CHAPTER SONG, Pineapple Skies - Miguel

"Hi handsome! I know you are at hockey practice, and I just wanted to wish you all the luck in the world. You're the best player out there, (Don't tell Maddox.) BTW if you aren't busy after, I made food and made a lot more than I thought I would. So, if you want you can come over, I'll welcome you with open arms. Kisses, many."

Fuck yeah, I want to come over and I'll take all those kisses. Which made me grin at my phone as I waited for Maddox to finish getting ready after practice. I was already showered, dressed and waiting but he was dragging his feet somewhere in the locker room. I replied quickly, telling her that I would come. And I could feel the bubbling excitement in my blood, the howl of cheer from the little boy. Dude need's to shut the fuck up because sometimes I feel like all I could hear is him, and he knows how to distract me with all those thoughts of my beautiful girlfriend. I have caught myself to many times spacing off, even in the middle of a torture session. It was a first for me, and Madd's made sure to clown on me for it.

Speaking of him, I needed to drop him off and check in with dad. Which I can do now. So, I dialed my dad, and slumped back in my seat, tilting my head back. The ache in every part of my body, endless. "Hijo" My dad answered at the click of the phone.

"Dad, ¿Cómo te va?" How's it going?

My dad sighed, making me sit forward, on full alert. "Could be better, but it's working itself out." he replied, the tiredness in his tone straining it.

My brow's furrowed, confusion building. "What's going on?"

He explained about the loss of another shipment but something about the loosely way he explained it told me he wasn't too worried. Clearly, I shouldn't be either, but I was a worry freak by life. My mom always said I caught that from my father. Ran in my blood, or whatever. What I do know is that I need everything to work out perfectly, otherwise I go all control monster on it. What else am I supposed to do? If something is out of line, it needs to be drilled back into it. If it's left unfixed, then it bothers me. In my core, I get this unsettling feeling that doesn't let up until I get everything together.

The loss of a shipment wasn't good news though. And not something I couldn't fix right now, but I'll try anyways. So, we talked for another ten minutes, going over a few ways to figure out the problem. And by the end he said he would get back to me when he has more information. Hanging up, the unsettling feeling in my stomach festered. Till our problems were fixed it will remain. Something I was use too. Maybe that's because it's always been problem after problem. My siblings, family, cartel, and my own mind in the mix of it all. Something was always on the horizon of exploding. Then again, I was always first to run into a problem and try to fix it. Another thing that apparently runs in my blood. This urgent need to protect, and care for everyone around me. Sometimes, I'll admit, I put more onto myself then I can handle. But it doesn't stop me from pilling on more though.

I sighed, running a hand thought my wet hair just as the car door flung open, and Maddox slid in. Smelling like fresh soap and wearing a black jacket with the hood pulled over his head. He was hiding himself, that much I knew. I have picked up enough of my mom's teachings to know the basics of psychology. Right now, Maddox needed to hide under the hood of his jacket because he felt the need to shield himself from whatever if making him uncomfortable.

I clenched my jaw tightly, watching him turn backward and chuck his backpack in the backseat's. Pulling my phone out, I quickly shot a text to Lina. I couldn't leave him alone. Scratch that. I can, but I won't. I don't know what's been up with him lately, but his been extra moody, more on edge. He won't talk about it, but whatever his dealing with has him deep in his own mind. I'm worried it's too deep, because Maddox was probably the only guy I knew that had built himself a torture room in his own mind. The amount of time he spends in there is frightening.

"Are we leaving?" he grumbled, falling back into his seat with force. I scanned him, noting the circles under his eyes and the weight that seemed to be slumping his shoulder's lower. I have asked him multiple times what was going on and his brushed me off. But watching him go through something alone was like someone is trying to bury me. I'm screaming for him, and his just getting further and further. I don't know anything, but I know to fight to get to him.

My phone dinged in my hand. 'Bring Maddox, if you want. There's enough food for him. His going through something.'

My brow's furrowed. Did he tell her? Guilt slid into my stomach, tightening it. Quickly I replied, 'yeah, I think so. Did he tell you anything?'

