Chapter 28: Chapter 28

I woke up fairly late the next day to the pleasant chirping of birds.

Ha.

I wish.

I woke up to the yelling of the boys. I groaned and cursed the barbarians. Couldn’t they just let me sleep in peace for once?

I stretched on my bed, my body feeling sore everywhere. My back started cramping up while I was rolling on the bed, making me immediately stop stretching.

I went into the bathroom with a set of fresh clothes to change into after washing myself. I quickly brushed my teeth and got out of my room. The voices were getting louder, as if the two of them were trying to out-scream each other; which was ridiculous. I thought these people were supposed to be adults.

“People! Shut up!” I screamed at the top of my lungs when I finally found them. They were standing in the middle of the living room, facing each other off. Adam’s finger was digging into Preston’s chest as if he was trying to push the point he was trying to get across into Preston’s being.

“What in the world are you guys screaming about this early in the morning?!” I yelled at them.

At this rate, my neighbors are going to file a noise.

“Technically it’s 10 in the morning but that’s not important. He ate the chocolate chip muffin I saved last night when I clearly told him that I was saving it for today.” Adam was glaring at Preston as he said all this. I looked at both boys disbelievingly. Yes, boys; because which men in their right mind would ever fight over a chocolate chip muffin at this hour.

“You have been screaming at each other hoarse because of a chocolate chip muffin?” I voiced my disbelief.

“He would choose chocolate chip muffin over his dear brother. I was hungry and now I’m hurt!” Preston tried to justify himself. I shook my head at what he said, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.

Why the hell did I let these idiots stay at my house last night.

“You know how much I wanted to eat that chocolate chip muffin!” Adam continued. His eyes were still a blazing fury directed at his older brother, who didn’t seem to have any plans on backing down under his brother’s gaze.

“I was about to die from hunger!” Preston shouted back and I shoved my hands over both of their faces to shut them up.

“If you guys don’t shut up, my neighbors are going to lose their patience. Soon enough, we’ll have to face the police or some shit like that so you better contain your shit!” I told them in a hiss. Even though they didn’t stop glaring at each other, they finally shut their trap and I let them share their hatred for each other in silence.

I walked into the kitchen and tried to find something edible to eat. I opened the fridge to find any leftovers from last night that I can heat up and was disappointed to see nothing. There was an open empty container on the counter with what looked like fried rice in them. I rolled my eyes when I realized one of the cavemen must have eaten what was supposed to be my breakfast. I guess we’re going out for breakfast then.

I jogged my way up to my room and grabbed my wallet and phone. I ran back down to the living room where the boys were. They were on their phones, giving each other the silent treatment. I announced my plans to them and they were on their feet before I could finish talking. I took my keys from the bowl on the small countertop by the door and led the way out to my car.

Adam called shotgun and Preston sat at the backseat, annoying the both of us with his imitation of Sam Smith. I didn’t trust Adam enough to let him sit behind me in case he tried to choke me while I was driving. I don’t think he’d care about dying as long as he was dragging me along with him and I don’t want to die yet, thank you very much.

We finally stopped at this small cafe that sells bomb breakfast packages. I remembered my first time tasting their hash browns and had my taste buds explode in colors. I have been addicted ever since.

I parked the car and practically raced to an empty table. As quickly as I could, I raised my hand to call the waiter over. The boys had longer legs than I did so it didn’t take much time for them to catch up with me and take the other empty seats beside me.

The table was round and we were sitting at the center of the restaurant. The waiter that served us took my order as quick as I was listing them. When I was done, he turned to the boys who were scanning the menu. I left them to it and took out my phone to play some piano tiles.

I was about to reach 4000 when a hand went down so hard on the table the whole restaurant must’ve turned to look at us. I was so shocked that I dropped my phone and effectively ended the game. I looked up in shock, not registering what was happening when I saw the face of the man that threatened to hurt the people that I love.

He was alone this time. I remembered hearing the children that were with him calling him Cole and I made sure to link the name to his face so that I wouldn’t have to refer him to the guy that threatened my family every time. It gets tiring, you know? Anyways, back to what was happening.

Preston and Adam were on their feet although I could see that none of them knew what was happening. They probably saw the angry look on the man’s face that was directed at me and took the initiative.

I stared into his eyes and saw the guarded look he was wearing under his anger and hatred.

“You.” He said. I raised an eyebrow, lifting myself off my seat and straightening my back. I did it in an attempt to not feel so small because he was looking down at me. But I don’t think standing up made that much of a difference. I was well aware that my height towered over most girls but this guy was huge. It was going to be hard to try not to feel small next to him.

“What do you want?” I asked him. Preston and Adam were still eyeing him. Adam more in a mix of confusion and curiosity as if he was trying to figure out if they knew each other and Preston more in a watchful gaze.

I knew that both of them didn’t recognize Cole as the guy who blackmailed me into staying in the competition that can possibly be the death of me because Adam doesn’t remember and I think Preston was pretty knocked out at that time. Although I wasn't sure if Preston got a good look at his face before getting knocked out, it wouldn’t make any difference if he did anyways.

