Bellissimo Angelo - Book Three

Chapter 26 - Confrontation

I don't say much during the car ride to my brother's. I'm way too upset right now but I don't want Stacy to know. Dom eyes me curiously while driving. Once we pull in the driveway, I turn to him, "Hey let's go inside for a minute, shall we?" I ask him. 

With a confused expression, he agrees, "Okay. Whatever you say." 

The three of us hop out of the car and walk up to the front door. I ring the doorbell and Mariah answers, "Hey Ri, you all forgot someone." I tell her while pointing at Stacy. 

Mariah's eyes grow wide and cheeks flush, she ushers us in,"Oh gosh! I'm sorry Stacy. Come on in." she says.

Stacy walks in quickly, "Sorry Mariah. I won't be too long. I have to book it home because I have a lot going on tomorrow with school." she says. 

Mariah pats her on the back, "Oh of course. No problem." 

As Stacy walks in, Mariah turns to us,  "You guys want to come in too?" she asks. 

I nod and storm right in,  "Yep, can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask. 

With a worried expression on her face, she agrees,  "Yep, come on in." 

Dom and I enter to find Dylan playing blocks with Georgia at the kitchen table. He looks up at us,  "Hey Maggs; Hey Dom. What's up?" he asks. 

I approach him, smiling ear to ear, "Oh, you know, same old shit different day," I respond sarcastically. 

He chuckles. "Sounds terrible." 

"Yeah, I'd have to agree with you. It's pretty terrible to be shit on," I reply, crossing my arms in front of my chest. 

He stops and looks up at me with a confused look. Stacy interrupts as she bids everyone farewell and starts to rush towards the door,  "Well guys, I gotta head back to Tennessee tonight. Thank you for having me be a part of the bridal party last night, Mariah. It was a lot of fun," She says. 

Mariah smiles at her and embraces her while giving me an apologetic look,  "You are welcome. Be safe." She says. 

Stacy exits and pulls the door closed behind her. Then, I pull Mariah to the kitchen to have a private conversation while Dom has a seat on the sofa. Dylan eyes us intently from the kitchen table,  "So, I hear you girls had a nice little party last night." I imply.

Mariah nervously brushes the hair from her eyes, "Yeah, I told Brie the whole bridal party is invited but she said you were working. I didn't question it until today when I saw you at Lori's so early that you actually were not working after all." She says quietly. 

"No, I told her I took off the night before and the night of the wedding so that I could be there for anything she needed. Obviously, she didn't need or want me there." 

She sighs audibly, "I'm sorry Maggie. I don't know what she was thinking." 

I begin to chuckle, "It's okay Mariah, it's not your fault. I know where I stand, and it definitely isn't with any of you guys. I know when I'm not wanted. I can get the hint. She's obviously still dealing with hidden resentment towards me."

She shrugs her shoulders and gazes down to the floor, remaining quiet. I spin around and storm towards Dom,  "You ready?" I ask. 

Dylan jumps up and wraps his hand around my arm to stop me, "Maggie, what is going on?" He asks. 

Tears begin to well in my eyes, "Oh, don't worry about it, Dylan. None of you have to worry about me anymore."

His eyes wide as he takes a step back, "What happened Maggie?"