Santo had watched Nicola sulk for nearly an hour out of the bedroom window. He had never seen his brother so in love with a woman, even more so than Arin. The thought was comforting because it meant that his brother had moved on. However, the thought was also deeply troubling, because it meant yet another woman that Nicola loved had chosen to marry another. Santo wanted to go down to him and lend a shoulder to the cause, maybe encourage him to get some rest. There was nothing worst than sulking. Deciding to act on his thoughts, he headed down to the pool but was interrupted by the doorbell.
“Please, God don’t let it be more drama?” he said aloud looking down at this watch. It was nearly three in the morning.
Going to the door hesitantly, considering all of the ruckus over the last few days, he peered through the peephole to find Ivy on the other side of the door in her pajamas. How interesting, Santo thought to himself as he curiously opened the door.
“Hi, Santo,” Ivy said pulling at her hair nervously.
“You can tell us apart?”
“Of course,” Ivy said stepping in out of the darkness. “I came to see, Nicola. Is he in? Is he alone?” She allowed the words to fall clumsily out of her mouth.
“He is in, and he is alone,” Santo said closing the door. He thought Ivy was exceedingly charming and the best match for his twin brother.
“He’s asleep?” Ivy asked looking around.
“No. He’s out by the pool,” Santo said lifting his eyebrow. “Do you want to surprise him.”
“Yes,” Ivy said walking towards the den. “I know how to get there.”
Ivy stepped down into the den and pulled the black linen curtains away from the wall-to-wall glass windows. She examined Nicola’s body language for a moment, still sitting by the pool, his form slumped over. She could have stayed there and gazing at him all night, but she had to prepare for a wedding the next day. So, moving along, she opened the doors and went out to him.
Nicola didn’t turn at first, assuming it was just Santo coming out to join him. He instead gulped down the last of his beer and pulled his shirt off for a swim.
“Is this what you call babysitting?” Ivy asked playfully, standing behind him.
Turning quickly, Nicola’s mouth dropped stunned at Ivy’s presence. He stood up and closed his mouth, darted his eyes around her trying to find something clever to say, but regrettably he was only left with his sincerest of emotions. Rubbing his hand through his large chocolate curls, he pulled back on his shirt. “They have enough sense to be asleep at this hour.”
Ivy smiled at his dishevelment. It pleased her to see that she was not the only one that could be overcome. She walked up to him and hugged him tightly, feeling his heart beat against her own. He kissed the crown of her head and released her.
“I’m afraid to ask why you’re here,” Nicola said taking her by the arm and leading her back into the house out of the night air.
“I had to say something to you that couldn’t be said over the phone and couldn’t wait until tomorrow.” Ivy turned and stared into his eyes. “You look so flushed,” she touched his red cheeks.
“I’m fine. What is it?” Nicola said trying to stop his racing mind. He took her hand in his own.
Ivy caught her breath as it tried to leap from her body. “Trina told me everything,” she said watching the air deflate from his body. “She told me about the night you two slept together, the abortion, about Grey and his threats. She told me everything.” Her arms trembled. She heard Santo’s feet shuffle across the floor and up the back stairwell.
Nicola needed to sit down. Releasing Ivy, he reached for a chair but settled for the corner of his end table. The room began to spin around and around and little sweat beads popped on his forehead. She has come to kick me in the balls, Nicola thought to himself. He looked up at her, realizing that his betrayal was total. He tried to beg her forgiveness.
“I swear that I’ve tried to keep this from you,” Nicola said softly raising both brows at her. “I wanted to protect you and Trina.” He reached out for her.
“Protect us from what?” Ivy asked walking closer to him.
“From the truth,” Nicola said unable to read her. “I didn’t want you to loose your friend. And I didn’t want to loose Brooks. So, I just stayed away. Until this day, I still don’t remember being with Trina, but I know that she wouldn’t lie about something like that.” He sighed heavily feeling his heart in his stomach. “Look, I know that you think the worst of me, and you’ve seen the worst of me. In fact, since you’ve met me, I’ve caused you nothing but pain. But all that I can do at this point is ask for your understanding. I’m not a good man, Ivy. I know that, but I don’t believe that I am a bad man either. I’m just…somewhere
