Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 71

I rarely saw Frederick angry but when he was, he looked brutal. He was always a nice guy, in fact, he was Grandmama's favourite (not that she would ever admit that) because he was always nice to her even if she was always berating at him.

Fred and I only fought twice, to be honest. First was the time when we were seven and I stole his G.I. Joe action figure and played it with my Spider-Man, talking about "destroying the world." The second one was when I put whipcream on his face when he was asleep back when we were in summer camp at twelve years old and put a frog under his pillow. But that was all. Throughout our years, we've been best friends.

When I declared that I'd go to America, my other home, and live there for the first time, Frederick didn't hesitate to join, support, and encourage me.

We went to St. George's Catholic School in San Ricardo, and helped me get a new place to live in Ruby Avenue, the highly secured area in San Ricardo.

But that wasn't why I loved Fred as a cousin. He was just always there for me.

And now he was angry with me.

I sighed, shutting my eyes and just simply lying there, as if my world would be at peace if I just stayed there on the floor forever.

"What are you going to do now?" my cousin demanded.

I placed my hand on my forehead, careful not to bump my bruised cheek with it. "I'm not sure yet. But all I know is" -- I scowled as I tried to lean forward, pushing my weight off the floor-- "I am not letting Keller leave. She thought I kissed Natalie on purpose, and truth is she's got it all bloody wrong."

Fred started, aiding me up as he did so. "So you really didn't kiss Natalie back?"

"Of course not," I snapped. "I see even my own cousin didn't believe me." I stared at him pointedly.

He swallowed. "Sorry."

"S'alright," I sighed, rubbing my fave with my palm roughly. "Let's just fix the damage, yeah?"

"Right." He cleared his throat. "You know, Emerson wants to murder you with a machete, she said. Didn't tell her anything. One of the maids told her." See what I mean about the servants? "And Vivian wants to throttle you until you turn blue and green in the face. Oh, and Grandmama wants to thwack you with her cane so bad."

"And you?"

He grinned. "Already did what I wanted to do. Turns out you're not so stupid at all, though. Let's get your girl back, come on."

Despite myself, I chuckled. I felt the sting on my cheek, but I ignored it and allowed my cousin to pat me on the back encouragingly.

"So tell me the story from your point of view. I'm sure you've got it better than those gossipmongers."

I leaned on the wall, knocking the back of my head with purpose. "I hate this day."

"You should," Fred said with a nod. "Now tell me."

I looked at him. "I didn't mean to kiss that psycho. Yeah, our lips touched but I didn't respond! I was so shocked. I knew in an instant that it was all wrong. Then Keller thought I'd been cheating on her with Natalie and all hell broke loose."

"You deserved some bit of drama, mate," my cousin joked, smiling cheekily at me.

"Oh shut up, you smug bastard."

"No, Michael." Anthony shook his head slowly. He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Not right now. She needs time."

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" I sneered, shrugging his hand away. "Oh, that's right! You're my father's favourite."

Fred cleared his throat, trying to end this.

Anthony snapped his dark blond eyebrows down. "I'm not his favourite. He likes me as he likes a family friend, is all. Michael, are you seriously jealous of me because your father likes me?"

Cough! Cough! COUGH!

I glared at Fred.

This was too much of my pride taken away, but I had to do it. "Yeah," I sighed. "He was always smiling when he's in your company. It's been years since he and I had been close."

"Everything'll be fine, mate," Anthony assured me. He smiled. "But take my advice: leave Keller alone for now, yeah? Who knows? Maybe she'll try to listen to the real truth. She's a nice girl. Stubborn but nice,nonetheless. Better not let this one slip, Cutting."

He winked. "I like her. But I don't go with girls who are already taken. Fess up. You'll get through this. You and Keller."

Unbelievable.

I actually chuckled. "I'll protect her, man," I said.