“Nicole!” Grace chastised. “Maybe Rico doesn’t feel comfortable helping himself.”
Nikki looked at her mother for a minute and then granted her with another roll of her eyes. She pointed her thumb towards Rico. “Like he’s ever been shy.” She looked back at Rico. “Get your own drink babe.”
Grace shook her head as she pushed out her chair and went to stand. I assumed she was about to go fetch prick face a drink. She reminded me so much of my mom at that moment. I knew she wasn’t about to let a guest in her home help themselves no, women like Grace and my mom were old school. They tended to their guests needs, striving to make them as comfortable in their home as possible. They were good women, but fuck me if I didn’t want to tell Grace to sit the hell down and let the schmuck get his own drink.
I had just met the guy and I couldn’t stand the arrogant bastard he treated Nikki as if she was some kind of trophy to him I didn’t like him one bit.
“Grace sit down. Rico you know where the drinks are.” Victor said evenly. I looked over at him, noting the man was unmoved and didn’t even glance up as he spoke instead, he just continued with his meal. He reached for the bottle of wine refilling his glass by himself, setting an example as he raised his full glass towards Rico. “Salute.” He said with a nod of his head.
Rico pushed back his chair and stood. He bent down whispering something I couldn’t hear in Nikki’s ear before taking her earlobe between his lips and giving it a little tug. I looked out the corner of my eye to see if Victor was watching the display this jerkoff was putting on. He didn’t react, he remained impartial, and I thought that was odd. Victor wasn’t the type to let some guy grope his daughter at the dining room table. I couldn’t figure him out I was certain he had to be playing some sort of angle. I was just as sure that if I couldn’t stand the fucker and I knew Anthony didn’t either there was no fucking way Victor was welcoming this son of a bitch with open arms.
Nikki’s eyes met mine once again as she touched her earlobe.
“Michael are you going to be staying with us? I can make up Adrianna’s old room for you.” Grace said, forcing me to look towards her and away from her daughter.
“No, I wouldn’t want you to go to any trouble. I am going to stay with Anthony.” I looked over at the silent brute and he lifted his head to look at me.
“Don’t expect me to make up a room bud. Just be glad I change the sheets.” He said reaching for his beer and winking at Grace. It was the first time I saw him do something other than grunt or look annoyed.
“It wouldn’t have been any trouble.” Grace said.
I took a large sip of water from the glass in front of me wishing it were something a hell of a lot stronger wondering when I last had a drink.
“Have you decided if you’ll be staying after the service?” Grace asked me softly. Her eyes hopeful as they found mine. “We’d really love to have you back home.”
I felt everyone’s eyes fall onto me, causing me to shift in my seat and twist my body to glance at Victor. He looked at me expectantly before averting his eyes back towards his wife.
“I offered Michael a management position at Temptations.” His gaze wandered back to me. “Still waiting for that answer myself.”
I blew out a breath as I sat back in my chair. I really didn’t want to have this conversation now, especially with an audience.
“The grand opening is just around the corner…” Victor started to say, but was cut off by Nikki.
“Speaking of the grand opening Daddy seems like you have a few decisions of your own to still make.” Her tone was a matter of fact as she winked at me. I looked at her skeptically and then realized she was giving me an out. I raised my glass to my lips making a mental note to thank her for the save later on.