Chapter 43
CHAPTER 43
F rom the Shadows
Jareil
A month later …
“Why are you doing this? What do you want?” I ask, trying to figure out what’s going on.
I was jumped on my way into my home after I left the arena tonight. I stepped out of the car and a bag was thrown over my head, then I was thrown into another vehicle. I don’t know where I’ve been taken.
I have a little girl on the way and Kayleen and I have been talking about getting married after she divorces Cam. This can’t be happening. I’ve been waiting so long for my life to be everything I want.
The cars, the money, they can take all of that. It all can be replaced, but my life with my little girl and future wife … those things are irreplaceable.
“Please. Tell me what you want. Is it money? Tell me how much, it’s yours.”
The air has become cool wherever they have taken me. I can feel it ripping through my T-shirt and biting into my skin. I don’t dare to think of where we are. I’m trying to stay focused on getting back home to my girls.
I was in such shock when Kayleen told me she is having my baby. It hurt to see her pregnant and to think she had moved on and forgotten about me—but then she said it was mine. I wish I would have known what she thought happened.
Between graduation and getting ready to be drafted to play basketball, I hadn’t had the time to track her down and find out what was really going on. Then came the news that she and Cam had gotten married. I was devastated.
Suddenly, the fabric covering my head is ripped off. I find myself standing on the edge of a rooftop. I go to step back, but someone tugs at me to keep me where I am.
I turn my head as my eyes begin to focus. Staring back at me is a guy with cold brown eyes. He almost looks like a demon.
He stares at me and I duck back. My hands are tied so I can’t defend myself and if I move too much, I’m going over the edge. I don’t know what this bastard wants, but he’s got my back up against the wall.
“You have been fucking the little white girl, haven’t you?”
“What?” I ask in confusion.
I haven’t been fucking anyone. Kay and I plan to wait until after her divorce. Before she was married, I didn’t have a problem with what we were doing.
Now she’s someone’s wife. I’m going to give their marriage some respect. I have no idea what this guy is talking about.
“My friend, my problem is not with you. I don’t care if you’re fucking that motherfucker’s wife. What I care about is my fiancée he’s hiding from me.
“Now start talking. You are fucking his wife because their marriage is bullshit, aren’t you?”
I knit my brows in confusion. This guy is giving off crazy vibes. My first thought it to protect Kayleen and our baby.
I don’t know what Cam has gotten into, but it has nothing to do with me or Kayleen. I need this guy to understand that and stay away from us both.
I go to make that happen, but he barks in my face instead. “When I find her, I’m going to kill her, then I’m going to come back for him and his puta wife.”
I freeze. I need to cover for Cam and Kayleen. This guy is unhinged. I can’t allow him to think I know about this woman he’s talking about.
“Bro, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“ Sí , you do. You know this Cameron Perry, baseball player with the little wife with green eyes. I plan to pluck those eyes right from her head.
“She knows he’s fucking my Maribel and she’s helping him hide her. That’s why she’s fucking you. He’s not around to see her hopping in and out of your cars, but I am.
“What kind of man fucks another man’s pregnant wife? I should push you over for that alone. No, that’s not what I will do.
“I want you to admit that you know their marriage is fake and that’s why you’ve been fucking her on the side. Why else does she live here while he’s in Atlanta?”
“All her friends and family are here. I’m a baller, I get it. He’s not even in Atlanta most of the time.
“He travels for away games. She’s left home alone. She’s pregnant, her support system is here.
“Bro, I’m not fucking her. We all went to high school together. We’re friends, I’m looking out for her while he’s away.”
He cracks me upside the head with the butt of his gun. I drop to my knees, thankfully away from the edge, but not far.
This guy begins to talk to himself. Blood is gushing from the wound on the side of my head. I have to think fast to get out of this alive.
I need to warn Cam and get Kayleen away to safety. As I think his words over, he might be onto something. Kay said she needed to stay with Cam for a year before they could divorce. I found it odd at the time, but I didn’t push for more.
Whatever the case may be, this has to end here. I can’t allow him to hurt my woman or my child. Glancing to the side, I note two other guys are by a van. It seems we’re on a rooftop garage.
The other two aren’t focused on us so I begin to work my restraints off as he argues with himself in Spanish. I manage to get a hand free right as he turns back for me. It’s now or never, I have to act now.
I get to my feet and rush him. I knock the gun from his hand before he can aim it at me. This dude is strong and doesn’t go down as easily as I want.
