Bellissimo Lotta (Beautiful Struggle): Companion Novel to Bellissimo Fortuna (The Family Trilogy Book 2) Read Free Page A

man.”
    “You hoping to be the white knight?”
    “Something like that.” He shakes his head.
    I won’t pry, but I want him to know I’ll be here as a friend. “Well, if you need help, I’m here, man.”
    “Thanks.” He presses the button on the wall. “Dakota’s here.” He turns back and flashes me a shit-eating grin. “Five. Four. Three. Two.”
    I hear trampling on the stairs, followed by laughter and shrieking. “You’ve made quite the impression on Bianca. I’m warning you, she’s fifteen and my sister. And Callie is off limits.” I just nod my head at him.
    They both come through the door breathless and laughing. “Hey, Dakota.” Callie waves at me.
    “Well, it’s about time. Let’s go,” Bianca addresses the room.
    “I told you, Bianca, we aren’t going anywhere. Did you even ask Dad?”
    “As long as you are with me, he doesn’t care.” Bronson’s face says it all. She has him over a barrel. She nudges Callie with her foot.
    “I’m craving some strawberry ice cream.” As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Bronson is dropping his slice back in the box and reaching for his keys. There is a definite story there . . . one I’ll do my best to pry from her later.
    “I’m parked behind you, want me to drive?” Bronson nods.
    “SHOTGUN!” Bianca is quick on the uptake. Callie’s face turns beet red, and if looks could kill, Bianca would be six feet under.
    “C’mon, sweet girl.” Bronson bends down in front of Callie, and she hops up so he can piggyback her.
    “That wasn’t nice,” I whisper to Bianca. She isn’t clueless about what’s going on between them.
    “All’s fair . . .” She smiles back at me.
    “Oh, a believer in love?”
    “Not me, but those two are. It works for them. Or it will when they both get over themselves.” I hold my arm out and she takes hold with a wink.
    “You’re trouble, Bianca.”
    “Stick around. You haven’t seen anything yet.” I better suit up; this is going to be one hell of a game.
    “Looking forward to it.” I shoot her a wink. I see the slight blush of her cheeks, and as quickly as it appeared, she settles herself and saunters off in front of me.
    Since our encounter at the house, she has ignored me all night, and I don’t like it. I can’t concentrate on the game in front of me, and when Callie’s phone rings, Bronson loses interest as well. Her face is pale, and she stutters to agree with whoever is on the other end.
    She rushes from the room, and before Bianca can follow, Bronson is right behind her. Bianca falls back against the wall, looking ready to cry. “You okay?”
    “I am. She’s not. Shit life.”
    “Sorry to hear that.”
    “Sometimes I wonder why God puts people on this earth just to experience pain.”
    “I don’t think that’s the sole thing we experience. Without pain we wouldn’t be able to recognize pleasure. The joy of having someone in your life that you love. That loves you. They are all interchangeable. You can’t have one without the other.”
    “Sounds like you have experience with both.”
    “Yeah, I do.”
    “Care to elaborate?”
    “I had the best sister anyone could ever ask for. Dana was my best friend, my partner in crime. Don’t get me wrong, she would ride me about my grades in one breath, but the next one she would be my loudest cheerleader. She made sure I was happy and healthy, and taught me to never take life for granted. Moments aren’t guaranteed. They’re fleeting. ”
    “What happened?’
    “She was murdered six months ago.”
    “Oh my God, Dakota. I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s okay. They say each day gets better. That’s bullshit. But I was just telling you. I don’t know what Callie is dealing with, but as long as she has you, she’ll be fine.”
    “I need her as much as she needs me.”
    “I know. That’s what makes it so special.” She reaches over and grabs my phone. Her phone dings, and she places mine down.
    “Now I can get your words of wisdom