Nowthatgets a reaction.
“So, you’re the new Wilson.” Ms. Lombardi’s eyebrows rise as she looks at me, then Nomi, then zeroes in on how closely we’re standing together.
I frown. What’s that supposed to mean?
“He’s not the newWilson.” Wilson’s pitted cheeks pinken.
Lombardi rolls her eyes. “He filed the complaint, didn’t he?”
I clear my throat. “Are you aware I’ve withdrawn it, though? Neither Ms. Wyeth nor I have received a notice of dismissal yet.”
Lombardi’s mouth quirks into a sour lemon of a fake smile. “Thank you, but I’d rather not discuss zoning business at social gatherings.”
“Is this squirt bothering you, Jackie?” Uncle Gino walks up and delivers a thunderous clap on my back.Fuck.He’s my dad’s eldest brother and my number one family member to avoid. “Wouldn’t be anything new—Julian’s been bothering me for—how old are you again, squirt?”
“Gino!” Lombardi’s eyes light up, and if she likes my uncle, that’s a bad sign. “You ol’ troublemaker.”
“Sup, Gino!” Wilson goes in for a fist bump, but Gino ignores him.
Nomi’s eyes dart to mine, and I smile tightly back. I willnotengage with the worst dregs of my family in front of her or the zoning commissioner.
I turn back to Lombardi, smiling graciously. “My apologies. I’d love to get some time on your calendar next week if that works better. I’manxious to get this matter settled.” I straighten my shoulders, commanding my eyes to twinklejust so. I’m well aware of my eyes’ effect on women, especially those who came of age during the Christopher Reeve era ofSuperman.
But Lombardi must be a Lex Luthor stan because she’s having none of it.
“I’m sure you are.” She pokes the watermelon around her Dixie paper bowl, pointedly side-eyeing Nomi’s sundress.
“So, Julie’s changed his mind about the weed shop, has he? I guess I can see why.” Grinning, Gino leers at Nomi, and I sustain a brief, violent urge to grab the piñata stick and see what comes out ofhimafter a few swings. He throws his arm around me, and I stiffen beneath the meaty weight of it, his peppery armpits enough to make me gag. “It’s not surprising, seeing how Julie’s old man loved reefer so much. Did your dad ever take you back in that garage and get you high, too?”
“My father wasn’t like that. Now get your arm off me,” I say to Gino coolly, even as my blood boils. Vinny, my lawyer cousin, comes over, as though sensing an assault action brewing.
“Pop, come on.” Vinny prods his father with water. “You need to hydrate.” But Ginop’shawshim away.
Nomi turns to Ms. Lombardi. “It was nice to meet you—we hope to hear from y’all soon!” Then to me, softly, “Let’s go.”
“Aww, don’t be like that, squirt!” Gino brings me in even closer. “You’ve always been such a littlebitch.” His breath reeks of alcohol and Marlboro Lights, and I just can’t. Ican’t. I shove him off, and he loses balance, skidding backward on the lawn in his pale denim shorts.
Footsteps rush over. Marco yells, “Hey, is Gino okay?”
I can’t say anything. I still smell Gino’s sweat and hear his nasty, belittling words, and I just—
“I’m so sorry, Gino!” Nomi exclaims, clapping her hands over her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to trip you! Here, let me help you up.” She holds out a hand, smiling apologetically at my skeezy uncle, who looks confused as to how he ended up on the ground.
“It’s these shoes; they always trip me in the grass.” She hoists him back up.
“I—tripped?” Gino looks to his son for confirmation.
“Sure did, Pop,” Vinny confirms, which… I didnotsee coming.
“He’s alright, everybody!” Nomi pats him on the shoulder, and Gino decides to accept the truth as presented to him by the pretty young thing fussing over him. It must be easier than believing Julie, thatlittle bitch, pushed him.
Nomi ushers me away quickly.
“Fuck,fuck! I’m sorry, Nomi.” I cover my face with my hands. “God. Level 2000 red-flag deluxe.”
“Come on, let’s disappear for a while.” She opens the door to Marco’s garage then searches for the light switch.
“You probably think I have anger management problems.” I run my palms down my face, hard. “I tried to stay calm, but then Gino said that about my dad, and I just—I’m sorry. And right in front of Lombardi, too.”
