Chapter 31 #2
The server finally appeared before I could unload on my brother. Luckily for her, she’d brought our food and another drink for me. Otherwise, I would have terminated her on the spot.
Roman was right. I was an asshole.
We ate in silence, though I hardly touched my meal. I checked my cell phone several times, debating whether to text Isla or not. If I did, I’d keep it neutral and impersonal unlike my previous text. How could I admit that I missed her after what she did?
No, I wouldn’t contact Isla, but I’d call Paolo when I got home. I didn’t need Roman eavesdropping and interfering more than he already had.
The sound of glass shattering made me turn around to see what had happened. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I stood from my chair at the sight of Courtney laughing on the floor, clearly drunk and quite possibly high.
Courtney Collins was one of the country’s top models or had been before drugs entered her life.
We met at an A-list gala, danced and had a one-night stand.
Not too long after our romp in the sack, she toured the world with International Models Inc.
We hooked up several more times, then she started sniffing the white powder and shooting up.
Our friends-with-benefits relationship changed after that.
For the last three years, she’d been in and out of rehab. Her modeling career tanked. It was awful to see her like this, wasted and stoned. She was nothing like the old Courtney I’d once known.
“Roman, help me,” I shouted over my shoulder as I rushed toward the scene. “Hey, Court… Are you okay?”
Her eyes were wild and she fucking reeked of booze. “Ciro! I’m so happy to see you,” she said through her giggles.
“Let me help you stand.” I hoisted her up, letting her lean on me. She giggled some more as I steadied her. “Are you here with friends?” I hadn’t noticed anyone around but thought I’d ask.
She wobbled on her feet. “Nope. Just. Me.”
“Can Roman and I take you home?” I turned toward Roman, giving him a questioning look. He nodded sharply. I couldn’t leave Courtney in a public place, alone and intoxicated.
She laughed some more, grabbing onto my blazer. “What? The two hottest Remotti brothers want to take me home? I just fucking won the lottery.” She squealed excitedly as flashes flickered around the room.
Fucking hell. She was drawing all kinds of attention.
Roman whispered, “I’ll meet you at the car.”
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you home.” I wrapped my arm around Courtney’s waist, tucking her against my side. The sooner we got out of the restaurant, the better, though I knew her face was already plastered all over social media.
And mine would be right next to hers. This was fucking bad.
I practically dragged her out of the building, not caring if she was stumbling over her own feet. Roman better have the car pulled up because I didn’t want to linger around outside with Courtney.
“You’re the best, Ciro.” She smiled, and for a moment, I saw my old friend. “I’ve missed you.” Her mouth was on mine, catching me off guard.
“No. You can’t do that,” I scolded and pushed her back.
Roman appeared beside me. “That kiss probably has a million views already.”
“Are you fucking serious?” I growled at my brother, who opened the car door.
Roman jerked his head toward a group of women, all with their phones out.
“Jesus Christ,” I seethed as I put Courtney in the backseat, secured her seatbelt, and slammed the passenger door. “I don’t need this shit.”
“No, you don’t. Neither does Isla.”
My heart stopped. Isla had never been a fan of social media. I prayed like hell she still avoided it like she had when we were together.
“Let’s get her home ASAP,” I shouted.
An hour later, Roman and I made Courtney drink water, eat a sandwich, and take a shower.
The shower was a huge challenge.
It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen her naked before, but it was different now. I was different. Courtney begged me to get in with her, but Roman stayed with me. The last thing I needed was a he-said-she-said situation, while my relationship with Isla was on thin ice.
As I helped Courtney into bed my phone rang. I glanced at my device and dread washed over me.
“Isla’s calling,” I told Roman, leaving the room. “Watch her.” I pointed at Courtney.
“Good luck.” Roman smirked. The jerk.
“Hey,” I answered, trying to sound relaxed. I really wasn’t ready to talk to Isla, but I wouldn’t ignore her calls. It could be about Pippa.
“Hey yourself. Didn’t think we’d be playing games, given the fact that we’re parents now, but I wanted to extend a little grace since being a dad is new for you.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm; a sure sign she was furious with me.
I didn’t need this right now. “Are you mad at me?”
“Yes. Yes, I am. Thanks for the heads-up about Rosa. I don’t get you, Ciro. You acted like you wanted me, told me as much, even had sex with me, then I don’t hear from you. So yes, I’m fucking mad at you!”
“Whoa! Calm down. Where’s Pippa?” I asked because she shouldn’t be talking like that in front of Pippa. Dropping an f-bomb like that shocked me. It also scared the hell out of me. She never said fuck, not even when we fought.
“Don’t try to placate me. You definitely don’t need to worry about Pippa. She’s just fine.”
“Look, I needed time to process. My emotions are all over the place.”
She laughed melodically, like the night she had left me. “Famous last words. Let me help you with your emotions. Just worry about your daughter. There isn’t, nor will there ever be, anything between us except Pippa.”
“Fuck, Isla! I need a goddamn second to adjust here. Can’t you understand that?”
“Adjust to what? Having your hand forced into fatherhood? I never asked you for a goddamn thing. Not for me and not for Pippa. Just because she’s here doesn’t mean you and I should be together. Last night was just another stupid mistake.”
“Isla, stop.”
“Stop, what? It’s the truth.”
“No, it isn’t.” My face heated. If she were here, I’d spank her juicy ass for talking this way.
“You said you’d call me!”
“And I was going to later tonight, but you couldn’t wait, could you? And now you’re all angry and hurt, and calling to make me feel bad.” Shut the fuck up, Ciro!
“You think I’m trying to manipulate you? I’m not playing games with you, Ciro. I don’t have the stamina for it or wherewithal. I’m a mother. Pippa is my top priority. We were doing just fine before—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” I warned her.
“Ciro, baby,” Courtney sang from behind me. “Who are you talking to?”
My blood went cold as I whirled around. She was doing one of her sexy modeling poses, pushing her hip out and lifting the hem of her oversized Beatles band shirt. Except she didn’t entice me in the least and hadn’t for many years.
“Shit, sorry.” Roman ran in and grabbed Courtney, but he struggled to get her back into the bedroom.
“Oh my God!” Isla cried.
“It’s not—” The line went dead. “Fuck!”
I called her back, panicked as all get-out. It went to voicemail.
“Son of a fucking bitch!” I roared and called her again. Voicemail.
“I’m sorry,” Roman said. “She told me she needed to pee. I fucked up.”
I paced, feeling as if my heart would explode in my chest. I knew what Isla thought, but she was wrong. Of course, she wouldn’t have known that. All she knew was that I’d avoided her and was with another woman.
Could this situation get any more fucked up? Probably better not to tempt the universe.
“Do you want me to call her? I can explain what we’re doing here.”
“Let me text her first.” My fingers flew across the screen as I typed: It’s not what you think. Roman and I are helping a friend. Call me. I’ll explain.
I waited and waited for a reply and got nothing.
After an hour of calling and texting Isla, I was losing my mind. Roman and I had finally gotten Courtney to sleep and we went home.
Why in the hell hadn’t I called Isla earlier?
What did I need to process?
Why did I tell her my emotions were all over the place? I made it sound like I didn’t know how I felt about her, which was the furthest thing from the truth.
Yes, I was angry, but I loved her. I needed Isla and I wanted her more than anything.
And I fucked up with her, again.