4. North

four

North

My lower back is a bay of sweat by the time I finally find a long enough pause in Mr. Bella's pizzeria stories to excuse myself for the night. He's alright for a dad, and all, but I get the impression that he's suspicious of me, like he can tell how much I care about Gia.

Maybe I'm overreacting.

I hope I'm overreacting.

With a cringe on my face, I tiptoe down the hall at record speeds, ready to make a clean break. It's apparently not my night as I nearly smack into Rocco, who is coming through the kitchen side door. His eyes immediately narrow, skipping over me to bounce on Gia's open bedroom door then dart back to me. "Sup, Bruh?'

"Nothing." I rub the back of my neck, forcing myself to appear casual. "Just stopped over to see how Gia is doing."

"It's almost midnight."

"Right." Standing my ground, I jerk a thumb over my shoulder back toward her room. "Dude, your dad's been here the whole time, feeding us pizza. He had all these stories, and I thought it was rude to leave."

"Are you for real?" He steps forward, his nostrils flaring out like he's sniffing me. Even though he plays running back, the dude's built like a linebacker. But it doesn't matter if he's built like a ballerina, he's not a dude you want in your face. "What do you have going on with my sister?"

"Nothing." I clamp my mouth shut and wag my head, totally confused he'd care this much. Before I know it, his fist finds my jacket collar, and he slams me against the wall. "I'm only going to tell you one more time. You stay away from her, or else."

"—Ah, or else." I scramble to find my footing, and slide against the wall, inching toward the door. I know giving into his taunts will only make it worse, but I really have no intentions of fighting him. I'd rather just walk away.

"Just stay away from her," he hisses right as Mr. Bella appears in the hall.

Finally, one time Mr. Bella's magical manifesting power helps me out. "I thought I heard someone out here. How was the dance, Rocco?"

"Fine." Rocco's dark eyes never leave my face, and he takes another step, crowding me toward the door. "Just seeing North out."

"R-right," I stammer, as the doorknob is finally in reach, and I toss a wave over my shoulder. "Bye, Mr. Bella. See you later, Rocco."

I'm out the door in the next second, slamming it behind me to race across the yard. I have no idea what got into Rocco. He's never been that way with me before, but apparently, he's protective of his sister.

I don't ever want to see that side of him again.