Chapter 32
As the rest of the week went on, the more Adrian and I talked.
The day after he shared with me the truth of how he grew up I felt it was only right that I shared some of my own struggles with him.
We were at the training grounds after the rest of the class had called it a night. Adrian and I were dead set on making sure that we trained enough to win.
So, our late night training sessions quickly became part of our routine. We were taking a much needed break after being at it for hours.
Drinking water I watched him as he reviewed the stuff I taught him during the day's tutoring session from memory.
“You're grasping the material quickly,” I commented.
“Well I did say I'm not stupid,” Adrian replied, smirking, “I just haven't cared to try."
“I know,” I said, taking a sip of my water, “it's just, seeing you so focused on studying brings back memories.”
Adrian turned to face me, curious, “really?”
“Yeah, honestly, I wasn't always a study freak. I wanted to just play with my friends when I was younger.”
“What changed?” Adrian asked.
“Shortly after my dad passed and we started to struggle with bills and stuff,” I started, my thoughts drifting back to that time.
“Mom started taking on more jobs to help but I could see it was taking a lot out of her.” I fidgeted with my water bottle.
“Then a couple months after dad died, mom brought home a man.”
“He seemed nice, and I thought he was just a friend of moms. I had no idea he'd become stepdad number one.”
But then when It became clear I wasn't warming up to him, his attitude chilled.
“Ah, this is what you meant before about people looking down on you because of your gender?” Adrian asked.
I could see some sympathy hidden in his eyes, along with some genuine anger which warmed my heart a bit.
I'm glad to see that even though he hasn't been great to me before, Adrian's not someone who would discriminate against others because of who they are.
“Yeah, he said I would just end up married and popping out kids so what's the point of wasting money on school.”
“Wow,” Adrian said as the faint crack of his knuckles filled the brief silence between us. This was the first time I ever told someone about this and talking with Adrian felt good.
“After him there were others who said similar things or people who tried to stop me from doing what I wanted.”
“As I grew up I learned what he had meant and I became determined to prove him and all the others wrong, so I worked my ass off and here I am.”
I hopped up from my seat stretching. These memories and everything still bugged me, not as bad as before but reminiscing and talking about them again left me feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable.
These memories and everything still bugged me, not as bad as before but reminiscing and talking about them again left me feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable.
“Anyway, let's get back to training,” I said, quickly bouncing on my feet. Adrian quickly stands, joining me in stretching, a complicated look in his eyes.
“Thanks, for sharing that with me,” Adrian said awkwardly. I'm guessing this is the first time he's ever had this kind of conversation with someone.
“No problem,” I said, trying to shrug it off, “now let's focus on me kicking your ass some more.”
Adrian laughs, “yeah you can try.”
“Screw try,” I said smirking, acting cocky as we get ready, “I'll succeed.”
After that our days were filled with nothing but exhausting training and mind numbing study sessions.
But we were having fun. Adrian and I had just finished another round of strength training and went through the obstacle course again.
I fall back on to the ground to calm my breath as Adrian hands me water. This has quickly become our routine, even if there are other people around us sick together.
Usually we go over problem sets or questions Adrian has about your latest topic of study. But today we happened to stop Draven as we were spared and it prompted Adrian to open up a bit.
“When we were younger I used to chase after Draven any chance I could,” Adrian said, pulling me from my thoughts, “I remember running through the garden after my first shift with him.”
“I was bursting with power and I managed to tackle him, he was so surprised he made this funny high pitched noise that had me laughing so hard.”
I watched Adrian as he talked and I couldn’t help but notice how light and at ease his expression was when he talked about his past with Draven.
Now I might not know much about siblings and everything being I’ve only recently got some but I can tell that even though Adrian is always so antagonistic with Draven, he loves him.
It breaks my heart to see that because of their father, Adrian has suppressed his emotions so much that it’s done so much damage to the brothers' relationship.
I really hope that with time they’ll be able to heal.
Draven’s POV
I watched from across the training grounds as Adrian and Katie talked. Occasionally laughing and shoving each other, they seemed really close.
I hated it. It put me on edge and unsettled me.
How could Adrian be getting so close to Katie and yet his own relationship with her is souring with every interaction.
I don’t get it. Katie knows that every time Adiran’s messed with her before it was just to use her to piss me off.
How could she just forget that and be all buddy buddy with him now?
My feelings for her just kept growing and Landon's constant insistence to claim her as his mate kept pushing against my restraint.
The sound of Katie's laugh echoed across the grounds.
It was clear and vibrate and like a stable to his heart because it wasn't because of him.
“Damn it Adrian,” I growl out under my breath, clenching my fists.
“You're to blame for us being in this situation,” Landon growled out pissed off.
“Shut up,” I said, gritting my teeth as I watched Adrian pat Katie on the shoulder before he headed off toward the changing rooms.
I quickly slipped away after him, finding him walking out of the bathroom.
Before I could think rationally I pounced shoving Adrian into a nearby locker.
Adrian seemed momentarily surprised by the sudden attack before his signature smirk slipped on his face.
“Took you long enough,” Adrian said, amused and annoyed.
“Stay away from Katie,” I growled out.
“Not happening,” Adrian replied.
The small part of my rational snapped and I swung my fist at Adrian's face.
We traded blows for a good five minutes before someone knocked on the changing rooms door.
Thankfully I had thought to lock it after I came in.
Pulling back I glared at Adrian, wiping the blood from my mouth and leaving.
Over the next two days, the number of times Adrian and I fought increased until Katie stumbled upon us after class.
“What the hell is going on here?”
