He kissed my hand for what had to be the thousandth time. “Yep. Our lawyer will be here later to help us walk through a few things.”
My forehead crinkled. “Our?”
He swallowed and looked away. Ah, the Romolo Moretti tick, the internal fight between the id and superego. Before he could speak, I pieced it together.
“You’re so chivalrous,” I said and blinked as my eyes misted over. “You’re gonna let me use your lawyer. And pay for it. Aren’t you?” He started to speak. Mr. Perfect with that baritone he lightened to sound more compassionate. I spoke over him. “It’s fine, Rome. Really. And thank you.”
Silence befell us as we stared into each other’s eyes. I had a sudden thankfulness for him followed by a pang of guilt for doing something so careless and stupid. Of course, hindsight gave me perfect clarity on my mistake andwhyit was a mistake. I didn’t have the heart to face Devin. He wouldn’t need to tell me how dumb I was for my actions. All he would have to do is give me one look, the same one our father used to give me.You know better.
A phone chime cut through the quietude. Rome excused himself and fished his phone out of his pocket, then smiled. He flipped it around so I could read.
The Moretti Family group chat. An outpouring of love and support from people I’d only met once. A dozen texts extolling their well wishes and care. A fresh wave of emotion overtook me as Rome scrolled so I could read everything.
I never had a family group chat. I had no cousins to speakof. Both of my parents were single children. I only had one grandparent growing up and she passed before I was declared cancer free. For years, years upon years, Devin and I were all that remained of the Edwards clan. Just two dudes, trying to make it through. He was saved as “Big Bro” in my phone. The only family left.
Until now. Until Rome.
My chin quivered. A lump grew in my throat, swelling with every heartbeat.
I squeezed my eyes shut and rolled my head away, as if I could keep this reaction from Rome.
He put his phone down and grabbed my thigh with one hand and my upper arm with the other. “Hey. You okay? Are you in pain? Should I get the nurse?”
I put my free hand on my face, covering my eyes. A trickle of tears framed my face as my lips pulled down into a frown. “I feel so lucky,” I said. “What did I do to deserve you?”
Rome made a sound at the back of his throat. “What? What are you talking about?”
“You. Your family. You’re all so…amazing. How did I manage to find myself here? With you?”
He half-stood, half-sat. It felt like he wanted to pull me in and cradle me. “I’mthe lucky one, Alex. Are you kidding me? You’re beyond perfect for me.I’mthe one who asks myself that question every day.”
I couldn’t stop the tears. Of course he had the perfect response. “I love you, Rome,” was all I could say. “I love your family.”
The dam burst. With the suddenness of a thunderclap, I realized howstupidI had been to meet Ricky. How close I had come to death. How fortunate I was that Rome had read that email. How lucky I was that he kept a bunch of baseball bats in his trunk. I covered my face with both hands as a cold showerof shame hit me. I crumbled forward as my shoulders shook. I moaned through my fingers.
And then Rome was on the bed with me, his lumbering frame taking up as little space as possible as he pulled me into him. Was he wearing scrubs, I suddenly realized? My sodden face pressed against him as he cradled my head in his hands. He whispered something to me—speaking in Italian, I think. Kissing my hair. Kissing my bandages. He must have saidti amoa hundred times in the span of thirty seconds. I told him how sorry I was to have put us both in this awful situation. He continued to hold me and whispered encouraging words in vain attempts to sooth me. I knew nothing would calm me down in that moment. I simply needed to get it all out.
Before I knew it, another set of hands and arms fell around me. I didn’t have the wherewithal to see who and instead let my supply of tears dry up until it hurt my chest too much to sob. I finally came up for air as the pain hit a crescendo, which forced me to get ahold of my senses.
Devin. Big brother. His brow curled up, a sad smile on his face as he ran a hand through my hair like he used to do when we were kids. “Hey, bro,” he said in a light tone. “Glad to see you awake.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said and reached for him. Rome stepped back and let my brother hold me. I forced myself not to cry. The pain had been too much. Instead, I sank into the moment and let my big brother be just that.
“I’ll be back,” Rome said gently and I nodded. He left us alone.
Devin sat on the bed and gently let me lean back. “Gotta be careful about those ribs,” he said.
“Hurts like hell,” I admitted and laughed through my tears. Devin grabbed a handful of tissues on the stand next to us. I dabbed at my face and nose. “Feel like a blubbering idiot.”
“Youlooklike a blubbering idiot,” Devin said and I attempted to smack him. He undoubtedly saw it coming but let the hit land on his shoulder. “So I’ve finally learned what breaks Romolo Moretti’s serene patience.”
I gurgled out a laugh that hurt my chest. “Oh? And what’s that?”
“You. All it took was an ICU visit and he cracked under the pressure.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Remind me to apologize to the hospital staff on his behalf.”
It was Devin’s turn to chuckle. “People who don’t grow up around hospitals don’t get it. Thought he could just make demands and they would give in.”
