Part 5 (2/2)

Good! Now get your a.s.s home and stay the h.e.l.l off the streets tonight.

I grabbed my bag and flung it into my trunk, cursing under my breath the whole time. I should have told Coach that the goon was part of Mikes plan to use the team, but the Coach was right, I needed to think of the welfare of the team. Each one of those guys worked their a.s.ses off to get where we were, they deserved to go to the champions.h.i.+p, and I would be d.a.m.ned if I was going to throw that away for leather-face and Mike Richardson. I was going to fight back. I was going to stand my ground, no matter what it took.

Chapter Nine.

Mallory I felt the cold stone on my fingertip as I traced the letters and numbers that had been carved out of the gray granite rocks surface. Their edges had begun to smooth with the variants of weather. Rain, snow, and wind all took toll on the dual headstone after five years.

Ma, Pops, I smiled as I talked out loud, gazing at the photos that were inset on either side of the stone. I wish you were still here so you could tell me what to do.

I let my eyes dart to my car, then back to the stone. I felt foolish, sitting there in the gra.s.s of the cemetery talking to pictures, but I needed to talk, and there wasnt really anyone around that I could be completely honest with. I touched my mothers face. Ma, hes so good looking. I think you would have liked him”and he can cook. I laughed. And Pops, he plays sports, you could have placed some nice bets on him with your buddies, for sure. I mean, I havent exactly seen him play yet, but I think he might be good, real good.

I sighed and pulled at some blades of gra.s.s. The sun was setting, and I rubbed at my arms. It isnt easy to find a good man in Elizabeth anymore. Giovanni is never around anymore, and Im in that house all by myself most nights. It would be nice to have some company, ya know?

I touched my fathers picture. I dont know if I should trust him, Pops. I mean, you make every man pale in comparison, the way you loved Ma. How do I know if hes the right one? How do I know he isnt going to throw me aside for the next girl that catches his eye?

I looked at my parents as they stared back at me with their eternal expressions. Les says I should go with it, see where it leads, but we all know Leslies track record. I wish you could give me an answer. I mean, I feel him with me, like hes always around, and I havent known him but a few days, but I havent felt someones presence in my life like this, well since you left.

I felt a hot tear sting the corner of my eyes, and I quickly brushed the back of my hand over my face and looked to the sky to hold back the tears.

When Ma and Pops died five years ago in a car accident, I cried every day for a month, and then I cried at every holiday for the first year, and their birthdays, and my birthday for the next two. Now, I only cried when I came here, but I was managing to hold that back better. It almost felt like an obligatory ritual. I wish you could meet him. If you met him, then you could tell me. If he was hered.a.m.n it. I swiped at my eyes again and tried to concentrate on the other stones.

My breath caught in my throat when I realized I wasnt alone. I mean, I knew my parents and the family members of others were around me, but I wasnt the only living person in the cemetery that evening. I tried to focus on the person. Were they hearing me gus.h.i.+ng to my deceased parents? Ugh, I felt silly and embarra.s.sed. I laid a kiss from my fingertips to each of my parents pictures and started towards my car. Unfortunately, in order to get to my car, I had to walk right by the newcomer. I kept my head down and took quick-paced steps to reach my car without being noticed and being respectful to the person who was also obviously grieving. But then I heard footsteps stop.

Mallory? Is that you, Mallory?

My head snapped around at the sound of Adrians voice. Did I slip and fall, hitting my head on a gravestone? How was he standing here? Why was he standing here? I stood still, caught partway between my car and Adrian. Do I keep going and let him be or do I have a conversation with him, here in the cemetery? What do I say, who are you visiting?

Adrian rescued me. I wasnt expecting to see you. Doyou have family buried here?

I nodded.

Yeah, me too.

There was a pause, but it was peaceful between us. He was making me more comfortable. How could he do that so easily? I pointed toward where I had traveled from My parents are over there.

His eyes went wide. I didnt know. Im sorry.

I shook my head and pinched my lips in between my teeth. Thank you. It was a while ago. I took a step toward him. He was standing beside a small headstone with the name Maxwell engraved on it. Under that were the words Beloved Son and a date. I wasnt sure what to say. It could be any of his male relatives, or, and I hesitated to even think it, this grave could be for his own son. It wasnt out of the realm of possibility. He was twenty-five, and hed been in a lot of relations.h.i.+ps. At least, thats what the world seemed to see.

Again, when I couldnt find the words to ask, Adrian spoke for me. This is my brother Alex. He snaked his arm around my waist. Alex, this is Mallory.

I smiled. You talk to him?

All the time. Whenever I need to hash out a problem, Ill stop by and have a brother-to-brother moment. It helps me to think things through with some level-headedness, instead of making jump decisions or acting irrationally.

