What happens in Vegas.... Doesn't always stay in Vegas

Chapter 9- Secrets

-Casey Freeman-

What Miranda and Rosie don't know is.. what Diego asked me, the night us 6 met..

It was like he knew me already he whispered into my ear.

'Care to join me for a smoke" romantic, as if..

But in all honesty, even though I have been acting all excited and girly, I really didn't want to be at the club that night.

It's funny, you know.

You find yourself falling in love with a guy, who looks at you the same.

But why do I feel this knot building in my stomach every time Diego swings in and becomes Rosie's knight in shining armour.

Don't get me wrong though I love my best friend to pieces, she helped me see, my mother is always with me, she is kind hearted, well spirited, beautiful (though she doesn't see it), the perfect bestfriend and she was loved by everyone at school, she was the perfect example of a doo-gooder, her and Miranda of course, when I met her in year one, she had social anxiety, but I was all alone, everyone picked on me because of my skin colour.

But Rosie stood up for me, she said and I quote, 'it doesn't matter what colour we are, because on the inside we are all pink!' from that day on she was my best friend, she told me about her parents "dying" last year and I told her that's when my mum died.

I was struggling so much, but for some strange reason, she always had a sparkle in her eye, she was never down, she stood up straight like a daisy, I confronted her one day at lunch time, she was swinging on the monkey bars, when she met up with me, I was angry I couldn't understand how a girl 7 years of age losing both her parents was so happy.

I asked her...

***Flash Back***

"Why are you so happy Rosie? your parents are dead!" I slapped my tiny little hand over my mouth.

She took my hand away and placed it in hers, "No Casey, it's okay, you're right, I shouldn't be happy, but my mummy and daddy always used to say, 'no matter where we are, we're always in your heart, don't let the fear of not having us around, stop you from concurring your dreams' Casey your mummy is always with you, but just to be sure, God gave you, me, and now it's my job, to make sure that you concur all of your fears!" I couldn't believe what I had heard at the time.

"Rosie.. what are you going to be when your older?"

She giggled to herself, "Oh Casey, don't worry about the future, focus on the present, take each day in its own and let nature take its course, when I'm 20 years of age, then I will tell what I plan to be" this girl was crazy.

She spoke like a fricking 20 year old.

We spent that whole day at school being princess's running away from cootie infested boys.

***Flash Back Over***

But this last couple of days, there is a knot in my throat and a horrible feeling in my stomach, when Diego stormed in on Eric and Rosie, I was furious, I knew what they were up to, but he didn't believe me, the look on her face was horrifying as if she had just seen a ghost.

but maybe she had, she confessed to Miran and I about that horrible man when she was 10 we were mortified, but she brushed it off as if it was nothing, so we let the topic go.

I pulled Diego out of the room immediately, when Eric demanded he leave, but once I got Diego out, he didn't want to talk, he walked back into his own room and sat on the bed with his head between his knees, he was breathing heavily, I didn't understand his problem.

"What is wrong with you!?" I finally cried at him.

"I told you she was fine! But you didn't listen, you barged in and made her feel 10 times worse, what is your deal!?" I shouted at him, fury in my voice, defending my poor best friend.

He stood up and grabbed my arms, "Casey, you have no idea, the type of guy my brother is, I will not let him destroy her pure innocence for his own pleasure, I will not let her crumble, she reminds me so much of Anita, Anita was only a young age, but she was mature and sweet, pure and innocent, but she was taken away, I will not let my brother destroy an innocent soul that, that girl has, she gets me Casey! I love you, I do, but SHE GETS ME!"

I couldn't concentrate..

Firstly he said he loves me..

Secondly he just called my best friend innocent, I get it now.

I dropped my face as reassurance slapped straight across my cheek sending a stinging sensation...

"I get it now, you don't have a love interest for Rosie, you just feel you need to protect her, you feel its your duty to make sure she is safe, I'm so stupid!"

 It went silent when all of a sudden, he burst out laughing, releasing me a little, "You thought I was in-love with Rosie? are you crazy baby, you're all I need!" he stated.

My heart skipped a beat as he planted a kiss on my lips.

"I get the Anita part, but why do you feel so strongly you have to protect her?" I asked coming up for breath.

He frowned, "Because she is like me, her parents died the same reason my sister was forced to, she is a halfy"

I looked at him confusingly.

"A half Italian, half American child, in the Italian gangs, we aren't allowed, we must be pure bred, not half anything, our blood must be pure Italian to keep the trait going, unless we find an Italian girl, but that rarely ever happens"

I smiled at him, "Wow your parents are going to hate me!" I stated giggling.

"My parents refused to go by that rule after my sister died, they gave up trying to keep in line, my parents haven't spoken to their family since my step uncle shot Anita right near the heart, so we are pleased to date who ever we like, though they maybe more pleased with Eric's choice, I couldn't give a damn, our kids will be cuties anyway"

my mouth dropped open, I cant believe he is talking about our future, "A sweet, happy little girl once said to me, 'don't worry about the future, focus on the present' it's a pretty good thing to live by if you ask me" I smiled.

He smiled back at me, "That best friend of yours is crazy, but we need to do whatever it takes, to protect her, I don't care if he is my brother baby, if he hurts her...." I put my finger to his lips.

"We crush him" I finished, as our lips met for the second time, making everything absolutely perfect.....