She laughs and turns to face me then cups my face. I wrap my arms around her and press my forehead to hers. Taking a moment, I simply breathe her in.
“You can wait a little longer. It will be worth it, I promise.”
I peck her lips. “I’m holding you to that.”
Oni
“Did you have a good time?”I ask Fredo.
His cheeks and nose are red from drinking, and his hair is a tussled mess. He looks back at me and smiles. Fredo is as handsome as his cousins.
“Yeah, I did. Thanks, Oni.”
“Thanks for what?”
“For inviting me. You got them to see me. I mean, Rico has always been cool, but he has kept his distance too.
“Since you’ve been around, it’s been different. He has more patience with me. Uncle Emilio doesn’t treat me like a stunad.”
“You’re a genius, Fredo. It took me one summer to see that. I’m glad things are better for you.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, you know you can,” I say and smile.
“Have you ever wanted to do something else?”
“Something else? What do you mean?”
“You’re smart. I’ve seen you draw. Are you only here for Rico?
“If you are, you can do better. You weren’t born into this. You can leave.”
I give a small chuckle. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I was born into this. I was born to be by his side.
“If he walked away today, I would walk with him. If he stays and has to go to war, I would be with him. Being smart is what makes me perfect for him.
“Besides, art will always have a special place in my heart. Being with him gives me that too. I might be able to do better, but this is where my heart is,” I explain.
“Then I feel like the others.” He nods.
“How’s that?”
“I’ll protect his queen with my life. You’re special, Oni. So is Rico.
“He was always meant to be Don. Uncle Emilio never thought of me for the spot. He only made Rico think that when we were little to drive him. I never stood a chance.”
I tug him into a hug. I don’t know where this is coming from, but I can see it’s important to him. He’s wrong though. Emilio sees him.
I don’t think he would make him Don in Rico’s place, but he’s still grooming Fredo for something else. For now, I keep my mouth shut. Rico and the others come over all drunk and smiling.
“You trying to steal my girl, Fredo? Don’t make me fuck you up,” Rico teases.
“She’s in love with someone else. I can’t get her to leave with me,” Fredo says.
I knit my brows because something in his words doesn’t sound like he’s joking. He won’t look at me either. Rico pats himon the cheek, then tugs him into a hug and whispers something to him.
Fredo pulls away with his eyes lit up. I don’t know what Rico just said, but it sure has made his cousin happy. Our cars begin to pull up and everyone fills into their respective rides.
