Part 5 (2/2)
”How'd he take it?”
”Shocked, angry, disgusted with Chaz.”
”Has he talked to Ash about it?”
”No, they stay well clear of each other now. Remember I told ja Ash kicked Sledge out a few months back?”
”Yeah, you mentioned they had an argument.”
”An argument?” Dante shook his head. ”I must've been tripping that day, cos that's the understatement of the century. Sledge and his mate attacked one of Ash's friends, so Ash took it upon himself to enact justice. I had to pull him offa Sledge, cos he wouldn't stop bas.h.i.+ng him.”
Tiana's eyes went wide. ”Angelo, go outside and play.”
”But, I wanna watch SpongeBob!”
”Out. Now!”
Angelo pulled a face at his mother, then ran out the backdoor, yelling that she was mean to him.
Tiana refocused on Dante. ”I can't believe either of them did that, but Ash... I thought of all people he would know better, especially after how your dad used to beat him up.”
Dante sighed. ”My dad wuz ill when he hurt Ash, but he did try to make up for it, and he's not such a bad guy now, he just needs help at times.”
”Still, it doesn't excuse what he did to Ash, nor what Ash did to Sledge. Sledge is just a kid.”
”No, he's not. Sledge is a big b.u.g.g.e.r, even taller than me and Ash now.”
”Really?”
”Yeah, I guess he doesn't visit you guys.”
”I haven't seen him since we moved out of Claydon.”
Dante shook his head, disgusted with Sledge. ”I'll have a word with him, cos that's not on. And don't mention anything to Ash either, cos he feels bad enough over what happened. He tried to make up for it, begged his mate not to press charges against Sledge, which at least kept the b.u.g.g.e.r outta prison.”
”Not like I see Ash anyway, so it won't be a problem.”
Dante frowned. ”Only cos you take off with Angelo every time he comes to visit. You shouldn't do that, Ash has a right to see his son.”
Tiana ran a hand over her face, looking like she wanted to cry.
Dante squeezed her knee. ”You shouldn't run, it hurts him, and he misses Angelo like crazy, and you too. You do know he still loves you, don't you?”
She shook her head. ”I don't think so.”
”It's true, he does.”
”If he did he wouldn't be with Beth.”
”He's only with her cos you left him. And he'd drop her in a second for you.”
”Doubt it, he let her move in.”
”Cos she pestered him, and she isn't right for him; she doesn't love him like you do.”
Tiana shook her head again. ”It doesn't matter what I feel, I can't live in that house anymore. I hafta do what's right for Angelo, and that's to be away from what your family does.”
”What your family does. You're part of the family whether you like it or not.”
”No, I'm not, cos I don't get a say. And if Ash left the business-like I asked him to, we wouldn't be having this discussion now.”
”You know he tried to, but the boss has got him by the short and curlies. If he doesn't work for Craven that b.a.s.t.a.r.d will send out his thugs to take Angelo.”
Tiana screwed up her face. Dante put an arm around her shoulders and pulled him in close, giving her head a kiss. ”Don't cry, sis.”
Tiana wiped her eyes. ”I miss him.”
”I know you do, which is why I don't understand why you two can't sort out a compromise.”
”He has Beth.”
”I told you my opinions on her.”
”If he left her, then...” she sighed. ”It doesn't matter; it's better this way.”
”No, it's not. You love Ash, he loves you, and poor Beth is caught in the middle. He's making her miserable. Sometimes I don't even think he likes her, just lets her hang around.”
”Why do you care 'bout how she feels? She's horrible to you. She's a horrible person all round.”
”No, she's not, she's lonely. I see it. I know what it looks like,” feels like. ”You should see her face when Ash ignores her. She asks him a question and it's like she hasn't even spoken. I don't think he does it intentionally, it's just... He gets too wrapped up in his thoughts and he doesn't see what's around him sometimes, or how it hurts people. I thought he wuz having hearing problems to start with, but it's just him, he's off in his own world. Please, T, go see him. Stop this now, it's not just you and Ash hurting here, it's Beth,” and me ”as well.”
”I...” She breathed out. ”Just gimme some time to think 'bout it. It hurts seein' him. All I want...” She shook her head, her face pained. ”I hafta think 'bout what's best for Angelo.”
”Which is for you and Ash to get back together.”
She dropped her gaze again. ”We'll see.”
Dante nodded. Although it was a small concession, he felt like he'd made a breakthrough.
”Where's Ash now?” Tiana asked.
”At work.”
She glanced up, her expression wishful. ”Do ya think Craven will ever let you two quit the business?”
”Dunno. Plus, if he did, I'm not sure I could give it up. Unlike Ash, I only know how to deal. That's pretty pathetic, which is ironic, considering how I went mad at Beth earlier. Guess she's right, I am pathetic.”
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