Free Awakening the Mobster by Amy Rachiele Page A

really good girl, I’ll let you pick the kind of cheese you want.”
    Everyone at the table just stares at Vito.
    “Vito? Erin? Outside!” Antonio commands. The two of them reluctantly get up and follow Antonio to the exit. I’m left with Jake and Troy at the table.
    “Sorry,” I say to Jake. “Vito’s a little...” I can’t find the right word.
    “Psycho?”Jake finishes for me.
    “Well...”
    “Is he a brother, a step-brother, cousin?” he asks.
    “No...”
    “He’s from Megan’s neighborhood,” Troy says.
    “He takes what he’s asked to do very seriously,” I say.
    “And what was he asked to do?” Jake asks intently.
    “Ummm, look after her,” I respond. “By my dad.”
    “I wasn’t going to bring this up, but these guys act like gang members.”
    Troy laughs.
    “No, they’re not in a gang,” I clarify.
     
    *****
     
    Antonio:
     
    “What is up with you?” I ask Vito.
    “Nothing. I’m not sitting in class with Jake the Jackass .”
    “Hey! Don’t call him that. He’s nice,” Erin says.
    I rub my temple. “This is fuckin’ ridiculous. Vito, back the fuck down. You.” I point to Erin. “Order your own damn food, and don’t give Jake any ideas ‘cause they’re not happening.”
    “My father just wants you to watch out for us, not run our lives!”
    “Oh!” I say, clipping the word. “Remember what I said this morning, watch the attitude. I don’t know this guy. I need to feel him out more.”
    “At least my father let me date Connor!”
    “Yeah, and look what that got you! If I ever get my hands on the fuckin’ weasel, you won’t even recognize him!” That shuts her down. She knows I’m right. “Everybody take it down a notch. Let’s enjoy our dinner and try to relax.”
    We made it to the movie theater early. The line is long. We waited a few minutes. Jake is trying to lighten the mood. He kept waving his fingers at Erin.
    “Oh no, Erin. I might touch you, look out.” He makes her laugh, that was cool. After a few more minutes, I was getting antsy. I nod to Vito. He knows what I want to do.
    My arms are wrapped around Megan’s waist, so I shuffle us forward. We walk to the ticket collector by the entrance to the theaters.
    “What are we doing?” Megan asks.
    “Going to the movies.”
    Jake, Troy, and Erin follow. They are immersed in their own conversation.
    Vito slips the ticket collector a hundred. The guy pockets it and unhooks the burgundy rope to let us through.
    Jake asks, “What are we doing?”
    I give him my patented, Shut the fuck up look.
    The theater is empty. Megan let Jake pick the movie. I think she felt bad about the scene at the restaurant. It’s an action movie. At least, I don’t have to see a chick flick, although I would if it would please Megan.
    “Can I say something without getting my ass kicked?” Jake asks.
    “That depends,” I say.
    “You guys are crazy. We have illegally gained entrance to the movie theater and it cost twice the amount than if we waited in the line.”
    “And?” I say.
    “I’m just pointing out the obvious for my own benefit,” Jake responds. Smart guy.
    I sit next to Megan and lift the arm rest between us so I can snuggle her closer. I think I’m addicted to her. When she’s around, I can’t stop touching her. I need it like a drug.
    “Hey,” Troy says. “We’re supposed to be treating you. Not the other way around.”
    “You paid for dinner, we’re good.”
    I can’t keep my attention on the movie. My hands roam over Megan. I am thankful that it is so dark in here.
    “I think you need to go to the bathroom,” I whisper in her ear.
    “I do?” she asks.
    “Yup, right now.”
    I stand and pull her up with me, her hand in mine. I lean over to Vito. “I’m taking Megan to the bathroom.”
    He waves me away.
    We head out the door. I scan the hallway theaters looking for an empty one.
    “This way.”
    I open the door to a dark theater. No one is in here. I immediately grab her by the waist.