What Happens In Miami... by Nadine Gonzalez

Author:Nadine Gonzalez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-04-23T14:03:21+00:00

Two hours later, Sandro landed in Tampa. Good thing his brother’s tire shop wasn’t too far from the airport. A driver was waiting to take him there and back. The car hadn’t slowed to a stop when he pushed open the door. When he burst into the small shop, welcomed by the smell of grease and rubber, his brother proved that Sandro wasn’t the only one with theatrical inclinations.

“Well if it isn’t the King of Hollywood!” Eddy bellowed from behind the cash register. “To what do we owe this honor?”

The few customers threw glances their way, but none likely recognized him. He was just another Latino guy in the ball cap, sunglasses and bland T-shirt. “We need to talk.”

“Nah,” Eddy replied. “I need to take care of my customers.”

“Eddy,” Sandro said through clenched teeth. “I came a long way.”

“Is that right?” Eddy said. “Well, take a damn number.”

Balding, paunchy, with a lined face, Eddy looked older than the seven years he had on Sandro. But he’d had a difficult life. Their father’s death had hit him harder. Sandro was only four at the time and had been living with JD since he was two. In the family, they said their dad had died of stubbornness, having refused to go to the ER when a minor cut turned into a raging infection. Sandro was deemed too young to attend the funeral. All he knew was that his father, like his mother, had stopped coming around. It was complicated, as was his relationship with this half brother whom he had once worshipped.

Sandro went over to the waiting area and flipped open a frayed copy of Car and Driver. He was going to sit here until—

The staged sit-in didn’t last long. Eddy waved him over. His office was down the hall. It was large enough for a desk and not much else. Still, Eddy had managed to squeeze in a recliner for himself.

“Welcome to my humble abode. Have a seat.”

Sandro lowered himself onto one of the two guest seats that lined the wall. There was little legroom, but he made it work.

“Coffee? Tea? Or what do you guys drink in California? Green lettuce juice? Is that it?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“Yeah. I can tell you’re good.”

“Why the attitude?” Sandro asked, point blank.

“It’s not about nothing,” Eddy said. “You show up here unannounced. You don’t ask about Linda.”

“Oh? How is she, by the way?”

“She’s a certified substitute teacher.”

“Give her my best.”

“I will.”

“Can we knock this off now?”

Their relationship had not been considered loving. As the illegitimate child of their dad and his mistress, Sandro was by default the black sheep. The power dynamic had shifted over recent years, with Sandro gaining confidence and asserting himself.

“Sabina tells me you two have talked about JD’s paintings, wanting to see them in the world.”

“Don’t know why you’re hiding them. Are you embarrassed?”

“Don’t go there,” Sandro said quietly.

Eddy looked down at the points of his shoes. “Just asking.”

“What do you care? You’ve never cared.”

“That’s what I don’t like. Righteous attitude. You’re not the only one who loved JD.

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