(Lila's P.O.V)
"You're not being serious, right?"
I stepped back, my brows lowered and gave Diego a strange look.
Madison Beer's Dear Society played in the background but for once, it wasn't distracting.
Diego's eyes glinted with amusement, "What if I am?"
"This Friday fight?"
"Uh-huh."
I turned away and drank some water, contemplating how to respond. "Not only do you want us to switch so abruptly from Kickboxing exclusive to MMA for fights–"
"It is not abruptly. Besides.....both you and the Leopard are trained in it. We knew this would happen sometime soon. You're prepared." Diego cut me off and I huffed.
He was right of course.
But I wasn't done, "That's not my biggest concern. With how much I see Derek here, I'd say you're priming him up for being one of us!"
With a raised brow I watched as the man chuckled, "And what if I am?"
I narrowed my eyes dangerously at him.
I didn't need Derek here in my safe haven. He was already a nuisance and now he was invading every place I could possible call mine. His presence was becoming something I was getting used to and that was not what I wanted.
In fact, keeping the fact that I was the Wildcat of Ladenhill he seemed so intrigued by was pretty hard when we were literally just a room apart when training.
If it came down to a proper fight between him and I then....things would be interesting to say the least.
"Listen, you have this month to prepare yourself and have some MMA fights with the usuals here to get into the groove of it." Diego paused, "Though you and I do enough of MMA too."
I rolled my eyes and folded my arms. "May is already over. With June right around the corner, we need to start making a move, Diego."
He nodded seriously and with eyes set in determination, spoke, "How about we start with the Mayor?"
I smirked, "Yeah, sounds good. I've wanted to get back to Veronica for a long time now."
Diego did crunches effortlessly while speaking to me. "And the letters?"
"Ah, yes." I recalled the fact that the pattern of the letters being delivered had changed. "Instead of the two once a month, I'm getting a letter each week now."
"He's getting restless too."
I frowned, "I just wonder why he still hasn't made a move. He could have done everything he says in letters to me in person years back."
"True." Diego stood up and grabbed onto the pull up bar as I watched silently. "But he's also a wanted man and he marked you as prey. Granted you were never his target but that's how things turned out."
"So it's the chase?" I blankly surmised.
He looked at me and I'm sure he would've shrugged if he wasn't doing pull ups. "Possibly. But don't underestimate him. Just like you've been preparing so has he. You turning 18 is mainly what everyone is waiting for. Once you're legal...." He jumped down and I sighed forlornly.
He made a very good argument.
Ray wouldn't make a move till then. So it was best for us to start with the corrupt people of the town. And the first to go would be the Mayor of Ladenhill.
Diego added, "It seems like Ray is getting impatient though what with your birthday approaching and that's going to be our in to lure him out to Ladenhill. You know that."
I grabbed a granola bar from my gym bag and started eating it, hungry and in need of the sugar and protein. My workout for today was done and I had to get back home soon anyways.
Mom and Dad were going to be home and we all know how rare that was for me so I had to make the most of the opportunity.
"I know, I know. You're right."
"Good." Diego sat down besides me, wiping the sweat with a towel. "I'm going to go to Derek so you're free to go."
I made a face. "Are you sure you don't like him or something?"
Diego gave me a bland look.
I continued, " 'Cause like I need to tell Tasha to not pine after you then."
I observed him and Diego rose a brow. "Tasha's into me?"
I chuckled. "Dunno. When you stop keeping secrets from me, I'll tell you about Tasha and her feelings."
For the record yes, Tasha, my curly Afro haired dark beauty of an 'assistant' did have a crush on Diego.
He grumbled. "Now you're just being mean."
I scoffed, feeling affronted. "I'm always mean." At Diego's glare, I waved him away and added, "You should go, your boyfriend is awaiting your arrival."
Patting my shoulder, the dark skinned man gave me a look of pity. I rose a confused brow.
"Don't worry, I won't take away your boytoy. He's all yours."
I bristled. "First of all, no human is a toy, Diego." I know he said it to rile me up but I always fail to hold back.
Diego's lips curled up in victory.
"Secondly and most importantly–" I glared at him. "He's not mine. Or my boy toy. Don't try to piss me off."
He raised his hands in mock surrender, "I would never."
"You're an asshole."
"I give Derek 30% of my approval."
"I don't need your approval and also what the heck?" I gave him an incredulous look he chose to ignore.
"Only the best for Lila."
I scoffed. "Why is Derek here? Why are you doing this?" I gestured around me, "Bringing him into this world."
Diego leveled me with a stare, "He needs it just like you do. I'm just helping him like I helped you."
Sarcastically smiling, I clarified, "No Diego. You wouldn't help him just out of the goodness of your heart. That's not how you get shit done."
He smirked.
"And as far as helping me goes, that's only because we had the same goals and we happened to run into each other. It was luck."
The bulky man nodded again, not denying my words.
