Gio (5th Street) (29 page)

Felix suspected she was cheating but apparently had no idea with who because his anger was all directed at her. The girls all stood as one of the bodyguards informed them it was time to go while the guys continued to try to calm a now completely unreasonable and belligerent, Felix.

The last words she heard fly out of his mouth were “Fucking whore!” That’s when Gio’s fist flew into Felix’s mouth. Bianca’s stomach fell and chaos ensued.

Between Felix’s bodyguards, Noah, the rest of the guys, and the bar security trying to get control of the situation the place was a mess. Toni tugged at her hand. “Let’s go,” she urged.

Bianca didn’t understand the urgency until she saw the cameras. First it was just a couple of people with their phones snapping pictures but then she saw what appeared to be paparazzi. They’d been there the whole night and she hadn’t even considered the possibility that she might be seen by them earlier.

Toni and Bianca rushed out the back but even then cameras flashed in their faces. Hurrying to the van, Toni searched in her purse for her keys.

“I have them,” Bianca said, handing them to her as Toni’s eyes widened.

“Why do you have my keys?”

Her heart still pounding and feelings of guilt mounting by the minute, Bianca was beginning to feel like she might throw up. “I’ll explain later; let’s just hurry and get out of here.”

Bianca had asked to borrow Toni’s compact after watching Gio bolt out of there obviously upset about seeing Felix kiss her. Having told Bianca about the van situation earlier that day, Bianca had acted on a panicked whim and took the keys without Toni’s knowledge. Then she’d rushed out saying she had to use the ladies’ room and called Gio. The guilt was coming in from every direction—even this one. Toni hadn’t been thrilled about the predicament Bianca had gotten herself into. Just like Bianca knew her mother and Nana would think, while Toni did think it exciting, she also thought it was dangerous. Tonight had proved exactly why. Things could escalate quickly and unexpectedly. Hearing Felix call her a whore still burned in her ears, and here he didn’t even know the whole truth.

As they drove away in stunned silence, Bianca thought of Gio’s words.
No regrets
. She still didn’t have any—even after tonight’s disaster—but she did regret that she hadn’t decided to leave Felix’s place sooner. She wouldn’t be going back to his cabin. After tonight, she couldn’t. Not just because of the way he’d behaved or because it was plain wrong to continue to stay at his place while completely betraying him, but because tonight she’d seen firsthand how a guy she thought she knew, could turn into someone completely different when angry. Felix didn’t even know what was really going on. She cringed to think what might happen if he did.

“You think you’ll be able to go get my things from Felix’s place sometime this week?”

Toni turned to her and pulled off the road into a gas station. She stopped then turned off the engine. “Of course I will.” She smiled. “First let me just say, holy shit Gio and his friends are
hot
. But Gio’s eyes, my God! I can see why you’d be so tempted. But can you explain why you had my keys and…” Toni squeezed her eyes shut crinkling her nose. “Bianca, tell me you didn’t. I noticed you and Gio were gone for sometime and I figured you might be doing something sneaky but…” She turned to look at the back of the van and Bianca saw the flicker of horror in her eyes the moment Toni spotted it—the condom wrapper. “Oh my God, you did!”

Bianca covered her face with her hands. “I didn’t plan it. I swear.” She turned back to Toni and spoke rapidly, hoping she’d understand. “I mean, it’s insane, Toni. I don’t even know how to explain it but with Gio I just think differently. I do things I would’ve never done in a million years. I did hope to get a moment alone with him tonight, but the whole van idea didn’t come to me until Felix kissed me right in front of Gio and I saw that crazed look in Gio’s eye.

“I just kept thinking of how I would feel if it were the other way around. I probably would’ve been in tears and I’d seen the way he was looking at me earlier. I knew he was questioning my behavior with Felix.” She shook her head, glancing out at the falling snow. It reminded her that she’d left her coat at the resort. “Since all his friends were there tonight, I didn’t want to be so blatant about continually rejecting Felix’s putting his hands on me. So I was a little more accommodating with the holding hands and allowing his embraces and I was dead right, Gio did think something had changed.”

