Riptide /GxG/(Completed)

TWENTY-EIGHT

J A Z M I N E

The cold air caressed my exposed skin in a chilling way as my feet continued to push through the snow, and with each step I was left to regret the decision that compelled me to leave the car.

"Aren't you fucking cold?" I asked Spain who was currently walking next to me since his calm and relaxed demeanour contradicted the current weather.

"Of course I'm fucking cold but you're just extra," He replied chuckling as I pushed open the front door wanting to get inside as quickly as possible.

"I thought you were going to bring Tyler with you," I reminded, referring to his son and my godchild as I removed my gloves.

"I was but his mother decided to be difficult," He explained and I shook my head knowing her behaviour towards him was fueled by pettiness and resentment since Spain was as responsible, respectful, and caring as any father could be after separation from the mother.

"You need to hurry up and get full custody," I told him while using my recently removed gloves to erase the excess snow off my body.

"I'm going to see the lawyer again tomorrow," He confided and I replied with a slight nod while silently hoping everything went in his favour since Tyler's mother never really cared for Spain and Tyler's relationship.

Spain was in a constant battle where he had to fight to see his son despite his ever-constant presence when it came to his child, and no matter how good of a father he was she constantly bad-mouthing him to their child because of the stored-up resentment she had at the fact that Spain and her didn't work out.

It was women like that that made me appreciate Britt even more than I already did.

I mean her very role as a mother was deemed attractive by the deepest part of my soul since mothers seemed to be the only hint of peace that was left in a world that society had rebuilt as chaos.

The strength and power held by women who carried the duty of parenting a child never failed to leave me in awe. Especially black mothers since they faced enough hardships from society as is and still pushed through to be soft enough to raise their child\children.

The act of women risking their lives to bear a child is the purest form of a wordless expression of love, in all honesty, they are closest things to superheroes in this life.

"You wanna sit at the top or right here?" Spain asked, leaving my thoughts to disperse.

"Right here," I expressed, not really wanting to begin the journey to the top of the bleachers.

The sound of the crowd and the ball falling against the court continued to greet my ears as I sat down, and my feet silently thanked me since the action had eased the aching state that they were trapped in.

The reality was caused by the lack of relaxation I had allowed my body to receive over the last few days with Spain and I juggling three new properties that were without management, but thankfully we found people to fill the positions earlier today, which blessed us with the time to watch Terrell's game.

"How is Britt?" He asked suddenly and I smiled as my mind settled on her.

"She's doing good,"

"Did you get to see her before you came?" He asked, knowing we've been phone bound since both our schedules had been clashing with each other these last few days.

"No, I tried to but she was in the O.R when I called earlier," I told him watching as Terrell got subbed in, which was a rare act for a freshman but with his talent, it would be a crime to deny him playing time.

"How's the father?" He asked, referring to Andre and I chuckled keeping my eyes trained on the busy ball as it travelled from hand to hand.

"He hates me," I stated truthfully, earning a laugh from Spain as I thought back to the interactions I had with the man.

"I would hate you too," He joked, making me smile. "Step studdy ass motherfucker,"

His words left my smile to transition into a snicker.

-

"I'll drop him home," Spain announced as we stood up from our seats while the teams continued to clear the court.

Sadly Terrell's team had lost by 5 but he played a good game nonetheless, getting a double-double in points and assists coming off the bench.

"Aitte," I agreed as the sound of my ringtone greeted my ears, prompting my hand to remove the device from my jacket pocket.

"I'll call you tomorrow after I see the lawyer about custody,"

"Alright bro, stay safe," I expressed, dabbing him up prior to answering my phone.

"Hey," I greeted, watching as he walked off.

"Are you busy babe?" She asked and a flutter gathered in my pit of stomach at the nickname she used to address me.

"No, I'm at Terrell's game,"

"Okay, call me when it's finished," She expressed as I began moving towards the exit.

"It's finished, I'm actually on my way to the parking lot right now,"

"Oh, okay,"

"What's up?" I asked in a curious tone.

"I'm free right now," She confessed and I couldn't help but allow the smile that desperately wanted to make an appearance to drift onto my face.

"Are you at the hospital?"

"Yeah I came with Renae but I can leave with you if you want me to," She replied and I released a nervous laugh at the sultry tone of her voice.

"Of course I want you to," I declared, prompting a small laugh from her.

"I'm going to be at the coffee shop,"

"Do you want to get dinner or something since it's almost six?"

"Uhm, I was thinking we could pick up something for me to cook,"

"Okay we can do that, anything you want," I voiced stepping outside, and the cold air immediately embraced my exposed skin leaving me to regret not putting on my gloves.

"Andre has Aria so we're going to your house,"

"Okay baby, give me fifteen minutes and I'll be there," I promised and she said a small okay before ending the call.

"Did you see the shit I sent you?" I asked Spain as I released my weight on the couch, appreciating the way its comfort slowly eased my tense muscles.

"Yeah," He replied with the sound of busy roads speaking beneath his own words, letting me know he was driving. "These Britt's friends right?"

"Yeah Darrelle's an architect and Jason own his construction company, I was thinking Jason could work with our guys so we don't have to halt or other jobs to finish the hospital,"

"Yeah let's do that," He agreed without hesitation. "Can you set up something for tomorrow afternoon?"

"Imma see and let you know," I told him. "What you doing?"

"On my way home to try and figure out how to get the security company up," He breathed out. "Have you seen the rise in them rape cases?"

"Yeah, Britt been telling me too," I pointed out as a wave of heaviness washed over me.

"The cops ain't doing nothing and neither are any political figures and black women and girls keep—" He started but stopped with a sigh. "We gotta have protection before we continue building anything else,"

"Everything being slowed,"

"Everything,"

TICK TOCK

-