Page 90 of Rematch
“Be my guest. I was already planning on it.”
Jayden’s brows creased in confusion. “Wait, you know him?”
“Yeah. This is my -our- cousin, Adrian.”
Adrian’s brow rose as he looked between our faces, noticing the similarities now that we were both still. He didn’t ask the question aloud, but I could still see it on his face.
“Adrian, this is my brother, Jayden,” I introduced him.
“You have a brother?” He tilted his head. “Since when? I thoughtTíaTati was one and done.”
“I have a different mom, but the same dad,” Jayden explained.
“Oh, shit,” Adrian muttered. “My bad. I didn’t even know.TíoRafael never said anything…”
Jayden averted his eyes. “Yeah, he wouldn’t have,” he murmured.
I almost frowned at the energy deflating from his shoulders. Patting him, I said, “Go clean yourself up, so I can start taking you home.”
Nodding, he raised his eyes to Adrian again. “It was nice meeting you.” He rushed off before Adrian could respond.
“What’s the story there?” Adrian asked as I led him towards the office so I could grab my own things.
“Remember how quick my mom ditched my dad?”
He nodded.
“He’s the reason.”
“Oh, shit,” he repeated. “My mom said Rafael fucked up, but I didn’t know it was like that.”
“Yeah, but he’s actually a good kid. I’ve been training him for a little while now. He’s got a lot of potential.”
“To bring in?”
“What? No! I mean for MMA. He’s got the dedication and he’s building the heart for it.”
Adrian cocked his head to the side. “Why’d you respond like that?”
“Like what?”
“When I asked if you were bringing him in? Your face twisted up like I offended you or something.”
“No, you didn’t. It’s just I don’t…I don’t want this lifestyle for him.”
Adrian nodded. “I get it. Thought your punk ass got out, but here you are.”
I shook my head. “We both know I was never out. Shit’s like a curse; it’s gonna find us one way or another. But, anyway, what are you doing in town? I thought you Ruizs only come to the West Coast for corporate events.”
“I am down here for an event, just not a corporate one. Kiara signed me up for some tattoo convention happening this weekend, and I actually got accepted. Kiara’s never been to L.A. before so we came down a few days early to explore. I stopped by to see if you wanted to hang out with us later.“
“Yeah, sure. I’ll call my girl and see if she can join us. I think she and Kiara would get along well.”
As Adrian nodded, his eyes darted to the door.
I followed his gaze to see Jayden in the doorway, raising his hand to knock on the open door.
“I’m coming,” I told him. Quickly, I grabbed my stuff out of the office and walked with both of them out of the gym.