“Remember our deal. Make sure you survive until we get to meet in the ring,” was all he said before he turned around and exited the restaurant. I guess he decided that eating in a place with me in it was not a good idea.

What did he think I was going to do if he did decide to eat here? Poison his food? If I remembered correctly, I wasn’t the psychopath driven by vengeance. Although I can’t say that I wouldn’t try anything if he did decide to stay. He probably made the smartest decision by walking out that door.

The second that the door closed behind him, we all took our seats again and I glared at all the remaining stares that were still fixed on us.

Adam was questioning Preston Preston was shrugging and turned to look at me instead.

“Whenever you’re ready to explain what that was about, Case.” Preston trailed off. I guess I’m going to have to change profession, into a story teller soon.

I sighed tiredly while rubbing my eyes. “That was Cole, I think. I’m not really sure but I think that’s his name. I’ll explain how I came to that conclusion later on. First thing you need to know is that he’s the guy who blackmailed me into staying in the street fighting competition.” I looked at Adam and explained further. “He came to your mom’s funeral to threaten me and he knocked Preston out while he was at it. He’s mad because I injured his brother pretty badly in one of the fights I did for the competition to the point that his brother’s mentality got affected. He threatened to hurt the people I love if I didn’t stay in the competition. If your accident wasn’t an accident then I’ll place my bet on him being the perpetrator.”

I paused for a moment before correcting myself. “Wait, no. I’ll place my bet on Dom first before I’ll place my bet on him. But you get the point.”

“And as for his name?” Preston asked.

“Oh, right. So, I saw him twice with these kids that I assume are his niece and nephews or something like that and I overheard them calling him Cole so yeah,” I shrugged.

Preston sat back on his chair, letting all this sink in. Adam was just staring at nothing over my shoulder. I gave them some time to digest what I’ve just told them as the food arrived and I started digging in.

“Is that competition the same competition that you were talking about last night?” Adam asked me. I simply nodded, chewing my food and probably sporting chipmunk cheeks with all the food I shoved into my mouth.

“Is it legal?” He asked again. I drank some of my soda to help me swallow the food in my mouth.

“You think?” I retorted, shoving another mouthful of the soft puffy pancakes drowned in maple syrup. I love pancakes.

“Why are you even in that competition? Don’t you think it’s dangerous? I mean I lost my memories but that doesn’t render me an idiot, I know illegal competitions usually means someone dies.” Adam asked and Preston pointed a finger at Adam as if supporting what his brother said. I had the strong urge to roll my eyes at them. Preston has been pestering me about quitting the competition since he found out how dangerous it was and now Adam was going down that path too.

I don’t really understand why Adam was going down that path too. I mean, sure, he was my boyfriend; but then he lost his memories. His feelings were basically on reset and he resented every fiber of my being. I could have gotten whiplash at how quick his empathy grew for me over such a short period of time. I mean, seriously, the guy wanted to kill me himself with his bare hands and now he cares about my safety.

“Well to be fair, I haven’t seen any participant die yet...” I trailed off and both of them were looking at me like I was a complete buffoon.

“Didn’t you guys hear what I just said and/or have said last night? I can’t quit the competition or it will jeopardize everyone’s safety! I mean Adam, I can understand if you don’t get that but Pres? I have been trying to get this fact through your thick skull since God made the bloody universe!”

I was unconsciously waving my fork around by now. Adam was eyeing it warily as people passed by our table and almost got poked by the cutlery.

“Oops,” I lowered the fork sheepishly. “Anyways, you got my point. What if he went after Cali and Pio? You have to agree that that should never happen. I’m just making sure that will never happen by trying to stay alive in the competition until I meet that guy. I'll beat him before he kills me and quit after our match is done. Simple.” I took a bite from my hash brown before wolfing down on the pancakes again.

“Why don’t you just be a normal person and go to the cops instead and let them handle it from there?” Preston groaned in frustration, shaking his head. “Your life matters too, you imbecile.”

I quirked an eyebrow at his choice of words. I never thought the guy was smart enough to use such a sophisticated insult.

“Illegal street fighting competition that has my name as a participant equals a jail cell, don’t you think? And what if he gets his other mates to hurt Cali and Pio after I report him? I’ve watched enough movies to know that it all doesn’t just end when the bad guys are behind bars.” I argued with his suggestion. He pointed his fork at me and told me I was impossible.

Adam once told me that arguing with me was like arguing with a brick wall anyways so nothing new there.

“I just don’t like the concept of you putting yourself on the line for some ‘what if’s.” Preston sighed in defeat, pushing his fries around his plate. I stole the fries and shoved them in my mouth.

“You can repay me by treating me to some ice cream.” I suggested and Adam looked at me weirdly. “Ice cream is just your thing, isn’t it? Do you have like a huge backstory to that addiction of yours too?” I raised my eyebrows at him

“Do you need a reason to like ice cream?” I asked him pointedly.

“Okay, touché. You got a point.” He admitted and I nodded at that. Hell yes, I've got point.

I finished the rest of my food, thinking over what we talked about. Deep in my heart I knew I feared what was to come for me. I needed a strategy to not lose any fights and not get killed by Cole. This isn’t something you can wing.

I need a plan.

Problem: I don’t know who can provide me with a plan.