“Let me guess,” El Jefe says, “Diablo put you up to this?”
My inner voice starts spiraling. Snitches get stitches… this is a test… keep your mouth shut. I freeze, choosing to say nothing.
El Jefe chuckles. “Never mind, I’m ninety-nine percent sure he did. Is there something we can help you with?”
“Um… I’m not in trouble?”
“No, Beth, you’re not in trouble,” El Jefe says, “now come on, how come you’re here?”
I sigh. “Please will you let me use the clubhouse to throw Donovan a party with our college friends on Friday night? I know it will mean a lot to him to see his friends as well as everyone in the club on his last night here.”
“Of course you can,” El Jefe says, “and I’m sure you know this by now, but Diablo could have agreed to that too.”
“That fucking asshole!” Tipo chuckles.
“Yeah, I figured that part out when I saw your face,” I say, “I really am sorry for interrupting you. In my defense, he told me to walk straight in, but I couldn’t, so at least I knocked.” I shrug, and they both laugh.
“What do you need for the party?” Tipo asks.
“Nothing, just the space. Most of the college guys will bring their own kegs and drinks, and it’s supposed to be a nice night so we can stay in the yard and keep the garage and the bikes all locked up.”
“Sounds good to us,” Tipo nods, “if you do think of anything you need though, let us know.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it.”
I stand up to leave, but El Jefe stops me.
“Beth, do me a favor?”
“Of course,” I say.
“Feel free to rub Diablo’s face in it when you get out there, that pendejo needs to be bought down a notch.”
I’m still grinning as I make my way outside to the table where everyone’s sitting.
“What’s so funny?” Donovan asks, and I can sense everyone looking at me, of course they were in on Diablo’s joke too.
“Oh nothing, just something El Jefe said to me,” I say, making sure to flash a smile Diablo’s way, showing him that his prank didn’t work.
His angry expression is totally worth it.
Chapter 2
Diablo
ThatnightItookout my frustration a bit too much on Imogen; luckily, she likes it rough and spurred me on, but it still wasn’t fair on her. I’ve avoided the other girls for the rest of the week, angry with myself for letting Elizabeth get to me like that. So my stupid prank failed, but what did I think was going to happen, it’s not as though El Jefe would have actually done anything to her, I just wanted him to scare her a bit.
Instead, she came out laughing and smiling as though they’d been friends forever. Everyone loves her so much, even now as we’re setting up for the party, Ana is talking about her to the guys and saying all this nice stuff. I can’t take this shit anymore.
I shout in their direction, “Why the fuck can none of you see what she’s doing to my brother?”
“What?” Ana asks, looking over at me.
“You’re always going on about how great she is, but what about Donovan? It’s not fair on him; he’s young, he’s at college, he shouldn’t be tied down with someone who doesn’t give him the same attention he gives her. He should be free to date and spend time with other girls, instead he spends allof his time with her, and what’s he getting out of it. Fuck all, that’s what.”
I’m gripping the chair I’m carrying a bit too tightly, so I place it down and sit instead.
“Shit, Diablo,” Pretty Boy says, “tell us how you really feel.”
