My brothers’,‘Uuuuy’.
I pause and he walks in front of me. ‘What the fuck?’ he hisses. ‘If you checked your schedule for once, you’d know we’re flying to Italy tonight to have a meeting with Martinelli at their headquarters. You’re not missing it so you can playCasanova.’
What?Martinelli are summoning me to their HQ? They’ve never done that before.
Well they can wait because this is more important.
‘I’m sorry but you’re going to have to reschedule. Jules needs me.’
‘Have you lost your mind? You went to her to help your reputation. Hers is now in the garbage, and you want to still associate yourself with her? She’s a fucking fraud, Santiago.’
I get right up in his face, close enough to feel his breath. ‘Take that back.’
‘Once again you’re choosing pussy over your own family.’
‘I’m choosing someone who backs me over someone who doesn’t.’
Anger flares in his eyes. ‘I used Volare as leverage and got you a meeting with theMartinelli board.’ He pushes me. ‘Don’t youdaresay I don’t back you.’
What? That’s so?—
But logic sadly loses to testosterone, which has just clocked that he pushed me. ‘Backing someone is more than making a call.’ I shove him back. ‘It’s listening, it’s caring, it’s supporting?—’
‘You’d know that, would you?’ He uses two hands to thump my chest. ‘You passed me over?—’
My fists pulse at my sides, ready and waiting. ‘I said I’m sorry! A thousand fucking times sorry! But I’m done apologising to you. It’s never enough. Your pride is so fragile?—’
‘Woah, woah, woah!’ Isa skids between us and pries us apart. ‘What iswrongwith you two? Do I need to take my earrings out?’ Her gaze swivels from one to the other.‘Do I need to take my earrings out?’
‘No,’ we mumble.
‘Alright then.’ Her arms drop. ‘Apologise to each other. You’ve both wronged one another and that’s not what we do.La familia es la familia.’
Murmurs of agreement sound around our audience, which I’ve only just realised we have.
‘I want it loud, and I want to feel it in my toes,’ she instructs, because little sisters never miss a minute to be bossy.
Might as well go first. My fourteen-year-old brother’s watching and I’m not setting a good example. I want him to know real men admit when they’re wrong, even if they get nothing back.
‘I’m sorry, I am. I didn’t trust your judgement and I hired Jules to help without consulting you. I didn’t think you could manage me in that situation, and I was wrong.’ Tuts and mumbles echo around us. I don’t recall asking for input. ‘If I could do it over, I’d approach it differently. You’re my brother, JC, and I respect you as my manager. I just wish you’d listen to me more.’
I feel like the pressure’s eased a little as a round of applause starts up.
‘That was very nice, Tiago,’ confirms Isa with a grin. ‘My toes are happy. JC, your turn.’
This oughtta be good.
Silence descends around us and JC stands there looking nonplussed. I did my part. I’m in the clear. That man and his fucking pride.
‘Just apologise, man,’ yells Trey from the back.
‘JC!’
‘Ya, pide perdón.’
‘¡Bueno!’JC snaps, running his hands through his hair. ‘I accept what you’re saying.’ I’m not sure it could sound more pained but credit where credit’s due. ‘I… I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t come to me earlier in the season. I take back calling you stupid and irresponsible. You’ve grown up a lot this year and… any team would be lucky to have you.’
That was… too good. Did Isa tip him?
