Destined Love

Destined Love - Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Six:

Late Saturday morning, I agree to chuck the footy with Cole in his backyard, if not  only just to pass the time but for my own amusement. The past three days haven't exactly been smooth sailing, not when living in a small town makes it near impossible from running into a familiar person. Especially when you're set on avoiding a particular someone and they seem to be everywhere you turn. With only one Supermarket and one McDonalds in Melrose Cove, I've had to distance myself from both just to avoid the high chance of seeing Ariella.

I sometimes catch myself wondering if maybe this second  opportunity at life is a curse, rather than a gift. And can I ever fully be in charge of this life if I have an Angel and this so-called Fate following my every choice?

Whatever the answer, all of this Destiny shit is moot point, because I'm nothing if not unpredictable. They've got another thing comin' if they think I'll be following their Heavenly predictions—they might be the reason I'm alive, but they will no longer be the reason for the duration and the process of my existence.  

Cole's shout forces me to leave my mind and focus on the reality. The moment my eyes adjust, my hands spring up towards my face instinctively as the football zooms towards me. Catching it with ease, Cole slaps the side of his thigh, obviously offended by my reflexes.

"I almost had you," he mumbles across the grass.

I grip the ball tight. "We're playing football, not dodge ball, pendejo."

"This isn't footy. This is throwing a ball back and forth," he complains. "You seemed distracted, so I thought I'd waken you up a bit."

"By throwin' a ball at my face?" I question dryly.

He gives an askew smile.

Before he has time to blink, I swing my arm back and push forward. I watch the ball fly through the air with almost hawk-like eyes, until it soars in a direct route towards Cole's chest. He tries to manoeuvre as his eyes focus on the blurred object, but before he can jump backwards to give him extra room for a catch, the ball has already connected with his chest. Hissing, he bends forward as the ball rebounds and rolls across the grass.

Winded, Cole coughs and rubs the front of his torso, cursing me under a fit of groans.

"This was fun," I yell over his grunts, "but we'll have to continue this football-dodge ball shenanigan another day."

Straightening, the lines of his face strain, his skin a glowing shade of red. "That...was...unnecessary."

"And attempting to knock me out wasn't?" I snort with amusement.

He dry heaves and spits out a bullet of phlegm. "Except for the fact that the ball didn't hit you."

"Maybe if you had better reflexes, the ball wouldn't have hit you either."

Cole harrumphs, still rubbing at his chest. He notices the truck keys in my hand. "Where are you heading to?"

"That'd be none of your business." Swirling them around my finger, I head for the side gate that leads to the front driveway.

"If you're off to see a new friend, I think I should meet 'em," he calls from behind me.

I laugh sourly. "Not gonna happen."

There's a pause before he follows me out the gate. "Or is it someone I know?"

When I remain silent, he pushes his way around me. "It is, isn't! Who is it?"

I feint left and dodge his advances.

"Tristan? Wes?" He persists. "Sadie? It's Sadie, isn't it. You changed your mind about spendin' time with her?"