Deal With The Devil

Chapter 30

Javier's POV

Any buzz I had was squashed after Celeste suggested we go somewhere alone. I headed out to the living room where I left everyone before Celeste so no one would say anything about us coming back together. They all probably had a good idea about what was going on, but why give them a reason to say something smart?

"That didn't last long. At least give her more than ten minutes, it's her birthday." Manuel smirked.

I shook my head at him, "You're gross, I told you, I went to call my mom."

They all smiled slyly, looking at each other, Angie bouncing her eyebrows up and down and singing "Birthday Sex". Everyone laughed except me.

"What's so funny?" Celeste asked, walking in from the kitchen with a bottle of modelo in her hand.

"Nothing." Ximena grinned, "Angie's just drunk."

"Don't get to drunk, Ang. Your mom would flip and beat your ass and mine for inviting you here." Celeste laughed.

"No, it's all good, we're all going to Manuel's place." Angie shrugged, "So I'm getting good and drunk."

"Your parents don't care?" I asked Manuel.

My mom would kick my ass for just getting drunk. If I ever got drunk and brought my drunk friends home with me she'd have my ass and hand it to me.

He shook his head, "No, as long as me and Rigo sleep in the living room and the girls sleep in my room."

"My mom would kill me for that shit." I scoffed, sitting down on the couch next to Angie.

Celeste plopped down next to me on the couch, opening the bottle of beer with a ring on her finger. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Dimples, one of the girls who'd helped jump me in. She waved at me and looked like she was going to come over. My heart raced. If she mentioned anything about the gang, indicating that I was in it, everything would be ruined with Celeste and the normal part of my life at school. I'd officially be labeled as a gangbanger, someone who's dangerous, another statistic. I could have it both ways if I tried. I kept it where I lived a secret life away from home and school, threatened Sureños I went to school with not to say anything about the fact that I was one of them.

I wasn't proud of it, but most people my rank and even some higher up than me were actually scared of me. The job Manny took me on was to beat a guy who snitched within an inch of his life. I showed no mercy, slamming my fists as hard as I could into his face and body, feeling his bones break under my fists. Even after Manny told me to stop I carried on to get a few more punches in. I'd been releasing all my anger, grief, and guilt into the poor guy. Two guys had to pull me back from him, earning me the nickname Savage. Celeste thought I was swamped with homework that night. Dimples walked over to us with a big smile.

"Hey, happy birthday, Celeste." She greeted.

"Hey girl, thanks." Celeste smiled, "You still want me to do that tattoo for you?"

Dimples nodded, "For sure, but I'm actually about to head out. I've gotta get up early tomorrow morning so I can't stay, but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday before I left."

"Aw, thank you for coming." Celeste gushed.

She got up and gave her a hug and I began to relax again. I was relieved she didn't say anything.

"I'll see you around, Javier." Dimples said before walking off.

So close.

Celeste watched her walk away and then leaned into my body on the couch.