I don't know why I felt annoyed that she might know something I don't. Maybe because Maddox tells me everything and being left in the dark was not something I practically liked but having someone know something about him that I don't, that trigged me more. I hated that there was the possibility that he left me blind. I hated myself for hating that too. It's not fair, I get it. Maddox has the right to build relationship and confide in people beside me. Still, I could help the selfish part of myself. His always been my first, by my side, and I didn't like knowing that could be a different case now.

Maddox rolled down the window. "Dude let's fucken go." he said, and it made me wonder how tight does it feel for him in this car. "One second." I replied, seeing the three little dots appear on my screen.

'Nope, but his in one of his scary moods. The kind that looks like someone stole all of his laptop's and burned then. Now, his planning a whole revenge plan.'

My lip's twitched and I shot my gaze up at Maddox. She's right though. Whatever it was, Maddox looked like he was building a whole war plan to fix it. Under all of his moodiness, and attitude, was raging anger. The kind that started and won wars. I just wish he wasn't battling alone.

I quickly replied, telling her we were on our way and dropping my phone in the cup holder. "Fucken finally." Maddox muttered, making me roll my eyes as I put the car in gear. "You're killing my vibe." I muttered, only to cringe at myself. Ash has rubbed off on me.

Maddox huffed but didn't say anything. Instead, he crossed his arms and tugged his hoodie over his forehead more. And in a brooding matter, he sat there. The tension building, and expanding, and engrossing the car. I was a patient person. Sort of. I tried to tell myself I was, but honestly that was debatable too. Especially now, when all I wanted to do was figure out what was wrong and fix the problem. The longer we drove, the more my mind gravitated thoughts him. Every problem he had, was mine. Every minor inconvenience affected me. Wither I wanted it too, or not. It was unignorable. Maddox and I lived on the same side, and right now it was being compelled by all of his twisted emotions.

Finally, after biting my tongue for so long, I snapped. "Alright. Tell me what's going."

I got back a grumbly, "Nothing." his favorite answer lately.

I shook my head, my grip tightening around the wheel. "Maddox—" I started, taking a sharp breath that barely filled my burning lungs. "I'm right here. All that fucken wrath you have building is starting to spill. Let me help, tell me what's going on. Same side man, and right now you're pushing me away."

"What if that's how I want it. What if I want to be alone?"

He didn't. His never been going being on his own. "Then that fucken sucks, don't it? You're not alone, you never have been. You want off this side? Fine. You bet your ass I'll follow you to the next side though. Whatever side you choose, expect me there. Right fucken beside you. So, tell me who we are murdering, I don't even need a reason, I'll follow you blindly."

I would. I know he think that he follow's me, and he does but if he ever decided to march a different way, I'll follow him. In my mind, there's no life without him. I know it sound drastic, but his been by my side since my very first memory and I can't imagine him not ever being there. But he stayed silent, making me sigh. "You know you can tell me, right? Whatever it is, I'll always have your back."

Another second passed before he spoke. The word so hushed that it was like he didn't really want to say them. "Has your dad been acting off?"

I tensed. Has he? I haven't noticed. I quickly ran thought every conversation I have had with him the past few days and came up with nothing. Other than him being a little stand offish, I found nothing else. The standoffish I have written off as my dad being, well, my dad. Then again, I have been pretty distracted lately, and if that didn't drop a giant brick of guilt into my stomach, I don't know what could. I cleared my throat. "No. What are you noticing?" I asked, glancing between the road, and him.

He rubbed his palm's together, thinking about for a second before saying, "I don't know. My dad has been—off. Yesterday, he was supposed to look over the new program I'm building because some shit wasn't adding up, and he forgot. It shouldn't be a big deal, because he only forgot but Mateo, my dad doesn't forget shit. Fuck, that guy has impeccable memory, it's almost unhuman. And I know it seems like nothing, but lately, his just been more distracted. I can't pinpoint what has his attention either, and his usually pretty open about that. I feel like we are missing something, or they are hiding something."

