Son of the Boss

Forgive and Forget

O L I V I A

My breath catches in my throat and suddenly I feel ashamed.

Tucker looks between Alessio and I, "What's going on?"

"Uh," I look over at Alessio and freeze. "He's..."

"Alessio Romano. We ran into each other." Alessio extends his hand.

"I'm Tucker, Olivia's boyfriend," Tucker doesn't shake his hand. "Can you meet me later?" He asks and looks at me.

"Yes." I nod and my throat constricts.

Without a warning, Tucker swoops me up for a kiss and crushes his lips against mine. He sets me down and I feel unsteady.

I could feel Alessio staring at my back and it made me want to curl up and hide.

"See you later."

"Bye..."I whisper out breathless. I felt Alessio's hand touch the small of my back as he stepped closer behind me.

I turn to him and the tears spill. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize."

I pull back a little and stare up at his eyes. He looks down at me with a soft smile and kisses my forehead. "I have some things to take care of."

"Okay..."

"I'll take you home and you can think things through."

"No, wait-" He cuts me off with a kiss.

It feels urgent and almost like he's worried. I feel myself melt immediately into it and wish we could just stay like this forever.

"Olivia, I love you," He begins and strokes my cheek, "I would do anything for you, but I also want you to be happy. Take your time, love. I'll be waiting."

I fight the urge to force him to tell me to pick him. Every part of my being screams for Alessio.

Why did it feel like he didn't want to fight?

⟡ ⟡ ⟡

After Alessio had dropped me off home I immediately went to my room and sat there forever in silence.

The drive home was too quiet and Alessio said nothing but kissed me on the cheek as I went inside.

It almost felt like a goodbye and it hurt.

My mom had been hot on my trail when I rushed to my room but stopped as soon as she saw the tears pouring down my face.

I was almost grateful when my phone rang and I saw it was Kim.

"BITCH!"

"Nice to talk to you as well."

"Do you realize how scared I've been!" She shouts on the other end. "I thought you got kidnapped. I had to call your MOTHER, Olivia!"

"My mother?" I snorted.

"Obviously! I couldn't just not inform her that her daughter went M.I.A."

I sigh, "I'm okay, Kimberly. I got sick and went home."

"Someone saw Austin go in there with you," Kimberly starts. "What happened, Olivia?"

My chest tightens. "Y-yeah, he helped me lay down and left. I got sick from the alcohol."

"He didn't take you home though."

"No, Tucker did."

She's not buying it. "Bullshit! Tucker called me."

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"Ok! Ok! Fine...Alessio picked me up and I stayed the night with him."

"Ahhhh," She coos out. "Does Tucker know about the two of you?"

"No, Kim. Let's keep it that way." I lie. I wasn't in the mood to drop all the drama on her.

"Did you get down and dirty?" She moans into the receiver.

"Kimberly!"

I try to change the discussion to her. "I know you did with Joe though!"

She laughs loudly, "Girl, that is nothing new. Joe and I have been getting freaky for weeks."