Just One Hello (Book 2 in the Just Series)

Chapter 21

Marco

"Hello," I answered.

"Hey, man. Have you heard from Massimo?" Jason asked.

"No. Why?"

"I've been trying to get a hold of him. And I can't. Tried his cell multiple times and the his office. But he didn't come in to work today. I called Ara but she said he was at work. I didn't tell her otherwise."

Where is he?

"You remember what today is right?" Jason asked.

"What? No. Why?"

"Today is their wedding anniversary," Jason said

I frowned in confusion. "No it isn't. Ara and Mass..." Then I stopped when I realized what he meant.

"Fuck!" I exclaimed.

"I didn't tell Ara man. She'll be devastated. I thought Massimo was done with all of this, he said in frustration.

"Hey, maybe he had an emergency with work. We don't know anything yet," I said trying not to think of the worse case scenario.

He snorted. "We both know that that's not true Marco. He does this every single year ever since Cassie died. He disappears and gets drunk then shows up at one of our houses knocking on the..."

My doorbell rang.

"Someone's at the door," I said.

He snorted. "We both know who that someone is Marco," he said.

"Look, I'm going to call you back. He's going to have to stay here Jason. Ara's going to be worried and looking for him. If she calls you, play dumb."

"And if she calls you?" He asked.

"I'll try to come up with something," I said before ending the call.

I walk to the door and opened it. And there he was. Massimo. Standing there completely drunk with Garett holding on to him.

"Dio mio, Massimo," I said. "Let's get him inside.

"Hey brother," Massimo said drunkenly. I can smell liquor and god knows what else on his breath.

We settled him down on my couch.

I turned to Garrett. "You better stay here too," I told him.

He nodded in understanding. "Has she called you yet?" I asked.

"No sir," he said.

"Do you mind turning off your phone?" I asked.

He nodded. "No, sir," he said and pulled out his phone and turned it off.

"Thank you Garett. I'll deal with the rest. I'll have Sonya prepare you something to eat then she'll show you to your room," I said.

"Sonya," I called out.

"Mr. Castellanos."

"Please have some food ready for Garett and show him to his room for the night afterwards," I said.

She nodded in acknowledgement then led Garett to the kitchen.

"Massimo," I said.

"Hhmm," he said.

"What were you thinking?"

He chuckled. "You shouz greet me. Cassie and I anniversary today," he said with a laugh.

"Cassie has been dead for over 3 years Mass. Ara is your wife now. She's probably worried sick about you by now. Man I thought your finally done with this shit.I thought you've finally move on."