are cuddled up together on one of the couches, and my sister is texting on her phone on an opposite one.
How crazy life is. My brother is single, no worries, no troubles, no problems. My parents, the epitome of what a true couple is supposed to look like, are happy and in love after almost forty years of marriage. My sister and her husband, Jordan, are probably on the verge of divorce.
And then there’s me… complicated as fuck. I don’t even know where I fall. Whatever I had with Carissa is gone now.
“Gianna, you woke up, princess?” my father asks. He and my mom smile at her.
She’s got her thumb in her mouth, but she nods softly with her head against my chest.
“Bring her here,” my mother says.
I walk over to where she’s sitting and place Gianna in her arms. My daughter easily latches on to my mom.
“You made it just in time to bring in the new year, princess,” she says to Gianna and kisses her head.
“Everything good, Enzo?” my father asks me. He’s always called me Enzo. I don’t particularly like it, but it is what it is. He makes the rules around here, and I quickly learned growing up that you don’t test the boss.
“Yeah, sorry. I had to go through some stuff with Ryker from the gym.”
My mom nods. “All good, honey. You want to get the champagne? We’ll need your strength to pop it open.” She’s so sweet. My dad usually pops the bottles open, but tonight, they’re noticing something is up with me. They’ve known it since everything happened. I know they’re trying to get my mind off things, even if they don’t really know what’s going on.
I leave the living room, walk into the kitchen, and find the bottle of champagne. I had already seen the glasses spread out on the coffee table in the living room, so I grab the bottle and make my way back.
“It’s time,” my brother announces as he switches the channel to ABC so we can catch the countdown at Times Square. Fifteen seconds to go.
Max points at the TV. “Here it is. Ten, nine…”
I think back to the messages I sent Carissa as the loud television and the excitement everyone else is feeling blasts through my ears.
Me: I don’t know what happened and why all of a sudden you pulled away. I really thought you enjoyed everything we did, but if I went too far, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you or offend you or whatever the case may be. I don’t know what it could be… Please tell me so I can correct it.
“Eight, seven…”
Me: I really want to talk and fix this… you mean so much to me. Please answer me.
“Six, five…”
Me: All I want to do is say I’m sorry and right things with you. The last thing I wanted was for you to go away and no longer even speak to me.
“Four, three…”
Me: If you’d rather we be just friends, that’s fine. It’ll hurt to let you go, but I’m a grown ass man and I can handle it. I’d rather you tell me you want that instead of completely ignoring me. Please.
“Two, one…”
I grip the bottle tightly in one hand and place my other hand on the edge of the cap, getting ready to pop it open.
“Happy New Year!”
Everyone stands and congratulates each other. The lid pops off and everyone cheers. Glasses are filled, toasts are said, and we all drink champagne. My mother handed Gianna a glass of sparkling apple cider to feel like she was part of the celebration as well. She’s not a fan after only taking a sip.
After everyone calms down, I walk to the far end of the living room and take a seat on one of the couches.
I figure I need to send one last and final text. It’s obvious I need to let her go. She doesn’t want me, and she has no intention of even speaking to me anymore.
I take a deep breath and type my last message to her before I take my brother’s plan on what I should do into consideration. I haven’t done what he told me to do yet because I don’t know how she will react, but maybe I need to. It’ll be the last thing to try, and maybe it will get her to talk to me once more. She would have to thank me at least, right? Or maybe she’ll trash everything and hate