Chapter Twenty-Eight
Dominic
When I walk into the kitchen at Bella’s house, everyone’s facing each other with angry expressions, and then those expressions flip to me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand. I expected them to be furious about Brock contacting her again, but all the rage seems to be directed toward me.
“Whoa.” I hold my hands up in defense while bracing my legs apart. I’m not sure where the first blow is coming from or what new sin I’ve committed, but from the tension in the room and the looks of horror on everyone’s faces, I’ve stepped in some shit somewhere.
“Before we start with the melee, explain why everyone looks like they want to beat the crap out of me. I expected Mr. Wright’s cold shoulder, but….” I stare at my friends. “I thought we worked everything out last night.”
Sam steps up to me and shoves my shoulder. “That’s before Bella dropped the bombshell that she’s dropping out of school.”
“I don’t know anything about that.” My jaw flexes as I seek Bella out. She walks around her brothers and stands between me and everyone else standing in the kitchen.
“Stop. All of you.” She shakes her head in disgust. “This has nothing to do with Dominic. I hadn’t even told him my decision, and he certainly didn’t encourage me to do this. Not to mention, I didn’t say I was dropping out, I said I was reducing my class load.”
Her mom rakes a hand through her hair. “You need to explain yourself.”
“Yes.” Lee’s eyes flash with anger as his face reddens. “Explain yourself.”
“Everyone takes a deep breath and let Bella explain.” I rest my hand on her shoulder. The man’s blood pressure is up, and the last thing I need is for him to have a heart attack, and everyone blames me.
Bella glances up at me and smiles. The smile that makes my knees weak and my heart sputter. But I’m not stupid. Just because she appreciates my support doesn’t mean anyone else in the room does.
“Fine.” Lee’s eyes narrow into slits. “Spill it.”
“Yeah.” Ben crosses his arms over his broad chest while Sam mimics his same movements.
Bella inhales and straightens her shoulders. “Ruby and I were talking a few weeks ago.”
“Oh, great.” Kim throws her hands into the air. “Perfect.”
“Mom.” Bella’s voice is sharp. “Enough.”
“Fine.” Kim tips her chin out and stills. “Explain.”
“We talked about how unhappy I was in school, and by the end of the conversation, I realized I didn’t want to be an accountant. I know we’ve talked about it for years, but I think it was your dream for me and not mine.”
When she trembles, my heart aches for her. I rub my thumb over her shoulder as pride swells inside of me at her willingness to stand up for what she wants. Between choosing me and now deciding she wants to do something different for her future, this has been a difficult couple of days for her.
Her bottom lip quivers so I pull her close to me and rub my hand down her arm. She instantly settles and continues with stronger conviction. “I don’t want to take over the family business when you retire.”
Lee rakes his hand through his hair. “What is your dream?”
She studies him for a couple of seconds. “I’ve applied to go to cosmetology school and was accepted. I’ve spoken to my advisor about my classes, and I’m going to finish this semester. Then, next semester, I’ll take two college classes and a half-load of Cosmo classes so that I can work at the same time. It’ll take me a little longer to complete everything, but that’s what I’m doing.”
“It sounds like you have it all planned out.” Kim’s shoulders relax a fraction of an inch.
“I don’t have everything figured out.” Bella shrugs. Her vulnerability and strength have me falling that much harder for her. If that’s even possible at this point.
I kiss the top of her head, causing her to smile slightly and lay her head against my chest. “I want to get my Cosmo license and eventually own my own salon, so I need that accounting degree to make sure I don’t have to depend upon someone else. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner, but I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me or my decisions.”
Kim sighs and clutches her chest. “Lee, we raised such a smart girl.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry we made you think we’d be mad at you for doing something besides accounting. That was never our intention.”
“Bullshit.” Sam rolls his eyes. “Bella has always been the favored child, and once again, here she comes out smelling like roses.” He changes his pitch to mimic Bella’s, “Mom and dad, I didn’t want to disappoint you. I love you so much.” He gives her a shitty look. “You’re such a suck-up.”
Bella tenses in front of me. “I’m not trying to suck up.”
“Yes, you are,” Ben pipes up.
“Enough,” Lee bellows, and everyone’s mouths shut up. “That’s enough.” Everyone stops talking again.
“See….” Kim waves her hand around the room. “This is what I’m talking about. All I did was give you all life, fed you, loved you, sacrificed my body and heart for you, only for you all to listen to your dad.”
“Honey, the kids all love and respect you.” He pats his wife’s back. “But let’s focus on one thing at a time. Bella, I’m disappointed, but I appreciate how mature you are in handling the situation.”
“Gag.” Sam rolls his eyes again and marches to the refrigerator, yanking open the door, snatches out a bottle of water, and twists off the lid in one fluid motion.
“Sam.” Kim’s eyes flare with irritation as she chastises him.
“What?” He drops the lid on the counter and chugs the water.
