Ricky walked back towards the building feeling satisfied that he was about to catch up with Josie. He quickly searched the hours for one of the restaurants he wanted to take her to. It was a little late but there were a few spots that stayed open until 3 am. He walked back to the front of the venue to see a brawl. He ran up to see Kasey, Cortez, and Dreux arguing with some guys. "Yo, the fuck is going on"? Ricky yelled. "Wassup nigga" Kasey pulled up his pants. Yasmine ran outside along with the security guards trying to break it up. "Y'all already know what the fuck is going on ...this our city"
"Nigga, you met your worst fucking enemy. I promise you that" Dreux laughed being held back. Ricky was furious so furious that he was calm. He turned towards Yasmine "Go back inside Yas" he told her. She rolled her eyes going inside.
"This is our territory"
"That's how y'all wanna get down?? Cortez asked him. The security guard split them up. "Yeah, this the snow patrol," he said putting up a gang sign.
Rudy came out confused "Fuck is going on," he said. "These little niggas from inside the club gon bump into me like I was a bitch or something and I wasn't having that" Kasey said. "One thing led to another" Dreux said. They walked back into the club Ricky glanced at Renzo taking care of his business along with Jaxon. He didn't feel like them asking him what was going on. They went to the basement of the club shutting the door. "Those niggas are out of line" Ricky yelled.
"We really gotta come out retirement? Kasey asked. Ricky looked at the time it was one of those situations they couldn't let linger around. "Nah, this situation is small it, no need for all of us to be involved, it's pissing me off. I thought I handled the shit" Cortez said
"I'll handle it," Dreux said. Ricky sucked his teeth "Fuck no, you got family and a baby on the way" Ricky said. "Possibly but shit you always handle the shit. I'm your big brother. I ain't never scared to pull up when needed and you know that" Dreux said. Ricky started thinking hard this shit was personal to him. Zero came into his establishment trying to intimidate him and it was killing him. Ricky has been letting the little shit slide but this has been going on too long so now he needs to know who Zero works for. "This shit is personal for me" Ricky clinched his jaw. What's next for him to pull up while he's with Kyle? He couldn't take any chances of him being set up. He had to get to the bottom of this.
Josie
I plopped on the bed looking at the ceiling fighting my sleep. Its been about 20 minutes since I've been in my house. It's going on 12. I stared at my phone waiting for him to text me that he was outside until then I'll just call Erica and tell her about my night. I called her hoping she would answer to distract me from my nerves.
"Hey boo" she answered
"Hey" I smiled. "How'd tonight go? She asked. "It went well, started off a little rocky I wasn't on the list and he had some asshole Security guard" I rolled my eyes
"He has dreads? She asked. "Yes," I said
"Girl that's Tre, poor thing can't make the police academy, of course, he takes this job seriously," she said. "I laughed "Wow no wonder," I said kicking my shoes off. "So what really happened cuz you sound happier," she said. "Girl don't do that but he was there with another woman-
"Of course ..you ain't never gon not see Ricky with a bitch" she laughed. Josie laughed along with her. "Right at first I thought he was trying to make me jealous cus he did invite me first. We had a little miscommunication, I left and he followed me outside and we had some words. Well I had words for him, I thought I was giving him my all with the attitude but he wasn't phased at all" I explained
"Don't you just hate that, the reason I'm pregnant now, always unphased by my bratty ways, but always knows what to say" she said
"Uhh it felt like Deja Vu but it just felt different. I just knew he was gonna cuss me out not that I wanted it but he didn't. He just took accountability and just validated all of my feelings" I said
"Its called growth," Erica said. "Yeah he picked me up and kissed my forehead," I said.
"Oooooo y'all getting back together," she said excitedly. "Girl slow ya roll," I said. "You know a nigga diggin you when he picks you up," she said
"I mean, I blushed but that doesn't mean anything. He's supposed to be taking me out for dinner but its been about 40 minutes since I've seen him. He said he would meet me here" I said
"Girl, it's about to be 2 am.. you think he really just wanted to chat with you? She asked. "Bitch ain't nobody giving up ass and you know it," I said. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean he's not gonna try," she said
I checked my phone still no text or call. I yawned "He wanted to catch up," I said. "He couldn't wait until tomorrow? She laughed. "You're right, I wasn't even thinking about the time," I said. "Cuz you were in la la land with your baby daddy," she said. "Girl relax-
"You said he was with a female? What happened to her? I then started to think if he was with another woman. Did he ditch me to finish hanging with her? Maybe he took her home.
