RENZO’S POV
The rain came down in torrents, the sound deafening against the metal of my car as I sped down the road. The chaotic rhythm of the storm matched the turmoil inside me. I had tried to convince myself that leaving Sam was the right decision, but as I drove, every mile felt like a betrayal.
Images of Sam alone in the rain plagued my mind, and a deep sense of guilt gnawed at me. I should have stayed, should have tried harder. The inner conflict was almost unbearable, and my resolve to leave her was melting away with every raindrop that hit the windshield.
I turned the wheel sharply, heading back toward where I’d last seen her. The storm had worsened, making visibility almost nonexistent. I pushed the car faster, desperation fueling my drive.
Finally, I reached the spot where I’d seen Sam. My heart sank when I saw her standing there, drenched, but the sight of Dante’s arms around her made me slam the brakes. The car skidded to a halt, the screech of tires against the wet pavement piercing the night.
I watched through the rain-streaked windshield as Dante held Sam close, offering comfort. The sight of her clinging to him while tears streamed down her face was a sharp stab to my chest. A rush of conflicting emotions surged through me—anger, jealousy, and regret.
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, the leather cold beneath my fingers, matching the chill spreading through my chest. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of the scene I had just witnessed. Sam, drenched and vulnerable, in Dante’s arms—my best friend. I knew Dante wouldn’t betray me, I knew it in my gut. But the sight of them together, so close, it cut deeper than I wanted to admit.
I revved the engine, ready to drive away, to put as much distance as I could between myself and that image. But something kept me rooted there for a second longer, the ache in my chest preventing me from hitting the gas. A war was raging inside me—between my pride and the part of me that couldn’t bear to lose Sam.
“Dante doesn’t feel anything for Sam,” I muttered to myself, trying to calm the storm of jealousy threatening to take over. “He’s my friend, he wouldn’t do that to me.”
But doubts lingered, small and dangerous. I had hurt Sam, pushed her away. Could I really blame her for finding comfort somewhere else, even if it was in the arms of someone like Dante?
Before I knew it, I punched the steering wheel again, frustration boiling over. I needed to clear my head, but driving away felt like running—something I wasn’t supposed to do. I couldn’t escape this, not now. Not like this.
DANTE’S POV
I dropped Sam off at her condo, watching her carefully as she stepped out of the car. The rain had soaked through her clothes, making her look exhausted and fragile. She thanked me with a soft smile, her eyes reflecting both gratitude and a hint of sadness.
As I sat on her sofa, the warmth of the room contrasting sharply with the chill of the rain-soaked clothes, I couldn't shake the events of the day from my mind. I had seen Renzo’s anger, the pain in Sam’s eyes, and the tension that had crackled between them. I had done my best to be there for her, but the situation was far from ideal.
Sam finally emerged from her bedroom, now dressed in dry clothes. She looked more at ease, though the sadness lingered in her eyes. She walked over and sat down beside me on the sofa, her demeanor more relaxed but still somewhat reserved.
“Thank you, Dante, for bringing me home,” she said, her voice softer than before. “I didn’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up.”
I gave her a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m your friend, Sam. I’m here for you.”
Seeing Sam in tears hurt me more than I’d expected. I’d always known she was special, and it was hard for me to admit, but I had feelings for her. However, those feelings were complicated by my friendship with Renzo. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her how I felt, especially given the turmoil she was already in. His actions had put me in a difficult position, and I wasn't sure what to do next.
As we sat close together on the sofa, I glanced at her, trying to gauge her mood. Sam seemed lost in thought, her gaze distant and unfocused. The sight of her so vulnerable tugged at my heart. I wanted to help her, to offer more than just friendship, but I knew I had to be careful.
The room was quiet except for the gentle rhythm of the rain against the window. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on both of us. Sam’s sobs had quieted, but the silence that followed felt heavy, filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.
“Sam,” I began softly, hoping to break the silence without startling her, “do you want to talk about what happened with Renzo? Or do you just need a distraction right now?”
She turned her head slightly to look at me, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. “I don’t know if talking will help. I’m just so confused and hurt.”
I leaned in a bit, trying to offer her a bit more comfort. “When I saw him with another woman earlier, it hurt. I understand that he was angry with me, but I wish he’d at least given me a chance to explain.”
Her voice trembled slightly, and I could sense the depth of her pain. It was clear that the situation with Renzo had left her feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
I sighed, feeling a pang of sympathy. “I understand, Sam. Renzo can be stubborn, especially when he’s hurt. He’s not the best at handling emotions, and sometimes that leads him to make decisions without really considering the consequences.”
Sam looked down, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the sofa. “I know he’s angry with me, but I just wish he would have listened. I never wanted to hurt him or keep anything from him.”
I nodded, trying to choose my words carefully. “Sometimes it’s hard for people to see past their immediate feelings, especially when they’re hurt. But that doesn’t make it any easier for you.”
There was a pause as Sam seemed to gather her thoughts. “I just feel like I’m losing him, Dante. I don’t know if there’s any way to fix this.”
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. “You can’t control how Renzo will react, but you can control how you handle the situation. Maybe you don’t know Renzo that well yet,”
Sam nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting a mix of hope and resignation. “Maybe you’re right. I just wish I knew how to make things right.”
I gave her a reassuring smile, trying to offer her a sense of comfort amidst the turmoil. “You’re doing the right thing by being honest about your feelings. It might take time, but honesty and patience are key. And remember, no matter what happens with Renzo, you have people who care about you.”
She gave a small, grateful smile, and for the first time that evening, there was a flicker of relief in her eyes. I hoped that this small step towards clarity might help her find a way through the pain, even if the path ahead was still uncertain.
"Your future girlfriend is lucky because you know how to understand the situations," she said, her gaze locking onto mine. "Have you ever had a girlfriend? Or do you have one now?"
Her question caught me off guard. For a moment, I froze, and I couldn’t help but look away. Her question caught me off guard. I paused, my gaze drifting away from hers. How I wish that “girlfriend” was her name on my lips. But I couldn’t let my personal feelings interfere with her moment of need.
“No, I haven’t been in a relationship for a while,” I admitted, trying to keep my tone neutral. “I guess I’ve been focused on other things.”
She looked at me with a mix of curiosity and empathy, and I could sense that she was searching for something more in my response. I wanted to be honest, but I also didn’t want to complicate things further.
I glanced back at her, seeing the genuine curiosity and concern in her eyes. Part of me wanted to confess that I had feelings for her, but I knew I had to tread carefully. My loyalty to Renzo made it complicated, and I didn’t want to add to her current pain.
I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “I guess I just haven’t found the right person yet.”
Sam’s expression softened, and she gave me a small nod. “Well, I’m sure whoever that person is will be lucky to have someone who cares as much as you do.”
I felt a pang of sadness mixed with hope at her words. If only she could see how much I cared for her. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that. Right now, she needed support, not unspoken feelings.
“Thanks, Sam. I hope things work out for you and Renzo,” I said, trying to keep the conversation light and supportive.
She smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. “I hope so, too.”
She smiled again, her eyes showing a hint of gratitude. “Thanks, Dante. I really appreciate your support.”
I gave her a reassuring nod, hoping that my presence would offer her some comfort as she navigated through her troubles. And though I wished things could be different, I knew that being there for her, as a friend, was the best I could do for now.
We sat in companionable silence for a few moments, each of us lost in our thoughts. I couldn’t help but wish that, under different circumstances, things might have been different between us. But for now, all I could do was be there for her, offering the support and understanding she needed.