Page 19 of Dylan
“She says that gym has like one good female fighter, but she’s retired or something. You could probably kick her ass in your sleep. Besides, Vega has connections.
“My stepuncle is a big deal and Vega lives the life. We’ll have new jobs in no time. She’ll get you the access you need to the underground scene there. It won’t be like here.
“You already have an in. She’s giving us a place to stay, and the schools are nice in the area. With Ciarán’s grades, this is going to be a dream come true for us all.”
I roll my eyes. “Those schools cost money. I’ll need to make two grand a month just for his tuition. Then there’s food and clothing.”
She rolls her eyes and pouts. “You sound like you’re going to change your mind. The gigs she has lined up for us pay well. We’re going to be fine.”
I had still been on the fence until I started looking into more information on Donald Walsh. His last mentioned fight was in New York around the time I was eight. I was so mad when the internet connection dropped right as I had been about to find more information on him.
I couldn’t get back to the initial site I found when I got my next opportunity to do some more digging. It’s all been so frustrating. I know nothing more than I did a year ago, other than the fact that my father was a boxer.
It’s weird how hard it is to find information on him. However, once I’m in New York and make my way into a gym, I’m likely to find more. At least that’s what I’ve been telling myself.
“Pull your lip back in. I’m going. Ciarán would kill me if I pulled out now. He’s so excited to be going to the Big Apple.”
I just hope I’m doing the right thing. Chasing ghosts could come back to bite me. I haven’t heard a peep out of Theo or his asshole kids.
What if I’m jumping out of my safe zone by making this move? I honestly need more financial stability and Daliah’s cousin is offering a shot at that.
“I’ve got your back, Ariel. Trust me, it’s going to be great. If not, we can always come back here with Mom.”
Ariel.
It’s been a year, and I’m still not used to answering to that name. I didn’t want to go by Cee-Cee in case Theo decided to come after me. I was too afraid to use Ciara Walsh, as I still don’t fully understand why Theo never allowed me to use that name. I’ve been going by Ariel Norwood and Ciarán goes by Chris Norwood.
Daliah knows Ariel isn’t my real name. After all, she has been very instrumental in helping me stay under the radar. She’s aware that I’m running from something, but she’s willing to help anyway she can. She’s become a real friend.
“I hope you’re right,” I murmur.
“I am. Now drink up. I didn’t bring you out to this bar to sit around and look sad.
“I want to dance and say our farewells with a bang. This time next week we’ll be living the life,” she sings.
I look around the bar. The music is a vibe. I think the DJ has changed since we arrived because this place was sort of lame when we first got here.
I didn’t complain because Dahila can be Dahila sometimes. Her taste in music will leave you with no doubts that she’s a white girl, no matter how cool and down to earth she can be.
I’m so over Taylor Swift. We’re going to have to come to some type of agreement when we get to New York because the way this chick will run a record in the ground on full blast is enough to drive anyone crazy and make you hate an entire genre of music. She almost ruined Ed Sheeran for me.
She would have if Ciarán hadn’t used his drone to somehow disconnect her Bluetooth. I swear she was driving us both crazy.
“Oh, I love this song.” Daliah jumps up from her seat and grabs my hand.
I’m still trying to down my drink as she pulls me out onto the dance floor. This is the first time I’ve gotten to hang out likethis. Alice, Daliah’s mother, demanded I go out and allow her to watch Ciarán for me.
Ciarán nearly pushed me out the door. The promise of Alice’s homemade cookies was enough for him to forget all about me. The thought of my brother being safe and happy makes me relax a little.
I fall into the music and begin to dance. I close my eyes and lift my arms over my head. This is the most relaxed I’ve been in … I can’t name a time that I remember.
Suddenly, my back is engulfed in heat. Strong hands land on my hips, and I’m hit with a mouthwatering scent. I open my eyes and look up.
I’m met with intense blue eyes. I knit my brows as they look so familiar. The expression on the guy’s face is one of awe … surprise … disbelief. I have a hard time placing the look.
“Do I know you?” I ask.
He opens his mouth to say something, but a loud commotion breaks out. People begin to shove and scream. The guy laces his fingers with mine to pull me with him, but Daliah grabs my other hand and tugs me in the opposite direction.
