He cracks his knuckles at his sides. A sign he’s restraining his temper. I roll my eyes and go to turn away again.
“Wait.”
“That’s all I know how to do.”
He closes the distance between us and tugs me into a hug. I hug him back because the small eight-year-old boy inside who lost his mom and dad needs this. Gio was the first person to hug me after my parents were killed. He has been my person since.
“I never knew how you felt. You mean as much to me as my family does. We’re setting up some new accounts for you. Never again will you feel like you have nothing.”
“You don’t have to do that. I gain access to my trust next year.”
“Fuck outa here. I’m not allowing another day to go by where you can’t buy anything you want. Buy her something nice. Something you’ve always wanted to give her.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Come on. We all should talk.”
Gio
I have to be out of my mind for what I’m about to do. However, the pain in my friend’s voice and the hurt on his face tugged at something in me, but his words are what hit the mark.
You have no idea how it is to be one of the ones left behind. I get it. It’s exactly what I thought. Their trauma bond gives them something Ny and I will never have. I also understand why he never went after Ny in the first place.
He wouldn’t even speak to her when we were little. He would only whisper to me for me to talk for him. It’s the reason she learned to speak Danish to talk to him for herself. He looked so embarrassed the first time he ever spoke to her.
I remember her smiling up at him, so happy he spoke. She talked his head off for the rest of the day. I never knew fear of speaking was why he never asked her out. I thought it was more a bro code thing.
I’ve never made it a secret how I feel about Nyla. At least not to Jace. My mind is reeling.
We enter the living room to find Ny crying as she sits on the couch where I left her when I ran out after Jace. Jace goes to sit beside her and wraps his arms around her.
“I’m sorry,” he says.
“No, I’m sorry. I did this. I should go back home.”
I sit in the accent chair and crack my knuckles. I take a deep breath then begin.
“No, you’re not going back yet. I’ll find a place for us to stay since Nonno and my brothers are coming back. Listen, some things are going to change. We’re all stronger together.
“All I want is to see you happy, Nyla. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. If… if we’re going to do this. I have some rules.
“You never penetrate her without asking me first. Petting and all that other shit, fine, but no fucking. If you’re not happy, Ny. You talk to me.
“Jace, you have to talk to me too. We don’t run to anyone else about what’s going on between us. We talk to each other or no one at all.
“This is our thing between us. We need to be able to trust each other. I’m going to need time to wrap my head around this, so if my mood is fucked up for the next few days. Allow me that.”
“What are you saying?” Ny says as she sniffles.
“Jace isn’t the only one I’ve been watching. You’ve been feeling guilty about having feelings for him.
“I want you in my bed every night. I’m not okay with you leaving my bed to wake up in his. We’re both huge and we’re all tall so we’re not all sleeping in my bed, but you’re with me at night. You wake to me.”
“Are you okay with that?” Jace asks Ny.
“Oh my God, your accent is coming out. You’re nervous,” Ny says as she cups his face. “I’m okay with this as long as I don’t lose you both. I can’t go through that again.”
Jace looks at me. I silently answer his question. Turning back to Ny he tugs her gently into a kiss. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, reminding myself I’m going to have to be distant with Ny again.
I can’t show her half of the affection I have over the last five weeks. Nyla shows the world a hard shell, but she needs that softer side I can’t give her. And Jace, he has always needed love. Ny does that for him.
I’ve seen it with my own eyes. She calms him. As long as he knows she’s okay, he’s good.
Jace groans, and Ny releases a moan, causing me to look at them. He’s caressing her breast. I don’t know if I can take this. I get up and go to make a drink.