When he put it like that, maybe I have noticed something. Like his dad, mine's been a little more distracted too. Missing dinners and coming home later than usual. They haven't mentioned anything, and yes, we have lost a shipment, but that wasn't enough to tank us. Was there something else that could possibly be going on, if so, why aren't they mentioning it?

I understand Maddox's brooding attitude now, he feels left out. It make's sense too. If something was going on, and we weren't being told, that wasn't something I appreciated either. Maddox was way more observant than I was, it was a fact. Behind his mask of being upbeat, down to earth Maddox, he was a nerd with hawk-eyes. The guy could break through the CIA firewalls', all well eating lunch. Give him a computer and the sky is no longer the limit for him. There is no limit. Add a Red bull to that and he could have the cyberworld at his fingertips in minutes. Like I said, major nerd.

Besides that, he was sharp and cunning too. He could talk himself out a murder charge if he wanted. One of the many skills his father passed down. One time, I watched him talk one of our biggest competitor's into stepping aside and letting us profit from something that belonged to them. Something we shouldn't have even been involved in, and our greedy asses just wanted it for shits and giggles and to prove that we had the power of course. Something more basic, he convinced the guard at the dirt-biking track to let us run after hours. Way after hours, around three am to be exact. How? By being a fox.

There's always been an old saying that a fox will always find a way to be tricky. Sly as a fox. That was Maddox. The guy was crafty, clever and extremely mischievous. Never get on his bad side, because when he comes for you, I promise you won't even see it till his right in front of your face, and then it's too late.

But his trickster tactics make it really good to see past his masks. "Maybe a little." I replied, running a hand across my face, "My dad's been more distracted too, but it could be because we just lost another shipment. I'll check in with him but I just spoke with him before you got in the car and he seemed fine."

Maddox shook his head, sliding down in his seat. "Something is off Mateo. I know it. It's more than the shipment, I have a feeling."

"I believe you." I replied. I did. If Maddox is saying something is off, then I trust him, "I'll look into it."

He stayed silent, still broody and snappy but I could see this talk took a fragment of weight off him. He knew he had me, but sometimes a reminder was all that he needed. I've been there. I've needed the same reminder. Sometimes, you just forget. In a world where you're expect to rely only on yourself, you forget to let the people around you in.

Turning off into Lina's neighborhood, Maddox leaned forward. "The hell, take me home first." he snapped.

I shook my head, "Nah. You're coming with me."

He groaned, pulling his hood off and turned to me. "No. I want to go home."

I shot him a grin. "Do I look like I care? You're in a shit mood, and I'm not letting you be alone. You got your laptop in your backpack, and Lina made food, so you know what? Suck it up. You're going to have company tonight, so please, don't be all—" I waved a hand at him, gesturing to his foul mood.

"I promise to be extra—" he waved his hands at himself, making me roll my eyes. Whatever, as long as his trying to pull himself out of his mind, I'm good. His been in the torture room to long as it is. Time for him to see the sun and moon again. Pulling up beside Lina's house, I parked the car and turned it off. I hopped out, hearing Maddox slam my car door with extra force. "Try that again, and I'll slam you." I called out, tugging at my sweater.

He hiked his bag up his shoulder, narrowing his glare sharply at me. "Really? Is that a promise? In that case, can you open the car real quick?" he pointed to the car, "I'll slam it one more time to really seal the deal and all." he finished, sending me a lazy half grin and if that didn't feel like a inhale of fresh air, I don't what could.

I shook my head at him, pulling out my phone from my pocket because it was buzzing. Answering it, I said, "What's up?" I mouth Kirsan to Maddox who looked at me in question.

"Where are you? There's no one home." Kirsan asked.

I walked up the stairs. "Madds and I are at Lina's. Ash is with Lily, somewhere. Aster is at an art opening in town. Dad and mom went out to dinner." I explained quickly. I already checked in with Ash, and Aster, both of which had plans tonight. Ash's plans consist of top-secret information he didn't want to tell me about, probably because I would bitch at whatever shit he was trying to get into. Aster went on for twenty minutes telling me about the art opening she was so excited about.

