Chapter 20

twenty

. . .

Demi

“This might bethe oddest group, going to the grandparents’ for a Sunday barbecue, huh?” River teased from the driver’s seat as he pulled into my grandparents’ long, circular driveway.

Romeo sat up front, and I was sitting in the back with Cutler, who only responded to Beefcake, so I was going with it.

“I think it’s a perfect group.” My grandfather had personally gone over to apologize to both Romeo and River and invited them over for lunch. He’d extended the invite to all the guys, but Nash and Kingston were working on a big custom renovation, and Hayes was on duty at the firehouse today. So, we’d brought Cutler with us, and he was thrilled about it.

“I think it’s perfect, too, Demi. And you said they have horses? I’ve only been on the back of Uncle Ro’s bike, and he wouldn’t let us go anywhere because it’s not safe for kids. I’ve never been on a horse,” the little guy said. He was so cute it was impossible not to smile around him. He was sporting one of the many T-shirts being sold in town to support Romeo, and this one read:

Magnolia Falls’ Golden Boy… He’s a real knockout.

Cutler had the shirt tucked into his dark jeans, a black leather coat, and some black Dr. Martens. I mean, this kid was as cool as you get. His hair was slicked back with a ton of gel, and his little cherub cheeks were tinted pink. He looked like a mini version of all five of these guys melded together.

“Yes. I can take you out for a ride if you want. And my grandparents are going to love you.”

“What’s not to love about Beefcake?” he said with a wink. I mean, the swagger on this kid was unbelievable.

Everyone laughed, and we got out of the car. River and Romeo seemed far more tense than Cutler, who took my hand and waggled his brows at Romeo, who reached for my other hand.

“Listen, I’m doing the whole lunch at the mansion thing for you, Beans. But don’t make me suffer through a pissing match with you two.” River smirked at Romeo and Cutler.

“I know she’s Uncle Ro’s girl, but he said she could be my girl, too.” Cutler came to a stop and gaped up at the large house in front of him. “My dad told me to use my manners, and now I know why. This is a giant house.”

“You use your manners no matter the size of the house. You know that,” Romeo said, raising a brow.

“Yep. That’s right. But big houses need big manners.”

I shook my head and laughed as we walked up the steps, and I pushed the door open. “Hey, Gramps and Grammie! We’re here.”

Sheila came to the door. She’d worked for my grandparents since I was a little girl, and she took Cutler’s coat, as the rest of us were not wearing one. The weather was starting to get nicer now, and the sun was shining today.

“I like your shirt,” Sheila said to Cutler.

“It’s for my Uncle Ro. He’s got a big fight coming up.” He flicked his thumb at Romeo and beamed up at him with so much pride.

“Oh, I know. It’s all anyone in town is talking about,” she said, and I introduced everyone to her.

Romeo tried to act like all the attention wasn’t getting to him, but I knew differently. Leo had pulled some cheap shots this week. He’d somehow found Keith Knight’s mug shot from when he’d been arrested for his third DUI and was later sent to prison. He’d blasted it on every social media platform and said the only way Romeo would make it one round of this fight was if he did something shady, which he’d said ran in the family. The caption read: The small-town golden boy will be praying for jail time when I put his ass in the hospital.

I hated this guy with a passion. I’d never felt this kind of disdain. It made no sense to me that he’d all but bullied him into agreeing to fight him, only to taunt him every single day since.

River had calmed me down when Romeo had gone for a run this morning and told me it was all for show and not to worry. I’d grown close to Romeo’s friends, and they felt more like family now. We met almost every day after work to watch Romeo’s second practice and cheer him on when we could.

Sheila led us out to the backyard, where my grandparents and my mom were sitting, drinking sun tea and chatting with Valentina and Mimi who’d obviously beat us here. They all seemed to be getting on just fine without us.

Everyone pushed to their feet, and we made introductions all around. My grandmother and my mom gave Romeo and River extra-long hugs, and I didn’t miss the emotion in their welled-up eyes when they pulled away. My mom bent down and greeted Cutler.

“And who is this handsome young man?”

“You can call me Beefcake, ma’am,” he said, a wide grin on his face.

“Beefcake, huh? What’s your last name?” my grandfather asked with a chuckle.

“Heart. Beefcake Heart. And I’m all heart, sir. You can even ask my uncles and my girl, Demi. They’ll tell you the truth.”

Valentina hugged me and scooped up Cutler to give him a hug, as well. They were clearly close because he called her Titi, and then he kissed Romeo’s grandmother on the cheek and called her Gigi.

Ben was barbecuing steaks, like he did every Sunday afternoon. He was Sheila’s husband, and they lived in the guesthouse on the property. The table was set beautifully, as always. My grandmother loved to entertain, and she and my mom were telling everyone about their plans for the white party this year.

“I’ve always wanted to come, but I usually have to work or something comes up,” Valentina said.

“This year, you’ll have to come. It’s a fun celebration for everyone in town,” Grammie said proudly, and her eyes landed on Romeo. “And I’m hoping you and your friends will attend this year.”

River barked out a laugh. “Yeah, white parties aren’t normally our thing. Not that we ever felt like coming here was a good idea.”

He never stood on ceremony. He may as well have just said that they didn’t come because our family had framed him and Romeo for a crime they didn’t commit, and there was no love there.

At least until now.

Romeo’s hand found mine as it rested between us on the outdoor couches, and he intertwined our fingers. Almost like he knew the conversation was difficult for me to hear.

But it was him I was worried about.

“Well, now that we all know what happened, we can move forward. We would really like you all to be here, and if you don’t want to wear white, we’ll be fine with that, too,” Gramps said.

