A Little Darkness Never Hurt

I could not do this. Vinny was downstairs waiting for me as I added the finishing touches to my outfit, a gorgeous black knee length dress with nude tights and a black pea-coat. My hair was up in a curly pinned up bun and I was trying to put on my jewelry, but my hands were shaking with nerves. He hated me but for the sake of his family I hoped we could fake it long enough to get through the dinner.

“Nichole? We need to leave soon.” I heard Vinny call as his footsteps ascended the stairs. I groaned as my fingers fumbled my necklace once again. “Hey, you ok?”

“I’m fine.” I snapped, turning to see that he had pushed his way into my room. He was wearing a black button down and nice slacks with some shiny dress shoes and it took everything in me not to drool. His mother had demanded we all dress up because I was going to be there so this morning Vinny had texted me the plans so I would be prepared. Heather had apparently given it to him after the last time we were at his house because I had forgotten.

“Damn, just checking on you.” I tried to clasp the necklace again and failed with another frustrated sigh. Gentle hands took the chain out of my fingers and clasped it with ease, dropping the warm metal against my neck. “If you are quite done, we need to go.” I nodded and picked my healed boots up to slip them onto my feet, using Vinny to stabilize me. Once done we walked back downstairs and out to his car where he opened the door for me to get in.

“Oh, so you are capable of being a gentleman. Got it.” I snarked towards him.

“Watch it, I’ll shove you in a mud puddle.” He muttered as I sat down in the passenger seat.

“Oh, I’m so scared.” The door closed on me and I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest.

“Careful, hold that frown on your face for too long and it will freeze like that.” He snickered as he climbed into the drivers side.

“I don’t have to do this so shut up Mauro. I could leave you wallowing like a cod fish for an explanation to your mummy.” He rolled his eyes and started the car, the vents still blowing warm air since he only got to my place 10 minutes before.

“This isn’t an ideal situation, but I do appreciate it. I won’t hold the ruse for long. Just long enough that we can have a ‘painful’ break up and my mum won’t try setting me up on fake dates for a while.” He put air quotes around painful.

“Oh, I’ll make it painful.” I muttered. He rolled his eyes and took off to his parent’s place which was actually about 30 minutes away from where we lived. When we got there, I put on a fake smile and allowed him to open the door for me, taking his extended hand to help me out of the car. He laced our fingers together and gave my hand a squeeze telling me he was just as nervous as I was.

“Ready?”

“No.” I mumbled, before tugging his hand towards the door. He knocked firmly and moments later the door opened to see his smiling mother.

“Vincenzo, Nichole! We’re so glad you two are here.” She cheered.

“Thank you for inviting me Mrs. Mauro.” I murmured.

“Please, call me Rosa. Come in! Kyle and Adriana are already here with their partners.” She turned and walked into the house, expecting us to follow her.

“Adriana?” I whispered.

“Sorry, my sister. Greg is Kyles fiancé and Lucas is Adriana’s boyfriend.” He informed me as we took off our shoes and went into the kitchen where everyone was. Kyle noticed me first and excitement crossed his face before it dropped into confusion.

“Jonathan, this is Vinny’s girlfriend Nichole.” Rosa told Vinny’s father. He held out his hand and I took it in a firm shake.

“Hello Mr. Mauro. Vinny has told me all sorts of wonderful things about you guys. Thank you for inviting me into your home.” I said sweetly.

“Please, call me John.” He said, his voice warm and inviting. It made me sad. I didn’t have a good relationship with my family so I spent my holidays with Heather unless we got invited to her family holidays and even then I felt out of place. This man, these people weren’t even my family and yet they were treating me like one seconds after meeting me. It made me feel bad lying to them.

“Of course. John.” I murmured. John, Rosa, Adriana, and her partner all went into the dining room leaving Vinny, Kyle his partner and I alone.

“What the hell Vin? I thought you said you wouldn’t date her!” Kyle hissed lowly before giving me an apologetic look. “Sorry, no offense.”

“We aren’t but she agreed to fake it long enough to get mama off my case for a while. We don’t like each other.” Vinny explained through gritted teeth.

“What the fuck are you thinking? You’ll never be able to pull this off.” His brother hissed. I personally agreed with him but I looked at Vinny to see that obstinate determination on his face that I often wore.

“Its just a few months. Don’t say shit.” Vinny took my hand in his once more and led us all into the dining room where the others were taking their place at the table. Vinny and I sat next to each other and so began the night of interrogation. Where did we meet? What was it I saw in Vincenzo? What did Vincenzo see in me? Did I see a future with him because family was very important to them.

“We met at my winery last week when Kyle and him were wine tasting for the wedding.”

“I had met Vinny the day before at his party and I thought he was beautiful, and intelligent, and his laugh was so inviting. I wasn’t brave enough to ask for his number at the time so it was fate that he was at my work the next day.”

“She took my breath away, when she walked in I couldn’t focus on anything else. She was beautiful and smart. I was glad Heather brought her over.”

“I’ve always wanted a family, and I’ve always wanted children. I would be so lucky to have that with Vinny. He’s amazing.”

I could see Kyle trying to understand where we were going with all of this while his mother and father seemed only too happy with our answers.

“You two seem so enamored with each other. It reminds me of Johnathan and I when we first met.” Vinnys mom said. The dread filled my bones again and I was reminded that this was all fake. They were so sweet and didn’t deserve this.

“I need a drink.” I whispered. I stood quickly and made my way back into the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. I braced myself on the sink while taking a swig, unaware of the person walking in.

“What was that?” Vinny asked, walking up next to me.

“They are amazing! What kind of person are you that you can just lie to them?” I snapped quietly.

“Its just for a few weeks. Its not that big of a deal! Don’t tell me you never lied to your parents.” He huffed, rolling his eyes. I slammed the cup down on the counter and glared daggers at him.

“My parents kicked me out of the house when I was 15. I lived on the streets until I was 21. I have never seen or heard from them since. You are lucky to have them because I have no one.” I was holding back tears by the time I finished talking and wasn’t expecting arms to pull me into the drummers chest. I clung to his shirt and took a deep breath, the smell of his cologne somehow calming my nerves.

“We can go out there and tell them that I was being stupid.” He mumbled and I shook my head, pulling back to look at him with a mischievous plan forming. I liked his family, but the drummer needed to be knocked down a peg. He still hadn’t apologized for what he said to me at the party, and I was going to make him regret it.

“No. We’ll let it run its course. I’ll date you for a few weeks like I promised. But know that I will make them love me. And when this is all over, you’ll be the one that looks bad. I didn’t get support from family so I’m going to thrive on the support from yours.” I was about to say something else when Rosa walked in.

“Is everything ok dears?” She asked sweetly.

“Yes. I’m so sorry. I was just reminded that Vinny is going on tour in a couple of days and I’m not taking it well. I’m just going to miss him so much.” I told her, nuzzling into the drummer’s chest like a cat.

“Oh, it will be ok dear. I can understand why it would be difficult. You are always welcome here while he is away.” She offered with a genuine smile. It almost made me feel bad for what we were doing but she needed to see how stupid her son was.

“I really appreciate that, Rosa. I might take you up on that offer.” I could feel Vinny’s anger rolling off of him but when I turned to look at him his face had a smile to keep up appearances.

“Come on baby. Let’s go back to the table shall we?” He gritted.