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Angus shrugs. “What?”
“The moment of realization, hey baby?” Reaper asks.
I nod my head. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea who you were until I saw the pictures just now.”
Angus waves it off. “Oh, stop! I’m a washed-up has-been. Treat me as if I’m your old man’s best friend and nothing more.”
Releasing my shoulders, I exhale, trying to relax. “Okay,” I reply.
Lucia enters with a girl who looks about the same age as Nash, around eighteen, and then a younger boy, maybe fifteen or so. They walk in, the girl with a little more poise than the boy who seems like he’s itching to move, like he’s restless, his foot tapping on the spot.
“Oh good, you’re here, Arabella, my daughter. She’s naturally gifted. So intelligent. She’s learning the ins and outs of the music industry. I’m trying to get Romeo, my youngest, to learn the guitar, but sometimes I wonder if he’s putting in any effort,” Angus states matter-of-factly.
Arabella smiles wide, like she is super proud of her father’s evaluation.
Romeo, however, sinks into himself and huffs. “We can’tallbe the golden child,” Romeo mumbles under his breath.
Angus exhales, folding his arms over his chest. “No, that’smorethan obvious. But maybe if we put some actual effort in, instead of being so fucking stub—”
“I’m not being stubborn, Dad. Just because I’m not into music, it automatically means I’m not good enough for you.”
I go to say something, but Angus interrupts me. “Romeo, we have guests, and anynormalkid wouldn’t act the way you are right now.”
My eyes widen as Romeo’s nostrils flare.
I stand, shaking my head. “Okay, let’s all take a breath. In the heat of the moment, we say things we don’t me—”
“No. He meant it. I know Dad thinks I’m not…normal.I don’t live up to his expectations. Or should I say to whatheexpects a son of his should—”
“Romeo, that’s enough!” Lucia snaps.
Arabella begins to chuckle, not giving any support, and it seems to be the straw that breaks him. He picks up the nearest thing, which happens to be some kind of music trophy and throws it toward Arabella. She ducks out of the way before it smashes on the floor.
“Daddy, Romeo tried to kill me!” she snarks.
He goes to grab something else, his rage seeping off him in waves. It’s like a switch has been triggered as he flies off the handle at his sister.
So I jump up and race over to him, seeing as no one else is doing anything to help the situation. I reach out just as he’s about to destroy another trophy and grab his hand. “Romeo, stop!” I demand.
He pants through his mouth, hurt clear in his eyes, but I can tell the anger hasn’t subsided. His focus is still on his sister, so I place my hand on his face and force him to look at me. “Rome, look at me,” I urge calmly. I don’t know if it’s my directness, or if it’s me calling him Rome for short is what stops him. Either way, I breathe a sigh of relief when he exhales, placing the trophy down. Our eyes lock, and I nod at him with a small smile. “You’re okay. You’re going to be okay… I promise.”
He stares at me like I’m the only person who has ever cared about him in the world, breaking my damn heart.
I wish we could take him with us.
But I know we can’t.
All I can do is make the most impact with him right now.
“It’s okay to be different, Romeo. And if you want to, you can beanythingyou want to be. Don’t letanyonepush you in a direction you don’t want. You’re old enough… take charge of your life, okay?”
“Thank you. I don’t know who you are, but… you are kind of amazing.” He smiles.
I let out a small laugh as Reaper steps in beside me. “We should go.”
I drop my hand and nod, turning to glare at Angus and Lucia, scowling in clear disgust. “Do better.”
I snarl.