Kirsan sighed. "Fuck." I tensed as he kept talking, "I need Madds help. I need him to gather some information for me, and it requires technical skills that I don't have." he explained, as I knocked on the door. Something in his tone told me this was not only important, but slightly stressing him out. You could always tell, his tone just sounded less sharp.

Maddox shifted beside me, eyeing the plant pot with Lina's house key in it. Fucken hell, is it still in there? That has to be the worst place on earth, hands down. Just the thought makes me shutter. To Kirsan I replied, "We'll be home later."

"No. I need his skill's now. I'm coming." And he hung up. Perfect. Just perfect.

I sighed and shoved my phone in my pocket, knowing it pointless to call him back. Instead, I watched Madd's squat by the pot, and start digging his fingers though the dirt. I'll bet his looking for the key, checking to make sure it's not in there. Like me, he was going to be deeply disappointed. I almost laughed when his finger brushed the key, and he cringed.

The door unlocked, and he tipped his head upwards. He pulled the key out of the pot. "Lina, this took me two fucken seconds to find. I thought we talked about hiding spots?" he scowled at her. And her soft brown eyes widened in a shocking expression. Did she think I was joking the first time around? Okay, I understand we are a different breed of psycho's, so maybe we just see all the easiest way's to get an advantage on others, but still, come on. A plant pot? I almost wanted to roll my eyes. I told her how bad that spot was. Guess she didn't believe me. At least now she will.

"That was a pretty plant, and you ruined it. You owe me a new one." she replied, recovering, and starting to scowl right back at him.

I stepped forward, catching her around the waist and tugging her into myself. I kissed her forehead, grinning. "You look beautiful, love. Ignoring crabby pants, even if he has a point. Terrible spot." I shook my head in disbelief. A plant pot. Shot me if I ever lose all my brain cells to stoop to the level of hiding important things like house key's in something so average. Not that she was at those levels or anything, she just lives that perfect life I was always jealous off. For her, there was nothing wrong with it.

She sighed in my arms, and her whole body just slumped into me and fucken hell did I love that so much. It was like in my arm's she let go. Of all that troubled, and made her worry, she just let it fall away. And if I could give her just a second of relief, I would. She tipped her head up, resting her chin on my chest the way I liked and said, "Again, not the president's safe house, or some castle the queen is going to live in."

"It doesn't matter. Your more important than both of those people. Please, love, let me upgrade your security around here." I replied, looking down at big brown eyes. A flood of emotion's always pouring over in them, like a waterfall. It just kept flowing and drowning me in the process.

"I'll think about it." she muttered, pulling out of my embrace as Maddox shoved past us. "You should let him. Otherwise, I might come back one of those nights and pick that lock just to prove how terribly easy it is." he called out, making his way to the couch and falling down on it.

She spun around. "You wouldn't dare. I have a bat." she told him. And I closed the door behind me, taking off my shoes as they bickered.

"Oh, I'm scared now. Do you know how to use it?"

She put her hands to her hips. "I do. And no one asked you for your option."

"I asked myself."

"Then keep the answer to yours too."

"Why would I do that? My knowledge is prime."

"Only you think that."

"Come on sweetheart, you know you get all hot and bothered by my looks, add a brain to that and I'm unstoppable."

I laughed, catching her by her waist and pulling her back into my chest. I sent a pointed look to Maddox. "Quit flirting with my girl."

Lina sunk in my hold. "He wasn't flirting with me." she mumbled still eyeing him on the couch, pulling his laptop out.

I spun her around. "He was." I told her.

"I was!" Maddox called out, making me chuckle and roll my eyes. I looked back down at Lina and met her diamond smile. Just the sight of it has me gulping for air. I locked my hands behind her. "I have some news. Kirsan decided his coming too. He need's something from Madd's and I'm not sure if his staying. I'll let him to know leave when his done."

Setting her hand on my chest she smiled up at me. "Don't worry about. Their enough food for him too."

"Did you cook for a village or something?" I chuckled.