Someone make her stop.
“Can we talk about something else?”
“Taking your sexual health seriously is important. You know you have to pee after sex?”
“Mom!” I cry, covering my ears.
“You don’t want to get a UT.”
Sweet Jesus, where did she learn? Did they teach sex education in her day? Surely someone has spoken to her about this.
“It’s a UTI.”
“It’s not. It’s a UT. What does the I stand for?”
“Infection,” I point out.
She ponders this, pursed lips. “Well, that makes more sense.”
“Now, can we talk about something else because I don’t need any more lessons on sexual problems from you.”
She shrugs. “I’m only trying to keep my daughter healthy.”
“I’m perfectly fine. Now, do you want another muffin?”
“I’ll be a perfect candidate for coronary heart infection if I keep eating those, so no thanks.”
I slap my forehead as I walk away.
One thing is for sure, my mom isn’t up to scratch on medical terms.
And I love her for it.
24
“SO YOU’RE THREATENING me?” Giorgio growls, crossing his arms as he stands before a massive group of bikers. “You’re going to try and outdo me.”
“We’re not here to outdo you,” Riggs tells my very angry brother. “We’re here to help you.”
“Why do I find that hard to believe?”
“Because you’ve got a notion in your head that we’re a bunch of criminals and you can’t seem to get it out. The thing is, what you’re doing is equally as criminal so you’re comin’ off as pretty fuckin’ judgmental, don’t you think? You either want our help or you don’t.”
Giorgio hesitates and looks at me for a second, before glancing back at Riggs. “What’s in it for you?”
“Stefano stays in the club and we make sure he’s safe, and you leave my club the fuck alone.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. You agree to that and we’ll help you out of this little fuckin’ mess you’re in.”
“I don’t need your fucking help,” Giorgio growls.
“Don’t you?” Riggs murmurs, crossing his arms. “Seems like you fuckin’ do, brother.”
“I’m not your brother!”
“Gg,” I say, voice tight. “Stop fighting everyone who is trying to help you.”
He looks at me, and for the first time in quite a while I see that he looks like he’s afraid. Maybe he is in deeper than even we know, or maybe he’s just tired and he needs out of this. I understand in his perfect mind working with a club is the worst thing that could happen, but at the same time, he may have no other choice.
“I do this for you, you help me, and then we have nothing to do with each other again?” Giorgio asks Riggs.
Riggs nods. “Except that I’m goin’ to marry your sister, so we’re goin’ to be family one day but other than that...yeah.”
Wait.
What?
I stare at him, eyes wide, mouth agape.
Did he just say he’s going to marry me?
Just like that?
In front of a group of bikers and my brother?
“Aww,” I say, rushing over and throwing my arms around him. “I knew I had gotten in there.”
He grunts. “Calm down, baby. We’re not gettin’ married right now.”
“But you want to marry me?” I squeak happily, fighting the tears.
“Fuck yeah I do. Now, can I get back to business?”
I pull back, grinning. “Of course, husband.”
“Sweet Jesus.”
I release him, a huge grin on my face.
Giorgio looks at the two of us and then exhales. “Fine, we have a deal. But if you hurt my sister, I will come for you and your club.”
Aww.
They’re all making my eyes wet today.
“Clear,” Riggs nods and extends his hand.
Giorgio takes it, shaking it.
“Does this mean we’re all best friends now?” I say, clapping my hands together.
“No,” both men say at the same time.
Well...close enough.
Close enough indeed.
“MY DAUGHTER IS GETTING married,” Mom claps her hands together, skipping around the café.
“Mom, I’m not. I will one day but not yet...I was just telling you what he said.”
“Married?” Doris cries, jumping up from the chair she was relaxing in. “I knew it.”
“Married!” Mom cries again, taking Doris by the hand and the two of them dance around the café making customers laugh.
“Mom,” I laugh, shaking my head. “It was a passing comment, calm down.”
“Oh, it’s going to be beautiful. There will be flowers and cake....”
“Oh, and the most beautiful dress!” Doris adds in.
“We will sing and dance,” Mom goes on, twirling Doris around.
“What the ever-loving hell is going on here?” Ramona says, appearing beside me after coming in the back door. I made her a batch of cupcakes to take home in a pathetic attempt at cheering up Adan. It’s worth a shot.
“They think I’m getting married.”
“You’re getting married?” She shrieks.
“I’m not,” I laugh. “Riggs just said he’s going to marry me one day...”
“You’re getting married!” Ramona squeals, jumping up and down and clapping her hands together.
Then she joins in the dancing group of women, and I’m laughing so hard my belly hurts.
I love my family.
I love them so damned much.
“What’s going on here?” Dom asks, coming through the front door with Bridget by his side. “Is someone getting married? Why are they dancing like that? Oh, someone is pregnant!”
“Married!” All three women squeal. “Evelina!”
“I’m not,” I am in hysterics now.
“What?” Dom says, jumping up and down. “What?”
“Oh god, you’re all crazy.”
Riggs walks in the door just after Dom, and when he sees them all dancing around, his brows go up. “Did I miss something?”
“You don’t want to know,” I say between laughter.
“There he is, the groom,” Doris cries. “What a handsome groom he is, too. Come here son, let me size you up.”
Suddenly he’s surrounded by squealing women all clapping and laughing, dancing around him like he’s a king. He looks to me, confused, and I mouth a ‘sorry’ in between my laughter.
I better save him.
“Ladies, ladies,” I say, squashing through and taking Riggs, pulling him out. “Let the man breathe.”
I rush away with Riggs in tow and we go outside where it’s quiet. I look back in to see them all still discussing it, laughing and jumping around.
“Your family