"Maybe he took her home," I said looking around. "Hmm, and you haven't heard from him yet? She asked. "No," I said. Erica made a weird noise. "You don't think he wanted to get a little quic-
Ricky
Ricky walked inside of Zero's apartment complex. He had Rudy in the car waiting for him while Dreux was a few feet behind for back up while Cortez handled some other business. Ricky laughed "How the fuck you run New York living like this," he said. He walked in front of his door, he took his pocket knife out flipping it. He learned this trick from Grant. He slightly wiggled the blade into the lock. He suddenly heard moaning. He smiled that was the best time to catch someone off guard. The door opened he slightly cracked it peeking inside. He turned around to see Dreux watching the hallway. Ricky nodded letting him know he was about to go in. Ricky slid through the door lightly closing it. He took his gun from out his back pocket. The noises got louder all he could hear was the bed squeaking. "Uhh fuck girl, tell daddy you like it" he heard. The noise increased as he got closer.
Ricky rolled his eyes he loaded the gun pulling back. "How many times are you going to disrespect me? Ricky asked. They both jumped the naked woman screamed falling off the bed. Zero turned around shook "Shit," he said pulling the covers over him. "Yeah cover your fat ass up, I don't even know why your name is Zero," he said. "Please please stop" she begged. Zero tried to grab his gun. "You gotta move faster than that ...... Zero" Ricky walked closer pulling the trigger.
"What gave you the right to come to my establishment like you run shit? Huh? That was bold of you" Ricky clinched his jaw pointing his gun. "Zero sucked his teeth "Man if you gon kill me just do it" he said
The lady began crying "I will call the police I swear" she wept. Ricky looked over at her annoyed "Bitch, shut the fuck up" he pointed the gun at her. "Matter of fact, take yo ass in the closet since you so fucking shook," he told her. She did as she was told opening the closet door. "And don't make another fucking sound," he said. She placed her hand on her mouth walking in the closet and shutting it. Ricky chuckled a bit "First you try to run up on me the first time trying to talk a bunch of shit, then you come to my event, my shit... the shit I worked hard for; so it's either you didn't educate yourself on me and my mine or you work for Grant. Which one is it? Ricky pressed the gun against his forehead. Zero was flinching sweating bullets. "I ain't going out sad, so do what you gotta do," Zero said. Ricky chuckled he already knew the answer but he wasn't going anywhere until he said it out his mouth. He sighed "Okay since you wanna be Scarface so bad I tell you what. You give me the information I need to know and you stay out my way or your girlfriend dies along with your family" Ricky said. He turned around grabbing what looked like a picture of his son. "Cute kid," Ricky said. Ricky had no intentions on doing any of this, he just needed answers. "Too young to take a ride in a hearse," Ricky said. Zero began to crack "No, please man, look I can't say" he pleaded. "Who the fuck do you work for? Ricky yelled. "Please" he shook his head. Ricky sighed hitting him with the gun. Zero hunched over growling in pain. "Grant" he yelled. Ricky shook his head "That motherfucka.. still causing trouble" he said.
"He hired me to watch you and cause trouble. He said if I didn't do it, he'd harm my family man" he said.
"Wow so you really ain't bout it" Ricky frowned
"Fuck you" he yelled. Ricky pressed the gun harder against his skin. "How did he find you? I asked. He shook his head not wanting to give up the information. "My time is valuable Zander," he said exposing his real name. "His name is Muhammad Frank, he approached me with a money offer to watch you and cause trouble. He was cellmates with Grant. Grant paid him, then he hired me to help set you up" he explained thoroughly
"How the fuck do I know if you're lying? I asked. "He owns a restaurant on 34th street," he said.
"Bet, so you'll help me set him up," I said.
"No nigga, I did my part. I still run this shit don't act like you wouldn't do the same shit if you were in this predicament. The only difference between is you haven't been caught slippin" he yelled wiping his mouth.
