THE WAY WE STAY

Chapter 16

RILEY'S P.O.V

Devastation was an understatement. Mark's words opened a new wound in my heart. I could not believe that behind Jane's love for Cassandra and Calista, she was hurt more than anybody.

"Are we seeing Natasha? Why are we here?"

"Yes and no," Mark glued his eyes to the road when he pulled over. "We're looking for him."

Mark led me to land my eyes on a couple across the street. The two were leaning towards each other, romantically giggling over short Burritos menu on the food truck they got to choose from. The woman looked exactly -- well, it was her.

I looked away avoiding the view. "How do you know they're here?"

"I don't." Mark cleared his throat. "I just know that I could meet Joe here because I've been bumping into him once or twice. But I didn't know your Natasha would be with him."

"She's not my Natasha-"

"Exactly." Mark firmed his tone. "Now you go and talk to her what you think she needs to know."

"What? No!"

"Okay, unless you think you can beg for another session in the court."

I leaned my back onto Mark's car. At this point, court session was no longer an option. The decision has been made. And I did not think I would have enough time and energy to walk on the same road. 

"But I can't just go and talk, you see?"

"No, I can't see why you can't." Mark chuckled in anger. "But it's up to you. We can just go back though, I'll drive you home. And I still can catch my next class."

"Wow... Look who's here."

Suddenly a male's voice came from behind. Mark too quickly turned and I bet he met with the eyes of his big time enemy, while I chose not to react because I knew exactly the tapping sound of her heels, which made me sick.

"Somebody's constantly being delutional," Mark sassily replied.

"Yeah? Because it's not a coincidence that somehow we keep meeting each other, like what now, every other day?" Joe approached closer to Mark. "How's Jane doing?"

"MOTHER F-"

"Mark, don't."

I quickly grabbed whatever left from his bomber jacket before the baby brother punch the man in the face. It was only eight thirty in the morning, and we would not need to have our ass dragged to the Precint this early over some catfight.

"Who's Jane?"

I heard her asking.

"It's none of your concern." I finally turned around. "Can you just excuse yourselves?"

"Jane is never a concern." Joe added, wrapped his hand around Natasha's waist. "No need to worry."

"I swear I'm gonna kill you-"

"Mark! It's not worth it." I scolded. "And Nat, I remember you're being a human. But then again, it was years ago."

Natasha threw her sight off me when I tried to locked eyes. Joe was ready to flip the next coin but I walked over him to climb into the car. Next thing I knew, Mark drove us away.

"Nice plan." I shook my head.

"It would've been one if you had the nerves to have the real talk."

"Mark, I really don't wanna argue you right here, but it's not as easy as you think." I held my breath. "I get your point but one wrong choice of word and I'm losing my kids."

Mark continued to drive in silence. I never blamed his courage to help me and Jane settle things up. However, this was never as easy as it looked and sadly Mark might not get the bigger picture yet. If talking nicely was the way, I would have won the battle few years ago.

"Look, man, I'm sorry..." Mark said bowing his head as we walked to my garage.

"It's never your fault." I cleared my throat. "You're right. I never had the nerves to confront her. Not this way."

"Of course." Mark nodded.

"Can I still see Jane? I feel so bad about everything. I didn't even thank her for what she did for Cas and Cal."

"She's grounded." Mark chuckled. "Pap's instruction."

"Huh?" I jumped in shocked. "Wait, why?"

"Well, I gotta go. I'm so sorry for today."

"Wait, but why is she grounded?" I insisted.

Mark started the engine. "Because Joe is always restricted zone for her, but she broke the rule for you."

Mark gave one last nod and drove off. I clenched my fists in desperation. No wonder at this point Jane would have hated me so much. I might be losing both my kids and the new mother figure they started to love.