I was walking unusually slow, mindlessly along the pavement. Thankful for the covered parking area, I was caught in the middle of finding a way to see Brenna without causing so much ruckus when in fact they were still around. My phone beeped, indicating a message as I pulled out my phone only to see 3 text messages from her.

im at the park near the resto

u definitely need to explain

where the fuck u at

I mentally facepalmed, frustrated at the idea. Now how am I suppose to explain without her getting all LAPD on me. My footsteps increase, eager to arrive turning around the corner as the park came into view. Though I basked in the fine weather, the blue skies and the ambient temperature whilst the park was a hum of activity. I was still met by Brenna, with her arms crossed as she sat on the bench with her resting bitch face and attention drawn towards me.

"And behold, she arrives." As she spoke in a story telling manner, scrunching her nose at my poor making decisions.

"What?" I exclaimed, as I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.

"Could you please take a seat? if you think you're going to intimidate me with your posture and just let this topic go easily then your dead wrong." She stated, slowly shaking her head.

"Fuck, alright." I spoke in exasperation and followed what she said so.

The slight breeze of wind rustled the leaves, while the beam of sunlight illuminated from our direction. My eyes roamed the scenery; taking sight of the activities on the park, anything to avoid notice.

"What did just happened?" She demanded as she asked, eyes wide while she looked at me like I've grown a head or two.

"Nothing! He just wanted me to take some mails back home, okay? nothing else." I argued, averting my eyes from her hard stare.

"You can't fool me. If I were you, I'd tell and by the look of that hickey on your chest I assume you did the dirty." She raised her brow, taunting me to spit the truth.

I looked down to see a bruise-like mark evident on my cleavage shown on the tank top I wore. I pulled my straps up, adjusting my clothe and especially my sunglasses for her not to witness that my make-up's fucked.

I took a deep breath, ready to tell the truth. "Yes, we did it alright. We've ..... fucked." I bluntly spoke and rolled my eyes at the reality.

"Since when?" She inquired, eyebrows furrowed like the matter was a puzzle.

Not a puzzle, a clusterfuck maybe.

"Since last week, it happened so fast okay. I just ..." My voice trailed off, confused of what to say.

I turn around to face her, a frown plastered on her face. Reminding me of my wise choices, Brenna had always been to judge the particular choices that I'd make. My lips pursed, waiting for her to answer.

"What is it with you and disaster, you always got to drag into one." She spoke in disbelief, as she rolled her eyes at me.

I burst in laughter, finding humor at the idea and when I cast a glance to see her passive face so I tried to stop, snorting at the process as I did so.

"I'm sorry." Trying my best to muster up a stone expression but the small smile on my face said so.

"You really got a thick head, huh? I hope you knew what you got yourself into." Her face etched into worry, eyes searching for my features.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." I assured, a tight smile on my face silently hoping it would be.

Brenna was as private as I was, she never questions too much let alone pry at other's business. She worries; disagrees but supports at the end, because at the end of it all, were grown people. We chose to stay at the park for a while enjoying the sunshine, conversing and laughing like hyaena. My phone rang, interrupting the conversation as an unknown number flashed through the screen.

"Hello?" I greeted.

"Cleo, where are you?" The baritone of his voice depicted command as it seeped through the phone.

"At the park. Why?" I replied, unusual that he already had my number and strange that he seemed to ask.

"Call me if you'll head home, I'll send my driver to pick you up." He insisted.

Alerting my senses, my eyes frantically searched the area thinking that he'd might be around.

"I um it's fine I'm just gonna take a lift ... Brenna brought her car actually." I lied, wishfully thinking that he'd agreed and drop the topic.

There was a few seconds of silence on the phone and then he spoke. "Are you sure?" Hesitant of my reply, he made sure to ask me seriously.

"Yeah, I'm good." I briefly responded.

Another silence came, as if he was pondering a thought on the other line. "Okay, you take care."

Always the same manner.

"You too." I replied like I always did, ending the phone call after.

"Who was it?" Out of curiosity, Brenna questioned came to ask.

"Matheo, he offered a ride back home but I refused to." I explained as I run my hands through my hair.

"Really, what if y'all start catching feelings. Are you down with that?" She questioned out of the blue, eyes twinkled with amusement.

"No, that wasn't a part of the plan." I seemed to respond hastily that got the corners of her mouth turned up into a small smile, raising her eyebrow slightly on a ridicule manner.

"Don't give me that fucking look." I exclaimed, rolling my eyes at her playful banter.

"Look who's all defensive." She laughed, feeling victorious and as she had the reaction that she wanted.

"Shut up." I laughed, going along with her but deep inside I knew my thoughts have raced into questions.

What if?

As far as I know, relationships were out of the topic. I wasn't into relationships and he wasn't either, this was all just a giant ball of casual sex and satisfaction. It was far fetched from the idea but from the start I knew what I was getting into and after all, I was playing with fire. I don't want to be caught up in my feelings and pretend that everything would be fine at the end, I had to set my boundaries before I'm onto the next mistake and it's too late. The day went by like a blur, it was a day well spent. We strolled downtown California, conversed into different topics and of course took ourselves to eat. After 6 PM was on the clock, we called it a day and separated ways as we bid our farewell. I hailed a cab, giving the instructions to my direction after taking a seat. The breeze ruffled my hair, a sense of peace and calm settled within my body delighted of the scenery that came before me, a hue of colors came from the sunken sun as night was about to fall.

A sports car zoomed passed by and like a wild animal giving me the vibration on what it felt like to drive one. Instantly giddy of the thought, I changed my directions instructing the driver to go somewhere else as I was onto greater things at the moment.

"Hey, Mike." I called out, as I saw him from afar hoping to get a word if I could join tonight.

After getting off of the cab, I wasted no time to be where the commotions at, needy for the race. I had to make sure I have to deal one.

Mike, a bulky guy in his mid 30's turns around as his face lights up when saw me coming my way. He basically runs the races, an adrenaline junkie he was and still is but just kind of keeps it down for some personal reasons so instead he set this races up to see some action and of course that wad of cash.

"Cleo, a surprise." He greeted, smiling from ear to ear.

I've always felt welcomed.

"Well, good to be back." I genuinely smiled back and a nervous chuckle came after.

"I know its such a short notice but could I take on a race, tonight?" I asked, hopeful.

Mike seemed to think about it, his eyes felt black while his mind went through different thoughts and after what felt like second, he replied.

"Sure, kid. Give them a good show." A short reply that made me much more excited.

I mutter a thank you, while Mike led me near the tracks engaging in conversations with different men whom I never knew but with their heads nodding and agreeing at a statement, I knew I had a deal and an opponent already.

Everything went so fast as the race before me ended while I was on stand by, ready for one. I didn't saw Jack but I knew he was in the area, I was too focused on the need for an adrenaline my feet kept tapping, anxious. Thankfully, Mike had lend me a Mustang GT an animal that I could drive in for tonight and for sure he knew what I'd like.

"Your turn kid, be safe." Mike informed, giving me the cue to do so.

"Will do." I uttered, eager to get on the car.

The place was packed for tonight, it had still been a day of that program Mike had planned. That explains a lot of room to race, I was just on the right time to visit and to be a part of. Friendly faces, racing enthusiast, participants and a few strangers, they were anticipating like I did too. Negotiations had been dealt, guesses were thrown who would win. On the other hand, I was on the set to give them a good show and definitely an easy win for them to see.