The Pain in Waiting

Chapter 7

Anthony:

It's been a month. A painfully long month of seeing Rose fake smile at everybody and laugh like she doesn't have a care in the world. I would believe she's okay if I didn't hear her crying every night when I walk by her door. I would believe she's okay if I didn't see the pain in her eyes everytime she gets in the car. I don't know whether to be glad she isn't hiding it from me or pissed that she isn't better.

"Rose," her eyes dart to my face. We are currently sitting in my car in front of the school, classes just ended.

"Anthony?" She cocks her head to the side slightly and I shake my phone. I guess she does fake with my, I just know her too well.

"Blondie," I rub my hand down my face.

"You need to talk to her. Her parents are too busy with each other to notice the pain she's in Anthony." Luca takes another swing at me and I duck just in time. "Everybody knows how she feels about you, but how do you feel about her?"

I think back to all the times she bandaged me up and all the times she made me smile when all I wanted to do was hit something. Her smile always makes my heart beat just a bit harder and a bit faster, reminding me that I'm alive. "I'm not worth it."

Luca lets out a scoff. "Bullshit. You hide behind one night stands so that you don't have to face that facts. You like Rose just as much as she likes you. And she needs you, what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know," I grown and clip Luca in the jaw. He quickly regains balance. "How the hell am I supposed to know what to do!? I can't just say I like her now or she'll think it's a pity thing!" Dammit, he just got what he wanted. And I can tell by the way he's smirking.

"Glad to know I didn't have to beat that confession out of you." Luca smirks and stand up straight letting me know he's down. "I don't know what to tell you man, you need to figure your shit out. She needs to figure her shit out. You both need to figure out what to do and if you are willing to try things out."

"Hey," a soft hand goes on my cheek bringing me back to now. That talk was two weeks ago and I still haven't done shit about it.

"Stop pretending," that isn't what I wanted to come out. Rose jerks back like I just shot her. "You aren't okay and I understand that. Instead of acting you need to realize that you need help. You need someone to talk to."

Again, not what I intended on saying. "What is that supposed to mean? People handle their parent's death all the time, why can't I?" She's on defence mode, great.

"Because most people aren't as close to their parents as you are Blondie. It doesn't make you weak to need help," I frown. Her entire stance screams that she's done with this conversation, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need to hear it.

"My mom's dying and all you have to say is that I need help? What about her?!" And now she fumming like I just started a gas leak. "She needs help, not me Anthony." Her voice comes out as a growl and I shake my head.

"You aren't eating Rose! You always have excuses and you're constantly running around the house doing stupid little things to keep your mind off of reality! Get a grip and realize that you do need help. Yes! Your mom needs help, but so do you! And nothing is wrong with that," Luca is going to kill me.

"I can't eat because I can't stomach the idea of food right now! I have no idea when the last day will be for my mom. I-" she stops and I see all her fighting spirit disappear and she begins crying. Her tears roll down her cheeks taking some of her makeup off with it.

"You aren't eating, you're changing your look, you, Blondie, are damaging yourself." I lean over and swip a tear away from her cheeks.

"Take me home," her blue eyes fall on mine and all I can do is frown. The coverup she uses is disappearing and dark circles are starting to show through. "I can't think right now, just, take me home."

I do as she says and she runs up to her room without even looking back. No stopping to admire the art work or the perfect house. Blondie disappears out of sight as Luca walks in. He looks up at the stairs and shakes his head.

"Alright, that failed. What went bad with that?" Luca asks like I hold the answer to every damn mystery.

"Everything, let's go train." I need to beat the shit out of something. Luca seems to notice that and we both walk down the stairs.

I wrap my hands up and walk over to the new punching bag, the old one was destroyed by me. Thanks to everything that's going on, we are do for another one.

"Take your anger out, I'm going for a run," I nod once and get to work. There is nothing more satisfying than my knuckles hitting against the bag. The anger that's flowing through my veins is being taken out by beating something up. I couldn't ask for anything better.

After my second wrap I decide to finish up. If I end up in a real fight my knuckles will just crack open and bleed out. I can't have that and need to be ready to fight anybody.

"Son of a bitch," Luca yells and hits the wall. It echoes off the equipment as he marches over to me. He lifts his phone up and I see a picture of my brother and his brother, Chase, walking out of a club with girls.

"The damn paparazzi is back," I growl as Luca nods once.

"Chase and Alex are on the list of bachelors this damn year," he growls. "I can't believe they are acting so stupid."

"I don't have time to worry about them coming back right now." I take a swing and hit the bag. I barely have time for my duties as the owner of the Luttazzi gang. Not that there is much to it but make sure everyone is getting along and that everything is going to plan.

"None of us have time for this shit," Luca scrubs his face with his hand and shakes his head. I am pushing those boys to the breaking point.

"We weren't much better than them Luca," I sigh. "I need to go talk to Rose and to Alex. These boys need to get their act together."

"I agree," Luca nods once. "I'll let you know when the dipshits are home." I roll my eyes but nod. They are extremely smart, they just act stupid.