"You're not in the predicament to tell me what you won't do... I don't take the commands. I rather die before I take commands from another nigga and I ain't never caught slippin believe that, that's the difference between me and you" I said.
He wept in pain trying to get up. "Stay your punk ass down, you really pissed me off. Got me coming out of character and shit. You think I want to be doing this weak ass tiring shit right here. I can be sleep nigga" he said looking on his dresser. He saw a box of Newport's grabbing a cigarette. He grabbed his lighter lighting it. He hasn't smoked a cigarette in ages but since Zero wanted to act like he ran shit and drank up all his liquor. that's exactly what Ricky was about to do. Smoke his shit. Ricky took a puff looking at Zero helpless. "Yeah, well see," he said
"You look like a prepubescent middle schooler yo, let me hurry up before your little army comes in here with their toy guns" 'he chuckled exhaling
"Imma handle Grant, then Muhammed and I'm gonna make sure you and your raggedy ass family won't get harmed. You're going to stay in your lane as I warned you before, along with your little niggas. Actually, I'm going to handle your little cheerleaders one by one. If I catch you 10 ft in front of my shit, you better start picking the color of T-shirt" Ricky said. Zero was still curled in a ball on the bed. He really didn't want to kill this girl just for being a witness so he had other plans. He opened the door and she jumped. "Please please... don't hurt me-
"I wont tell-
"Tell what? What happened? He asked gazing in her soul. The woman was petrified scared for her life and confused
"You didn't see or hear anything okay," he said looking at her. She nodded her head "If you snitch, I'll make your life a living hell" I smiled closing the door back. "Oh, he turned back around pointed the gun at him. "Who do you work for? I asked. The street niggas always work for somebody even when they claim they run shit niggas be whole supervisors out in this bitch. "Now I gotta chop it up with his boss, so this situation can really die down. "Lucifer," he said. The name sounded familiar, Ricky left swiftly out of his apartment. He was about to have a field day with about 10 niggas, but this time he wasn't doing it alone again. He opened the door feeling something at the edge of his foot. "The fuck? He looked down at a guy knocked out on the ground. "I had to do what I had to do," Dreux said. We both laughed stepping over him.
Josie
I angrily took my dress off throwing it in the hamper. It's been two hours and hasn't called or texted me. If he was really out there fucking, then he's still the same asshole he always was. I'm hungry and tired and could've been sleeping but this nigga had me up like some pressed teenager on a school night. I took of my bra and panties placing on a t-shirt. I then grabbed my makeup wipes wiping my face off. I thoroughly washed my face, I then wiped it with a towel looking in the mirror. "Still inconsiderate" I rolled my eyes turning off the light. I hopped in the bed turning off my lamp.
Ricky
Ricky and Dreux went to the car "Imagine trying to bust a nut but then getting a gun pointed on you" he said. Ricky laughed getting in the car he took off his leather gloves. "Man I don't ever want to experience that," Ricky said. "Where we headed next? Rudy asked. "Some nigga named Lucifer. I just want to see who he is and what he does" Ricky said. "So is he working for Grant's bitch ass or what? Dreux asked. "No, but some nigga named Muhammed is trying to set me up," Ricky said
"You serious? Rudy asked. "Serious man, this shit is crazy. It just never ends" Ricky said frustrated. "On the real, I think we should head back to Miami and see what Cortez is up to" Dreux mentioned. "Yo, I was thinking the same thing but I didn't even want to question him" Ricky shook his head. "Hell yeah, I mean we all trying to stay out the way but it just seems like he didn't try his hardest to dead this situation. Then he said his boys had a dispute with Zero niggas something is off" he said
"Every now and again someone's loyalty is gonna get tested it's just how the game goes," Rudy said. "I gotta see what's good with that Muhammad dude? Asap" Ricky said
"Wait, weren't you supposed to hang out with Josie? Dreux asked. Ricky's eyes widened "Oh shit" he said looking at the time it was 3 am. He got distracted that fight at the club changed everything in a matter of minutes. "Hell yeah, it was too late anyway. I'll hit her in the morning and take her out tomorrow" he said.