Her phone beeped in her hand making her flinch. It was a text from Gio. She glanced at Toni and couldn’t help but smile. “It’s him.” It amazed her that the world could be falling apart around her and just knowing she was about to read his words made everything better. She clicked on the envelope.

Where are you? Are you okay?

She texted back quickly, her insides warming at his obvious concern.

I’m fine. I’m with Toni. She’s taking me home. I’m not going back to Felix’s cabin anymore. I can’t.

She sent it and turned back to Toni. “So what now?” Toni asked.

“I don’t know. But after tonight I just can’t go back there.”

“You shouldn’t,” Toni agreed immediately. “But maybe you and Gio should cool it just a little until all this blows over. No telling what kind of stuff will be all over the TV and internet by tonight.”

Bianca thought about that, chewing the corner of her lip for a second. The thought of being separated from Gio, even for a short period, was one she didn’t want to entertain.

Her phone beeped again. His message made her gasp and she was instantly near tears.

I’m not either. Well I will tonight only because he’s already passed out and Noah and the guys are insisting I do, but I’m going back to LA first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully before he even wakes.

Obviously noticing her sudden change in mood, Toni asked if something was wrong.

“Yes,” was all she managed to whisper as she rushed to text Gio back. She’d long ago decided she wouldn’t hold anything back. She always said what she wanted and asked what she needed with Gio and she wasn’t holding back now that it mattered most. So she sent her text, needy as it might sound.

Why? What about us? When will I see you again?

Bianca knew the answer to her first question. She’d just hoped maybe he stick around a little longer. She wasn’t ready for him to be gone so soon.

I promise you. There is more of an us now than ever before. But I can’t be there anymore. It was wrong from the moment I realized I was falling for you but it was worth the guilt to be around you. After tonight I just can’t justify it without feeling like a total dick even if you’re not there anymore.

The second she read it she began responding, feeling an enormous relief.

Okay but you didn’t answer my third question. When will I see you again?

His responses came as fast as hers did and she was eternally grateful for that because her heart was still at her throat. Even though he was promising everything would be okay between them she had no idea when she’d see him again—be in his arms—feel his lips on hers again.

Bianca was no longer embarrassed to admit she felt addicted to him. Forget the embarrassment, this scared her. She clicked on his text the moment it came through.

Soon. I promise. I miss you already. We just got to his cabin. I’ll call you tomorrow.

That calmed her a little and she glanced up realizing Toni had been watching her and waiting patiently. “I’m sorry, Toni. I didn’t mean to ignore you but he’s telling me he’s going back to LA tomorrow and it just freaked me out a little.”

She texted back. Her final text mimicked what he’d once texted her:

I miss you, too. SO MUCH.

She began telling Toni about what Gio had said when another text came through and she stopped to read it.

Love you! Goodnight.

Toni laughed as Bianca quickly responded saying she loved him too. That made Bianca look away from the text and at her friend; just then realizing she was smiling hugely. “What?” She hit send feeling all fuzzy inside.

“Girl, I’ve never seen such a display of emotions like the one you just put on for me. In a matter of what? Five minutes? You went from mortified, to excited. Then giddy, then suddenly panicked and teary-eyed to giddy all over again.” She shook her head. “You weren’t kidding when you said this guy has you all tied up in knots.”

Now Bianca was a little embarrassed but she wouldn’t deny it. “I don’t know what it is, Toni.” She glanced out the window at the falling snow, remembering the first day he kissed her. “I’m beginning to wonder if maybe I should be a little worried about how addictive this feels. Just like what we did tonight, I feel like I’d do anything, take any risk.” She glanced back at Toni knowing she’d be looking at her disapprovingly like she had earlier that day when Bianca had said something similar. “Within reason, of course. I wouldn’t risk my life for him or anything like that.” She didn’t feel entirely sure about the sincerity of that last statement but she’d leave it at that.

