.

The waitress returned with their food, and the two of them ate. Despite the fact that the place was noisy, a comfortable silence surrounded their table.

“Did you ever think it would be this way?” Dominic asked after a few minutes.

“What way?”

He waved his fork in the air, motioning all around them. “This way. Coming here, having a life, getting a family, meeting Carmine. All of it, really. Did you ever think this would happen?”

She contemplated his question as he took a bite of food. “My mama said I’d end up somewhere like this, but I figured I was given the life I had so the most I could do was get used to it.”

“I can relate,” Dominic said. “Did you know I was adopted?”

She was caught off guard. “No.”

“I am. My real mom . . . well, no, Maura was my real mom in every way that counted. The woman who birthed me was raped, and out I popped.”

Haven’s mouth dropped open. “I was made the same way.”

“I figured,” he said. “See, you and I aren’t that different. None of us are when it comes down to it. The only difference is my mom stumbled upon me at the right time and saved me from what could’ve been a disaster. I wonder all the time where I’d be if they hadn’t taken me in.”