Page 21 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron
His thigh brushed hers, warm, solid. He was always her quiet anchor.
He didn't say anything for a while. Just sat there, staring straight ahead and letting her muffled sobs puncture his heart. Then slowly, he reached out and placed his hand on her head. His fingers were coarse and clumsy, but his touch was feather-light. He smoothed her hair back, again and again, the way he used to when she was a little girl too sick to sleep.
Her father wasn't a gentle man by nature. He had been a champion wrestler and still coached at the local community centre. But for her, he learned to be.
"I don't know what happened," he said softly, "and I won't ask. But I want you to remember something, alright?"
Ana blinked and looked at him with burning eyes. Her mouth wobbled.
"Ana,tesoro... whatever this is, you're the strongest woman I know. Don't you ever forget who you are."
She didn't answer. Just lay curled on her side, face buried in the pillow while holding his much larger hand tightly in two of hers.
"People mess up. They say stupid things, do stupid things. Do you remember me when things didn’t go well with the shop? I was an arse and I made your mum cry. I made you cry. We all lose our way sometimes. Doesn't mean your path changes. You're still you. Still, the most brilliant and most beautiful. And I couldn't be prouder if I tried."
He cleared his throat. "Don't forget, you’re Sicilian."
From under the blanket, her voice cracked out, dry and muffled. "Yeah. I read Mario Puzo."
After what seemed like a long time, after she had calmed down, he kissed her hair and stood up.
"Just tell me who I need to kill, tesoro."
The door clicked shut softly.
And Ana, alone now, turned on her back. Her eyes were dry now, and the wheels were turning.
Chapter ten
Chapter 10
It was nighttime. She had skipped dinner.
Her phone had been buzzing nonstop.
Byron:Hey? Where were you today?
Byron:Everything alright?
Byron:You ok, luv?
She ignored the first few. There were a couple of messages from Cadi.
Then, finally, she replied.
Ana:Meet me behind the Wilsons' place. You know the one-it's up for sale.
Byron:B right there in 5
Byron:Missed me didya?
Ana:Come alone.
She took the front door this time. Kissed her Papa as she pulled her coat on and whispered,"This won’t take long."
***
She gotthere before he did.
