Page 36 of Whatever You Need

“Jesus Christ.” Antonio shoved his hand through his hair and shook his head. “I guess I deserved that. I know you need to get everything off your chest, so let’s have it so we can move the fuck on.”

“You may find this hard to believe, but I’m not still stuck in my past. I’m not in love with your wife anymore.” I saw Sienna wince and look away. “I have nothing to move on from.”

Sienna crossed her arms. “Then why are you acting like this?”

“Acting like what?” He tilted his head to the side and squinted. “I’m just giving it to you straight.”

She moved her hair off her shoulders, her eyes were building up with tears. “You’re acting cold and indifferent. This isn’t you, Marco.”

“This isn’t me?” he said with a coldness in his voice. “You don’t fucking know me, so don’t act like you do.”

Pain flashed in her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

Antonio wrapped his arm along her shoulder. I didn’t miss the fact that she didn’t lean into him when he tried to comfort her.

“What are you sorry for?” Marco drew his eyebrows in, giving her his full attention. I wanted to tear his eyes off her. She didn’t deserve it, but what choice did I have other than to stand there and let him say his peace.

“For what I did to you. We were so young, and I know it’s not an excuse,” she swallowed, “we were in a bad spot. I had no idea what I wanted, but I did love you.” Her eyes misted over and I saw the pain and the regret. I also saw something I wasn’t expecting, longing.

An uneasy feeling grew in the pit of my stomach. When the hell did the lines between real and make-believe begin to blur? When did all this pretending turn into something real? Because there was no mistaking the very real jealousy running through my veins.

“You know what, Sienna? I wish I could be a different kind of man. One that could say, don’t worry about it.” He let go of my hand and placed his behind his head, trying to keep calm. “What you and Antonio did was fucked up. I know we’ve all grown, matured, and moved on, but that doesn’t mean I have to sit here and shoot the shit and act like I enjoy being around you both. I’m doing this for my mother.” He rubbed his forehead and looked to his cousin. “I appreciate you manning up and apologizing, but I’m not ready to go out back and have a beer with you. And please, don’t mistake that as me still torn up about what went down. My mother needs to repair the relationship with your mom, so I’m going to put my big boy pants on and act like an adult. I’ve said all I have to say,” he told them both, officially shutting this conversation down. I was so proud of him.

“Dad,” a small voice floated across the room. We all turned our heads to see Antonio’s little boy staring at us with curious eyes. “Grandma said she needs your help lifting something.”

He squeezed his wife’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”

Once he disappeared, a tense, heavy silence dropped over us. Sienna turned to Marco. “I’d like to speak to you in private, please.”

“No.”

She drew back. “I hate the way we left things, can’t you just hear me out?”

“If I haven’t responded to any of the letters you’ve sent me over the years, what makes you think I want to hear what you have to say to my face.”

Tears trickled down her cheeks, and she bowed her head, giving it a slight shake. “I miss you, Marco.” She wiped at her face. “I was young and foolish. I thought I could replace you, but I can’t.”

“Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.” He glared at her; he could barely control his anger. “Your husband and your kids are in the other room. My girlfriend is standing right here.”

“You don’t love her. I know what you look like when you’re in love, and this isn’t it. You don’t look at her like you used to look at me.”

I took in a deep, shaky breath, hoping it would stop me from saying something I’d regret. But I was too angry, and I’ve had enough. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?” I could not wrap my head around how pathetic this woman was. “You cheated on him and threw his love away. Marco has moved on, built a life for himself, and he clearly doesn’t want you anymore. Why would you do this? Why would you say these things?”

Marco looked at me with raised eyebrows. I expected him to be upset that I stepped in, because truthfully, I had no right to do so. We were just pretending. We weren’t a real couple, even though in my heart it felt like we were. Yet, instead of him looking angry, he looked impressed, if not pleased.

She smacked her hands on her hips. “Excuse me, but I don’t have to answer to you.”

“What about your husband? You have to answer to him, right?” I couldn’t keep the irritation out of my voice. “What do you think he’d say if he knew that you’ve been writing Marco letters all these years?”

I had no idea if Antonio knew, but I was going to take a wild guess and say no. I was so angry on Marco’s behalf, and I found myself wanting to stand up for him, which was ridiculous because the man could clearly take care of himself.

Her eyes grew stormy. “That’s none of your business.”

“Wrong answer. Marco is my business. You lost your chance with him. He doesn’t want you. If I were you, I’d go back out there to your husband… where you belong. You both deserve each other.”

The ragein my voice shocked us all. If I wasn’t sure about coming here before tonight, I was damn glad I did now.

Sienna’s nose flared with anger. The way she regarded me with hostility was supposed to be intimidating, but instead, I squared my shoulders, not feeling the least bit bothered.

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