“He didn’t make it seem that way.”
He gave us the label when we worked at the food drive last weekend. At the time, I thought he was just jealous and possessive. We hadn’t talked about it since, and I thought it was too soon for either of us to assume we were exclusive. I really liked him, but I didn’t walk into any situation blind. “He’s just…” I searched for an explanation, but I couldn’t find one. “Just don’t tell him anything. When I’m ready, I’ll say something.”
Christopher would obey my wishes even if he gave me shit about it. That was certain. “Whatever, Ro. You’ve got a Prince Charming at your feet, and you’re too scared to look at him.”
I changed the subject because this conversation was running too deep—and becoming repetitive. “You want to watch Die Hard?”
“Thank god.” He turned his body toward the TV. “I’m terrible at these gossip girl nights.”
Toward the end of the movie, a knock sounded on my door.
“Who stops by at ten?” Christopher asked from his place on the couch. “It better be Prince Charming.”
“Don’t call him that.” Calloway was so manly he made Prince Charming look like a girl. He wasn’t bendable and breakable. He was authoritative and powerful. He understood I could take care of myself and respected it. He was much better than Prince Charming.
“You’re right,” Christopher said. “That would make you a princess. And you’re way too ugly to be a princess.”
I looked through the peephole and saw Michael on the other side. I suspected it was him. He was the only person who came to my apartment at this hour. He wore a baggy sweater with holes in the sleeves, and his backpack was over his shoulder.
I opened the door. “Hey, honey.” He only came by when his dad was drinking and trashing the small apartment they had in Brooklyn. There weren’t many places for Michael to hide, so I told him he could always come here. I smiled and tried to get his mind off his hardship. “I missed you.” I pulled him against my chest and gave him a hug, the kind he never got from his mother.
“Hey, Ro,” he said quietly. “Do you mind if I—”
“I was just about to order a pizza. Are you hungry?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Great.” I guided him inside and set up the table for him. “We were just watching a movie.”
Christopher waved. “Hey, Michael. How’s it going?”
Michael nodded back. “Good. You?”
“Just watching Die Hard and drinking wine,” Christopher answered. “So can’t complain.”
Michael smiled slightly then took his seat at the table.
“Want to watch the movie with us?” I asked. “We’ve seen it a million times, but it’s Christopher’s favorite.”
Christopher threw his fist into the air. “Die Hard!”
Michael chuckled. “Nah, it’s okay. I have to do some homework.”
“Alright. We’ll try to keep it down.” I squeezed his shoulder and gave him another smile, feeling my chest ache for this amazing kid. He worked so hard and he was so sweet, but his father didn’t know how to appreciate him. It broke my heart so many times there was nothing left to break. I wanted to contact the police and social services, but Michael begged me not to. He said he would never forgive me if I did. “The pizza will be here soon.”
“Thanks, Ro.” He opened his textbook and binder and began to work.
I returned to the couch beside Christopher.
My brother gave me a grim smile then wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He pulled me into his side for a quick hug, telling me everything he couldn’t say with words. He was proud of me for helping someone who couldn’t help themselves, knowing we weren’t so lucky when we were that age.
10
Calloway
Christopher introduced me to the guys before we entered the park. Young and affluent, they reeked of Wall Street experience and money. In jeans and polo shirts, they looked like they grew up in the Hamptons and moved to the city for work. Christopher shared some similarities, but overall, he was nothing like the other two.
We went to the concession stand, and not surprisingly, Christopher only ordered a bag of chips and a beer for lunch. I loved ballpark food, so I got the chili dog and fries without feeling any shame for it. We took our seats near the dugout and watched the game, heckling the players from the other team and having a good time of it.
Sometimes, I forgot Christopher was Rome’s brother altogether. He was laid-back and easy going, and it wasn’t hard for us to form a genuine friendship. He had the natural charisma that made everyone want to be his friend. I was a little cold on the outside, an exterior so hard it was impossible to break through. Christopher clearly didn’t notice.