Chapter 17
It had been a week since River suggested we chill out on things between us.
I agreed because I knew it was what she needed, but I didn’t like it.
I got used to being around her, or at least talking to her every day, and I missed her.
I occupied my time by spending more time at work.
I spent time with Pop Dean when I knew she wasn’t there, and I hated every minute of it.
Shit just wasn’t the same anymore. I hoped she would come back to me when it was all said and done, because I wanted things to progress with us.
I was in my office when my cell phone rang. A part of me hoped it was River, but it was her brother instead.
“Yo,” I answered on the second ring.
I heard him sniffle and exhale loudly before he spoke. “He’s gone, man.” The pain in his voice had me shooting up from my seat.
“Where you at?” I asked as I grabbed my keys from my desk.
Jordan sniffed again. “We are at his house.”
“I’m on my way.”
We hung up the phone as I exited my office.
I informed the two people working that I would be gone for the rest of the day.
My staff knew what was going on, so they were already prepared for me to be gone for a while.
They were capable of holding it down in my absence but knew I was only a phone call away if need be.
In the car, all I thought about was River and how hard she was probably taking it. I knew Jordan took it just as hard, and I wanted to be there for him as well, but River was my priority.
I broke damn near every law getting to Pops’ house. When I arrived, multiple cars were parked outside. I found a spot and hurriedly shut my car off.
Luckily, the front door was unlocked, so I didn’t have to wait for anyone to open it for me. The energy was heavy when I stepped inside. I could hear everyone crying, and a tear made its way down my cheek.
My mother was the first one to spot me.
“Hey, baby,” she whispered as she hugged me.
“Hey.” I returned her hug, but my eyes were on River.
When she released me, I went to hug Momma Dana.
“I’m sorry.” I held her in my arms for a moment and rubbed her back. I wanted to go to River first, but I knew once I did, I wouldn’t let her go.
“Thanks for coming,” Momma Dana said once I released her.
River was next to her father’s bed, holding his hand. Her cries made my chest feel heavy.
“Of course. I’m here for anything you need.”
I walked to Jordan and hugged him. I held him for a little bit while he broke down.
Once I released him, I made my way to River.
“Hey, Babygirl.” I rubbed her back as she continued to cry.
She stood and fell into my arms.
“I got you, baby,” I whispered as she kept her head buried in my chest.
I held her tighter as her loud wails pierced the air. I kissed the top of her head as her brother watched.
I placed my hand on the side of River’s face and lifted her head. I couldn’t help myself when I kissed her lips. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need me for.” I kissed her again. This time, I noticed the frown on Jordan’s face.
“What the fuck is this?” he shouted.
“Not now, J,” I told him as I continued to hold River.
I knew we needed to talk, but this wasn’t the right time.
“Fuck you mean, not right now. Why the fuck are you kissing my sister while my father is lying here dead!”
His wife stepped behind him and put her hand on his back, trying to calm him down. That didn’t work because the next thing I knew, he was in my face.
I released River because I didn’t know what Jordan would do.
I put my hand on his chest. “J, I’ll tell you everything when the time is right.” I tried to reason with him to defuse the situation.
“Nah, fuck that!” He pushed my hand away.
Without warning, Jordan punched me in my shit.
I heard our mothers gasp.
“Jordan!” River and his wife called at the same time.
I licked the inside of my cheek and cupped my jaw. That shit hurt, but I wasn’t going to give him the reaction he was looking for.
“I’m gonna let that shit slide because shit’s emotional right now.” I glanced over at River.
“Don’t look at her. Matter of fact, stay away from her like I told you niggas before!”
“Jordan, calm down,” his mother said as she put her hand on his back. “Now isn’t the time for this.”
He looked around the room. “Y’all knew about this shit?”
Nobody answered. I knew how things must have looked to him, but it wasn’t like that. Everything that I didn’t want to happen happened. I didn’t think my friendship with Jordan was over, but I knew it would take some time to fix it.
“I’m going to go. Can someone let me know about funeral arrangements?” I told no one in particular.
“Nah, you ain’t invited,” Jordan spat.
I ignored him and kissed my mother’s cheek since she was the closest one to me. I left the apartment with a headache and a heavy heart.
When I got in the car, I sent River a message.
Me:
Call me later if you need me. I’m not going anywhere.
She didn’t respond, but I saw that she read the message. I wouldn’t worry about it. I just wanted to remind her that I wasn’t going anywhere. My mind was fucked up, so instead of going back to work, I headed home.
As I drove home, tears streamed down my face. Even though we knew Pops wouldn’t be around too long, it still hurt that he was gone. Shit wouldn’t be the same without him.
When I got home, I drank a shot of whiskey, showered, and got in bed. I wanted to drink more, but I wanted to be alert if River called or came by. The upcoming days and weeks would be the hardest, but I would be the shoulder she needed.