The Next Day
Throw them hands up Ricky said in the mirror. He and Kyle were in the mirror while Ricky was playfully teaching him some moves. Kyle laughed "Come on, you gotta hit him harder than that" Ricky laughed. "Always go for the nose," he said. "You wanna take karate classes? I asked him. "Yeah," he said. Grant made Dreux and Ricky take karate in high school but they never got their black belt once shit got real. Ricky's phone vibrated he snatched it from his charger hoping it would be Josie. He called and texted her early this morning around 7 am apologizing, its now 12 pm. He sighed "Can I reschedule the movies? I asked him. I was going to take him to see Wonder park.
"No" he answered. I laughed a little, Dreux interrupted us walking in eating a bowl of cereal. "I wish your ass could cook, door dash us some food damn," he said eating a bowl of cookie crisps. "You can't eat my cookie crisps" Kyle said getting up. Dreux laughed "Oh, you wanna fight? You paid for these huh? He laughed. Kyle tried to kick him "Uhh" Dreux playful plopped on Kyle's bed. "Finish him" Ricky laughed.
Kasey rubbed his eyes walking in the room. After they swung by Zero's place they went back played 2k ate and fell asleep. "One of y'all negros gotta take me to the airport wifey is calling me back," he said stretching. Ricky booked reservations for Morton's steak house at 8 pm tonight but since Josie wasn't answering he was going to stop by her shop. He looked on google to see that it was open from 12-4.
Josie
I angrily read an email from one of Morgan's dance teachers concerned about the number of days she's been missing. Morgan came home crying Friday because she may not be able to go on this field trip. Her grades are fine and I gave all of her teachers a doctor's letter explaining her illness. So something wasn't adding up. I already told my father and he said he would go up there Monday but he can barely move. The cancer comes in waves one minute he's fine the next minute he isn't. Deep down everything seemed to be crashing.
*knock knock*
I looked up to see pregnant Erica with a mocha frappe in her hand. "Hey hey hey," she said. "Hey friend, thank you" she said taking it. "Thought I cheer you up" she said. Josie chuckled "Girl it's not that big of a deal he texted me this morning trying to reschedule," She said taking a sip. Erica sat back rubbing her belly "Just two more months lawd... but did you reply? She asked. "I'll get to it" she said.
"Josie don't do tit for tat," she said. "He needs to communicate better, I'm not dealing with that inconsiderate shit. I could've been sleeping" She said.
"What did it say? She asked
"Good morning sweetheart, I'm sorry about last night. So much shit went down in a matter of minutes after. I'll make it up to you can we reschedule?"
"That sounds genuine," she said. "Josie, your client is here," Nicole said. Josie rolled her eyes getting up. "It's the principle, a simple text would've been sufficient," She said. Erica followed behind me. "Hi, good afternoon" Josie smiled greeting her client. "Shannon" she smiled
"Yes," Shannon grinned excitedly. "Well Shannon here is our collection feel free to look around, there's also refreshments over there," I said. "Oooo this is gorgeous" she pulled the first dress that she saw. "This is Autumn... one of my faves" I said. "I love it; I love the patterns. I want to try this on now" she said excitedly. "Sure you don't want to finish looking, you can try on more than one" I giggled.
"No, I'm hooked," she said. "Okay sure-
I heard the door swing open "Good afternoon, welcome guys" Nicole said greeting them. I glimpsed to see Ricky and his little brother walk in. "I'll assist her," Nicole smirked. I was a tad bit irritated I didn't need the pop-up. "Hi, what are you doing here? I asked putting my hands in my back pocket. "I thought me and Kyle pay a visit" he looked down at Kyle. "Hi Josie" he waved. Aww, he was so adorable and I liked how he's trying to bate me with his cute little brother. "Hi Kyle" I smiled back at him. "I'm working Ricky," I said.
