Page 59 of Revived
“I have to break up with Sullivan.” My bottom lip trembles with emotion.
“Okay.” She takes a moment to gather her thoughts. “Are you sure? You guys are so happy together.”
“I am. I just don’t know how to do this. My house just burned down, Kenz. I have nowhere to go.”
“As long as I have a house, you’ll always have somewhere to go, Elle.” She wraps her arms around me and lays the side of her head against mine. “We’ll figure it out, and we’ll kill it at trials in the process.”
Elle: I’m sorry to do this over text, but we need space.
Sully: You can have space. The space there is from the house to the gym. Don’t test me, Elena.
I’ve been rotting away on the couch and watching the saddest romance movies that we could find for hours. I did the shittiest thing I could possibly do and ended it with Sully over text. My phone has been ringing off the hook from everyone ever since. From Sully all the way to his sisters-in-law and everyone in between. I leave them all to ring through. It isn’t until a couple hours later when my Papa calls that I finally answer.
“Hey, Papa.” My voice is hoarse from how much I’ve cried today. I feel like someone has torn my chest open only to pour gasoline inside. It’s my own doing, and I know that, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“Oh, principessa. What’s going on?” The tenderness of his tone almost completely breaks me.
“I– uh– I broke up with Sully.” My voice breaks.
“Why? Did he hurt you? Are you okay?” In a single sentence he moves from my sweet Papa to the ruthless mafia leader that he is.
“No, he didn’t hurt me, and yes, I’m okay.” I practically whisper.
“Why, bambina?” He pleads to understand why I’m hurting myself like this.
He can’t know. It’s not safe, not for him or for me. Not for anyone. I don’t want to do this to Sully or I, but I have to. This guy is obsessed with me. This is my responsibility to fix it and pray to whoever controls what happens after this life that he’ll understand and take me back in the end.
“I just need to focus. Trials are right around the corner, and then the Olympics after that. I just need to cut it all out so I can concentrate.” The lie burns like acid on my tongue, but I choke it out anyway.
“Okay, bambina. I can respect that. As long as you still answer your old Papa’s calls.”
“I’ll always answer your calls, Papa.” A small smile pulls at my lips.
“Where will you stay? He called me in a panic that you won’t answer the phone for anyone, and your house just burned down last night. I have to be honest with you, principessa. It’s killing me not to come down and get you right now. I will respect your wishes though, as long as you keep your sugar under control and answer when I call.”
“I’m staying with Kenzie. You remember her, right Papa? And I promise I will. I just need to concentrate. I promise.” I push my voice to a cheerful tone that I don’t feel.
“Yes, I remember her. She’s a sweet girl.” He goes quiet for a few seconds before cursing under his breath. “Bambina, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later, okay? Ti amo.”
“Okay, Papa. Ti amo.” He ends the call just as a knock comes from Kenzie’s front door. We look at each other with wide eyes.
“Did you tell anyone you were here?” She asks in concern.
“No, did you?” My heart rate skyrockets. I can’t face him, there’s no way that I can.
She shakes her head, “No. I haven’t talked to anyone.”
Kenz gets up and tiptoes to the front door, only for her to look at me in confusion when she turns around. “No one’s at the door?”
“That’s weird. Are you waiting for a delivery?”
“I don’t think so?” She pulls the door open. “Oh…” She bends down to pick something up, and when she straightens again, she’s holding a bouquet of white roses.
I watch her bring them in and set them on her coffee table before spotting the card. “Look, there’s a card. Do you have a secret admirer, Kenz?” I waggle my eyebrows playfully.
She plucks the card and reads it before her wide eyes come to mine. “Nope, but it looks like you do.” She hands me the card as my blood turns to ice in my veins.
‘Good girl, little gymnast.
