Page 75 of Giovanni the Savage

“How long are you going to keep this up?” Ashley asks. “All you do is mope and cry and dice little food in your mouth.”

“Well, what else is there to do?” I ask.

I’ve been at her house for a week. I still haven’t told her about the Mafia shit, but I did tell her that Giovanni and I split and that my brother got kidnapped since she wanted to hear all the tea. She didn’t pry and has stayed with me in my apartment since then.

“Are you seriously asking that question in NYC?” she exclaims.

“Humor me.”

“A new club just opened up downtown, and I hear their arcade is sick. How about we go check that out?”

“I’m not really feeling like it,” I say.

“You know moping won’t bring him back, right?” she says.

“I never said I wanted him to come back. I just miss my brother.”

“And Giovanni,” she adds.

“I didn’t say that,” I mutter.

“Yeah, whatever. But you can’t just keep staying here when there’s so much to do.”

I’m saved by the doorbell as I’m about to reply. She shoots me a dagger look and leaves my room.

The pain in my chest settles. It hurts even more because I’m in pain for two different reasons. I still haven’t heard from Victor, which means I know nothing about my brother, and ever since Giovanni started ignoring me, I've given him a break. I’ve never felt more alone than I do now, which is why I need my best friend by my side.

I can hear Ashley’s loud voice, but when is she not loud? I scream into the pillow when my emotions topple over the edge. I just wish I could flick the do-over switch on my life.

My door swings open harshly, and I freeze when I hear the voice.

The voice that has haunted my dreams and brought me a mixture of happiness and agony.

“I want to see her.”

“Well, she doesn’t want to see you, so please leave!”

I look up from my pillow to see Giovanni. He’s leaning on the doorway, and watching little Ashley try to push him away is a laughable sight.

He looks up when I do, and a little part of me heals the minute we make eye contact. God, I’ve missed him. Even in casual clothes and stubble, he still looks so good.

“Gio,” I whisper more to myself.

It still feels like I’m dreaming like I had been the first few days.

“Baby,” he calls, but Ashley blocks his way.

“Yeah, right.” She scoffs.

I clutch my head. “Ashley, please.”

“I knew you’d say this.” She moves away. “Whatever, I’ll be right outside your door.”

She shuts the door, leaving us both in the room.

The tension is stifling, and I want to cut through it. Neither of us speaks because we’re both waiting for each other to talk.

“Gio—”

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