"I wanted to talk really quick," he said. "Josie, I have your schedule," My assistant said coming over. "One second" I turned around. Ricky peeked at her ass in her skirt. He slightly bit his lip. "Erica how you
doing? He went over towards her. He figured he wait around since she was occupied. "So your meeting and photo shoot with Sam is tonight from 6-12. Tomorrow you have a panel at FIT institute at 5pm-6, Monday judge panel at FIT 2pm-3, Tuesday Auditions 12-2, 3 doctor's appointment, 5 pm Morgan's doctor appointment. Wednesday premiere red carpet for Project Runway season 27
"Wow, I'm booked. Can you send it to me? I asked. "Of course," she said walking off. "Thanks, Renee" I smiled. I then walked to check on my customer. "Hey love, how's it going? I asked. "I love it, but I know there's so many more choices," she said.
"This is beautiful and the cream color compliments your skin color," I said. "Can I hold this and continue looking? She asked. "Of course" I said. Even though I literally just told her that the first time. My apple watch lit up with a message from Erica.
Erica: I know what you're doing... be nice
I rolled my eyes I wasn't doing anything but I couldn't stop just because Ricky walks in,since when has she wanted me to be a little pushover. Let me at least hear what he has to say so I can continue working. "Ricky, can you help me with something? I asked him walking back to the front. He was in the middle of laughing taking to Nicole with his friendly ass. He got up following me. I turned around walking near the warehouse area. "I must say you wearing that skirt," he said. I rolled my eyes "Yeah yeah yeah nigga"
"Wow, these are all of the dresses you created? He asked stunned. "Yeah all 500" of them," I said turning around. "Are you ever going to find or vendor or look into a factory? He asked.
I sighed "I'm looking into it," I said. "I don't believe you one bit, your work is fire but you're going to get burnt out fast if you don't handle this smartly," he said
"I know what I'm doing, but thank you for the tip" I said wondering why he was here.
"Right, did you get my message? He asked. "I did, haven't had a chance to reply," I said. "Oh really? He asked curling his lips. "Yes, really," I said placing my hands behind my back. "I apologize so much shit happened as soon as you left, there was no way I was going to be able to take you out," he said.
I nodded "I understand you didn't have to come here to tell me that" I chuckled. He gave me a confused look "Damn, thought I put in some effort" he said.
I rolled my eyes "Ricky you're a horrible communicator. A simple text would've been sufficient. I could've gone straight to sleep when I got home... like literally and I don't get much of that" I said. "My bad, the situation was crazy the last thing I had time for was-
"Texting me" I cut him off peeking at his hand. It looked bruised so I already knew what possibly went down reminding me that some things just don't change. "I didn't mean it like that Josie... look I made reservations tonight at 8. I'll pick you up and we can catch up" he said. I don't know why I was so annoyed by his presence. This whole situation gave me Deja vu. The last time we were supposed to link up, he never said anything and he does it again. And then him walking in here thinking dinner and wine can fix things. I'm not saying this situation is serious because it's not.. its just the principle. COMMUNICATE NIGGA! SHIT GET YOUR SAVY ASSISTANT YASMINE TO HIT A BITCH UP.
"I can't do tonight. I'm booked" I said. "Okay cool, I can make it earlier... we can go while you're on break," he said certain
"Ricky" I closed my eyes. "you didn't even ask me when I was free.....Everything has to go your way on your time and it doesn't work like that" I scoffed
Ricky
Damn, she was never going to give me break about anything. It's clear that everything I'm doing now reminds her of the past or she just has this animosity towards me that seems like will never leave. "You're right Jo, when are you available this week? I asked.
"I'm booked this week, so I'll have to let you know," she said proudly. I chuckled a little "You serious? Or you're trying to teach me a lesson" I said. "That's too much energy," she said. "Right... you're so hard up," I said
"You're one to talk," she said. I nodded my head "Anything else dear? I asked.
"Yeah, you think just because your Ricky the don everything stops," she said. I raised my brow rubbing my chin. "I'm flattered by the title," I said. It takes a minute to get that title.
She rolled her eyes "I'm being serious right now. You didn't have the decency to let me know anything. It only takes two seconds to shoot a text ...but now I have to stop what I'm doing to go out with you. I gotta stop working because you popped up unannounced.... I'll let you know when I'm free" she crossed her arms. She was right, it was rude. Sometimes unexpected shit happens and I don't have time to communicate. I wish she would just take it like that instead of me not caring.
