Apricot

Chapter 14 Uno

UNO

Despite being groggy from the pain medication, I fought to keep my gaze trained on Apricot. “You’ve been crying for the past day, shawty. I’m going to be fine,” I assured her. I was high as a kite off the pain medication they placed in my IV, but I was tired of sleeping.

“Because this is all my fault. I bet your life was normal as hell before I came into it with all of my baggage and bullshit. I’m sorry, Uno.”

Tears rolled down her puffy red cheeks. “Aye,” my tone was serious as a heart attack.

“Don’t apologize to me again. You act like you pulled the trigger.

I saw the gun in that man’s hand, and I still went for him.

That was on me. Not you. I worked for your father for years before all this.

Even if I wasn’t directly involved, I’ve seen all kinds of things. Life happens.”

“I just hate that you’re going through this. This is the second shooting that has occurred with Kiwi around. I feel like I’m losing my mind. I just don’t know what to do.”

“There is nothing you can do except to get her some counseling. Talk to her and reassure her that everything will be okay. Your father is out of the game, and DJ’s ass is in jail. Hopefully, life is about to go back to normal for everybody.”

“My dad wants them to do a mental health evaluation on DJ. If he attempts to pull some strings so that DJ doesn’t get a harsh sentence, will you be upset?”

“I mean, I can tell the lil’ nigga is off his rocker. If it’s determined that he actually has some kind of mental illness or whatever the case may be, whatever happens, happens. I’m good, Apricot.”

I had been shot in the side and though it hurt like hell, I was going to be okay.

I didn’t want Ace to know I’d been shot.

Me not seeing him for more than three or four days in a row was very unusual, so I was anxious to heal.

Once I was released from the hospital, I could tell him that I got hurt playing basketball or something.

Protecting kids from certain things was a daunting task, but I took into account all the things that Apricot said traumatized her as a child.

I didn’t want Ace worrying or anxious. Also, I was a firm believer that a child shouldn’t be in adult business.

“I have to go get Kiwi. Did they tell you about what time they’re going to discharge you tomorrow?”

“The nurse said around noon if nothing comes up.”

“I’m coming to pick you up.” Apricot leaned over and kissed me. “Give me your key so I can go to your place and get you an outfit. Unless there’s something in your house you don’t want me to see,” she smirked.

“There isn’t anything in my house that you can’t see.

My keys are over on that table.” My words had started to slur, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to fight my sleep any longer.

The moment she left the room, my eyes closed, and I fell into a deep sleep.

When my eyes opened again, it was dark outside.

A food tray sat by my bed. I usually didn’t sleep through the nurses coming in my room. That pain medication was no joke.

Wincing from the pain, I sat up and pulled the rolling table over to my bed.

The hospital food wasn’t delicious, but it wasn’t terrible.

I was starving, so whatever it was would have to do.

Removing the tray, I saw two baked chicken legs, mashed potatoes and gravy, and peas.

For dessert there was a brownie on the side of the plate in a small bowl.

Not even caring that it was cold, I dug in.

I cleared everything off my plate and washed it down with a cup of ice water.

There was a light tap on my door. “Come in.”

Mr. Jennings walked in carrying a black backpack. I noticed he was walking better, and his left hand was no longer balled into a fist. It seemed that physical therapy had been working for him. He walked over to my bed and held his palm out to slap mine.

“You saved my daughter’s life.”

“I just acted off instinct. I wasn’t even thinking for real.”

“Your instincts saved Apricot’s life. I’ve gone through some shit.

My stint in the game has been far from sweet but these last few months.

Got damn,” Mr. Jennings shook his head. “These last few months have been trying to take me out for sure. Here son. This is all you.” Mr. Jennings handed me the backpack that was in his hand.

Curiously, I unzipped it, and my eyes bulged out of my head when I saw all the rolls of cash with rubber bands secured around them. There was a hell of a lot of money in that bag.

I looked over at him. I wasn’t broke, but I didn’t think I’d ever be rich enough to feel good about declining that kind of cash. “I can’t take this. I did it because I care about Apricot.”

“Listen to me, you’ve been a loyal solider. And if it makes you feel any better that’s a portion of the money that I was saving for DJ if he ever came around. It’s not all of it, but I think he at least owes you that much for pain and suffering.”

“Since you put it like that, I appreciate you.”

Mr. Jennings chuckled. “I thought that might make you change your mind. If there’s ever anything that you need from me, please don’t hesitate to ask. I look at you like family.”

My head bobbed. “I appreciate that.”

Mr. Jennings left, and I stared at the money inside the bag for a good five minutes.

Again, I wasn’t broke, but there was so much I could do with the money he’d given me that meant, my money could remain untouched.

There were times that I second guessed myself for jumping in front of that bullet.

I had Ace to live for. If I would have died protecting Apricot, then my son wouldn’t have a father.

But I told no lies to Mr. Jennings. I really had made the move off instincts.

It came naturally to me and that meant Ms. Apricot was real damn special to me.

I wasn’t trying to rush but if things went smoothly, I could see myself proposing to Apricot.

I’d tell her to find her dream house, and we could start a new chapter of our lives there.

I had really managed to make it out of the game unscathed.

I narrowly escaped prison. My record was clean, and I was about to have legit businesses on paper.

Businesses that I might be able to pass on to my son.

Regardless of the pain I was in, life was alright. I couldn’t ask for more.

The next day, Apricot picked me up as promised. “Did you call the airline and try to move the date for our trip?” she asked after I was settled in the car.

“Nah. The trip isn’t for ten days. I’ll be good. It’s only an hour and a half flight.”

“Disney is a lot of walking. Are you sure? I don’t want you to push yourself.”

