Page 39 of Romeo vs Romeo

I nodded firmly, his hands hot against my cheeks. His thumbs brushed my tears away.

“What about the others?” he asked.

I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and sighed. “I don’t know. It has to be your choice.”

“But…do you think they’ll expel me?” he asked with genuine concern.

I shook my head in his hands. “I don’t think kicking people out is their way of doing things.” As Everett slowly removed his hands from my face, we continued to look into one another’s eyes. “They’re my family, Everett. More than my real parents ever were. I’ll make sure they understand.”

I let out a breath of air that was almost an amused chuckle. “It’s your family against mine, Romeo.”

I put my hands on his nice, black shirt, feeling the hard pecs underneath. “And we’re caught in the middle of the feud.”

“Caught?” he cracked a smile. “We’re actively contributing.”

I licked my lips and returned the smile. “Well, then, if it comes to it, it’ll be asleepingdraught so there aren’t any misunderstandings.”

He sighed with relief. “Good. I was worried for a moment.”

After we shared a laugh, the tension fading away and leaving that odd, fuzzy warmth that was always present when Everett was near me, we exchanged a more serious look. “I think you should tell them when you’re ready.”

Everett nodded. “I’m ready.”

I offered him my hand, and he took it without hesitating. Together, made our way back to Neon Nights.

CHAPTER 9

The Gilded Greens Club

Everett

Vivien stoodin the middle of the dressing room, flanked by her boys. To the left, a makeup table with a glitzy mirror surrounded by the old Hollywood frame of lightbulbs, to the right, an accordion screen to separate the changing area. Behind them, a row of windows allowed the flickers of light from the tucked-away garden to enter and light up the people before me.

Tristan and Cedric stood to the left of Mama Viv, and Rafael, Luke, and Bradley were on the right. Mama Viv had her fan in her left hand, each gust making the big, round, red wig quiver.

Roman stood a single pace behind me.

I licked my lips and lifted my head a little.

The faces that looked at me were hard to read. There was a ripple of surprise initially, but once that passed, they were neither open and welcoming nor closed and judgmental.

Mama Viv was the tallest of them all, thanks to the four-inch heels she commanded with the same ease I commanded my bare feet on flat ground. “Roman?”

“Yes, Mama Viv?” Roman answered.

“This is your operation,” Mama Viv said. “What do you think?”

“It’s your bar,” Roman said. He let the silence settle for a moment before he went on. “The decision is all yours, but I’ll tell you what I believe. Everett is not his father. His name is on the petition downstairs, and he is trying to find proof we can use against Harold and his allies. If you ask me, he’s the person who stands to lose the most right after you, Mama Viv.” The words seemed to make everyone listen intently. Then, just as everyone’s undivided attention was on Roman, he added, “And I’d trust him with my life.”

Mama Viv nodded. Her gaze returned to me.

“I know I should have said it sooner,” I admitted.

Mama Viv jerked her head slightly higher. “No matter. Neon Nights has a history of sheltering runaways.” There was a small smile on her lips now.

I blinked quickly; the surprise at finding no harsh judgment here, no threats of expulsion or eternal damnation, rocked me on my feet. “You’re going to let me stay?” I asked.

Mama Viv’s smile increased by a tiny little bit. “You heard the boss, Everett. If he trusts you, I trust you.”

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