"I hear you, but why are you taking it so hard? You know I care about your time, shit just happened" I said
She sighed "I'm not taking it hard, it's just the principle... you out of all people should know about that," she said. I chuckled "Ight, let me know wassup" I turned around leaving her there. I'll let her cool down. it's so many times I can apologize about things and if she still wants to see me as a bad person that's on her. I walked near the front
"Kyle are you ready? I asked. I saw his ear against Erica's belly. She smiled "Yess it's a girl" she answered him. "Kyle come on" I said. "Everything good? Erica said. I grabbed his hand. "It will be, take it easy," I told her leaving out
Josie
I rolled my eyes watching him leave out. I turned around with everyone looking at me. This is why I should've kept my distance with him. Now I look like a little insecure bitch that can't let shit go. That's not the case, he just does little things that irritate me. Even when I used to work for him he just would always pop up on some boss shit, okay he is a boss but don't walk up in my shit making orders and adjusting my time. "Um, what happened? Erica asked
"Nothing really, I couldn't go to dinner tonight because he told me the day of, and he always poppin up on me like he runs shit. Excuse my language... this is my business, not Lemonade got dammit" I said. Erica burst out laughing "Sis said, this my house" she laughed. "I'm getting ex vibes from him" Nicole smirked. "Girl-
Ricky
I helped Kyle in his seat putting his seatbelt on. "Ricky where do babies come from? Kyle asked. "Not right now Kyle," Ricky said. His phone began to vibrate on his back pocket. "A stork brings them to your doorstep," he said before answering the phone. He wanted Kyle to have an imagination and childhood for as long as he could.
Josie
"That's exactly what's going on she wants to play hard to get to reclaim her power that's all" Erica said. "Oh please, it ain't that deep," I said. "Girl stop playing him like he won't snatch you up one day, you know he crazy," she said. She was right about that he probably let so much slide with me already. I'll call him later and fit him in my schedule" I said. My phone vibrated I looked at the screen to see a call from Morgan
"Hey boo-
All I could hear was her crying. "Morgan, what's wrong? I panicked. "Josie I'm in pain... I need to go to the hospital ahhh" she cried. Jace cried in the background
"Okay okay I'm coming," I said. "Shit," I said. "Everything okay? Erica asked. "No, Morgan is in pain uhh I gotta go," I said running to my office to get my purse. "I'll be back," I said. "You want me to go with you? She asked. "No, I'm okay I'll update you," I said running out. I unlocked my car door being startled by no other than Ricky himself. Nigga what? He rolled down his window "You good? He asked
"Yes, I'm fine," I said. "What's wrong?? He asked. "Nothing Ricky, I gotta go-
"Don't make me follow you, cuz I will" he said. "I gotta take Morgan to the hospital, I'll update you" I stormed off before he could say anything else. I got inside my car pulling off.
Later that evening
I sat in the waiting area with my father talking about Morgan's teacher. I looked over my father dying right in front of my eyes. We thought the cancer was under control but it's only getting worse. It breaks my heart to watch how hard my father is trying to show up despite his sickness. "I'm gonna go up there, who the hell does she think she is telling my baby she can't go on a field trip" he coughed.
"Wait til I see her" I rolled my eyes. That narrow winch thinks she has control just like that. I got up "Let's see if she's back from getting her x-ray," I said. It was a usual day of running tests, and not letting her eat until they figure out what's going on but Morgan was a trooper. I went back in her room to see her watching TV. "Hi boo, how you feeling? I asked. She sighed "Sleepy," she said. "I know; you want another icey? I asked. "Not right now," she said. I frowned sitting down beside her. I glanced at my watch seeing that it was 6 pm. I'll probably have to cancel a few things I have lined up this week. "Don't worry she's gonna be fine, the only way to do it is through it" he said holding my hand. I wanted to cry my father is dying in front of me and my sister is going though so much for her age. My phone began ringing I looked down to see a call from Ricky. I rolled my eyes watching it ring. "You're not going to answer? My father asked. "No, I just don't feel like it" I said.
