Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Trust the words I say

I'm willing to go the distance

But I'm a little bit fragile

I'm just saying let's take this slow

Don't get me wrong

Let 'em know~

I noticed Deon among the crowd. He smiled when he saw me. I smiled back as I put emotions to the song.

Write it in magazines, in the papers

Put it all over the news, let 'em hear it

I wanna let the world know

How I feel, how I feel, how I feel

'Cause I'm living my dreams to the fullest

Forever you and me

Nothing can intervene

I wanna let the world know

How I feel, how I feel, how I feel~

Deon grinned as I approached him. His hands were inside his pants’ pockets. We joined him at our usual spot right after our performance. “Let the world know what?”

“I don’t know, De. Maybe you should ask the composer.” I teased him with a smile. He chuckled.

"You're amazing out there." Deon gave one of his sweetest smiles as he praised me.

"I'm flattered but you know there's four of us." I joked.

"You know he has his eyes only on you." Mace interjected with a teasing grin. He then took a drink from his bottle of beer and shifted his attention to the others. I just rolled my eyes. Deon was still smiling.

"Do you want anything? I'll go get you a drink." I asked.

"I'm fine with anything." He answered.

"Okay. Thanks for coming here by the way. It must be hard to get off from work."

"I was lucky enough they gave me a break. It's been a long time since I watched you guys perform."

I grinned. "You're such a sweet older brother." He just chuckled. "I'll go get our drinks now." He nodded.

I was leaning against the bar as I waited for our drinks. I could feel a warm body pressed against me from behind. I immediately turned around to yell at the asshole who dared to do such an act. I met a really hard chest on my face but when I looked up, the familiar mischievous smirk was there.

"Sweetheart..."

No matter how many times he popped out of nowhere, I get surprised every damn time he does that to me.

"You always take my breath away with that gorgeous voice of yours." He said huskily. He didn't pull away from our close proximity. His body was still pressed against mine. I can feel his hard abs against my torso.

"You always take my breath literally when you're trying hard to be this close. Now back off before I suffocate." He chuckled but still gave a little amount of space for me. His hand was pressed against the counter.

"You know I could shut you up with your feistiness but where's the fun in that." He smirked mischievously. I just glare at him.

"Are you here to tease me again? Why don't you just go and tell them who I am?"

"Okay. If that's what you want." I suddenly felt alarmed when he backed off and turned towards my friends. I grabbed his wrist and stopped him from going.

"No, don't. I was just being sarcastic." I said frantically. He chuckled, playfulness was obvious in his face and eyes.

"Is there a problem here, Kai?"

Deon looked at us and then to my hand that was holding Keelan's wrist. I let go of it.

"No. Everything's fine. This is my friend, Keelan. Keelan, this is Deon. He's Dustin's older brother."

I looked at them back and forth. No one was saying anything or a simple hi and hello. They were both in silence. Their faces held a blank expression but you could see the emotion in their eyes. I hope I was mistaken but I could see anger in them. It felt like they were both sizing each other up. I cleared my throat to grab their attention. They ignored me at first. I cleared my throat again. The two looked at me at the same time.

"I'm going to get you guys a drink."

Keelan stood beside me as I ordered again for us. Deon followed and stood to my other side.

"Do you want to go out again at the fair?" Deon asked.

"Yes! I'd love to, De." I answered chirpily. "We could go on Sunday. We don't have a gig tomorrow. Caden's going to have a family thing."

Deon nodded. "Yeah, Dustin mentioned. Same time, same place?"

I grinned, suddenly feeling excited. "Yes."

I feel something crawling in my back. A hand went under my shirt. I turned to Keelan with a glare. He was already staring at me while his hand was nonchalantly rubbing my back, occasionally making swirls.

"You could easily yes to others while we never have that date." His face was scrunched into a frown, eyes held emotion that I was still trying to figure out.

I scoffed. "Well, if you're not acting like a nuisance, maybe I'd think about it." His hand suddenly stopped moving and dropped it to his side.

Deon and I were having a light conversation. Sometimes he'd make me laugh about his experiences in the restaurant he worked in. The three didn't bother us surprisingly. They were too busy getting girls and getting wasted. I shook my head. They were always like that every time we had a gig. I can't help but notice though how Keelan was being well behaved and quiet. He was swirling the rim of the glass while staring at it blankly. He finished his drink and walked out... without saying anything to me.

"De, can you give me a sec?"

"Sure." He sounded unsure and skeptical but I brushed it off and walked towards where Keelan was headed.

"Keelan! Keelan, wait." He didn't hear me though but he stopped a couple of meters away. He was probably getting some air. I walked towards him but stopped when my phone rang. I can still hear the music blaring from inside so I find a safe distance, a bit far from where Keelan was.

"Mila." I answered.

"Hey, just checking up if you're going to the party."

"Of course, I'll go. Deon's here so I'm held back a bit." I can hear the music from the party and some yelling from the background.

She giggled. "My, my. One of these days, Kai, you'll have a hard time who you'll choose."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know, baby, you tell me." I can feel a playful smirk plastered in her face. Sometimes I really don't get her. She'd give me cryptic sayings and advice and it just left me wondering.

"Is it okay if I come later though?" I asked.

"Yeah, okay. Just don't be too late. Should we pick you up? Remi's already tipsy though. I'll just get you myself if you want."

"I'll probably just leave with Keelan."

"What?" She sounded surprised. "Keelan's there?"

"Yeah, he came last time, too."

"Kai..." It felt like she wanted to say something but held back. "I'll just wait for you here."

"Okay, thanks. Just watch over Remi. Let him stay out of trouble."

She snorted. "I'll fucking castrate him if he decides to get into trouble."

I laugh. "You won't be having his child then and I won't be an aunt."

"Don't worry. A lot of children out there will be up for adoption." We both laughed at that and said our goodbyes, ending our conversation.

I immediately went to where Keelan was. My eyes widened at the scene I just saw. How couldn't I notice them? I ran as fast as I could.

"Christ, Kai. Get your asshole of a friend off my brother!" Dustin was furious but he couldn't pull him out from his position. Keelan was hovering above him as he held Deon tight in his hand as he punched him nonstop. He was gripping his collar. Deon's nose and mouth was already bleeding, smearing all over his face. He was lying on the ground almost half conscious. I doubt there was even a chance that he retaliated.

"What the fuck, Keelan! Get off of him." He didn't budge. I pulled him away by his shoulders and screamed, "Get off of him!" He still didn't budge.

I went in front of him and pushed him. "I said the get the fuck off!"

I was finally able to get him off. He was staring at me with wide eyes. His eyes were burning with hostility and rage. Dustin helped his elder brother. A pang of guilt and hurt squeezed my heart as I watched Deon's limp form, his face filled with his blood.

I can't believe he did this.

"What the fuck are you doing?! Are you planning to kill him?! Is this what you learn from military school?!" His senses finally came back but he suddenly felt shocked as my question made him realize something.

"What's going on here?"

Our attention shifted to the pair of cops who stood before us