I keep fighting. I get the upper hand and start fucking his ass up. I’m making it home to my family. As I hover over him, raining punches down on him, a loud bang fills the air.
In the next instant, a sharp pain runs through me. I drop to the side and roll onto my back. So much pain fills my body. I’m being kicked in the side, but I don’t have the strength to fight back.
“I’m going to kill you, you motherfucker,” he growls through his thick accent.
I open my eyes and see him standing over me with his gun aimed at me. All I can think about is how my little girl is going to grow up without me. I’m never going to get to see her little face.
My life ends here. I don’t get to win a chip, I don’t get to earn MVP. I’m going to be just another black man gunned down before his prime.
They’ll probably make it gang-related or some bullshit when I’m a biological science magna cum laude graduate who’s never seen a gun outside of a gun range until tonight.
The sound of sirens in the background gives me little hope, I’m bleeding out and this guy seems like he finishes whatever he starts. I black out before he pulls the trigger. At least my girls are safe.
Your girl is safe too, Cam. Take care of mine. It was nothing personal. I’ve just always been in love with Kay.
Kayleen
“That feels so nice, thanks,” I moan as Cam rubs my aching feet.
“No problem. Is Bug okay in there?”
I beam at him. “She’s fine.”
He’s in town for a few days. He came in with gifts for my little girl’s nursery, looking like a proud uncle. He’s been spoiling Bug, as he so affectionately calls her.
Seeing him with all those gifts and steaks to throw on the grill warmed my heart. Dakota and Thomas came by, and we made a time of it.
While the guys were grilling, the game was on the outside TV and I got to see JR win his game tonight. Cal played a game tonight as well.
Overall, it’s been a good day. Now, we’re sitting in the living room as we watch TV. Cam seems to be lost in thought, but I’m too relaxed to interrupt him.
This is nice. I’ve come to cherish this friendship over the last few months we’ve been married. JR had been right, I love Cam as a friend, but that’s it.
I’m going to miss hanging out and having my friend to support me when we get divorced. I can’t help but wonder what he has planned once we part.
The news comes on after Cal’s game we were watching goes off. I go to turn the channel when a breaking news report comes on and JR’s photo is plastered on the screen. My breathing stops.
I tug my foot from Cams grasp and stand. I keep moving closer to the screen as the reporters speak. It all sounds like white noise. I grasp my pregnant belly protectively.
“No,” I scream and drop to my knees. “No.”
Cameron
At first, I have no fucking clue what is happening. I mean, I know Jareil and I recognize him from the picture. He was one of my friends in high school before he left for some academy to play basketball and football there.
We didn’t keep in touch much after he was gone, but I do remember him being there at that party Mama threw freshman year when Cal had that seizure.
“This is the baby’s father,” I speak my thoughts out loud. Not asking, but already knowing.
Kay nods as I hold her in my arms. She’s near hysterical at this point. Her reaction is more than one of that for a friend.
I nod to myself. I’m waiting to be angry, but it never happens. Jareil has always been a good guy.
I think I’ve always known he had a thing for Kay, so I’m not that surprised. What does shock the fuck out of me is when an image of Dez and two other men pops up on the screen. I grab the remote and turn the volume up.
“This just in. Authorities say they have these three men in custody at this hour. The man on the right is said to be the ringleader, Dez Demarco.
“It’s still unclear as to why Dez and his accomplices kidnapped and assaulted basketball rookie Jareil Reese. Or JR, as his fans so lovingly call the young man. Sources say Reese was shot at least once and is in critical condition and undergoing surgery for the wounds he has sustained.
“He will be in our thoughts and prayers. We’re pulling for you JR. Hang in there, man. Such a talent. We’ll bring you guys more as this story continues to develop,” the reporter says.
“I need to get to him. I need to be there,” Kay cries.
“Go get dressed. I’ll drive you.”
She nods frantically as I help her to stand. I notice that there’s blood on the seat of her shorts. I calmly grab her by the elbow, not wanting to freak her out.
“Kayleen,” I say in a calm, soothing voice. “You’re bleeding. I need you to go in the bathroom and check on Bug.
“I’m sure she’s fine, but I need you to check and then get cleaned up. I’m going to call for an ambulance. Don’t panic.
“I’m right here with you. I’ve got you both. Everything is going to be fine.”
“I can’t lose them,” she sobs.
“Shh, darlin’. I’m here. You’re not losing anyone. We’re both about to get all we wanted.
“He’s going to pull through and Bug’s going to be a big, strong girl for her Uncle Cam. I ain’t done spoiling her. She’s going to be fine.”