I wave at the giggling group of bright-eyed fansies as I strut off, trying to keep control. At the gate, my lips pout a kiss towards a stunned Kiara, and I get the hell out of there. I feel like running, but I walk the walk of a calm self-confident man, not feeling very calm or confident.
I can't explain even to myself why I did it. Temporary insanity due to a lack of food. That, or a case of severe unfulfilled and out-of-practice hormones. Maybe a little bit of an Alpha ego staking a claim.
I'm blaming the stiff dude with the hot dog. Or those obnoxious fuck-me peacock-blue eyes belonging to an irritating girl.
Fine. Maybe she doesn't irritate me. I'm not exactly sure what she does, though it feels rather close to me wanting to bash my head against a wall … repeatedly.
I get in my car and drive home, hoping for heaven that she would be safe. I would love to stay and keep an eye on her, but I can't miss the next few races. I need to take back at least our team championship after last year's disaster or else Monster Energy might decide to back someone else. Not that we need backing. It's just good to have.
Then I think of a plan B.
"Hey Siri, phone Jackson." Date = 31 October
Place = San Francisco (paintball place)
POV – Melaena
Another birthday party. Damion's birthday. 31 October.
I wonder who will get hurt this time. At Logan's party, all my brothers got sick from the STROH rum. But at least no one ended up in hospital.
A message comes through just as I'm tying my hair into a braid.
D Stalker: Mayday! Mayday! A little actor is dying!
I've changed his caller ID on my phone so I know when it's him. I put away my phone. I'm not going to let one crazy coward ruin my life. He's been sending me messages non-stop since that first time at Logan's party. Mostly I just ignore them, but it's starting to creep me out a little. He knows stuff … as if he's watching me all the time.
However, this 'mayday' shit is something new. Usually, he just rants on about how I belong to him and that soon we'll be together.
What does he mean by dying … could someone be after Enrique? Would this D guy go as far as to try and kill my brother? He did say that he wants revenge.
Nope … it must be a joke.
But I should warn Enrique just in case. And I will. I'll tell my brothers after the party. For now, D won't be able to get close to any of us … the event is going to be heavily guarded. This ass is not going to ruin anyone's fun tonight.
"This overall is ridiculously unflattering!" Kiara shouts while bursting into my bedroom, pulling at the fabric of the black overall covering her body. She's never learned the boundaries of knocking. But I'm pretty glad Kiara and I decided to share my house. I hate being alone and I feel safer with her around. Not that the complex is not secure … cause it is - very very secure. Having a high-tech-security-weapon-building business in the family has its perks.
And for some reason, Jackson got a guard to stalk me after Damion left.
But still. There's this knot in my stomach that this D guy is not just an ordinary love-sick fan. Something bad is coming.
"I don't think looking stylish on the paintball course was what they had in mind when they designed it," I tease my best friend, looking down at my matching black outfit. She's right, it's not very flattering at all. Even my new soccer gear tops this.
"At least we're on the same team. I can't wait to shoot somebody in the face." Kiara has been going through a cranky week, partly due to PMS, but mostly because her father contacted her last night. He does it once a month, and then Kiara has a mood like this for two straight days after - mainly because she wants him to be closer so she can visit more.
He and his brother are serving their sentences in the maximum security prison, United States Penitentiary in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, roughly 2700 miles from here. It's tough on her. They're her only blood relatives whom she gets to see once a year.
But she's not alone … shooting someone in the face sounds rather pleasing to me too. I just wish it could be this D guy … oh, I would enjoy shooting him in the face and everywhere else it would hurt.
"Okay, let's go meet the boys. I'll just grab the presents." Throwing my backpack over my shoulder I walk to the kitchen where we stashed the presents. Kiara opens the door, finding Axel standing there with his hand in the air, ready to knock.
"That's what I call timing!" he laughs, shaking his head, eyes gleaming. Axel has the most surreal eyes, a mixed combination of green and blue. His dark hair is styled messy as usual, on purpose would be my guess. And being over six feet of rugged, lean, muscled male, with the added appeal of his job, women are lining up to date him. The only problem is - he doesn't do relationships.
He's dressed in black, meaning he will be on our team.
Monster Reaper organized a paintball battle (hence the overalls) and a huge costume party.
"Have you guys remembered your outfits for the party?" Axel asks. I pat my backpack.
"All set."
"I hope it's not going to be a paparazzi circus," he then tops, sliding on his sunglasses. He's not one for the cameras or the press. Not even after winning gold and two bronze at the Olympics could they get him to pose and he actually quit competitive swimming right after.
"I heard both of the events are exclusive - meaning that only one very lucky chosen newspaper boy is going to get the scoop of his life," Kiara spills some useless information.
"Great, maybe the birthday boy can actually enjoy his party then," Axel concludes.
"You know he's won five in a row?" I ask eagerly. "Spain, Japan, Thailand, Australia, and lastly Malaysia. In that order."
"He officially took back his title. It's going to be a big celebration," I continue while locking the door.
"You're scaring me a little, Grimm-wiki," Axel teases.
Darn. "Eh … I think I overheard it somewhere."
Is it strange that I secretly watch all his races cause I don't want anyone to know?
"You're right. It's big. Especially after the accident last year," Axel sighs.
I'll never forget that moment. He was in the middle of a terrible pile-up … someone died. It was horrifying to watch him being loaded into an ambulance. Not knowing how serious his injuries were.
Or so I heard.
"But on another note," I chuckle, "Who's thinking the same as me - a birthday on Halloween night? Coincidence? I don't think so!"
My friends shake their heads and laugh.