“Apricot, I’ll be fine. Push come to shove, you can push me around that muhfucka in a wheelchair, but we’re going.”

That got a laugh out of her. “I hear you. I’m just making sure.” She glanced over at me briefly before placing her eyes back on the road.

I studied her side profile for a bit before lifting my hand and pushing hair back behind her ear. “I wonder if our kids will have red hair.”

Apricot’s throat bounced as she swallowed hard. “I’m not sure. Kiwi doesn’t have it. I think you’d have to have the gene. You thinking about kids?” she glanced over at me.

“Eventually. Like in the next year when my businesses are off the ground. And I can’t put babies in you until your last name is Sparks.”

Apricot grinned. “I like the way you think.”

“I don’t want to overstep. So, tell me if I’m doing too much too fast, but Ace has my last name. Kiwi’s donor isn’t around, and I doubt his name is on her birth certificate. So if we do get married, and it’s cool with you, I’d like to adopt her, so we can all have the same last name.”

“Wow. I didn’t expect that. Thank you for even considering that, Uno.

I never wanted to force any man I dealt with to love my child.

I knew it had to come naturally, and that’s how I would decide who I’d be with.

Depending on how your relationship develops with her, I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”

I nodded. At my house, I had to get out of the car slowly.

I was still sore as hell and movement made it ten times worse.

Walking even a short distance wore me out, but I was determined to take a shower.

I wanted the hospital germs off me ASAP.

Apricot helped me to undress, and she bathed me.

She even washed my hair. I appreciated having her around.

When my body was dry, Apricot began massaging lotion onto my skin.

As she moved up to my thighs, she noticed my manhood standing at attention and looked at me with a simper on her face.

“Um excuse me, sir. Why do you have an erection?”

“Because a gorgeous woman that smells good with soft hands is rubbing all over me. What else am I supposed to be? I’m not in that much pain.”

With a smirk, Apricot went back to moisturizing my skin.

When she was done, she wedged herself between my legs, squatted, and took my penis into her mouth.

I pushed out a low hiss as she sucked me sensually while maintaining eye contact.

My mouth gaped open as Apricot deep throated me.

My stomach muscles tightened, and I grabbed her messy bun aggressively.

“Do that shit, baby,” I coached.

The sounds of her wet mouth filled the room as Apricot sucked my dick hungrily.

My lids fluttered closed as she hummed on the dick, and they opened back up when she began cleaning the excess saliva off with her tongue.

When Apricot stood up, that was my cue to lay back.

I wasn’t opposed to having sex, but she was going to have to do all the work.

She straddled me, and we both moaned as she eased down onto my manhood.

Apricot rode me nice and slow, and that shit felt heavenly.

I placed kisses along her shoulders, her neck, chin, and lips. Anywhere that my mouth could reach.

We engaged in a passionate tongue kiss that had her creaming all over my dick. Apricot moaned into my mouth as she came.

“We can’t have babies until I have your last name, remember?” she cooed against my lips. “So I’m going to need you to pump those babies down my throat. Or shoot them all over my breasts. Maybe in between my ass cheeks,” she moaned, and that shit was turning me on.

“It’s your world baby. Just tell me where you want this shit.”

Apricot stuck her tongue out erotically.

“Catch this shit,” I gritted between clenched teeth, and she hopped up.

“Fuck, Apricot,” I moaned too damn loud as she took my dick into her mouth.

Her head bobbed up and down as she sucked me off.

The way my stomach was tightening was making my side ache, but there was no way that I was going to stop her.

After I came, I’d just have to take some pain medication.

After a shower and a nut, all I needed was some good food anyway, and I was going to sleep like a baby.

“That shit is coming, baby,” I whispered, and she sucked even faster. “Fucckkk, got damn my side,” I grunted as my seeds shot into her mouth. Never in my life had I experienced pleasure and pain at the same time like that.

The moment I was done, Apricot jumped up with a panicked expression on her face. “Baby, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Oh my God, where is your medication?”

Clutching my side, I chuckled. “It’s all good. It’s not like you made me do anything that I didn’t want to do. They’re on the dresser over there.” I jerked my head in the direction of the pills, and she scurried across the room to get them.

After she secured the pills, Apricot went to the kitchen to get me something to drink. “Thank you,” I took the pills from her.

“I cooked last night and brought some with me. I have baked spaghetti, corn, and salad. You want me to warm some up for you?”

“Man, that sounds good as hell.” I hoped I’d be able to finish my food before the pain medication kicked in.

“I’m not quite ready to bring Kiwi over here to spend the night. She’s going to be with my grandma until later. If I leave about eight, will you be okay here by yourself?”

“Yeah. I can move around. Just doing too much hurts. I’ll really only need to get up for food, something to drink, or to use the bathroom. Those pills have me knocked out. I’ll be good.”

“I hate to leave you,” she pouted. “I’ll go get your food.” Apricot pecked my lips and walked out of the room.

Shorty had come a long way from being that stubborn chick with an attitude problem that stayed pouting and going off about some shit.

Ask me a while ago, and I wouldn’t be sure that I’d be able to take her, but I was digging Apricot.

She was cool people and despite everything she’d learned, I was happy that she worked things out with her father.

Because she worked things out with her father I was confident that even if it took a while, she’d also work things out with her mother.

They made me never want to lie to Ace about shit.

I could get trying to protect him for certain things but if he was going to end up hating me for not being truthful, then it wasn’t worth it in my opinion.

Apricot brought the food to me and after my third forkful, my pain medication started to kick in.

The food was so damn good, I was eating it with my eyes closed, and she was laughing at me.

When it was time for her to go, I got up and walked her to the door. It had been a long ass time since I’d been in a relationship, but the situation with Apricot just felt right. It felt like I could see a real future with her red head ass.