Free Bellissimo Lotta (Beautiful Struggle): Companion Novel to Bellissimo Fortuna (The Family Trilogy Book 2) by Leigh Ann Lunsford Page A

don’t see that happening with the whirlwind that is Bianca Rose Agosto.

 

    If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
    ~ Frederick Douglass
     
     
    Chapter 9
    Bianca
     
     
    “You okay?” I’m worried about Callie. Since the guys left for college three months ago her dad is getting worse … more controlling. He rarely lets her ride with me to school, and she is dropping weight again. I know Bronson is going to freak. She’s constantly doing whatever she can to ease his mind while he is at school. This is why I fought against a relationship with Dakota. It’s hard enough understanding what the hell is running through my mind, but to have to learn someone else’s needs is overwhelming. You feel like you are sinking. Despite that, I’ve kept my promise to Dakota, and we are still going steady. I love him, I do, but that doesn’t ease the terror that resides in my chest, seizing at the most inopportune times.
    “Fine.” Her eyes are still staring off into space.
    “He’s coming home this weekend. Maybe you can finally talk him into attending your sexual debut.”
    “Okay.”
    This is getting ridiculous. “I had anal sex with Dakota.”
    “Good.” That’s all I get for that lie? We have a pact … exit only.
    “Listen.” I stand and walk over to her. “Quit being a one reply bitch. I could have told you I was gang-banged in the alleyway last night, and you would have said ‘Cool,’ when in all actuality it wouldn’t have been cool. I mean, sure for the gang-bangers, that would be one hell of an initiation, but for me, it would have been tragic.”
    Her eyes are huge; she’s staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What are you talking about? What the hell is a one reply bitch and why am I one?”
    “I’ve been talking to you for the last ten minutes and have gotten one word answers, so that makes you a one reply bitch. I told you I had anal with Dakota, and you didn’t flinch.”
    “What the fuck, Bianca. What happened to no breaching the corn hole?”
    “Obviously, I didn’t. I was going for shock value. Kind of like the gang-bang theory. What is wrong with you?”
    “Everything. My dad. Bronson. My ulcer. I’m losing my shit here.”
    “Callie, talk to me. Your dad’s a dick. No fixing that. What’d my brother do?”
    “He didn’t do anything, Binks. He’s studying his ass off, I get it, and I feel like a complete bitch and a stage four clinger. He missed my eighteenth birthday, he was hardly present for Thanksgiving break, and he’s doing it all for us. I get that. But, add in the equation that my dad is planning something, I feel it and it scares me. He’s more sinister, if that’s possible.”
    This girl was my first friend. She’s the one who understands all there is when it comes to me and doesn’t push for me to go out of my box before I’m ready. She allowed me to live in denial for months about what was happening with Dakota, never said I told you so when I gave in to my feelings, has a heart of pure fucking gold, and got dealt the shittiest hand in life with parents. Worthless fucks that they are. “Callie, can you stay here this weekend? I’ll cancel going to FSU, Dakota will understand.”
    “No, I won’t do that to you.”
    “You aren’t doing anything. We can watch Coyote Ugly , dance, eat, and just have a girls weekend.” I see in her face she wants to agree, but she feels like I’m sacrificing something. “It’s done. We have all weekend.”
    Her smile lights up her face, but then it morphs to horror. “Shit! It’s nine.”
    “Yeah, tomorrow is a half day so no big deal. Sleep over tonight.”
    “No, you don’t understand. The only words he spoke to me today were be home by nine. I’m going to be late.” Her face is pale, and her trembling body shakes my bed.
    “Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
    “No, I swear. It’s just a feeling. I have to go.” She darts from my room.
    “Call me when you get home!” I shout after her.