The expression on Flavio's face quickly changed into one that showed he took the words as a joke. After all, Elio barely ever paid attention to girls outside of sex. And even then his attention was limited. He had never even let them kiss him. It was pure fucking. Nothing more, nothing less. So to hear him saying that he was actually meeting someone outside of a bedroom, simply couldn't be anything more than a joke.
"I'm being serious," Elio snarled.
It was ridiculous to consider but it wasn’t like he didn't want to fuck the girl. That's most likely what their meeting was going to turn into. Savannah might be a little weird and not his usual type, but even she wouldn't refuse him. And he liked the challenge.
Flavio's lips curved in an almost-smile. "If you have to try hard enough to actually see her, good-fucking-luck with getting her into your bed," he warned.
"Fuck you. It's not as hard as it may seem."
The boy shrugged, completely unmoved by the defensive tone of Elio's voice. He rarely cared about things or at least he didn't show it. Sometimes the questions he asked made people think otherwise. Elio included.
Quite frankly it was laugh-worthy that those two became friends. They were completely different, yet they found common ground. For some reason, they forged a fraternal bond and it grew the stronger with each passing day. Something that Elio had never had with Fabro. Twins or not, they were people who partied together from time to time and sat through family dinners that Mother insisted would happen on Sundays. None of them was religious the way she was. Not even close. Yet, they agreed at her begging. With Elio moving out and Fabro looking for his own place too, she was probably mortified to be left with Father alone more than usual.
"We will see," Flavio regarded him. "Just remember she is an outsider."
Not like Elio would ever forget that. Outsiders were good for fun and business at times. Since he had to stay away from the girls in their social circles, knowing how their pureness reflected upon their future, he kept himself busy with those who weren't out of his reach. This whole tradition shit was bizarre to him, however, staying true to the rules that were set from the start, he'd never play with them. Having his heart handed to him on a silver platter wasn't his final goal.
One day he would probably marry one of the girls. If Father as much as thought it convening to his cause. The same with Fabro. Neither of them had any warm feelings towards it but it was what it was. He hadn't felt any appeal in fucking a virgin. No experience, no fun. If it were up to him, he'd gladly spend the rest of his life proving his worth by working as much and as well as possible in the name of their Capo dei Capi. Not forming a fucking family and fathering kids.
"Believe me, forgetting that won't be my problem," he murmured.
He gripped his training bag, seeing that it was already past the time. He was still supposed to collect the money from one of their pubs. Later he decided to stay home as he felt drenched after the day he'd already had. He could probably visit Father's club for a quick fuck with one of the dancers. Sporting a boner wouldn't be a problem. But as tomorrow would mark fucking Savannah, he could handle one day off. Having her would be a completely new experience, anyway.
"If you're done tomorrow earlier, call me. It's probably going to take a while for me anyway," Flavio said, giving him a handshake. Then they parted ways.
Chapter Eleven
The heat of the day ebbed to a comforting warmth. The sunshine lost its brightness and the colors of the sky smoothly mixed with the sun setting down. As it was mid-July, the weather was unbearable most days. Temperatures were unbelievably high, making it hard for people to do close to anything. However, there was usually a cold breeze in the evenings which was a blessing for Savannah as she strolled down the pavement with her little brother hand in hand after an afternoon full of attractions.
She managed to pick him up from kindergarten and first took him for ice cream to his favorite place. Then they rushed to the cinema for a movie that took way too long for Savannah's liking. And here they were at nine in the evening walking back home when they should have been back way before that. Aiden should have been in bed by now as tomorrow was Friday. Thankfully, they had a summer program that allowed Savannah to keep working without worrying about the boy. She couldn't pester her babysitter Kate each day. As a teenager, she still had her own life to take care of and since it was summer she most likely preferred to spend it with her friends, having the time of her life before going to college.
Looking down at the boy he was half-asleep, barely moving his legs. Savannah could feel the same tiredness envelop her. Being up from the early morning, working a long shift and then enjoying her time with her brother was a good way to finish the day, yet extremely exhausting.
"Buddy, there is still a little bit to walk home. Don't fall asleep on me now." She shook the boy's hand as his eyes opened wide, showing that he was nowhere near sleeping. It made Savannah laugh.
It was funny how someone who rarely ever talked could make her smile and laugh so easily. Those moments were so precious that they only reassured her about her decision not to give up on raising Aiden. Even without using many words, he was a smart little human who was bound to grow up to be an amazing person. That's what Savannah wanted for him.
She regretted nothing. Of course, she’d been forced to grow up way too fast,
