Chapter 106 Old Wounds and Unlikely Plans
POV Sebastian:
As I milk Mimosa, my thoughts drift back and forth, replaying yesterday, when we had lunch with Maya. I don’t know much about the new resident of the town, who, from what I’ve heard, has been the talk of the place. I even tried to learn more about her through Dominic, but he doesn’t like it when my brothers and I say her name—much less ask anything related to her. From all indications, my brother can’t stand her.
I don’t know what she could have done to earn my brother’s hostility. Dominic is so understanding, funny—he has always been the most personable among us. That’s why he’s in charge of deliveries in town. The people of El Soledad know that we’re folks who prefer a simpler, more reserved life, that we don’t like going into town unless it’s strictly necessary. They respect the life we lead and keep their distance from the farm, coming only on Saturdays to place their orders.
My mother and father have always loved the simplicity of life in the countryside—without technology, without the modernity the world has increasingly surrendered to. She and my father decided to raise us this way, far from everything they believe poisons the world. Over time, my brothers and I learned to love the life we live. We love the way our parents live, and we take pride in everything they created and taught us. Family is a man’s greatest treasure, and we must honor it every day. I used to wish for a family of my own to honor, a wife to care for and children to be proud of, but today I no longer wish for that.
I’m finishing the milking when I hear Luca talking to Dominic outside the corral. From the edge in Dominic’s voice, it’s clear he doesn’t want to have any kind of conversation with our brother. I grab the full bucket of milk and step outside just in time to see Luca laughing loudly behind Dominic, who is walking away in a hurry.
“You can deny it all you want, but I know you want that redhead!” he shouts, making Dominic quicken his pace away from us.
“Why do you do this to him? It’s obvious our brother doesn’t like her. To be completely honest, it seems like he hates her,” I say, sharing my take on the whole thing.
“I know he hates her, but that doesn’t mean I won’t use her to piss him off,” he declares, walking away laughing loudly.
I shake my head, unable to believe how sadistic Luca is. No wonder Dominic said that no woman in her right mind would ever want to marry him willingly. My thoughts turn into a trap the moment I think of a woman I know would be more than willing to marry Luca. The pain I always keep buried inside me rises to the surface, reminding me how much of an idiot I was for loving someone who never loved me—someone who only toyed with my feelings.
Scarlett Monroe.
My first love. The woman I met in my favorite place. The woman who taught me how to love. The woman who made me believe she loved me—just like she did each one of my brothers. The woman who made me want a polyamorous relationship. Scarlett destroyed everything. She broke my heart, treated me like nothing, took all my love and threw it away. More than five months have passed since the last time I saw her, since she left my heart in pieces.
Scarlett left and took with her everything I once idealized. I will never love anyone again—that was the harshest lesson Scarlett left me. Love hurts. At least the love I felt for her hurt. I push those disturbing memories aside and go back to my chores.
...
I stare in disbelief at Dominic as he gets ready to go into town. It seems my older brother is heading to a bar. I’m surprised by his decision, just as I’m surprised that Luca is getting ready too, saying he’s going along with him. My brothers are the most antisocial people I know—just like me. I never see them leave the farm willingly unless it’s something very important.
“You’re really leaving the farm to go to a bar?” I ask, just to be sure I heard that right.
“I heard from one of our customers that tonight there’ll be a pool competition at Celeste’s bar, with prize money, and I thought I’d try my luck,” he replies, leaving me confused.
We haven’t played pool in years, and as far as I remember, Dominic doesn’t like it much—especially not when money is involved. My brother had a very clear rule about never gambling with money.
“Luca’s going because the matches are played in pairs,” he adds, and I’m even more surprised. Luca is almost a psychopath when he plays. My brother has scared plenty of people with a cue stick in his hand.
I look at Adrian and Mikhail, who seem just as surprised as I am. Luca is a psychopath when playing, and Dominic—well, my brother has a serious issue with competitiveness. I can’t see that duo winning without someone ending the night with a black eye. I can’t believe I’m even considering this shit, but what the fuck.
“I’m going too,” I declare, and I see Dominic and Luca look shocked. My brothers know I haven’t left the farm since… That’s beside the point. “I want to cheer for you,” I add.
“I am too,” Mikhail says, excited.
We all look at Adrian, who snorts, making a face that’s almost pained. He gets dressed in record time and is soon ready beside Mikhail. He doesn’t look happy at all.
“I’m only going because all of you are, and because I don’t want to hear you busting my balls, saying I’m a shitty brother for not supporting you in the stupid shit you come up with.”
“Wow, Adrian, your love really moves me,” Luca says, making us laugh.
“Go fuck yourselves.”
We keep laughing, and together we leave the house. I just hope Dominic doesn’t lose his mind with his competitiveness—and that Luca doesn’t start a fight with someone because of his sarcastic, psychopathic way of being.