Page 24 of Star Crossed
“Yes, I would’ve,” Romeo said without hesitating. “So I wouldn’t be asking me to throw any more title fights, ’cause I’m not losing the next one.”
Nova threw up his hands in defeat and then stormed out of the room. He slammed the door in an uncharacteristic show of anger, leaving Tino and Romeo alone in the echoing silence.
Romeo turned to stare at Tino, who was sitting on the bed studying the door. The frame had splintered from the strength of Nova’s fury, and Tino seemed to be wavering between going after him or staying there.
Romeo wanted to tell Tino to follow Nova, because that’s what he always did, but he held his tongue. He couldn’t handle fighting with both of them, and he knew Tino silently agreed with Nova. Romeo got dressed instead. He pulled the clothes out of the backpack and then put them on with sharp, jerky actions that betrayed the rage still rolling under the surface. Then he went into the bathroom to finish putting himself together before he faced walking through the lobby to get to his real hotel room.
“Rome.”
Romeo turned from where he stood in front of the mirror running his hands through his wet hair to push it into place so it would dry right. Tino still sat on the bed, and the anger had simmered enough for Romeo to recognize that Tino had stayed with him rather than follow after Nova.
Romeo forced his shoulders to relax. “Yeah?”
“You really think God gave me talents too?” Tino asked uncertainly. “I mean, besides the obvious. Bully material ’cause of my last name and my collection of black belts. You think I matter to the world?”
“Why the fuck would you ask that?” Romeo threw up his hands in disbelief. “You don’t think you’ve got God-given gifts?”
“Well, I’m not a fucking genius like Nova,” Tino said with a bitter laugh. “I’m just, you know, Tino.”
“And what’s wrong with being Tino?” Romeo asked as he walked out of the bathroom and sat on the bed next to his brother. “Look, you’re never gonna be as smart as Nova. He’s got a photographic memory and an IQ that’s off the charts, so you’re just gonna have to deal with that shit. You still got lots of things to be proud of. The kids at the dojo love you. Their martial arts program would’ve gone under a long time ago if it wasn’t for you.”
Tino snorted. “Great. That’s what I’m good for, entertaining small children.”
“Hey, it’s more than just entertaining them and you know it. You’re teaching those kids how to defend themselves. You’re giving ’em confidence and structure and discipline that’ll help them the rest of their lives. I wish you’d actually use your gifts instead of hanging around worthless assholes like Gino and Carlo.”
Tino turned and glared at him. “You don’t understand—”
“You’re twenty-two years old, Tino,” Romeo countered as he got off the bed. “At some point you gotta stop partying and grow up. Now’s as good a time as any. Gimme a brother to be proud of—please.”
“Nova’s just doing what he’s got to do. That’s all he’s ever done,” Tino interjected on Nova’s behalf, which was predictable. “It’s not a choice for him. It was never a choice. And you don’t listen when he tries to tell you the truth. If you did, you wouldn’t be riding him all the time. You’d be proud of him ’cause he does everything for us, not himself.”
“Whatever,” Romeo said dismissively as he threw the rest of his belongings into the backpack and grabbed his suit still hanging on the door. “Let’s get outta here. We gotta plane to catch.”