"Then I guess Derek got lucky too."
I frowned, my eyebrows lowered at his insinuation. "What does that mean?"
"The kid has a past."
"So does everyone else in the world." I rolled my eyes but I caught onto what he was saying.
Letting out a sound of amusement, Diego added, "Don't act like you don't suspect him."
I shrugged, "I didn't. I never trusted him. Still don't and won't in the future. But would I like to know his secrets? Duh."
I slowly chewed on the bar.
"Then put in efforts. He sure is putting in a lot of efforts to know your secrets." He pointed out very unhelpfully.
"Okay, why should I? You already know all there is to know about him. You're just being a selfish bastard by keeping the information to yourself."
Noting my curled lip and gloomy expression, Diego laughed.
I frowned deeply, kicking him in the leg for laughing at me.
That only made him pinch his lips so his laughter didn't escape. Obviously, it didn't help my irritation with Diego reduce in any way.
"And I don't like how interested he is in me. Well, not me but more like the mystery I apparently present to him." I put forth my honest thoughts.
"Maybe he likes you." He offered with a nonchalant shrug.
I snickered, "Yeah, right. Moving on."
"You're interesting."
"Not to the general population." I gave Diego a genuinely confused look, "Why is Derek like that? I give off super average vibes so why the hell is he so determined to stick to me like a leech?!"
"Maybe he just enjoys riling you up like me?"
I stared at him.
I stared until he broke down chuckling, "I mean yes, of course. Once someone knows how to rile you up and make you say all sorts of things, it's like an addiction."
I continued staring at him, horror seeping into my expression.
"I like irritating you like a brother does his sister, Lila but Derek sure as hell doesn't think of you as his sister." Diego snorted and snatched my half eaten granola bar.
I didn't bother taking it back.
Diego jested with me and some others that were very close to him but he was a stoic faced man who only gave off smiles and chuckles that were dark and mysterious and intimidating to outsiders.
And the fact that he had just insinuated us being like siblings meant a lot more than he would ever show.
After all, it was his sister for whom Diego was on this revenge spree too. I might not have known her but I could empathize with Diego. And he certainly had taken me under his wing. He never even joked about me being like his sister because Shelly was a sore subject for him.
If he was willing to do this though then it meant he had a little part of himself healed and I couldn't be happier.
Maybe in another life I would never have wanted a brother like him. But in this one I was glad I had him on my side.
So I graced him with a soft smile all while he avoided looking at me. No matter what, it was a good step for him.
"Anyways, no guy can approach you without my stamp of approval so don't worry–"
"I'm worrying because Derek apparently has your stamp of approval." I cut him off, my eyebrow twitching in ire as we sailed past the sweet brother-sister moment.
Whistling a random tune and not meeting my eyes, Diego turned away without an answer. I threw his abandoned towel at his retreating back.
I grumbled profanities as he left with a chuckle, his mood lifted and mine drowning in a sea of unwanted changes.
Sighing, I packed up and slung my gym bag over my shoulder as I opened the backdoor of my training room at Blue. I loved how I could sneak in and out. If this entry wasn't present then I would've run into Derek a good dozen times by now.
Well, let's hope I survive today without seeing his annoying face.
•♤•
(Derek's P.O.V)
"Your first fight is going to be on the second Saturday come next month." Diego informed me as he unwrapped the tape from his hands.
I groaned as I did the same, my abdomen aching after the heavy hit he landed there. "Thanks. But that's still very far away."
He gave me a look of seriousness, "You think you could go against the Wildcat or Leopard with the way your skills were?"
I frowned, feigning offense, "I was not that bad. I was just a little out of practice."
He shrugged unapologetically, "Either way it would have been useless to have you enter the ring like that. You can make your debut as the Wolf of Ladenhill on the second Saturday."
After much deliberation, we'd managed to work out a schedule that would be in favor of my routine.
My fights would be on Saturdays since most soccer games took place of Fridays. Usually there wouldn't be a Wildcat vs Leopard fight if there would be a game on the same day.
I had yet to experience it, of course, since the season started next month but Diego and Warren had given me respective information and filled me in.
People enjoyed the soccer matches in Ladenhill or the away games and everyone knew how much the fights were enjoyed. That's why people didn't like compromising and choosing to attend one event.
I thought it was smart too.
And according to Diego if I sustained any heavy injuries on Saturday's at least I wouldn't be compromising the team. Then I'd have roughly a weak to heal and it sat well with me to follow this up.
Excitement thrummed through my veins at the prospect of getting to just fight in the ring.
Granted there were rules but I could work with that all.
I was never one for wild, reckless fights anyways. My opponent would have to deserve it if I were to pummel him or her to death.
Diego had smartly caught onto the emotion driven fights I executed initially with him and the rusty skills but he soon got me all in shape. His pointers were remarkable and I appreciated his teachings regardless of the circumstances. Heck he must have been specially trained in I-don't-know-how-many fighting forms but for now the focus was on my strength in Mixed Martial Arts.
