Page 18 of Dylan
Losing her ma and da must have been hard for her. She would be about twenty now. I have so many questions.
I didn’t know her ma was pregnant before they left. However, she must have been, or she became pregnant soon after, to be survived by Ciara and a son. I’ve run over and over the details Brooklyn has shared with me.
“Okay, now this is what I’m talking about. This DJ is much better than the last guy,” Connie sings and stands from her seat.
I smile as my sister sways her hips to the music. Both Kate and Connie have been dancers for as long as I can remember.
They went from river dancing when we lived in Ireland to hip-hop, jazz, and ballet once they came to America. Connie introduced Kate to the dance studio she attended before we all got here. I think that’s why Logan put Connie in charge of entertainment for the businesses.
Glancing around, I take notice of the guys whose attention Connie’s swaying has grabbed. My sisters are gorgeous women. Gorgeous and dangerous.
“Come on, love. Come dance with yer sister. This is what I came out for.
“I want to cut loose and have fun. Everything is so … ugh. Come on,” she coos and reaches for my hand.
I shrug my shoulders and follow her to the dance floor that’s starting to fill. “Past Lives” by Sapientdream and Slushii is playing as we grab a spot to move around. I frown wondering why the DJ would play this and kill the vibe he just got going. Then it blends into the remix dance pop version.
I pull a face and nod. I’m not mad at all. I grab Connie and move her out of the way as two small women go to dance by. The one in front with the long dark hair looks drunk and has her eyes closed as she pulls the other one behind her.
I scowl at the two and shake my head. However, I come to a dead stop as the face of the second one comes into view. She’s gorgeous.
In the dim lighting on the dance floor, I have to squint to get a better look at her face. Her brown skin has a glow to it even under the low lights. Her dark hair is pulled up in a mass of thick curls. She’s small, maybe five two. Damn, she has a nice, slim, toned build.
I’d bet money she does some powerlifting. Those thighs are giving it away in those tight jeans. Allowing my gaze to pass back up to her face, I swear hard.
I don’t know if it’s the music, the beer, or just my longing to find Ciara, but this girl looks so much like her. I can’t stop myself from moving closer to her. I need a closer look at her face.
Am I dreaming?
Ciara
“New York will be so much betterfor us. You’ll see. I promise,” Daliah slurs.
I laugh and smile at her. Daliah has been like my guardian angel since we arrived in San Diego. I met her in the diner where Ciarán and I stopped in to find something to eat after we landed. She was our waitress.
She was so kind to us and after talking a little, she told me she had just lost her tenant and could offer us a place to stay. I was skeptical at first, but Ciarán looked like he was worried and tired, so I took her up on her offer.
It worked out as she lived in a duplex home with her mother. Her mother has also been a godsend. They helped me find a waitress job and get Ciarán into school.
“I hope you’re right. I need to find something more stable, with better pay. I wish I had more time to do things with Ciarán.”
“Well, honey, we can throw him the best birthday party ever in New York. You’re sure to have time and money there.”
I bite my lip and think about our plans. Daliah has wanted to leave San Diego since I met her. I, on the other hand, hadn’t planned on leaving.
I haven’t found a gym with a team interested in the tournaments; those who are don’t have a team that could actually make it. I still work out and train, but I’ve all but given up on my dream.
For now, Ciarán has been my main focus. He’s beginning to need more things that require more money. Something I don’t have much of.
When Ciarán showed me a TikTok of a gym in New York, I became curious. They were training for this year’s tournaments. I checked out their website and found out they’re looking for a few female fighters.
They have talent. Their male fighters are top tier. It looks like they have a real shot.
Not to mention, I’d already be in New York for the finals and wouldn’t have to come up with the money to travel there. If I can land a spot on their team, there’s at least hope to fight in a real match again.
I scoff. “I don’t know about timeandmoney. I’ll most likely have to settle for one or the other.”
“Don’t think like that. I have this great feeling about New York. I told you my cousin knows about that gym Ciarán told you about. If you want to fight, my cousin is the one to know.
