Page 62 of Sinful Bargains

By the time I reached home, my mind was still racing. Every word Renee had said echoed in my head, twisting into something worse each time I replayed it. I felt like a ghost moving through the hallways that day at school. The usual noise of lockers slamming and kids shouting felt distant from everything I was going through.

“You look like hell,” Enzo said, nudging me in the ribs.

“Thanks,” I muttered, too tired to come up with a better response. “Really appreciate the concern, Enzo.”

“I’m serious, you need to rest,” he pressed, narrowing his eyes. “How much sleep are you even getting? Let me come help. I could drive for you.”

“I told you,” I said, shaking my head, “this is between Joey and me.”

“How’s that going for you, by the way?” Enzo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Before I could answer, Giovanni stormed toward me. “Hey, paperboy!” he shouted, loud enough to draw attention. I kept walking, hoping he’d lose interest. “Hey!” he barked, shoving mein the chest. My steps faltered, but I steadied myself. His glare pinned me in place as the hallway buzzed with whispers and stares. “If I say something, you answer me.”

“Not in the mood,” I muttered.

“You’re going to tell Mia you’re not taking her to the dance,” Giovanni demanded, stepping closer.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“She’s going with me,” he snarled. His breath hit my face as he leaned in, daring me to challenge him.

“She asked me,” I said. “I didn’t beg her or force her. She made her choice.”

“Well, now she’s un-choosing you,” Giovanni hissed. He stepped closer, but Enzo moved in as well. Giovanni scoffed and shoved him aside. “Back off, chihuahua.”

“She’s not your property, Giovanni,” I said. “She wants to go with me, and that’s what’s going to happen.”

“You’ve got balls, paperboy,” Giovanni said, his lips curling into a smirk. “Who do you think you are? Some big shot? You show up out of nowhere, steal Mia from me, buy your way onto the baseball team—and don’t even get me started on that mother of yours.”

My world narrowed. All I could hear was the dull roar of blood flooding my eardrums.

“What did youjustsay?” I asked.

“You heard me.” He grinned. “She’s many things, isn’t she? A whore, for starters. The only way she can put food on the table is by spreading her legs for Joey.”

The punch landed before I even realized I’d thrown it. Giovanni’s head snapped back, his body crumpling to the cold floor. He lay there, stunned, as the crowd around us fell silent.

Nobody talks about my mother. Not ever.

ADRIANA

Renee and I sat across from each other in the school office. Across the desk, Principal Clayton flipped through the incident report. “From what I gathered, both of your sons were involved in a fight earlier today,” she began. “And from what I’ve been told, it seems the argument was over a girl.”

A girl? I frowned, glancing at Antonio slouched in the chair beside me.

Renee’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “My son looks like he was assaulted.”

Mine did, too. But supposedly from a foul ball at practice, not a fist. I stiffened. “Let’s not point fingers, Renee,” I said. “I’m sure both are at fault here. There’s clearly more to this story.”

Principal Clayton raised a hand before Renee could snap back. “The girl’s name is Mia. She was also very upset about the fight, and has been sent home for the day.” She glanced between Antonio and Giovanni, who both kept their eyes on the floor.

“Mia’s been close with Giovanni for alongtime, and now your son suddenly thinks he has a right to interfere? I tell you, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?”

I forced a tight smile. “Mia isn’t anyone’s property, Renee. I know this may be difficult for you to comprehend, but people aren’t property.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry. Are you defending your son for beating up my son? Do you support violence? He’s had feelings for Mia longer than your kid has evennoticedher!”

“I’m not excusing the fight, but I won’t stand for the way you’re talking aboutmyson,” I said. “He knows better than to resort to violence.Yourson must have started this, because as you said, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

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