Page 111 of Married With Lies

The bleak truth is that everything I’ve done to keep Luca out of Richie’s crosshairs has been for nothing.

Richie’s expression indicates he’s pleased with the turn of events. Of course he is. One way or another, Richie Amato always wins.

“Look at it this way,” Richie says. “Now you don’t need to convince Sadie to move back to New York.”

We lock eyes. It’s impossible to know if he ever understood the truth about my marriage to Sadie. Either way, it doesn’t matter.

“I’d like to speak to my brother alone,” I say.

Richie raises an eyebrow at Luca.

Luca nods.

“I’ll allow it,” Richie says as if he’s some benevolent god. He climbs heavily to his feet and limps toward the door. “I could use a plate of food anyway.”

Once he’s waddled his way out and closed the door behind him, I face my little brother.

Luca has quickly abandoned the stoic hardshell he wore in front of Richie. He now looks downright remorseful.

“Cale, I’m really sorry it went down like this,” he says. “I know you feel blindsided.”

“No fucking shit I feel blindsided. What the hell are you doing? This isn’t you.”

He raises a stubborn chin. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m sick of being all alone in exile. I miss the family. I belong here. You belong with Sadie.”

“This isn’t about my wife. This is between you and me.”

His smile is sad. “You’ve always looked after me. Always. Did you think I didn’t realize that? Now it’s time for me to do something for you. You’re free to go. Live the life you deserve to have. Be happy with the woman you love.”

Despite all my scheming, I’ve been outsmarted by Richie. And Luca too. Their motivations are completely different but the outcome will still be the same.

My brother has effectively bought my freedom. In the process he has sacrificed his own. And there’s not a thing I can do to change this.

On his desk, Richie keeps a photo of our mother, taken the day of her high school graduation. Right now the frame is tilted just far enough for me to see the smile on her face.

“Always look out for your brother. And Cale, there’s one more thing I want you to know…”

“I can’t leave you here,” I say to Luca.

“You have to,” he replies. “It’s done.”

I reach for my mother’s photo. Years ago she posed, hopeful in her cap and gown. She would have been shocked to know that as she smiled with such ease, the photo would someday witness a heartbreaking moment between the two sons she didn’t yet know she’d have.

I look into my brother’s eyes, the same shade of green as my eyes.

“You don’t remember them much, do you?” I ask.

“A little bit,” he says. “I wish I remembered them more.”

There’s no way to sum up the people who created us in a couple of sentences. The best I can do is share some of the little pieces that no one else knows but me.

“Our mother cherished her morning cup of herbal tea and hummed off key while she was cooking. I don’t think she even realized she was doing it. Our father had a passion for fixing up old cars and would empty his wallet for anyone who was down on their luck. They thought they’d never be able to have a second child. You were the happiest surprise of their lives. You loved to be carried on our father’s shoulders. You wouldn’t go to sleep at night until our mother read you a story.” I hand him the picture. “We were a family. Don’t ever forget where you came from, Luca.”

Luca accepts the picture. His lip trembles as he studies the young face of our mother. But when he looks up, his eyes are clear and determined. “I won’t forget, Cale.”

Even before I make the next suggestion I know it’s hopeless. I have to try anyway.

“You could ditch all this bullshit and come with me to Colorado. Sadie would love that. I’m sure they need lawyers out there too. We don’t need all this. We could build something new, us Connelly brothers.”

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