Page 154 of Stolen Bases

A wide grin spreads across my face. Mamma and Zia were right. Nico can’t resist their food. “Yes. And Mamma’s tiramisu.”

“Fuck. Fine.”

The slide of the dead bolt has me giddy. My smile falls as he opens the door.

He looks horrible, like he hasn’t slept all night, and possibly hungover.

“Hey, big brother.” Doing my best to ignore the way he looks, I push past him and head into the kitchen.

His stupid penthouse apartment is so sterile and boring. He moved into this place months ago so he could be closer to the stadium, and still there were unopened boxes everywhere. The only thing hanging on the walls are a giant flat screen and his jersey from the Saints.

I place the bags full of food on the counter before going through his cabinets. I sigh in relief. “Did Mom come over and unpack?”

“Yes. You know she can’t help herself.”

I smirk at his answer. No, she cannot.

I pull out two plates and crystal wine glasses from the cabinets before grabbing two forks from the utensil drawer. “Sit down, Nico. We need to talk.” I pull out the aluminum foil wrapped casserole dish from the bag.

He huffs and crosses his arms, his brows furrowed. “What if I don’t want to?”

So grumpy. I remember the days when he was a lot more relaxed and, dare I say, fun? And I don’t mean “going out with his guys, drinking in clubs, and chasing after girls” fun. Nico used to love spending time with me at home, playing card games and telling stories. I miss those days. I want my brother back. The one who makes me laugh and makes me feel safe and loved. That guy is a huge softy with so much love to give. This grumpy, vapid version of him that wears thousand-dollar suits and drives ridiculous sports cars sucks.

I slide the dish back into the bag. “Then I’ll just take this delicious food back down to the front desk and tell Roberto dinner is on you tonight.”

Nico looks appalled. “You would give my food away to someone else?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Fuck. Fine,” he grumbles under his breath as he takes a seat at the counter.

Biting back a smile, I serve us dinner and sit back, enjoying the food and watching my brother eat something. He needs some food in his stomach before we talk about anything serious.

When he finishes, I plate him a second serving. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Cameron.”

Nico makes a face. “Ugh, don’t say his name like that, or I’m going to fucking barf.”

“Oh, stop. Cam’s a good guy.”

He faux heaves.

“Knock it off, Nico. I’m serious.”

“Fine. Continue.” He stares at his plate, pushing his food around.

“He told me why you hate him. How he slept with your girlfriend.”

His eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. “He did?”

I nod. “Yes. We don’t keep secrets from each other.”

“And you’re just fine with him having fucked the girl I loved back in college?”

“Must you be so crude?” I cringe. I hate the thought of Cam with other women. It makes this irrational part of me angry and jealous when I have no right to be. Those women are in his past. He never loved them, only me.

“Wait? Did you say college?”

Nico looks away in shame.

---