“Tell your sister that you’re sorry and throw that piece of garbage away. You’re not coming in here and treating the house like your own personal trash can.”
“Or your mom like a housecleaner.” Lee points at the offending lid. “Trash, now.”
“I’m so proud of you, baby.” I kiss her temple as they continue to bicker amongst each other. She pulls back so she can face me.
“Thank you. I wasn’t sure how this was going to go, and I’m sorry you walked in at that point.” She frowns and tilts her head sideways. “Although, I should’ve had the time to explain everything before you got here. How fast did you drive?”
“Now….” I kiss the tip of her nose as Sam tosses the lid and now empty bottle into the trash while the boys complain about having to pick up the trash. I’ve loved this family for years. They might grumble–a lot–but they adore each other, and Sam and Ben love their sister despite what they say.
“Dominic….” Her eyes narrow into little slits.
“Don’t worry about that.” I yank her back into my arms. “We’ve got to address the situation with Brock.”
“What’s going on?” Sam spins on his heel, and the room drops to silence.
“He found my phone number again.”
“That fucker.” Sam pops his fist into his open hand. “We need to take care of this asshole.”
“Exactly.” Ben crosses his arms over his chest. “Clearly Dominic punches like a girl, or he wouldn’t have contacted Bella again.”
“Kiss my ass.”
“Boys.” Kim claps her hands together. “I realize everyone in this house has the same ‘insulting each other’ love language, but this is serious.” Her eyes are haunted as she studies Bella. “I don’t understand why he’s still contacting you.”
Sam laughs and claps his mom’s shoulder. “Good one.”
“Stop.” She glares daggers at him. “I’m serious. Bella broke up with him. She’s changed phones. He stopped, then all of a sudden, it picked up again. Why?”
Bella clears her throat. “Brock was jealous of Dominic.”
I arch my eyebrows. “Why?”
“Because he knew I liked you and he couldn’t stand you. Every time we were around you, he started in again about how I mooned over you.” She smiles sheepishly. “And he was right. I compared everyone to you. Especially Brock. He didn’t fair very well.”
Despite the severity of the situation, it makes me happy to know that she pined as hard for me as I did her.
“Between you messaging him to leave me alone, and then you punching him, it must’ve clicked that maybe you bought me a phone, and he found it that way.”
“That was sweet of me,” I smirk. “Both things were pretty sweet.”
“Yes, they were.” When she bites her bottom lip, the rest of the room disappears. I wrap my arms around her as she slides her hands up my chest and then into my hair.
Well, they don’t exactly disappear, or I’d take her right here.
“Jesus,” Sam sputters. “I can’t believe we’re going to be subjected to this horror.”
“Kiss my ass.” Bella stands on her tiptoes and kisses me. Her lips are warm, soft, and perfect against mine. Down boy. I pull back before I forget we’re in the middle of her parents’ kitchen.
“They’re so perfect together.” Kim smacks Lee on the chest. “I told you they were in love with each other.”
“Yes, dear.” He marches across the floor and stops in front of us. My face fills with heat as I drop my arms to my sides. “That’s better. Now, what’re we going to do about this jerk?”
“We’re going to go to his job and kick his ass,” Ben says while popping his knuckles.
“Yes.” Sam nods in agreement with his brother’s declaration.
“I third that.” I nod, loving that Bella’s family has her back.
“Lee, you and the boys go to Silas’s office and tell him that we’re done with his son’s childish maneuvers.” She grabs her cell phone. “And Bella and I are going to the police station to file a protection order against Brock.” She meets Lee’s gaze. “You tell Silas his taxes will be due in a few months, and if he doesn’t want a new accountant, he needs to put that boy on a leash. He knows we’re the best accountants in town.”
“Listen to your mom, we’ll take care of Brock.” Lee squeezes my shoulder. “Right, son?’
“Right.” I was stupid to think they wouldn’t welcome me with open arms. They’ve been a part of my life since I was nine years old, when I came over for the first time after school and played catch with the boys in the backyard.
They didn’t care then that my dad was in prison or that my mom was a cook at the school. They shoved a plate of food in front of my face and told me to eat. I cradle Bella against my chest and inhale her scent. Why did I wait so long? I could’ve lost my chance with her.
As if she senses where my thoughts are traveling, she turns in my arms and cups my face. The love in her eyes makes my chest hurt. I don’t deserve that level of adoration. Or at least, I never thought I did.
She rubs her thumbs over the stubble on my jaw. “I love you.”
“Move on!” Sam shoves my back.
“Let’s go take care of our girl so you two can focus on what’s important.” Lee motions to the door.
“Yes, weddings and grandbabies.” Kim slaps the phone to her ear.
“Oh, my God.” Bella’s face pales. “I’m so sorry, Dom.”
“I’m not.” I kiss her lips like we’re alone and we don’t have a care in the world.