Riptide /GxG/(Completed)

THIRTY-ONE

J A Z M I N E

"I was just about to call you," Spain confessed the moment the call had connected.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I heard about the shooting on Edwards, you guys good?" He inquired as I began moving out of the bathroom.

"Yeah, we good," I assured him while taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "What's the word though?"

"Same shit, apparently a bunch of Dragos live in Edwards and the Vipers showed up last night,"

"One-time thing?" I asked hoping it was.

"No, they're probably gonna be around a couple of times," He informed me and I released a frustrated sigh.

"Alright man, thanks for checking up" I voiced as the sound of the door opening pulled my attention leaving my eyes to greet her. "I'm gonna call you back,"

"Who was that?" She asked after I ended the call with a place of my phone next to me on the bed.

"Spain, he called about what happened last night," I answered, watching as a frown greeted her features.

"And?" She asked moving to stand before me.

"And I'm worried," I confessed motioning for her to sit beside me and she did so willingly.

"I could see that last night," She pointed out while meeting my gaze. "I bought a house in this neighbourhood specifically to avoid things like that,"

A wave of frustration drowned her voice, and I sighed being able to empathise.

"You're staying with me until everything blows over," I announced in a calm tone, and in an instant, she seemed to have fallen deep into her mind.

"Jazmin—"

"Baby this isn't up for discussion," I interjected softly, knowing that if my voice was too firm her independent nature would force our conversation to escalate into an argument.

"But it should be,"

"Why?"

"Because it's a—this just feels like a big step," She confessed.

"You staying with me to avoid getting shot?" I asked amused and she smiled while gracing me with an eye roll.

"Stop patronising me," She ordered, making me snicker.

"I'm sorry, and yes it is a big step but it's one you can reverse any time you want to. I already told you that I'm moving at your pace," I reminded, hoping she would agree since I was not mentally prepared for the worry her staying here would create in me.

"I can just stay with my mother," She announced as if staying with me was the worst thing I'd ever suggested.

"She lives an hour away," I pointed out and she sighed as her body transitioned into a tense state that I could tell was fueled by something deeper.

"Talk to me,"

"No," She replied, sounding almost child-like and I released a chuckle at her response.

"Why?"

"Because it's stupid,"

"Your feelings and your perspective aren't stupid," I assured her and she directed her gaze to the floor as silence began to invite itself into our conversation.

"I—"

"Look at me," I ordered softly and she returned her gaze to mine allowing me to see the non-verbal form of what she was reluctant to express in her eyes.