The whole ride down to Noah’s, Gio and Felix talked about the renovations they’d be making to the gym. Felix was donating some major loot for it. It warmed her how generous he was and how genuinely excited he seemed about giving back to his community.

They arrived at Noah’s house in a neighborhood Bianca remembered so fondly. The houses seemed smaller now somehow and the streets narrower but the area still had the same feel. Kids played in the streets. People sat out in their front yards even in the chilly late afternoon.

Noah and the guys were on the porch drinking beer when they pulled up into his driveway. Noah met them at the bottom of the stairs with a big smile. After the hugs, hellos and introductions, Noah offered them all beer from an ice chest he had out on the porch.

They were all just like Bianca remembered them in high school only bigger, especially Abel who had always been the biggest and was now really big. Hector, Abel’s younger brother, who had always been so much smaller than all of them since he was the youngest was now just as tall as all of them and his teenage frame was like she remembered they all were in high school—bigger than most teens.

Gio immediately jumped up onto the railing of the porch and made himself comfortable. Noah offered Bianca and Felix a seat on the porch bench no one was utilizing. Noah had been leaning against the railing when they arrived and Abel sat on the other side of the porch’s railing while Hector sat comfortably on the porch stairs. Bianca sat and took the beer Noah offered, feeling a little awkward as she sipped it. Obviously, they were all going to have a few pre-dinner drinks right there on the porch.

“So what’s the big announcement?” Felix asked.

Noah gave him a knowing look. Even Bianca who didn’t know them could guess this one. A couple only ever announced one of two things, a pregnancy or an engagement but she kept her thoughts to herself.

“Roni wanted to do this so I can’t say anything yet but…” he sort of rolled his eyes then chuckled.

A phone rang in the distance and Noah patted his pants, coming up with nothing. He paused to listen as it rang again. It was coming from inside. “That’s me.” He pushed himself away from the railing. “I’ll be back,” he said rushing into the house.

As soon as he was out of sight, Felix scooted up to the edge of the bench they were sitting on and asked Abel. “So what do you think? She’s pregnant or they’re getting married?”

“If she’s pregnant, knowing Noah it’s both.” Abel frowned turning to Gio. “You should talk to him, dude. They don’t have to get married just ‘cause she’s pregnant.”

Gio’s reaction to that was defensive. “What difference would it make? They’re already living together.”

Abel leaned over looking into the front door cautiously then lowered his voice. “Nothing against Roni. You know I love her. But this shit went down real fast, him moving in with her and all. That age difference thing may not be a big deal now but when they get older and it gets more noticeable things could go sour fast.”

“That’s mom talking,” Hector said laughing.

Abel turned to him with a scowl. “But it’s true.”

“Your mom doesn’t like Roni?” Gio asked sounding very disgusted.

Abel brought his finger to his lips in exasperation then peered into the front door again. Bianca watched and listened to all of this fascinated.

“She likes her just fine but eight years is eight f**king big ones,” Abel said keeping a watchful eye on the door. “Marriage is huge. Even if she is pregnant maybe they should just live together a few more years. You never know what could happen. He might realize maybe he did jump into this too quick. Maybe the age difference will be too much the older she gets.”

Gio shook his head taking a drink of his beer. “Man, he better never hear you say that.”

“Why? I’m just looking out for him.”

Gio continued to shake his head adamantly. “Dude, I don’t care how big you are. He ever hears you say something like that he’ll rip your f**king head off.”

Bianca felt like she had front row tickets to something girls were rarely given access too. Real live, uncensored guy talk. She was enjoying it just as much as the next nosy person until Felix put in his two cents. “I’m gonna have to agree with Abel on this.”

“Thank you!” Abel said, lifting his beer at Felix and turning back to Gio.

“Whoa.” Felix lifted his hand then turned to the door lowering his voice. “Not about the age thing. Noah scored with Roni. She’s a hot little thing. I don’t think she looks older than him now and I don’t think she ever will. But the committing for life thing at his age?” This is what had Felix shaking his head now and it made Bianca’s insides twist. “That’s crazy.”

Gio’s face soured. “He’s twenty-one and we all know Noah’s always been way older on the inside than any of us. That’s why Roni is so perfect for him.”

“Why is Roni so perfect for me?” Noah said stepping out the door.

Bianca nearly spit out her beer. She managed to avoid making a total ass of herself swallowing down hard what was in her mouth. Her eyes watered as the gas came back up her nose.

All eyes were on Gio, who now had the burden of explaining what they’d all been talking about and why.

CHAPTER 12

Gio took a slow swig of his beer before smiling at Noah. “Because she keeps your ass in check.”