Page 49 of Until Now

Mother grew up in a lower-class family, the Moores. Her father walked out when she was five years old, her sisters were two and nine months old. Her mother worked three jobs to make ends meet, but sometimes it still wasn’t enough. There were plenty of nights she went to bed hungry so her sisters could have something to eat. Despite her home life, Mother never let anyone at school know what went on behind closed doors. Not until much later when Daddy finally discovered the truth.

When she was old enough, Mother got a job at the local diner. She worked most nights after school and during the day on weekends so she could still attend school activities. She had heard of the Alaric Villa, who hadn’t? Football star. Baseball star. Son of Lorenzo and Natalie Villa, owners of Villa Home Repairs. Everyone had heard of him, but unlike her friends, Mother had no interest. They would melt at the mention of his name, not her. Needless to say, Daddy was a little surprised when she didn’t try to jump his bones like every other girl. That’s what made him want her even more, but she wanted better than some sports star who would burn out after high school. She wanted someone who was going to take her far, far away from their small town.

Finally, Daddy’s senior year, he convinced her to go to the Homecoming dance. It was her junior year, their last chance to enjoy high school together. Even though she would deny it to anyone who asked, she was excited. She even worked doubles the weekend before to earn enough money to buy a new dress. After Homecoming, they started going steady and fell in love quickly.

“She realized I had a fighting spirit, much like Pop, and I was going to be successful, even if it meant she had to work a little while longer,” Daddy says wiping the corner of his eyes.

Despite my feelings towards Mother, hearing their story was kind of romantic, but it makes me sad. Sad for my father because I realize she is not the person she once was. I’ve never known that person and I never will. The person I used to hope and pray for… She did exist, but will never be anything more than a story to me.

“You and Nick have something special, Nina. I don’t know everything, and maybe I don’t want to, but from what I can see, you have a man who loves you. Not for the money or your name, but for you.”

A blush rises in my cheeks.

“I know you have been through a lot. I don’t know if he knows everything, but the only way it’s going to work is if you’re honest with each other.”

Chapter Thirty

I sit acrossfrom my brother with a shy smile. He was utterly confused when I asked him to go to dinner, just the two of us. Dinner started normal, he even told me of his plan to propose soon. He wants me to go with him to design the ring. But, when he brought up Nick, he noticed the slight shift in my demeanor.

That’s when I told him.

“What do you mean you’re not together?”

“Weren’t together, big difference.”

“You are now?”

“Yes, I think.”

“And Eileen knew about this?”

“I’m sorry I lied to you, Kai.”

Kai taps his fingers against his whiskey glass. “But, what about when he brought you here the other night? And, what about the Fourth of July, you guys kissed at the fireworks.”

“Le cose sono diventate un po' complicate. None of this was supposed to happen. We were only supposed to keep it up until we left and then it would be like it never happened. He was just here to be my boyfriend when everyone was around, but… I didn’t think about the consequences of having someone get so close.”

“You like him, he likes you. Seems pretty simple to me."

“How do I know it’s real? That when we go home, back to reality, it’s not gonna fall apart?”

“You won’t know unless you try, Nin.”

“I don’t want anyone else to know. Even when the summer is over, even if it all works out, I don’t want Mom and Dad to find out.”

“You can’t expect me to keep this a secret.”

“I’ve kept things a secret for you too, Kai.” I smirk behind my wine glass. Despite my brother being a narc the first twenty-three years of his life, I have kept all of his secrets. “Need I remind you about Lucinda Brown?”

“No, I remember, thank you.”

“So, just between us, right?” I stick my little finger out to him.

“What are we, five?”

“Yes, now come on.”

Kai rolls his eyes but wraps his finger around mine squeezing it. “Happy now?”

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