"Did he upset you again? He asked. "Cuz I'll kick his ass," he said. I chuckled "Yes and no, he's just a bad communicator" I yawned placing my phone in my back pocket. Not even a minute later he walks in Morgan's eyes lit up. My dad and I stared at him. "Hey," I said. He ignored me tending straight to Morgan. "I heard you got sick again" he hugged her. "Yeah" she smiled hugging him back. "Yeah" he mocked her. He walked over to my father, my father stood up as they shook hands. "Good to see you again," he told him.
"Likewise, how you holding up? Ricky asked him. Holding up? He's barely holding on. "Taking it one day at a time," he said. "Josie," he said. "Thanks for coming" I half smiled. "I told you I was," he said. "Ricky, can I talk to you for a minute? My dad asked him. "Yeah," Ricky said. I raised my brow wondering what they could possibly talk about. "Josie" Morgan called. "Yes, honey," I said tending to her
Ricky
I walked with him to the vending machine area. We sat down at the small lounge area. I could see how sick he was truly getting. I remember when Josie told me years ago when he first was diagnosed with cancer. I thought things were getting better from the looks of it, it's not. "Wassup man," I said. "Promise me that you'll take care of my daughters," he said. Caught off guard he looked as if he was about to cry. "The cancer is getting worse; Josie doesn't know this but I only have a few more months to live. She's so busy now going super hard picking up my slack" he sighed.
"That can't be the only option. I know there's other doctors out there that can help. Whatever you need done. I can pay for it" I said. He shook his head "They've done everything they can do... and money can't fix everything" he sighed
"It's like I abandoned them, I came back and I tried to fix things but it was just too late and now I'm about to die. Josie's mom is somewhere I put so much tragedy on her and Morgan" he said saddened
"Don't beat yourself up about it, we're human and we make mistakes. I'm not proud of numerous things that I've done" I said trying to make him feel better.
He wiped his eyes "Please take care of her, she's on a work high half of the time she isn't really here. When I pass on its gonna hit her like a ton of bricks and I need you to be by her side. I need you step in that role for Morgan and Jace-
"I'm gonna always be there for her, I'm gonna always be there for them but I'm not trying to overstep," I said. I helped out a lot in the past but I know now with the money that Josie is making its going straight to her head and she won't let me.
"Well what did you expect? He asked. "I didn't expect anything; I don't think its gonna reach that point-
"Just promise me you'll be proactive and aggressive about it. If she fights you off then come harder. Despite your life choices, I always knew you were a good guy. I know my daughter has strong feelings for you" he said. I nodded my head
"Please Ricky they need you," he said. I could see the desperation in his eyes
"I got you" I said. I'm not sure what the future holds for Josie and I seeing as though we both have a lot going on but I'll always look out for her and her family. "Thank you" he got up. We dapped each other up "No problem man, stay up anything can happen" I told him.
2 hours later
It was dead silent Josie barely said a word she just watched her sister sleep. I looked at the time and it was now 10 pm. I was starving and I knew she probably was too. "She's going to be okay Jo" I looked over at her. "I don't understand, it just isn't fair if I could trade bodies with her, I would," she said. "I would too... let's get some air," I said getting up. "No, I'm fine... I don't want her to wake up and I'm not there" she said.
"And if she wakes up, she'll text you... come on," I said. She got up following me to the door.
We were in the food court eating from the last cafe that was open not that she had some food she was less cranky. "Someone needed a snickers," I said. She laughed "What are you trying to say? She asked. "You know exactly what I'm saying," I said eating a fry. "You a feisty thing," I said. "Aww, you can't handle it like you thought. Who knew" she said sipping her drink.
"I think you got a little amnesia baby," I said. She sighed "Moving on," she said.
"Exactly don't dig yourself in a deeper hole," I said. She didn't say anything she continued to eat "Tough girl" I said.
"So you said you had some explaining to do," she said wiping her mouth. "I want to know everything," she said.
"Where do I start? I said. "What happened to the club? And where's Grant? She asked.
"I'm not talking about that in public and you know that but he got locked up and we closed the club. It was time to start over" I said.
"Yeah I get it" she said. "Do you really? I asked. "Yeah, why'd you ask? She furrowed her brows. "You just had a tantrum because some shit went down" I chuckled. "It wasn't a tantrum ... it just took me back that's all. I just need better communication" She said.
