La Pantera

Ch. 51 Fresh Reminders

Song for Chapter: Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) by Cinderella

Stevie couldn't believe who it was. There at her driveway, was her older brother, Nicky. She thought she was dreaming until she noticed Nicky walk a bit closer. "Nicky?!....what are you doing here?", she asked cautiously, unsure if he wanted her dead or alive. "Came to find you...thought you were gone.", he choked, tears visible in his grey eyes. Stevie let herself become overwhelmed with emotions as she ran to him, grabbing her brother in a hug as they embraced. They both cried with tears and laughter. He still smelled the same of cigarettes and of gasoline.

May 1980
Nicholas Michael Costa was 2 years older than Stevie, being born on April 15th, 1964. The boy stood at 5'8, wide like a freight train as he already was building muscle faster than most 16 year olds. Being closer in age to Stevie meant the pair always got in to trouble together. Stevie had learned how to wield her first knife from him. She had viewed him as a role model throughout her adolescence. One particular night, Nicky was sitting with her at the top of the park hill, watching the railroad tracks. "You ever think we're gonna get outta here?", he asked her. "Whatdya mean?", the young girl asked with confusion. "Let's face it Stevie..we're in the worse side of town. If we don't leave after graduation, we're doomed to stay here. Rot like the rest of 'em.", he said with disdain. "Well, don't worry Nicky. I already plan on joining one of them rock bands when I graduate.", she beamed proudly. "Yeah? If you're good, go for it.", he smirked. "What about you? What do you plan on doing?", she asked him, knowing graduation was closer for him. "To be honest, just landing a trade job.", he admitted. He knew he wasn't college material at all. He was always on the move, and wanted to do something productive as a job. "Promise me something Stevie.", he looked her in the eyes. Stevie looked at her brother with the same expression. "Don't ever let no one tell you what you can and can't do. You're not gonna be how Ma is. You're gonna be a girl who don't  let no one corner her. Promise?", he asked. Stevie nodded her head, pinky promising him.

That promise sure felt broken as she reflected for a second on her relationship before focusing on the moment to avoid the shame. "How on Earth did you fucking find me?!", she laughed. "Well I figured look around the East Coast. I looked for years, and assumed you were dead. Then I seen you on the TV. I couldn't believe it.", Nicky laughed in disbelief. "I tried for years but it was so hard. Then I get the clue where all the rockers live, near the Sunset Strip. Then someone says your address was around here. I'm just so glad to have found you.", he wiped his eyes. "I'm just happy I got the brother I missed most than the others.". She wept. "I couldn't believe Tony did that to ya...Your business what ya do...you're still my sister.", he snarled. Stevie tensed up hearing what he'd said. "You won't tell anyone right?", she asked hurriedly. "No. No no, that's your business.", he assured her. "Just saying...being bisexual or whatever the hell it's called don't change we're family."
Stevie had to suppress a snicker, knowing her brother would somehow find a way to be an idiot in a tender moment. "Well I'm glad I have you.", she admitted. "Come in the house! I wanna talk more.", she ushered her brother into the house, eager to catch up with him.

"So! Ya got a lady in your life?", she asked as she made them glasses of water. "Nah...I'm wild as the wind.", Nicky snickered at his sister. "That's the gayest shit I've ever heard.", Stevie whined his way, grimacing at her brother for a second. "So tell me, is it cool dating a rock star?", Nicky asked her with lit up eyes. Stevie tensed for a moment, handing him the glass as she thought of a quick lie. "I'd say it is..get in all sorts of trouble together.", she had to give a dry laugh. There were good things about being with Tommy after all. He was the only man who seemed to give a damn about her. She loved him when he was good to her, but didn't understand why he had to be so damn mean. Nicky didn't catch her expression, giggling at the scenarios in his head of the trouble she'd possibly get into. "I don't know who's crazier between the two of youse.", he cackled and lit up his cigarette. Stevie let out a similar sounding laugh as well. "It's an even tie.", she gulped before downing her drink, blinking back the lump in her throat.

Matt rubbed his eyes after sleeping in late, groaning as he drank his cup of coffee. Diane had stayed over again, Matt needing to distract himself from his head. She went to kiss on his neck but he brushed her off gently. "What's that about?", she scoffed. "I'm heading out soon, you should get goin'.", he drawled in his gruff tone. "Should I leave something here in case you want to fuck again?", she scoffed again with more sarcasm. "Nice seeing you too.", he sneered in annoyance. He waited until she'd slammed the door before falling back onto his bed with a groan. He ran a hand through his thick hair, weary eyes staring up at the ceiling. Truth was, he wasn't going anywhere. He needed space to think. Everything felt it was going so fast, and all he wanted was a moment to breathe. His own mother had commented about how he'd developed anxiety to a point she was worried for his health. It's not bad to be a control freak though right? He just liked things in order. Brows pinched together, he sat up and turned on his TV, trying to distract his racing mind. There was an interview with Mötley Crüe for some news outlet in Hollywood. Matt went to turn it off before Tommy began to talk. Something told him to listen. "So what's it like dating the Panther, Tommy?", the reporter asked enthusiastically. "Oh dating Stevie is great. She's a wild one, but I managed to tame her for my needs. Gotta teach em to behave sometimes.", he laughed with his band mates. Matt felt a match light inside of his stomach hearing those words. That wasn't how you talked about Stevie. That was how you talked about the go-go girl down the street. Whether she was okay with this kind of talk or not, he was going to approach her at the next event they were at , and let her know how this was dangerous. He was prepared for her to come at him.

He wanted her safe even if she hated his guts.