R&R

Chapter 33

"Yep." His deep voice quipped casually. Oh my god! This was my brother! My actual factual blood! Oh my god, what was I doing? After hearing how I treated his mother he would hate me. SAY SOMETHING RAY!

"Hi... My name is Ray and-" I started.

"Ray!" He exclaimed excitedly. "As in Ray Mond?" He questioned with a smile in his voice.

"Well, it used to be Mond." I gave a gentle smile.

"Oh my god! I'm so glad you called! I wasn't sure if Mom would give you my number!" His tone softened. He said Mom so casually, my chest tightened a little. Oh god, oh god, oh god! Please don't ask about my talk with her.

"Yeah she did..." I said awkwardly. I didn't know why I called.

"Listen Ray..." He began with a small sigh. "I know Mom wanted to meet you by herself but... Well I came to the city as well... I know it's weird but I just..." He trailed off. "I have to know y'know?" He questioned, even though no question was asked.

"I do... That's why I called..." I realised what he said then. "Wait you're in Los Santos?" I questioned sitting up in my bed.

"I am... I'm sorry if that's a bit weird but I... Well..." He trailed off.

"Then we should meet up." I said quickly.

"You want to?" His tone hopeful.

"Yes! I have time right now, can you make it?" I looked at my phone and it was half 3.

"Yeah! Tell me where to go and I'll be there!" He stated like it was obvious.

"I'll send you a text and meet you there." I promised.

"Okay... I'll see you soon then." He added, the smile back in his voice.

"See you soon Apollo." I pressed the end call button. I needed to find April! She would look after Nyx while I met my brother. It felt like the stars aligned for me today, not because my mother was in town but because my brother was.

I deeply longed to meet him, to see if we had anything to connect through, other than our genes. I needed to know if there was someone else like me. Someone I could connect with biologically because thus far I had been disappointed with a dead beat father and a selfish mother. I needed Apollo to be it for me. I needed him to be what I craved in family.

I caught April after a sugar daddy date and she agreed to look after Nyx, I just told her I needed her to look after Nyx and I would explain everything once I got home.

I texted Apollo the name of the restaurant and I set off driving, I would tell Randy everything once I was home. This was for me and no one else, Apollo was my brother and I was going to judge him myself, if he was worth my time.

I stopped at the neon diner that Tommy took me to all those moons ago. I paused outside... Did I want this? What if I went inside and he was the very carbon copy of my mother? What if he was the flighty, scatter-brained ass hat she had turned out to be?

I shook my head. Give him a chance... Give him a chance to be what you want him to be. I stepped into the diner and looked around. He was nowhere to be seen. I plonked myself in a booth at the back...

My heart was throbbing in my chest, not particularly fast but I was hyperaware of it. My fingers tapped against the table in my anxious state. Oh god what if Randy was mad I did this? Without telling him?

Oh, fuck off paranoia, no one has time for your stupid games!

"Can I get you anything miss?" A waitress stepped into view.

"I'll have a decaff coffee please." I muttered.

"Coming right up." She walked off again.

Already I had forgotten her face, I was so nervous that I wasn't paying attention and that was dangerous... I needed to be aware at all times. I was a criminal and I had committed murder to someone important.