The bet had happened on both of our paternal sides. Julia was the first girl born in our two families since the rivalry had begun. A romantic relationship between the Russos and La Bellas hadn’t ever been an option before now, which was why I was sure her dad had raised her with threats to stay away from me.

“I thought so, too, but I don’t think she was lying.”

“You know, I guess it would make sense,” my mom started to say, her mind clearly spinning in a new direction.

“How so?”

“If you only pass down the parts where you were done wrong, then it keeps the feud alive. The hatred and anger seem justified. I can see how, over the years, certain parts got dropped from their side of the story.”

“Yeah, I guess I could see that,” I agreed before getting slightly agitated. “But it kind of makes it all worse.”

“What do you mean?”

“The fact that they don’t even know the whole story and choose to live their lives with this total contempt for our existence.” I started to get fired up, my emotions getting the best of me as I thought back to all the words Mr. La Bella had said about me.

“You know, James, just for the record”—my mom offered me a sly smile before backing away—“I’ve always liked Julia. She’s a smart girl. Talented. Motivated.”

She disappeared into the kitchen before even waiting for my response. Hearing my mom approve of Julia was a gift I’d never known I needed or wanted.

I headed up the rest of the stairs, pausing when I noticed Dane asleep in the guest room, the bedroom door wide open. He’d stayed the damn night, and I hadn’t even noticed his car, not that I had been looking for it. I was too busy trying not to get shot, weaving through the La Bella property. After hearing Julia’s dad this morning, I’d figured he’d be all too willing to shoot me first and ask questions over my dead body later.

I decided to wake Dane up. Walking over to his bed, I shook his shoulders and said his name three times. He started to stir before his eyes shot open.

“Dude. Finally.” He reached for his phone and looked at it. “You stayed the night? Are you just getting back?” Sitting straight up, he wiped his eyes. “What happened? Tell me. Did you hook up?”

Even though I’d willingly set myself up for this, he asked way too many questions.

“Her dad came home.” I decided I’d start with that little fact nugget.

“Shit. Did he see you? Are you dead right now?” He pushed my chest with his finger. “Okay. Not ghost James. Go on.”