“You may not believe this but you already have.” Toni started up the car. “That boy back there was furious. And he doesn’t even know the half of it. Things happen in the heat of passion
all
the time, Bianca. All I’m gonna say is I’m so glad you’re not going back.”

Bianca thought about that. Until tonight Felix had never even raised his voice at her and she admitted he had spooked her a little when she thought for a moment that he knew she’d just had sex with his friend out in the parking lot. She was thinking earlier when she decided she wouldn’t be going back to his cabin that she’d finally come clean with Nana and her mother about what was going on. Maybe now she’d keep it to herself and just tell them it didn’t work out.

Gio walked out of the bathroom fully dressed. The room was still dark. He’d set his alarm so he could get out of there early. Knowing Felix he’d be feeling like shit about what happened last night. His suspicions about Bianca had nothing to do with Gio—yet.

If Gio didn’t hurry to miss him this morning Felix would probably be all apologetic about his behavior last night. Although it hadn’t happened in a long time, this wouldn’t be the first time one of them got drunk and stupid and had to be held back or dragged out of a party or club. Whoever it was always felt stupid the next day. Gio wasn’t about to stick around and have Felix apologize to him.

Sure, Gio had swung at him and landed a good one but it was justified. All the other guys agreed. Although they all might’ve just given Felix a good shove in the chest to shut him up and maybe told him to have some respect. Felix’s anger and unreasonable fit of jealousy seemed to stem from him overdoing the shots and nothing more, so his calling Bianca a whore was seen as way out of line by everyone. That meant Gio’s infuriated punch didn’t raise any eyebrows, except Noah’s, of course.

He’d packed his bag the night before and wrote Felix a short note thanking him for everything and telling him he’d call to explain why he had to leave. That wasn’t something he wanted to cowardly write in a note or a text. Besides everyone was here to witness what would probably get very ugly. Most importantly, Gio had done enough damage. He didn’t want to embarrass Felix in front of all their friends. As angry and betrayed as he’d probably feel, his ego and pride would likely be taking a hit. Gio wanted to spare him any possible humiliation and do it in private.

Noah rushed in the room. “Hurry up, let’s get you out of here.”

“What?” Gio was surprised Noah was even up. Abel had agreed to get up early and take him home but Gio didn’t know anyone else was leaving so early. “You don’t have to leave so early, Noah. And why you rushing?”

“I’m not leaving but you’re dumb ass needs to get out of here
now
.” Noah grabbed Gio’s bags and started shoving Gio toward the door.

Gio tried taking the bags from him. “Give me those. I can carry them.”

Noah gave him one but kept the other. “Just hurry, will you?”

Not wanting to argue, Gio hurried out of the bedroom. A very concerned looking Roni was already in the kitchen as he walked by. “What’s going on?” he asked, glancing back at Noah.

“You fucked up. That’s what,” Noah said, picking up his pace as they walked to the front door. Noah turned to him just as they walked out the front door, his voice lower now. “Really, dude? In a fucking van? On a night when he took us all out? ” Noah shook his head, hurrying down the stairs toward a very sleepy looking Abel, leaning against his car with the trunk open. “You couldn’t wait?”

Hector was already in the car. Jack would be driving back with Noah later. Both brothers seemed unaware of the news that Noah had obviously gotten so early in the morning.

“It’s all over the Internet, G,” Noah said as he slammed the suitcase in the trunk.

Gio lifted the other suitcase in as well. “I didn’t plan for that to happen.” But he wasn’t about to throw Bianca under the bus either. “It just happened.”

“Leaving so early?”

Both Gio and Noah turned at the sound of Felix’s voice. He stood at the front door still in yesterday’s jeans and a t-shirt but wearing snow boots. Obviously, he planned to come all the way out and confront him. He held up his cell phone as he walked down the stairs “Or do you wanna stick around and explain to me about all these pictures everyone is sending me? My agent, my publicist, even my mother. Photos of you and my fucking girlfriend.