1 1 year later

Everything had seemed to calm down. The police still hadn’t found Cole he was MIA. No one had seen or heard from him he was like a ghost, but we were all very aware that he was out there somewhere and he would show up when we least expected it. We’d moved away so he wouldn’t be able to find us. Ariel and Spider had gotten closer in the last year and I was struggling with this whole relationship thong they had going on. I’d loved Ariel for as long as I could remember, but I also knew her parents hated me thought they never showed it. I don’t even think Ariel knew. I don’t think they’d be too pleased that she’d hooked up with Spider either, he reeked bad boy with all of those tattoos I’m surprised his look alone didn’t scare her off, though he was a big teddy bear at heart he was a mean mother fucker no one dared disloyal him. Jae was always by my side until school I never introduced Ariel to him cause I thought he’d choose him over me. Boy was I wrong I never once expected her to choose my cousin Jace over me. They must’ve got really close in the time that they had spent together. He had this passion about him most girls feel at his feet because of his devilish looks, or the fact he wound the fight club then he built up own g many clubs and establishments around the country. I was so proud of him. He was try]ugly one in a million but one thing I did not expect was him to fall in love with my girl. He knew the rules he knew how I felt about her and he initiated anyway. That was not the Bro code. ‘Hey you okay rush?’

‘Yeah I’m fine.’ I replied looking over at Ariel and Spider her on his lap, his arms around her laughing.

Jae looked over. Immediately known if why I was zoning out. ;you still love her don’t you?’

‘I always have and I always will.’

‘You need to let go bro. She made her decision.’

‘And what if it’s the wrong one?’

‘Then let her find out on her own. Don’t interfere Rush she’ll hate you for it. And Spider well you know him better than to piss him off. Let it run.’

‘I am.’

‘Good now forget about Ariel, find yourself a girl. She’s happy,let her be you need to be happy for yourself.’

‘You know what you’re right. Let’s go to the club tonight.’

‘If you’re sure.’

‘I am.’

He smirked.

‘So any news on Cole’s whereabouts?’

‘Not any as yet I’ve got the best men on to it. If he is ghosting himself they are the best.’

‘It’s been a year now Rush. Even if he ran would he have even survived the shot?’

‘I don’t know.’

Me and Jae headed out around ten to hit the bars then the club spider and Ariel opted out she was acting strangely these days. She hadn’t had a drink for a while which was unlike her she usually could drink us under the table. She was one of the guys for sure.

She hadn’t seen her friend Laura for almost a year but they’d kept in contact she was doing well and so was Hunter. He’d finally forget his fantasy with Ariel. I just wished I could. I needed someone in my life to forget about her but it was hard.

Spider had just received news that his mother was expecting another baby. Hunt was now ten and would be heading up to high school next year and she was complaining that they hadn’t seen him for almost five years and they wanted him to come home. He had to make them believe he couldn’t not just yet. Until this shit with Cole,was dissolved and he felt safe for Ariel and him to return home he couldn’t risk seeing any of us.

We made it to the bar getting our beers sitting down drinking them chatting and laughing. We moved from bar to bar until we hit the most exquisite club around. Only those in the list got in but we knew the bouncers, the nodeed dropping the rope, letting us in hooking the rope up again. ‘Enjoy yourselves,tonight boys.’

‘Oh we intend to.’ We smirked.

He nodded and we entered the dim lit club going to the bar, now time for the shots.

Shot after shot my head was spinning we went onto the dance floor and danced, grabbing some girls dancing sexually. ‘Wanna get out of here?’

She nodded.

I winked at Jae and we left the club with the two girls.

I walked downstairs and we all shared the house. It was better this way so we were already just in case we were attacked though we never had it was still a precaution. I looked at Ariel and Spider and smiled. ‘Morning you look rough.’

‘Not as rough as Jae.’ I laughed.

‘Where is Jae?’

‘Entertaining.’

Spider smirked and nodded. ‘So good night all round?’

‘The best you should’ve come.’

‘Nagh me and Ariel,were quite happy here weren’t we babe?’ He asked kissing her.

‘Yeah but you could’ve gone.’

‘And leave you alone I don’t think so.’

‘We have security everywhere Spider.’

‘It’s still not the same babe. I’d rather be with you right now than getting drunk when you..’ He stopped as she glared at him.