"It's 29th of May today. Shit, I can't believe another month is over." I sat down opposite of Diego and opened my bottle of water. "Time flies."
"It does." He stared impassive at me. "Now get out of here kid."
I'd thought of Diego as somewhat respected in the town from what I'd heard. But after my close training with him this last month, I could easily say he was worthy of the admiration and respect that was given to him.
I myself fell in that category now.
I grinned although I knew he wouldn't respond in kind. Ignoring his command, I asked as he stood up, "Can I know who the Wildcat is?"
A dark smile curled his lips and he faced me, "You don't want to know and more importantly, you don't want to know what will happen if you break a rule of mine."
It was no subtle warning and I got the drift. With a slight nod and casual expression I assured him I was just joking.
I wasn't.
I'd find out who she was no matter what and I'd find out the secrets this town was harboring.
•♤•
I opened the gate and walked up the driveway, glancing at Lila's house next door.
I wanted to talk to Kitkat.
May had passed without any more confrontations or new developments but she didn't ever bring her best friend up and neither did anyone else.
While I spent a considerable amount of time with Rebecca, I enjoyed it. Sadly for me, she too wouldn't divulge any useful information. She was good company though.
But nothing beat Kitkat's company.
Regardless of the miniscule strain in our relationship, everything had been the same old and I enjoyed the heck out of annoying her.
But once I saw the cars of her parents in their driveway I figured I could forgo the 'torture infliction'–as she liked to call it–today.
I know Lila rarely got to spend time with her parents so I could understand her there. Her relationship with her parents seemed healthy and it would do her good to spend time with them.
The thought brought out unbidden memories and I quickly made to subdue them as I clicked open the door to my house.
I dropped my gym bag on the couch and headed to the kitchen to grab something to eat and drink when my stomach grumbled.
I just realized how starving I was.
Thank God I'd already showered at Blue before coming home–
I stopped short as I entered the kitchen at the sight that met my eyes.
My parents were kissing.
And it didn't make me feel like throwing up the same way other kids feel.
No, it made want to really smash something because their intimacy brought out the memory of my mother's wrongdoing.
They must've caught sight of me and my father looked at me with a slightly sheepish look but it was nothing compared to the brief look of devastation that flickered over my mother's face.
"Ah, you're back, Derek. How–"
I schooled my features into those of indifference and turned away. "Talk to you guys later."
I waved over my shoulder just for the sake of my father and I knew he'd understand. I might have him question me later on but for now he would let it slip.
My Mom didn't have the guts to speak or maybe she just didn't want to bother speaking.
Banging the door to my room, I closed my eyes and took in deep controlled breaths of air.
Opening my eyes, I moved to my desk drawer and brought out the lighter and a cigarette.
Striding to my window, I was about to light it up when I saw the lights on in Kitkat's room.
I stilled, the flame of the lighter flickering unsteadily as I watched the curtain flutter slightly, the warm air surrounding as night closed in.
Tightening my grip on the lighter, I flipped it close and then slipped the cig into my pocket. Jaw clenched, I ran a hand through my hair as my eyes remained glued to Lila's window, aware that she was inside.
I took my chances.
"Hey, Kitkat!"
I licked my lips, unsure if she would respond and I wasn't exactly in the mood to be playful and chase her.
Thankfully my doubts were washed away as a minute later, the curtain slide aside and revealed the familiar mahogany hair braided and steel-grey eyes staring at me with annoyance.
It was strange.
It was very strange how the sight of Lila with furrowed brows and oversized clothes already quelled the turmoil within me.
Like the very first drops of water a wilting plant needs to know that there is still hope.
Like a small spark in a world shrouded in unending darkness.
Like a Kitkat in my world when I needed a break.
"Be my distraction." I flipped on the lighter, the corner of my lips pulled up tauntingly as I locked eyes with her, silently reminding her of the last encounter we had where she'd said she'd be my distraction.
I gulped subtly and watched as her annoyance melted away. With ease seeping into her muscles, Kitkat folded her arms on the window pane.
"Alright then." She smirked lightly. "Want me to tell you twenty ways to get rid of an annoying neighbor?"
My lips twitched until a grin formed and I nodded, mimicking her pose and leaning forward eagerly and....thankfully.
"Sure."
•♤•
A/N
So guys, any thoughts on today's chapter? What do you think of Diego's relationship with Lila and Derek and his intentions?
How about Derek's relationship with his Mom and his seeking comfort from Lila?
This was a chapter that reached almost 3K works haha so it's pretty long. And I'm still on vacation so uneven updates but one thing for sure is I don't go without updating for more than 2 weeks. Silver lining lol. And I have to finish the book soon.
Hope you enjoyed and keep reading! Please don't forget to vote and comment and share the books with your friends!
I really appreciate the support! Till next time then!
~Skyler