"I never went after you in New York was because I knew you deserved better. Literally, after you left... I got myself into a deep depression. Seeing shit, losing partners and homies. It was taking its toll on me. Literally the night you left... I um had a gun pointed to my head" I paused this was so hard to talk about. The only other person that knows about me trying to commit suicide is my ex, Lauren. Josie gasped "Oh my GOD" she covered her mouth
"I'm good now... but I didn't want to live at that time, you know. I didn't feel worthy of it then I got a call saying that I had a little brother at an orphanage-
Josie's eyes widened she began teary-eyed at him explaining what happened.
"Had to be GOD, I dropped that gun and sobered up so quickly. I couldn't allow Kyle to feel what Dreux and I felt growing up. I refused for him to be thrown in foster care and abused. I didn't want him to grow up and resent us, so I got him. I'm his legal guardian now and I've been taking care of him since" I explained
"Wow, Ricky I'm speechless," she said
"Why didn't Winter tell y'all? She asked. I shook my head "You know looking back at the kind of guy I was. I would've shamed her so bad.. the whole family would've. I can't even blame her for not telling anybody. It just makes me feel some way because she went through it all alone. She died by herself... I can't believe they had an affair going on" I said. "I would hate for a young girl to go through that all alone," I said. The whole situation still makes me sick to my stomach this day.
"Ricky I think you would've made sure that she was alright had you known," she said
"You think so? I asked
"Yeah, I do" she smiled. "Wow, I didn't know all of this happened. I just thought you were through with me" she said.
"No, it was never about you. It was me, it's always been about me, Josie. So much shit was going on when you lived with me. I was fighting the fucking world and I took it out on you badly and I'm sorry. I put you in so much of my mess. You had to get the fuck away from me" I said. She was quiet just taking in all of the information I was telling her. "Then I got fat as shit, got in a relationship a healthy one for the first time in history," I said
"Really? Tell me more" she said interested. "Her name was Lauren she got me right. I got rid of my cigarettes because of her, I stopped drugs, started eating right. I went to therapy for a minute... then I had a bad mental breakdown and was in a psych ward for weeks" I said
Josie
My mouth was to the floor the whole time, this whole time I made it about me. I was bitter for a long time about it but had no idea what was going in. It saddens me that he didn't tell me any of this. I would've been there it makes me so sad that he tried to kill himself. So much was going through my head. "Why didn't you tell me? I would've been there
"Because it wasn't for you to be there" he grabbed my hand. "That would've been selfish. Honestly, it wasn't her place to be there for me either. She just was but she helped me grow so much" He explained. So why isn't he with her? Why couldn't he act right when I was around got dammit? What are his intentions with me now? What the fuck is this? I became overwhelmed and I just started crying. "I'm sorry" I covered my face. I felt so many things. I just couldn't shake that he tried to commit suicide right after I left. I was sad but yet so happy to see the kind of man he is right now. I'm overwhelmed with everything at this point. "Don't be" He said hugging me. "I can't believe you were going through all of that. It makes me so sad" I cried wiping my eyes.
"My bad... I don't think this was the right time" He said. "No, its okay I needed to know" I wiped my eyes. It was quiet for a few minutes at the table. "Wow Ricky you really changed a lot," I said
"I had too," he said. "So did you," he said. "I had too" I sighed. He sighed "You know its crazy, were right back at square one. I remember that time you were at my crib with Morgan and she passed out and wouldn't wake up-
"Oh God, don't remind me," I said. He shook his head "I was so scared for her, I was nervous... I just wanted her to be okay" he said. I just looked over at him it was almost as if we were in the same spot. Here we are years later nervous wrecks about Morgan again. I was overwhelmed and pleased that he expressed himself fully to me; that's something I always wanted and I got it. It was new and I liked it! I liked it a lot!!
Had to start off with Lemonade 1 vibes lol in case these fools forgot. Period!
All imma say is don't get comfortable!
Grant, what's good?
Erica when you having that baby sis?
Thoughts on Josie's attitude vs Ricky's?
I kinda feel like no one get's on Wattpad anymore, its been ghost city. That scares me a little bit idk
Anyways the next chapter will be up later