It’s sweet that they care. I’ve never had anyone who gave a shit about me besides my brothers, and even their love was surface level at best.
“I’m fine,” I reply, relaxing a little bit. Obviously, they aren’t holding what happened with Rosie against me. “I’m having my bone marrow or whatever it is tested.”
“Who’s sick?” she asks and is genuinely concerned.
“My brother. It’s why I came back to town. I’m his last hope within the family for a match.”
“That’s very honorable, son,” Mr. Gallo tells me.
“I don’t know about honor, but he called and needed me, so I came.”
“Not everyone would,” he replies.
That shit’s the truth. My father wouldn’t have if he were alive. He’d let us die before doing anything that wouldn’t benefit himself in some way.
She shuffles a little closer but doesn’t let go of my arm. “You didn’t come to dinner on Sunday. Rosie said you weren’t feeling well, and then seeing you here…” Her hand tightens on my arm, and I can see the worry on her face.
“I’m fine, ma’am. I promise. I was busy taking care of my brother,” I lie. “I’m sorry I missed what I can only assume was an amazing meal.”
“Anytime you’re hungry, stop over for a bite. I always have something on hand, and you will forever be welcome in our home.”
“Thank you. You’re too kind.”
“Come with Rosie this weekend,” Mr. Gallo says to me with such a kind smile.
I rock back on my heels, not sure how to break the news to them. “We’re not seeing each other anymore.”
Mrs. Gallo’s face instantly loses its lightness. “What? Why?”
“She didn’t say anything.” Mr. Gallo looks at his wife with his eyebrows pulled down toward the center. “Did she say anything to you?”
“No,” she whispers. “Not a thing, but I did have a talk with her father about being kind. No one said a word.”
“It was a decision we made pretty quick.”
“But why?” she asks again. “You two looked so happy together.”
“She’s too good for me. Rosie deserves better.”
Mr. Gallo moves closer, placing his hand on my shoulder. “No man is good enough for any woman, but they make us better. Marie deserved better than me, but it didn’t stop me from pursuing her. I knew I could one day be worthy of her love if given the chance.”
“Sweetie,” Mrs. Gallo says, both of them still touching me. “It’s not only your decision to make. Did you ask Rosie what she wanted, or did you do the typical male thing and make the decision for both of you?”
I swallow, hating what I did and how I did it. “I made the decision myself.”
Mrs. Gallo shakes her head. “Men,” she mutters. “All these years and still not the brightest when it comes to women and love.”
“Maybe I’d be smarter if I had you two in my life instead of…”
She shakes her head. “My boys had us in their lives, and they weren’t much smarter. Environment doesn’t always change one’s perception or thought process. This is something you have to work through. And son, just because your father was one way doesn’t mean you’ll be the same.”
My stomach sinks. “You know about my dad?”
Mr. Gallo nods. “I met him a few times, and none of the exchanges were kind or cordial. You are not the same man as him.”
“But what if I am?” I fidget, but he only tightens his hold on my shoulder.
“The man I see in front of me is kind, caring, and self-aware. You are not what you were born into. Just like I’m not what I was born into. When I was younger, I was a total shithead.”
“You can say that again,” Mrs. Gallo whispers, giving me a cute little smile.
“If I hadn’t met this beauty, only God knows where I’d be right now.”
“Jail,” she adds, giving me a playful wink. “Definitely jail with your brother.”
“She isn’t wrong,” he says, nodding a few times. “I was on my way there, growing up on the streets of Chicago back in the day. But then I met her, and everything changed.”
“Sweetie,” Mrs. Gallo says to me and waits until I look at her before she continues. “Your father ruined your childhood. Don’t let him steal your future too.”
I thought I’d left him behind when I left this town, seeing his face in my side mirrors. But I have been carrying around what he did and how he made me feel, letting it fuck with my head ever since. I’m not him. I have a temper, but every person does, and the only time I use my fists is to protect myself or those around me. I have been a good man, at least better than most, which is more than I can say about my old man.
I cover her hand with my own. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asks.
“For your kindness and wisdom. Your family has no idea how lucky they are to have you both in their lives.”
“Yes, they do,” Mr. Gallo says, smiling. “I make sure to remind them often.”
“Salvatore.”
“Come on, Marie. Let’s go. We’re already late, and this place is always ridiculously overcrowded. I think Dylan has some thinking to do about what he wants and how he’s going to get it.”
“Promise me you’ll be at this Sunday’s family dinner,” she asks before she moves away.
“If Rosie will allow me, I’ll be there, ma’am.”
“Grandma,” she corrects me and finally releases her grip on my arm, “And if I know my Rosie, you’ll be there.”
I rub the back of my neck, not as sure as she is. I have some major groveling to do. “I will do my best, but it’s her decision.”
“It’s always their decision. Remember that, and life will be so much easier,” Mr. Gallo says, leading his wife toward the front entrance to the clinic.
I stand there, watching the two of them as they walk arm in arm, looking very much in love even after so many years together. I wish I’d had that in my life, someone to show me a healthy and loving relationship. I had nothing to go on, but I am thankful for the words they spoke to me. Besides Rosie, they are the only people in this small town who seem to care about what happened to me in the past and are concerned about my future.
Before I can climb on my bike, my phone rings and my brother Finn’s name flashes on the screen. I’m tempted to ignore him because he’s a dick, but something makes me answer.
“Dylan, Ian’s being rushed to County. I found him on the floor in his bathroom. Meet us there,” he says, speaking so fast I barely comprehend what he’s saying.
“Fuck. On my way,” I tell him before disconnecting the call, jamming the phone in my back pocket, and heading straight for the hospital.
I rush into the emergency room, parking my bike illegally because I don’t give a shit, and find my brothers in the waiting room.
“Any news?” I ask as soon as they spot me.
Finn shakes his head before going back to pacing across the small space.
Quinn, another one who isn’t a fan of mine, gives me a hard glare from across the room and grunts like, somehow, this is my fault.