Mafia Kingpin: A Dark, Thrilling Organized Crime Romance

95

But the truth was... I could. I didn't owe Steve anything, especially after what he'd put me through... but there was something in me that kept stopping me from snitching on him. I still cared about Steve deep down, despite everything that had happened these past few years, and it pissed me off. Why couldn't I just forget about him and live my life like a normal teenager?!

"Fam, it's not fair how he's treating you like this. No amount of presents can make up for what he's doing to you." Keelan paused. "It's emotional blackmail, Louis. It's not fair how he's throwing this all on you, when you've got exams. You're only sixteen man, for God's sake."

I shook my head.

"Trust me bruv. Look how long we've known each other. We're bros, we help each other through everything man," he pushed on. "And as your brother from another mother I'm not letting you get involved in this bullshit. You've got your whole life ahead of you bro, don't waste it away on shit like this."

I got up from my seat, draining the last few sips of my milkshake. "Keelan, as much as I appreciate you and stuff, you're really not helping," I spat at him. I made my way to the exit door of Subway.

Keelan was giving me good advice... Good advice that I didn't want to hear. I was so trapped in my own little bubble, that I ignored the real world, and my real surroundings.

"Bro, where are you going?!" Keelan shouted. I didn't reply to him.

I walked down the pathway, only for him to catch up with me. "Bro, don't do anything stupid, please," he begged.

"Stupid?" I repeated. "Stupid?!" Rage was boiling over me. "Keelan, just leave me alone man. I don't need anyone anymore. I just wanna be on my own."

"I'm not gonna tell the police about what you told me bro," Keelan said, despite me having a go at him. "Please just promise me you'll stay safe. I don't care how much you try and fucking avoid me, I'm still your brother. And I'm still gonna look out for you."

"I've got nothing to lose," I said, swallowing. There was a huge lump in my throat. "Keelan, I love you man," I said, hugging him.

Keelan and me had been through so much together. We'd endured so much, and been through the worst fights, but our friendship was still going on strong. I didn't treat Keelan with the respect that he deserved. He didn't deserve a friend like me. I was always just complaining about my own life, forever moaning about my own shit, while never asking about his. He was always there for me, yet I couldn't even take his advice, when he was speaking to me sincerely. I was a selfish bastard, and I fucking hated myself for it. I was a shit friend. I didn't deserve anything good in life. Keelan was a good person. He wasn't like me. He didn't take part in robberies, or do any of the fucked up shit that I'd done throughout my time. He always put his head down. He was a family man, and he studied hard. I wished I was in his shoes...

"I love you too my g," he said. "I've known you for so long man, like..."

"Don't worry about me man," I reassured him, a sad expression on my face. I couldn't even bear to look at him anymore. "Bye Keelan." My voice cracked. I needed to be on my own, to gather my thoughts and decide what I was going to fucking do, moving forward with my life. And without another word, I turned around and started sprinting out of town.

***