Page 62 of When We Fall: Part Two
“Put the gun down so we can talk,” he continued.
I looked at Emilio again before lowering my gun. Emilio could handle himself. The fact that he hadn’t attacked me back gave me pause to listen to my father.
My mom rushed to my dad, who held her tightly for a moment, murmuring to her before he handed her off to Emilio, who wasted no time cinching her against him, the blood still trickling from his nose. I watched as he thumbed away her tears and murmured to her in Italian that everything was OK.
“Emilio and I have been with your mom since before you were born.” Dad leveled his dark eyes on me.
“You mean… you and him… and-and Mom?” I crinkled my brows, my guts twisted.
“Yes. All of us. Together. We love each other. Emilio is my best friend. He’s… ours. I’m sorry we never told you.”
“I-forever… how fucking long?”
“Since we were eighteen.”
“Jesus fuck,” I said, tugging at my hair. “You fucking kept this shit a secret for twofuckingdecades? What the fuck?”
“Lorenzo.” Mom came to me. “Please. We are so sorry you had to find out like this.”
“It’s my engagement party,” I whispered. “And I find you in a coat closet fucking… Argh.” I paced, my fingers in my hair, and my mind reeling.
Was this fucking real life right now?
“We know it’s a shock. I-I shouldn’t have,” Emilio said softly. “Lorenzo, I’m so sorry. I want you to know how much I love your parents. They mean everything to me.”
I stopped pacing and stared at him.
“I-I don’t have words right now.”
“We accepted your situation,” Dad murmured. “Easily.”
“That’s not the fucking same!” I snapped at him. “My relationship wasn’t a fucking secret fortwenty fucking years!”
Dad sighed. “Lorenzo, calm down. Please. This changes nothing?—”
“It fucking changes everything! Are you even my old man? If he’s had his dick in Mom, maybe I need a fucking paternity test. Maybe none of this fucking shit is mine!” I threw my arms up, frustrated out of my damn head.
“You are my son,” Dad said firmly. “Without a doubt.”
I sighed and closed my eyes. I needed a minute. Everyone must have sensed that because it was quiet while I gave myself those moments.
I breathed in and out, trying to calm myself before I opened my eyes and stared at a fixed point on the wall over my mother’s head.
“OK. Fine,” I said softly. “I get it.”
“You’re OK?” Mom stepped up to me again, worry on her face.
“Yes. I’m fine. It’s just a huge fucking surprise, is all. You guys kept this a really good secret.” I shook my head. “I-I need some time, though, OK? Today is for me and Rosalie. Tomorrow, we can deal with this shit.”
Mom reached out and hugged me. “I love you.”
I sighed and hugged her back. “I love you, too. This is just so weird.”
“I know.” She squeezed me tighter. “I’m sorry. So sorry, baby. We should have told you.”
I nodded tightly and looked from Emilio to my father.
“You really fucking should have.”
