Casa Corinthos: A Dark Series Interlude Between Books 2 and 3

Chapter 2

The glare from the television and its low hum barely registered to the young man who sat before it. Tommy stared sightlessly at the news program as he wearily rubbed his forehead. A decision about his future was to be made and he had no idea what road to take.

He released a deep sigh as both hands now rubbed his face. Rising from the sofa, he reached for the remote control and promptly clicked the television off. As he moved to straighten up the apartment he shared with his mother, the reason for his melancholy disposition once again caught his eye. He dropped the newspapers he'd been holding down onto the easy chair and reached for the large manila envelope that contained his dilemma.

The white envelope felt heavy in his strong hands. He had half a mind to just throw it away and forget he had ever received it, but he couldn't. Instead, he flopped back down onto the sofa and pulled out the envelope's contents: his letter of acceptance to UCLA. He grimaced as the blue and gold colors stared back at him. Just a quick glance at the university's mascot, Joe Bruin's cheerful grin caused Tommy's chest to tighten. He tossed the admissions packet down onto the coffee table and once again pressed his hands to his face.

Silently, he berated himself. He should be proud of his accomplishment and to be honest, he was. UCLA was a top university—everyone said so—and to have been accepted was not something to sneeze at, but...

It was hundreds of miles away. In California. Far away from his friends and his family. And Gina.

He should never have completed the application, he told himself. Sure, there were other colleges, perfectly good colleges on the East Coast, but none offered the program that Tommy craved to study. So, on a whim and after much badgering from his dear old cousin, Elizabeth, he had applied. Just for kicks, she had said. He had never thought he'd get in, especially after having taken a year and a half off without any explanation as to what he had done in those eighteen months. He had applied as a joke to his cousin. To show her that contrary to her belief, she did not know everything. And, lo and behold, what should happen?

He got accepted and with a full scholarship to boot. Damn. How could he turn down that kind of opportunity? His mother and grandmother would have a fit if they knew he'd passed it up, but there was Gina. He couldn't leave her. He loved her too much and the thought of being a part from her for longer than a day, not to mention months on end, was too painful for him to consider.

"Hey, babe!"

Tommy's eyes fluttered open in surprise. Startled, he sat up straight and said the first thing that came to mind. "How did you get in here?"

Gina grinned at him as she shut the door behind her. "I have a key, remember?" she said, holding up the shiny object. She narrowed her eyes at him and teasingly said, "Why so jumpy? Are you two-timing me? Okay, girlie, come out, come out wherever you are!"

Tension left Tommy as he watched Gina search the apartment. Chuckling softly, he called out, "Quick, Lynn! She's on to us."

Gina spun around and pointed accusingly at him. "Lynn!" she exclaimed, storming towards him. "I knew it! She's had a thing for you for the longest time!"

Tommy blushed as he shook his head in denial. Playfully, he swatted away her pointing finger before he pulled her into his arms. "No, she doesn't. She doesn't even think of me in that way."

"Uh huh, yeah," Gina said, folding her arms across her chest. Her hazel eyes darkened as she looked into his sparkling emerald eyes. "You're giving yourself away. I can see it all in your eyes. You know she thinks you're adorable."

Tommy frowned in reply. "Me? Adorable? Oh, Gina, come on. Adorable?"

"Yes, you! Those green eyes, that body and your charming personality...you have them falling at your feet and you know it."