If looks could kill, Rico would be six feet under right now. I cannot believe he just said that. I stomped on his foot, and he let out a sharp yelp. I took the opportunity to escape his grasp and moved over to Roman, who hadn’t moved an inch.
“So that’s why you haven’t kissed me.” He crossed his arms defensively over his chest, which rose and fell heavily, like he couldn’t get enough air into his lungs. “When did this really happen, Maya? When did you decide you didn’t want to be with me anymore?”
My face felt hot and splotchy. Was he serious? How stupid could he be? How could he really think I would leave him, especially since he knew I’d said the L word to him in the hospital!
“I do want to be with you—“ I began.
“Since the first time she saw me, probably,” Rico cut in blithely. “Honestly, Rome, it’s much better this way—“
“Shut up.” Roman’s voice was tight.
“—and hey, now you’ll be free to go date those models you like so much, while Maya and I get it on—“
The sound of a fist connecting with a face ripped through the air, causing more than a few people to scream, including myself. All I saw was a red-faced Roman throwing Rico onto the ground, but even in my shock, I was stunned to see Rico wasn’t really hitting him back. I flashed back to the carnival in Hawaii. Talk about déjà vu.
“Roman! Stop!” I grasped the back of his shirt and desperately tried to yank him off to no avail. He didn’t even budge. “Zack! Help!” I gazed pleadingly at the blond, who didn’t seem to hear me as he gaped at the scene on the ground.
“Why do you even care so much?” Rico asked tauntingly. “You can find another girl in a second. Just leave Maya to me.” He smirked, even though blood was smeared on his face. I suppose it’d take more than a little bleeding to faze an ex-gang member. “I’ll take good care of her.”
“I said, shut up!” Roman roared, pulling back his fist to punch him again.
At the last minute, Rico threw Roman off of him, and I squeaked as he stumbled back into me.
“Why are you getting so worked up?” Rico’s voice hardened. “You’re probably going to dump Maya soon, aren’t you? Right after you get what you want.”
Roman’s face was drawn in the most terrifying scowl I’d seen yet. “You’re delusional,” he spat.
“Am I? You just want one thing from her. You don’t really want to be with her.”
Roman’s hands clenched into fists. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then enlighten me.”
That seemed to make Roman snap. “Of course I want to be with her! I’m in love with her!”
The entire deck fell silent. Rico smirked, giving me a smug, you-owe-me-yet-again look Venice squealed happily. Zack’s jaw grazed the ground. But all I could focus on was Roman, who suddenly looked like he wanted to disappear.
Was—what—did he just say he loved me? No. Not even that. Did he just say he was in love with me?
And then, as if the night couldn’t get any more dramatic, I pulled a Venice and fainted.
CHAPTER 31
Well, this was awkward.
Zack hovered uncertainly on the deck, clutching his shirt in one hand as he watched Roman disappear through the doors into the dining room, carrying a still-passed-out Maya in his arms princess-style.
Meanwhile, everyone else was completely silent. All the other diners were gaping, open-mouthed, at what had just transpired, while the waiters wrung their hands, probably wondering what do. While this wasn’t a five-star restaurant, it wasn’t exactly McDonald’s either, and if half the people involved in the drama didn’t own this town, the manager surely would’ve already called the police by now.
“That was interesting,” Rico drawled, seemingly unfazed by the situation. He pulled out a cigarette and quickly lit it, blowing a smoke ring straight into Zack’s face.
Zack coughed lightly, scrunching up his face. He hated cigarettes.
“You’re a terrible person,” he scolded, giving Rico a very disapproving look. “You made My-My faint!”
Rico rolled his eyes. “My-My? Jesus, what is this, Sesame Street?”
“I think it’s a cute nickname,” Zack defended himself, feeling slightly hurt.
“You would.” The other boy sighed. “My brother’s friends…” he muttered under his breath. Then, in a normal voice, he added, “Besides, I didn’t make her faint. That’s all your precious Roman’s doing. It’s not my fault he’s a stubborn, jealous asshole.”