The Devil’s Angel

chapter 16

 “look man, I am just happy your home.” I tell him.

He does not say anything.

We both let our minds wander about as Adele ‘someone you love’ blasts through the speakers.

“where am I dropping you off at?” I ask him.

“just drop me off at 23rd Johnson street. I’m going to crash at the condo there.” he says.

I drive to one of our properties. This is a place where I throw parties when I can’t do that at our main house so this is where we all come to to chill and sleep with girls, the one night stands and booty calls.

“we are here as I park the car in the driveway.” I tell him.

He raises his head up.

My heart constricts. We look so much alike it’s just that he is on the leaner side and I am buffer than he is. His hair is the same shade as mine, dark with brown highlights. We have the same ice blue eyes that we both got from my dad, chiseled faces that have made us admired and fawned over by women and men.

“are you sure you’re gonna be okay by yourself?” I ask him as he reaches for the door handle.

“yes. Thanks bro. Have a nice day at school.” he calls out as he drags his weight to the door. I stay in the car and watch his remove the key from the potted plant by the door and get inside the house.

Then I drive. This is just the first day of school and my life is already all over the place and honestly I don’t think it can go worse from here because there’s nothing that can top going to bail your brother out of jail for public disturbance and possession of a narcotic substance. He should be grateful the police owe us a favor or he will be looking at some time and maybe community service.

By the time I get to school it is already the last period so instead of going to class I head to the boys locker room to change and get prepped for practice. Changing out of my clothes my mind wander to the whole cafeteria incident. I was not planning on going to Elsa’s table but when I noticed that Emily was heading for our table I could not stand looking at her face and I just had to dib before she came and continue her whining. It went well. At least more for me.

She’s so feisty and sarcastic and she doesn’t take my s**t that’s why I like her. She might not be my favorite person because she talks too smart and she looks down her nose at me but she gives me hell too and I respect that. She is not one of those girls that let you walk all over them because they are scared of what you’re going to say or do and I like that about her. Makes her really smart.

But when our arms brushed against each other and there was something there. Growing up within these hallway with her, the back and forth banter is something I look forward to everyday.

“oh hey.. you’re here early King.” Coach Brad says.

“hi coach.” I say to him.

“you’re not in class?” he asks.

“no coach. Had a family emergency so had to attend to that.” I tell him.

“okay. Hope it’s all good?” he asks.

“yeah. it’s sorted out.” I tell him.

“so King.. are you ready for this new season?” he asks.

“yes coach. I’m ready to give them hell.” he says.

“okay then. Once your team mates show up they should be on the field ready to go stats. We have so much to do this year and this is your final year and we are going to make it count. He says.

“copy that coach.” I say to him. He pats my back and walks to the field area.

I don’t have to wait too long because as I am replying texts my team mates walk in one by one.

“heyyyy.. where have you been?? you just disappeared. Wait, you missed the show.. you know Jackson from the music club, he was staring at Madison’s ass and tripped and not only that he tripped and tore a massive hole in the back of his pants. It was super hilarious, you should have been there to see it.” Levi laughs like a f*****g hippie.

“Okay.. I can see you had fun.” I chuckle. Levi is the carefree silly one among us. The daredevil always pushing us to do silly things like pranks and dares and just living like normal teenagers. He is actually the most normal among us without a care in the world than living his best life. He can be immature but he is our friend and my cousin.

“where did you go though? I searched for you and I even sent you a text..” he asks.

“I had a thing. It was Noah.” I tell him.

“oh. Is it sorted?” he asks quietly.

“yeah it is. He is sleeping at the house down at Johnson street. I’m going to head there to check on his quickly before I head back home.” I tell him.

“okay. I’ll come with you.” he says and walks away before I can refuse.

He knows about Noah. During Christmas he came with his family and watched Noah go off. Since the whole town knows about his outbursts and drinking problem there’s no need being secretive about it again.

“okay guys. let’s wrap it up in here and meet coach out back in ten. We are in for a long season and honestly it feels good to be back.” I tell everyone in the room. They erupt in cheers and clapping and it makes me feel good because these are my team members and brothers.

This year promises to be a lot of work but we are ready for whatever it brings our way.