It dawned on me then that Mikey is with him and I am about to see him for the first time in ten years. I don’t know why I was suddenly nervous. It’s just Mikey my Mikey. I shook my head, dismissing my silly thoughts. He just lost his mother he’s going to be distraught this isn’t some happy reunion.
A knock sounded on the door and Jimmy made himself useful by opening it. I saw Anthony step inside first. The big lug took up most of the doorway so it wasn’t until Anthony walked into the living room that I was able to see the man who walked in behind him. He lifted his head and his eyes wandered the room slowly. I heard my mother gasp from behind me and I knew it was taking all the restraint in the world for her not to run and throw her arms around him. He tipped his head, his face softening as he acknowledged my sister. He barely looked at my father and when he did, I swore he snarled, but I’m not a hundred percent sure. Then his gaze landed on mine and something flashed in his chocolate brown eyes. I stared at him, hoping that my mouth wasn’t hanging open because the man before me is nothing like that teenage boy that left ten years ago. The man before me is lethal to my system because I’m not sure I’m breathing as he holds me captive with just his stare. This little mob princess is royally fucked.
I snapped out of my trance when my sister brushed passed me wrapping her arms around him. I watched him return the embrace, closing his eyes as he relished in the comfort she provided.
“I’m so sorry Michael.” My sister said, sounding all sorts of emotional. I frowned unable to find any words or gestures of comfort. Granted, I thought about hugging him, but I was too stunned by his good looks to make a damn move. Now he was being cuddled by my sister and my mother who had joined their embrace. I felt out of place as if I was invading a private moment between the three of them, which was bizarre. I needed a distraction because I was staring at him actually I was ogling him.
“Excuse me.” I mumbled. I walked passed the three of them embracing and hurried out the front door.
I smack the palm of my hand against my forehead. I felt ridiculous. It was as if I was a ten-year-old girl crushing again. I was so mad at myself, I could’ve screamed. Instead, I sat down on my parents stoop and lit a cigarette.
“Well played Nikki.” I said before taking the first pull off my cigarette. I rolled my eyes, disgusted at myself. I let bulging muscles get in the way of doing the right thing. But fuck Mikey’s muscles were pretty impressive. His arms alone had struck me stupid and my feet frozen in place. It wasn’t my fault that I couldn’t find any comforting words how was I supposed to form a sentence when the epitome of sex stood before me. And to be fair, he didn’t look so distraught not that I’m doubting he is but… well he looked simply delicious.
“Oh my God stop it!” I yelled to the voices in my head. “Get it together, Nikki. Think of Rico. Rico has muscles too.” I said out loud, trying to shake the thoughts creeping into my head. You know the kind of thoughts that involve undressing your old friend who just lost his mom yeah those kind of thoughts. I groaned, realizing I’m going to have to see him in a suit. He’s probably deadly in a suit.
“That shit will kill you.”
My eyes widened hearing his voice from behind me and I began to cough on the smoke. I came to the conclusion that this is pretty much the worst reunion in the history of reunions. He sat beside me on the top step of the stoop and leaned close. I tried to stop myself from choking on the smoke, struggling to take a deep breath I inhaled the scent of his cologne instead. I wondered if anyone has ever died of embarrassment before.
Mikey grabbed the cigarette from my hand and flicked it into the street before turning his attention to me. Instantly I felt his eyes on me and I forced myself to take another breath finally able to stop myself from coughing up a lung. I turned around daring myself to meet his gaze. His brown eyes met mine and I couldn’t help but get lost in them for a moment.
“I’m sorry about your mom, Mikey.” I whispered softly.
He reached out his fingertips brushing a piece of hair that had fallen over my eye, he tucked it behind my ear. A sad smile flashed across his full lips. “Thanks kid.” He said hoarsely, his voice was deeper than I remembered, but I guess that came with age. He wasn’t a teenage boy finding his voice it had been found. He pulled his hand back and I frowned slightly rolling my eyes as I did so.
“I’m hardly a kid anymore Mikey.” I said, looking away from him staring into the street.