Page 5 of Stephan

My phone beeped to tell me I had amessage.

Coming to pick you up. My bro has footballpractice, not far from you.

Thanking whoever was listening, I messagedback.

Sure. Out front at bus stop.

I didn’t have to wait long before a whiteToyota Land Cruiser stopped and Cassie got out of the passengerseat. I followed her back to the car and got into the backseat.

Scott, Cassie’s brother, turned and smiled.“Hi, Jade.” With him and Cassie together I could tell they weretwins, they looked so much alike. Except Scott was a big boy, andit was all muscle. What were they putting in the water aroundhere?

“Hi, Scott. Thanks for picking me up.”

“No problem. I hope you don’t mind coming andwatching practice before I take you two home.”

“I don’t. I’m grateful for the lift.” I was.I needed every cent I had to buy food for school this week, mygrandpa may have food in his house to eat, but it wasn’t easy topack food.

*****

Stephan

I was fucking pissed off, I couldn’t findJade at recess or lunch and I found out she went home early, whichmade me even angrier. Why hadn’t she stayed or found me? I’d neverhad to chase a woman, let alone a girl. Members of the other sexthrew themselves at me. It was partly because my last name wasSilverman and my family had their hands into a bit of everything. Ihad a trust fund I could live off and still never spend it in thislifetime.

I’d been called a spoiled little rich kidmany times in my life. But I didn’t give a fuck what people thoughtof me. None of my family sat around all day and happily spent theirfortune; they all worked, and worked damn hard. I planned to do thesame. From a young age I knew I wanted to work with my father, beby his side learning and eventually take over. I intended tograduate and go to university to study business and economics.

“Move ya arse, bro, or we’ll be late forrugby practice.” I turned from the game I was losing and saw Derickwith his head peeking in my door.

I didn’t want to go out tonight. “I’m waitingon a call from Zeck.”

“You’ve been acting strange all day. Doesthis call you’re waiting on from Zeck have to do with it? If so Ithink you should come to keep your mind off it.”

Fuck, he was right. I ran my fingers throughmy hair trying to think of my next move. “Fine.” I got up. “I’mcoming. Let’s go to practice.”

I changed into running shorts and awife-beater, chucked on my joggers and went down to meet Derick inthe garage. There was no point in taking two cars so I got intoDerick’s Rover.

“You gonna tell me what’s stuck up your arsetoday?”

I looked out the window at the passingscenery. I had no idea why I hadn’t told Derick, I sharedeverything but women with him. We didn’t have secrets from eachother. I guess I wanted to find out more about Jade first. I wantedto see her again before I told my brother or my parents what shewas to me. I knew Derick would think it was hilarious, he knew howI felt about soul mates and turning into a possessive arsehole overa woman like our dad or uncles and cousins. “Not yet.”

All Derick did was nod. He drove to the ovaland parked the car. We weren’t the last there, but for once weweren’t the first. We got out of the car and walked to the groupwho was stretching and joined in.

I was running laps when I heard the musicallaugh. I turned around gravitating toward the sound. Anger shotthrough me at the sight I saw, my Jade was laughing and trying toget some items off Scott who held them high in his hand and stareddown at her chest as it bounced.

Breaking from my laps, I jogged over to them.Scott smiled at me, but I narrowed my gaze on him before I pulledmy girl to me. Leaning down I whispered, “You’re in trouble.”

She gasped and spun. “Wanker, what are youdoing?”

I hadn’t noticed her before but Scott’ssister gasped. “This is the wanker who pushed you over and gave youhis jumper?”

“Um…yeah.” Jade wiggled to get out of myembrace but I wasn’t giving her up…ever. She was mine.

Derick came up next to me. “What’s all thefuss? Why are you holding Jade?” He looked at me and Derick’s eyeswidened, his mouth opened and closed for a moment before he shookhis head. “Mother fucker, of course you‘re so friggin' lucky. Mum’sgonna freak. Finally another girl in the house.”

Jade struggled to get out of my arms.“Derick. You know the wanker?” I didn’t like that my little bitknew my brother and was asking him about me.

Derick laughed his arse off. I really didn’tfind this shit funny. “Oh this is priceless. I love you already,little sis.” Derick yanked her out of my arms and kissed her cheekbut before his lips could touch hers, I pulled her back againstme.

“Do it and you fucking die, brother. Keepyour hands, and especially your mouth, away from my woman.”

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