Game Recognize Game

38. Getting it Right

    I nodded but my thoughts rushed to Jyrell. I haven't seen or spoken to him since I killed James. It didn't surprise me much because i would forever be the man who killed his brother. I didn't expect him to forgive me, or to work with the St. Nickolas crew ever again. It was sad, the loss of a good friend, but I also put myself in his shoes. It would've taken some time for me to forgive him, but i know all snakes have to be beheaded. However, we were raised differently. I was raised to kill whomever if they put the family or business at hazard. He was raised in a family that probably never thought about murdering someone in cold blood.

    I cleared my throat and place myself back in the present, with Ebony. She was starring off at the lake as she walked beside me with her empty ice cream container. I softly took it from her and steered of the trail for a minute to a trash bin before returning to her side. 

   "Thank you," she smiled.

     "You're welcome," I responded making her mouth fall open. 

     "What," I chuckled, knowing exactly where this was going. 

     "Just the first time you've said those words to me," she grinned. I waved her off though, knowing that if  i hadn't said the words i'd made the gesture. "So, how did we meet," I finally just came out and asked. Ebony's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "When I robbed Pooch... you know," she said pausing as though saying his name would make me break down. 

     "I know when you robbed Poochie, i guess what i'm asking is why did you rob him? I know you never told me the real reason," I explained. Ebony pursed her lips in thought and sighed for what seemed like forever before finally answering. 

       "Kollins would make me or his girlfriend set up flashy guys so he could live lavishly with Melanie. Poochie wasn't the first guy i've been forced to set up. I couldn't exactly tell Kollins no to anything. By the way, sorry about that whole mix-up. Because i did that, you and Poochie had less good times before... you know. I feel really bad about that," Ebony finally gave me the truth.

     "Nah me and Poochie never saw eye to eye," I chuckled. "He was the party animal, and i was the workaholic. We were total opposites and were always fighting but we knew that family was above all. We knew...," I trailed off in hope. He knew right? My fingers warmed as Ebony placed her hand around mine. I didn't look down but i gripped her hand tightly in response. 

        "You've been acting different lately," Ebony spoke with confusion. 

          "Yeah, i know," I shrugged. It was quiet for a while after that as we just walked and held hands. We were probably both fixated on unspoken words . Ebony withdrew me from my thoughts when she pointed to a bench that was in straight view of the pier and the water. "You mind, I'm getting a little tired. I've been weighed down lately," she joked. 

              I chuckled as I walked her over to the bench and helped her take a seat. Ebony had about a month and some days left before she was due. I couldn't wait to see my son, and I've been thinking about giving him the name Nickolas lately. I wasn't sure I wanted my son to have to live with more than his undeserved share of the Rivorie name. I grinned at the thought of my dad throwing a tantrum. 

         "What," Ebony asked leaning back into the bench and getting comfortable. 

          "Just thinking about names for the baby," I said taking a seat next to her. 

           "I thought we decided on Nickolas," Ebony asked?

            I shook my head. "I know but I don't think i want to give this curse to my son," I  said honestly. When I turned to see Ebony's reaction she had a small smile on her face and was running her hands over her stomach. "You okay with that," I asked? she quickly nodded and looked up at me.