My grandmother huffed. “Just a white shirt, you know, to stay on theme.”

Everyone laughed some more.

“So, let’s talk about the other elephant in the room. That guy you’re fighting is a real piece of work, Romeo. I don’t understand all that social media baloney, but pulling out a deceased man’s mug shot is not okay.” Gramps had no filter and was going to go right at it.

“Leo’s trying to get under his skin. He’s been doing it all along, which makes me wonder if there’s a reason,” River said as he sipped his tea.

“It’s pretty disgusting. Tia called this morning and was really upset about it. Why do you think he’s going to such lengths to hurt us?” Valentina asked.

River’s gaze softened as he looked at Romeo’s mother. It was obvious they were all close. “It’s all about messing with Romeo. Making this a big show so it draws a lot of attention, which equals a lot of money. But the way he’s doing it”—he looked out at the miles-long green pasture that led down to the water—“makes me wonder if he’s as tough as he pretends to be. And maybe half of his strategy is just to get into someone’s head.”

“I agree with that.” Gramps nodded and looked over at Romeo. “A man who was putting in the work would stay focused, like you’re doing with your training. Less talk and more work.”

“Listen, I haven’t fought in a while. All I can do is prepare the best I can, show up, and hope I can go the distance. I’m not under the delusion that I’m the more skilled fighter. He’s got experience on his side. He’s been a professional fighter for many years, and he wants to go for the belt. I want to leave in one piece and not embarrass myself. We have different goals.”

My heart squeezed at his words. I knew this had to be terrifying, hearing some asshole talk about how badly he planned to hurt you every day. But Romeo took it all in stride.

“You could never embarrass yourself,” I said. “You’ve stepped up, and you’re working unbelievably hard. It’s so impressive. And you don’t engage with his nonsense, which says a lot about you.”

“Trust me. I engage in my head,” he said, as he sipped his tea, and he suddenly looked like he was a million miles away.

“My daddy’s not letting me go to the fight. I’m staying home with Titi and Gigi because they don’t want to see Uncle Ro fight, but I do. And we’re watching on TV.”

Romeo’s mom looked away, and I knew she was just as nervous as I was. But I was going to that fight come hell or high water. I’d be there every step of the way, cheering him on.

“That’s right. We’ll be watching from home,” Valentina said, her voice cracking a bit on her words.

Thankfully, Ben and Sheila chose that time to call everyone to the table. We spent the next hour eating and talking and laughing. The conversation had lightened.

“I don’t know why I have to be eighteen years old to get the Ride or Die tattoo like my uncles. Do you think that’s fair, Demi?”

“Look at you going to the softie in the group to try to get your way, Beefcake,” River said as he dropped his corn on the cob onto his plate.

“Hey. I’m not a softie.”

Romeo glanced over at me and smiled, and my stomach flipped, per usual. There was something about the way that he looked at me. Like I was the only girl in the whole world. Like he’d move heaven and earth for me if I asked him to.

“You’re a softie for Beefcake, baby.” He smirked.

“Well, you know I like to take your side,” I said to Cutler, who was sitting between my mom and my grandmother, who were both enamored with him. “But I agree with your daddy. I do think you should be an adult before you do anything permanent to your body.”

“Demi, you’re my girl. You aren’t on my side?” His little brows pinched together, and everyone was laughing at the devastated look he was flashing me. “I want to have it before Uncle Ro’s fight.”

“I didn’t say that. I think we could do something not permanent if your daddy was okay with it. I’ll text him and see what I can work out for you.”

Cutler fist-pumped the sky, and my grandfather shook his head. “This kid is going to be running the world someday. You just flipped her without even trying. And my granddaughter doesn’t sway all that easily.”

More laughter.

I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Nash.

Hey. Beefcake is devastated about waiting a lifetime for his RoD tattoo. What if we use a Sharpie and make the little guy’s dreams come true for the fight? He can watch from home and sport a fake tattoo.

Nash

Damn. This kid doesn’t stop. I mean, I’m allowing him to go by the name Beefcake, so a Sharpie tattoo is the least of my worries. Just make sure it’s hidden so I don’t get shit from his teacher.

You’re such a softie.

Nash

Takes one to know one. How’s Romeo doing with the shit that broke this morning?

Acting like he isn’t bothered, but he’s bothered.

Nash

Yeah. That’s what I figured. We’re all worried about him bottling this shit up.

I’ll get him to talk about it. I just need some time.

Nash

Glad he’s got you by his side.

Glad he’s got you guys by his side, too.

He liked the text, and I dropped my phone back down on the table.

“It’s a go, Beefcake. I’ll draw the tattoo on your arm with a Sharpie the week of the fight. You’ll be supporting Uncle Ro from Magnolia Falls,” I said.

Romeo glanced over at me, his tongue sliding along his bottom lip, and I squeezed my thighs together in response.

The way this man made me feel was unexplainable.

Every damn day, too.

We couldn’t get enough of one another.

“You really are my girl, Demi.” Cutler moved to his feet and looked around the table. “May I be excused? I want my girl to show me how to ride a horse so I can propose to her someday on horseback.”

Romeo’s head fell back in laughter, and it was the first real laugh I’d heard from him today. “How can I compete with this?”

“You’ve already won. I’m all yours,” I whispered into his ear.

I took Cutler’s hand in mine and led him toward the barn. Everything felt lighter today than I’d expected with Romeo and River and my family.

They’d all made peace, and there were no issues.

And it felt like we were finally putting all the darkness behind us.