(Blue Notes 2)The Melody Thief by Shira Anthony

Author:Shira Anthony [Anthony, Shira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Gay, General
ISBN: 9781613726945
Google: 4Z6cMQEACAAJ
Amazon: B0091USFHA
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2012-08-22T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Milan, Italy—May

“MASSI,” Antonio said with a chuckle as Massimo launched into the tenth repeat of “Frère Jacques” from the backseat of the car, “your French is very good, but I think Cary would like a little quiet tonight.”

Please God! Cary leaned his head back on the seat rest and closed his eyes.

The hour-long drive from Milan to Antonio’s mother’s house near Stradella already felt as though it had lasted several days. He loved Massimo—he really did—but, dammit, he was just about at his wits’ end with the constant babbling and singing.

“But I’m happy,” Massimo announced, as if this made all the difference. “Cary is going to meet Nonna! And Gisella, and Isabella, and Constanza, and Marg—”

“I think maybe Cary is a little nervous about meeting them,” Antonio interrupted as he ignored the scowl on Cary’s face.

Not nervous. Terrified and feeling like I’m about to puke.

Cary looked out the window of the car at the gentle hills and vineyards of this part of the Po Valley, trying to remind himself how beautiful it was here. Late spring, and the trees and fields were a lush green, and the fragrance of the season wafted in through the half-open windows. Cary watched the sun as it began to set a deep orange on the horizon, and did his best to clear his mind.

“Why?” Massimo’s question brought Cary back into the moment.

He sighed; “why” was Massimo’s new favorite word. Most days, Cary was happy to humor Massimo, enjoying answering the constant questions. But tonight, it was like Massi’s buzzing airplane noises in his ears all over again.

Breathe. Just breathe. It’s going to be fine. If they hate you, you can go back to your lonely, pathetic life, and all will be well with the world. Only he knew he was so past the point of no return—his agreeing to meet the entire Bianchi brood was proof positive.

“Remember how you felt the first day of school? How you were worried the other children wouldn’t like you?” Antonio asked in his usual patient voice. Cary could see the mop of blond curls in the back seat bob up and down. “It’s the same for adults, sometimes.”

“Why?”

Because we’re idiots, kid. Because we do stupid shit like falling in love even though we know it means we have to put ourselves through hell and meet the in-laws.

Blessedly, Massimo forgot he asked the question when Antonio pulled the car through the familiar landmark gate.

“We’re here! We’re here!” he chanted happily. This was followed by a through-the-window tour of places where Massimo had fallen and skinned his knee, broken his arm, scraped his chin, and—the clear favorite—where his cousin Violetta had vomited.

After the long recitation, Cary was almost relieved when the car stopped in front of the large house and Massimo hopped out to trot down a stone walkway and leave Cary alone with Antonio. Cary’s relief was short-lived as he contemplated getting out of the car.

“How are you doing, caro?” Antonio’s face was half-sympathetic and half-amused to see Cary so anxious.

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