Until I Met You

Chapter Eight

A boy band means drama, and theirs was no exception. Roman filled the role of the quiet drummer. Anthony was the charismatic lead singer that drew in the girls. His cousin, Ted, was the jerk guitarist who was going to screw it all up. Roman had only met the guy a couple of times over the years. Every time, he’d got a bad vibe. So it came as no surprise when he walked in on them at each other’s throats.

After leaving the charming Samantha Roberts at her doorstep, he’d made a beeline to Anthony’s spot. When the news broke that one of Naomi’s friends had been dumped last minute and would be arriving alone, he hadn’t cared enough to ask follow-up questions. Now he wanted answers. How serious was that relationship? How badly was she hurt? Was it too soon to make a move? He couldn’t imagine a scenario where he wouldn’t. He’d been thinking about her all day. Feisty. She was feisty. Whenever she glared at him, it just made him want to do things. Except, Anthony was about to land a punch in his cousin’s stupid face. Roman pushed the pretty girl out of his mind and rushed to break up the fight.

He blocked Anthony. ‘Calm down. He’s not worth the trouble.’

Ted turned turnip red. ‘You’re going to let him talk to me like that?’

Roman pointed out the obvious. ‘I’m the only thing standing between you and his fist.’

‘You don’t think I could take him? I taught that punk how to stand up to bullies.’

‘Twenty years ago!’ Anthony bellowed.

‘And I don’t give a crap.’

Roman was thrilled when Anthony told him the wedding would be on his turf, practically in his backyard. He hadn’t signed up for this. He’d come to Tobago to reset, get his head straight and his life together. ‘What’s this about?’ he asked Anthony.

Anthony darted a finger at his older cousin. ‘He started it.’

This was the level they were playing at; playground warfare. Yet when he looked from Ted to Anthony, he could tell the mood was serious. This was no friendly fall-out between cousins. What had happened? Not one hour ago, they were laughing over dinner. He tried to get an answer from Ted. ‘Why are you starting trouble?’

‘I’m trying to talk sense into him. That’s all.’

Not another person trying to talk sense into Anthony and Naomi, Roman thought wearily. His old college roommate, the most stubborn person Roman knew, had met his match in Naomi. If they wanted to get married, no one and nothing could stop them. ‘Man, get over it. It’s way too late for that.’

Anthony walked in circles in the tight room. ‘And no one wants to hear it!’

Ted ran a hand down his face. ‘I’m wasting my breath here.’

‘You are,’ Roman said. He ought to know better.

‘All right. I’m out.’

Ted charged out the door, letting it slam behind him, only it bounced and flung wide open.

Roman looked to Anthony, who was shapeless and deflated on a wicker rocking chair. ‘What the hell was that?’

‘How much time you got?’

Roman shrugged. ‘I’m in no rush.’

‘Grab a beer. Shut the door.’