She’s reignited my love for racing, and I race for her now, to see her joyful from my successes.
She’s shown me how to use that organ in my chest in a way I’ve never experienced before in my life.
She’s given me endless reasons to smile, and I have no intention of ever hiding them from her again.
She’s blurred out the rest of the world, the haters and reporters that try to make me feel horrible about myself.
There are a million other ways she’s jump-started my life, but I shake my head to force them all away. I already care enough about Chiara without overthinking my feelings until they get stronger and start terrifying me.
I knock on my brother’s door, waiting for anyone to open it and tell me why the hell I had to rip myself off Chiara’s side to come here. According to Jack, it was urgent, and I had to come straight away. Luckily, Starling was sleeping, so I could sneak away with the hope of returning before she wakes. I left a note in case she does, but I’m going to make this as short as possible. I love my family, but Chiara has priority.
Lizzie opens the door. She flashes me a bright smile, so I lean down to pick her up and place her on my hip. Her little arms wrap around me as she tells me how much she’s missed me. I give her a squeeze before dropping her back onto her feet because, as well as they have been healing, my ribs still hurt like hell. Not that I would ever tell anyone that. The doctor cleared me for the race next weekend, a race we have to fly to Italy for on Saturday. Dino gave Chiara an amazing opportunity, so we have to be there a little early for her to familiarise herself with the gallery and rehearse her immersive show. She’ll have to make sure everything works well together, but I have no doubt it will be perfect.
“Where are your dads?” I ask Lizzie, who takes my hand and leads me inside their small house.
“They're waiting in the kitchen for you.” Waiting. Interesting. I have half a mind to turn on my heels and leave this house at once. Whatever they have summoned me for is about Chiara and me. I’m not stupid. I can feel it deep in my bones.
“Brilliant,” I blurt out, and Lizzie giggles as she pulls on my arm. For a brief moment, I’m overcome by love for my little niece and her always happy mood.
“You’re in trouble,” she says to me as she tilts her head up, her freckles perfectly painted across the bridge of her nose and her cheeks.
“I know,” I assure her, dreading the conversation that is about to follow. That’s what I get for dodging their calls for the past week.
“I think it’s about Chiara. I overheard them talking,” Liz goes on, and I narrow my eyes at her.
“Are you becoming a little spy?” I ask, and she tugs on my hand.
“Don’t tell my daddies,” she says, and I give her my word I would never. It’s good if she knows things like this so she can prepare me for what’s to come.
Jack and Stu are sitting at their kitchen table, cups of tea in front of them while they both wait for me to approach them. I let out a sigh, and Lizzie lets go of my hand and leaves the room, yelling something about going to play with her dolls. I debate going with her for a moment because I’d rather play dolls than listen to whatever shit they’re going to throw at my head. I have no patience for this. Chiara could wake up at any minute, and I—
“Sit,” Jack says, his voice firm with a little hint of anger. Surprise pushes me forward until I’m doing what he wants me to.
“Is this the intervention bullshit people do?” I ask and grab a scone I’m sure Stu made for me with vegan products. I give him a questioning look, and he assures me of my suspicions when he gives me a small nod.
I look at both of them while taking a bite. My brother looks tired, but I’m assuming it’s because he didn’t sleep on the plane last night. Stu, Jack, and Lizzie just got back from a trip to India where they visited Stu’s grandparents. It also allowed my brother’s partner to reconnect with his roots, something he’s wanted to do for a long time now. I study Stu’s deep brown eyes for any signs of exhaustion, but he looks well-rested in comparison to my brother.
“It’s not an intervention, but it’s time we talked about you and Chiara, don’t you think?” I knew it was coming, but the mention of her name still makes my heart tumble in my chest.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” I’m really not. Nothing is going on between Chiara and me romantically.
Fuck, even I know that’s a lie.
“What game are you playing with her, huh? You two used to hate each other, couldn’t be in a room without fighting about something stupid, but now? You look at her like there is no one more important in the world,” Jack says, sending me spiraling into my thoughts.
There isn’t…
“Chiara and I are roommates and she works for me. We spend most of our days together. It’s inevitable to grow closer in some ways,” I explain, but I’m keeping so many emotions bottled up, I would very much like to take out the cork and let them spray everywhere like champagne.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell us, but we’re here for you,” Stu chimes in, and I give him a blink to acknowledge his words, nothing more. I hate talking about feelings. I’m horrifyingly bad at it, so unlike my dad, mom, and brothers.
“Leonard, I love you, you know I do, but Chiara is family too. She’s important to all of us, and I need to know what the bloody hell you’re doing. Are you playing her?” Jack says. My spine goes rigid, and I lean forward on the table, the scone in my hand crumbling into a million pieces.
“Excuse me?” His words feel foul in my ears, the way they hit my brain is almost worse.
“Are you playing mind games with Chiara?” Jack asks, and I let go of the crumbled mess in my hands, grabbing a napkin to clean them.
“You dragged me away from Chiara while she’s sick to ask me if I’m playing mind games on the woman that has me wrapped around her bloody finger?” I stand up, but surprise has widened both of their facial features. “I’m leaving,” I say, but Jack clears his throat and places his hand on the table, gently but as a warning.