What the bell was going on between them they were being so secretive these days.

Then she came into the room in all her glory and her bed hair kissing me. ‘Morning handsome.’

‘Morning.’

I couldn’t help but notice the scowl on Ariel’s face, but why?

‘I have to go, I have work so I’ll see you later okay.’

‘Sure.’

She kissed me again walking out guess she didn’t do introductions.

Jae walked in with her friend. ‘Hey everyone this is Sheryl these are my friends and bro you already know Rushton my bro that is Jace our cousin, but prefers Spider and his lovely girl Ariel.’

They all smiled politely. ‘Where’s Chrisy?’

‘She left already for work.’

‘Oh.’ He looked at Sheryl. Would you like to join us for breakfast?’

‘Sure.’

The clatter of cutlery alerted us all Ariel stood up abruptly and walked away cutting her eyes at me. What the fuck had I done?’

Chrissy looked at Jae questionably. He gestured for her to sit down. She went to the other he leaned towards Ariel. ‘He only did it to forget about you.’ He said in a voice that low I just about caught it.

She nodded and walked out.

We all sat and ate breakfast. Jae offered Chrisy a lift back home she accepted and Shia goodbye to all of us. I had to find out what was wrong with Ariel. It was so unlike her to go off on one like this. I excused myself saying I had a headache.

They all nodded and I went to find Ariel who was on htenbslc0my if their bedroom was sitting admiring the view. ‘May I?’

‘It’s a free country.’ She said coldly what the fuck?

I sat opposite her. ‘Talk to me Ariel what’s wrong?’

‘Nothing.’ She said coldly.

‘Yes there is what is it?’

‘Nothing, so just drop it.’

‘Are you having second thoughts?’

‘No why do you ask such a thing?’

‘I saw the way you looked at me Ariel. So no more bullshit and pretending did you choose wrong?’

‘No.’

‘Then what?’

‘I love,you Rushton and I don’t want you to get hurt.’

‘I’m a grown ass man Ariel.’

‘I know.’

‘You chose Jace Ariel, you know how much it hurt me to walk away, but I did.’

‘You don’t get it do you this may be Jae it’s not you.’

‘You know nothing Ariel nothing, you don’t even know me.’

‘I know I was just..’

‘Just what Ariel? Jealous cause I’m trying my hardest to forget you? Jealous causeI moved on.’

‘No. I’m scared Rushton.’

‘What of were all here together no one will hurt you. We won’t let them.’

‘What if they know Cole Rushton? No one knows where he is.’

She had a point.

‘And what if they don’t. We’re somewhere he can’t get to us.’

‘And what if you’re wrong both you and Jae and he finds us?’ She asked, crying.

I got up kneeling in front of her. ‘Look at me Ariel.’

She lifted her head, her eyes were puffy and full of tears.’ Listen to me Ariel we all love you and we’ll never let anything happen to you. I promise you’re one of us Ariel you always will be. And I’d be damned if I let anything happen to you spider won’t let it happen I promise,’ I said hugging her she just cried in my shoulder I had to prove to her she’d be safe and those,girls didn’t even know Cole. I moved away looking into her eyes.’ I promise you they have nothing to do with Cole. If they do you can kick my ass.’

She laughed.

That’s better you should be you Ariel, keep laughing, smiling jsut be you the Ariel we all love okay.’

she nodded.

I wiped her tears away. ‘I love you Ariel I always,will I just want you to be happy and if,that’s with Jace that’s fine.’ I looked into her eyes fuck it. I pressed my lips on hers kissing her.

I moved away smiling at her. ;how dare you kiss my girl!” He roared.

Shit.

I looked up. ‘Jace.’

‘Get the fuck out!’

‘I’m sorry she was upset I...I…’

‘Get the duck out Rushton before I best you’re fucking ass.’

I nodded and left.

Spider walked over to Ariel who was still sobbing. ‘What happened Ariel ?’

‘He just came to talk. He wanted to know why I was so pissy this morning.’

‘And why were you?’

‘I was scared Spider, what if they knew Cole and he ..he..’

He pulled her close. ‘Is okay Ariel we’ll him and end this once and for all so we can be happy.’

She nodded.

He looked at her. ‘Are you regretting your decision Ariel?’

