a rented SUV. We shake hands, exchanging names.
“Santino, it’s been, what, ten minutes? I admire you already. I owe you a beer. You just saved my life.” Zane laughs. “The father detests me. Seven whole years, and I’m the most hated man in the universe. Now, here you come.”
“Aw, man, can’t be that bad?”
The front doors fly open and another woman who resembles them both comes out.
The new addition has to be Gabriella. Her slender hips swish around like a princess. With a pinched nose, she looks down at us all.
She says, “Geraldine, our baby sister was acting like a hooker when I started down the stairs earlier. Didn’t see me, but I heard ev-ery-thing. What have you been teaching her?”
I glance from her to Gina as Zane mutters, “Yup. The gloves are coming off.”
“Hi, Gabby!” Gina forces a smile.
Both the oldest and youngest surround the sour-faced middle sister in a hug.
“Baby Zane,” Gabriella scoffs.
Zane retorts. “Baby? I’m older than you, gyal.”
“Humph, are you older than Geral—”
“I will snatch out that entire horse!” Geraldine shouts.
“All mine, thank you very much.” Gabriella runs a hand along her flattened hair. “Geraldine, I forgot how uncouth you’ve become. So, Gina, are we treading the line as well?”
“What line, Gabby, damn? You and I, what?” Gina arches an eyebrow in confusion.
“No, you and the horse—” She eyes me. “—since Geraldine started that analogy. Are the two of you treading the line?”
“Sweetheart,” I speak up, well versed on women like her. They throw their weight around. When you whip out the dick, they only have a few measly dollars to begin with, but they leave with stars in their eyes. I take her hand, pawing it softly. “It’s so very nice to meet you. You have Gina’s eyes. Big, bright, brown, mmm.”
The tension in her palms softens as she heaves a deep sigh. I call her a ‘sour-faced jezebel’ in Italian. As she’s left in a daze, my attention returns to Gina.
“I’m writing that down!” Geraldine says as she and Zane start inside, apparently fluent in Italian.
Gina stamps her foot. “Gabby’s eyes are smaller than mine. A touch smaller, Santino.”
“Bella, she’s not as pretty as you. You understood what I said, right?” When she nods, lips still pursed, I add, “The three of you were going at it.”
“No, that was a warm-up, Santa. The next time you speak Italian to her, I don’t give a damn if you’re calling my sister a ‘snaggle-tooth hoe’, I’m withholding sex! How about that!”
25
Gina
Santino’s fingers thread mine. As he crushes my members for the ultimatum I just tossed, I glower at him. Though I was cold as ice when Gabby introduced herself, acrimony shoots through my veins.
I stalk into the house. My designer shoes are clicking on the marble floor, in a rhythm as if I’m a fighter heading to the ring. I glance at my manicure. My nails look good, vicious even. I will claw anyone that has something to say about my relationship. I’m punching negativity in the throat, kicking bullshit in the ass! (Remember this moment, ladies. Highlight it if you will. After Santino breaks my heart, his argument will be how I didn’t fight hard for us. He’ll place the blame on me while I’m horny as hell in a cabin in the woods.)
Introductions are made when a table that can easily fit fifty is full of my closest family. Cream-colored, tapered candles and charger plates are set in front of high-back chairs. All the Thanksgiving staples are on presentation. Meats from honey-baked ham, to moist turkey and roast are scattered about. There are yams, and macaroni oozing with cheese. Not a section in the center of the table is bare. Each dish could be displayed on the Food Network channel.
Silverware chimes on a wine glass.
“Let’s forgo the usual prayer, Dad,” Gabriella suggests, rubbing her hands together.
I mutter under my breath. “Look, those are beady eyes, Santino. How dare you compare her to me.”
The Italian ignores me for the first time.
Dad responds to the evil one, “Yes, sweetie?”
Fluttering her eyelashes, Gabriella makes a suggestion. “We should all say something we’re thankful for.”
“I object!” Geraldine snaps, smelling the same funky ass setup that I do.
Gabriella shoots our eldest sister a scowl. “Why? Can you even think of anything intelligent to say nowadays? You’ve spent the last seven years in the wilderness.”
My eyes warn Santino that ‘this was exactly what I’d referred to.’
Geraldine’s hand curls around the stem of her wine glass. “I prefer to be butt