Thats nice. I sometimes come up here to talk with my parents, too, when no one else is around, or I think no one would get me.

Adrian gave my waist a small squeeze. When he was alive, we fought like Irish banshees. Hed p.i.s.s me off, Id kick the c.r.a.p out of him, and then our parents would make us sit at the table and hash it all out until we found an even playing ground we both could live with. I think he really resented being pushed around like that. He was a stubborn a.s.s, sometimes.

I shuffled my feet wanting to ask Adrian what had happened, but wasnt sure if I should. People knew about my parents”it had been headline news when the accident happened, and being that my father was a big figure in the doings of certain activities, it was big news on the streets in New Jersey. My parents pa.s.sed away in a car accident. They were run off the road by a man with some real mental issues. He thought they were following him, even though they were in front of him. Drove them off the side of an embankment, they were both killed instantly.

I watched as Adrian ran his fingers through his hair. Maybe I had explained too much. Oh G.o.d, what if his brother also died in a car accident or was mentally unstable? My stupid stream of conscious mouth never shuts up. Im sorry. I didnt mean to upset you. I said in a meek tone.

He wrapped me in his arms and kissed the top of my head. That must have been so difficult for you. Im the one whos sorry, Mallory.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of his freshly showered skin. Alex died from alcohol poisoning. He started drinking when he was a teenager, and no matter what we did, he couldnt stop. Even when his liver was compromised and he was hospitalized, he just couldnt stop. My parents tried to save him, got him treatment, made promises, gave him ultimatums. The disease was stronger than all of us.

I looked up in his face and those glorious, green eyes were shadowed and wet. I stretched up on my tip-toes to get as close to his face as I could and I kissed his cheeks. Im sorry. You didnt have to tell me that. It must have been difficult for you to deal with, seeing your brother destroy himself when you cant save him. I knew that feeling. I held him close and could feel his heart beating in his chest.

I forgave him a long time ago. I know he tried, he just wasnt strong enough. The flowers you arranged for me that first day, those were for Alex. I hope he knows I forgive him, and that he actually contributed to my success. His death is what drove me to clean up my act and get serious about my career. I wanted to be able to support my parents after all they did”not just for Alex, but for me as well.

I thought I was going to cry. Adrian was a compa.s.sionate, caring man. How could I have ever thought he would use me? People only saw the media image of him. I had to believe this was the real Adrian. And thats when I knew he was what I wanted. I should head back. I havent been home since, I felt the heat rise in my cheeks as I thought about the last time I was home, perched up on my kitchen sink. Well, since you were there this morning. I felt the timid smile playing on my lips.

Okay. Im going to stay here a bit longer, but can I call you later? he asked in a thoughtful tone that was oddly weird for his usual alpha demeanor.

Are you okay?

Adrian nodded and cupped my face placing a feather light kiss to my lips. With you, I am perfect. I just need to think through a few things before I leave. Okay?

I nodded my head in his hands, not wanting to leave him or feel his fingers lift from my skin. Here, before I forget, let me put my number in your phone.

I waved to him as I walked down the slight slope to my car. Through my window, I could see him, with his back to me, his head hanging low as he talked to Alex. My heart ached for us both as I pulled away from the curb and started around the curve towards the exit of the cemetery.

What the h.e.l.l? I yelled in the confines of my car, once I had rounded the corner. Standing in front of me, directly in my path was my brother, Giovanni.

I slammed on my brakes, inches from running my b.u.mper into his kneecaps. My knuckles were white with the death grip I had on my steering wheel. I sucked in a lungful of air and let a moment pa.s.s as I traveled out of the shock of what nearly happened.

Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, Giovanni! What the h.e.l.l are you doing? I could have killed you! I screamed, getting out of my car and leaving the drivers side door open in the middle of the cemetery road. You a.s.shole. My small fist struck his chest beneath his leather jacket.

Giovannis hands gripped my forearms, and he shook me. Nice family reunion. What the f.u.c.k are you doing here?

I looked at him, astonished, taking a step back. Im visiting our parents. Did you forget theyre buried here? If you took one f.u.c.king moment out of your selfish life and paid them a visit, you might remember that. I yanked my arms out of his grip and rubbed at the bruising skin. You think theyd be proud of you running around with Luca and Nick every d.a.m.n day, and me not knowing if you are dead or alive or dumped in the f.u.c.king river? Pops would kick your a.s.s.

He ran his hand over his face and took an aggressive step forward. I meant, what the f.u.c.k are you doing with Adrian Maxwell?

I opened my mouth to lay into him again, and then I registered the words that were coming out of his mouth. What? What are you talking about? Oh my G.o.d, you f.u.c.king jerk, did you tap the house?

Giovannis eyes were on fire. Hes been in our house?

I drew back and opened my mouth indignantly. My house, Giovanni, its my house.

<script>