‘No why would you even think that?’

‘He kissed you Ariel he still loves you.’

‘And I love you he kissed me not the other way round Spider.’

‘Good cause there no going back and you chose me over him. And now the situation has changed I need you to know I will destroy him if he tries to get between us.

‘But hes…’

‘I don’t care Ariel you chose me and he needs to accept it it’s been a year Ariel a rucking year and he’s still moping about and I know for a fact he did this to forget you he can’t hide his feelings for you he’s trying to forget by getting drunk and fuckign around it won’t work.’

He looked at Ariel. “I love you and I won’t ever let him or anyone else take you away.’

‘I love you too.’

He smiled pressing his lips on hers kissing her passionately.Zeke

God I hate this fucking school can’t they accept I have two fucking dads? Who love each other and love my mother. They have the deepest respect for her; they've all been together since Nathaniel was five months old and she was pregnant with me. Dad has the deepest respect for her; she left her one true love behind for him, Nathaniel's father. She’s in a relationship now with another man, who almost was gone the moment he found out about us and our fathers my father confronted him and told him if he couldn’t accept that she had two children by a gay couple who respected her dearly he wasn’t worth her love. He upped his game and took us all on board. They are planning to get hitched next fall. My two Dads are in a civil relationship seen as they are both men and can’t get married to one another they truly look weird together two butch guys who met in prison and shared their past lives togehter and fought each other they have the up most respect for one another, I’m just sick and tired of being bullied for who I am and who my family is I wish spider was still around hed fuck then over he was the brainy fucker I’d this fucked up family. He went to Harvard at fourteen. Now he owns shit loads of clubs and bars. I wonder how he’s doing. He's pretty messed up. He’s eight years older than Nathaniel and nine years older than me. Maybe I should’ve took my dads advice and let him teach me how to fight I’m bleeding badly and I’m in so much fucking pain my minds made up I’m going to ask dad for help Nathaniel is never round when I need him anymore. And this girl is fuckng narking me right now she’s always here after I’ve been beaten up. ‘I’m so sorry Zeke my brothers an ass hole.’

‘I’m fine Lacy just go.’

‘Not a fucking chance. I’m taking you to the nurse.’

‘Fine.’ I huffed as she helped me to my feet.

‘You have to tell someone Zeke or it will never stop.’

‘What’s the point Lace this will never stop it will get worse.’

‘You need to stand uo to him Zeke or he’ll keep bullying you. You need to take action even if it’s not through the heads help.’

‘You know what Lace your right.’

That day I decided to tell dad I was going to the fight club and once I was strong enough I was going to take them all down and bury them six feet under.

I entered the house I have no idea where Nathaniel and Hunt are. We usually stick together but not today. They’d bunked off and left me to deal with those ass holes sll alone. I heard Monsignor and grunting. ‘Fuck Nate right there fuck I’m..’

He’s fucking another girl fuck he’s a whore.

I slowly went up the stairs. I could hear the slapping of balls on an ass. ‘Fuck hunt I’m so fucking close.’

Shit they’re fucking each other oh my god this is so fucked up.

They screamed loudly holy shit I’m not listening to this. I closed my door putting my music on.

I lay listening to the guitars stumping heavily. My door creaked. I looked up and my brother looked awfully sweaty. ‘Zeke I didn’t know you were back.’

I took my headphone out. ‘Obviously not when were going to tell me Nate? When were you going to tell me you and Hunt were fucking each other?’

‘It sort of just happened what the fuck hapepen to you?’

‘What the fuck do you think bro what always hapepens when your not around to stop it.’

‘You need to fight beck Zeke I won’t always be there.’

‘I gathered that much today. Don’t worry about me I’m going to the club and I’m going to make those fuckers pay.’

‘Just let me and hunt know what to do Zeke and we’ll be there.’

‘Will you?’

‘It’s a promise.’

‘You’ve already broken one you promised dad you’d watch my back and cause your Randy fucktard I ended up like this.’

‘It won’t happen again I promise.’

‘It better not or I’m cutting ties with the both of you and that’s not a threat that’s a fucking promise.’

‘I’ll let hunt know we’ll make these guys pay, I promise.’

I nodded putting my headphone back in. He closed the door after he left I needed to talk to dad. I want to start ASAP.