The Gentleman Thug

Part 8

A week flew by without seeing Oriana again. I kept myself busy with the boys making the runs. The boys gave me sympathetic stares but were smart enough to stay out of my way.

Jay kept shaking his head mumbling idiot every now and then but I ignored him. I convinced myself I wasn't good enough for her. A preacher's kid for crying out loud. I didn't even go to church let alone pray. She deserved better than a giant lout.

By midweek I must have been getting under the boys skin when Nathaniel pulled me aside.

Nathaniel- "Why are you running so hard?"

"What are you talking about?"

Nathaniel- "I've never seen anyone put up such a fight as you are. Even Jay was smart enough to stop running and let the chips fall where ever they may"

"I don't know what your jabbering on about."

Nathaniel- "Love you shat!"

"Marriage has turned you soft."

Nathaniel- "If anything, it's made me stronger." He sighed, "Life is brief, and full of ironies. You may think you have all the time in the world, but the course of your life can turn in an instant. Try to waste as little of it as possible being hardheaded aite?"

He went to leave but paused at the door.

"Besides the boys are ready to shoot you in the head cause your so short tempered. Don't let fear overrule your chance for happiness"

He left leaving me to contemplate on his words. Jay walked in and turned to walk back out when he saw me.

"I miss her."

He whirled back around and walked in closing the door. Thinking he would sit down, he grabbed my shirt and hooked me in the mouth.

Jay- "Oh sorry. I didn't hear what you said. I was only meant to do that if you hadn't come to your senses. My bad."

Spitting out blood I chuckled.

"How is she?"

Jay- "I don't know. One minute she's okay and then she looks ready to cry. Next minute she's ranting to my wife who then comes ranting to me! Get the picture? I'm not use to having 3 females under my roof. I told you to woo her not run you gronk."

"I'm out of her league."

Jay- "Oh true. Well then I hope you'll be happy with her being in another mans arms. Appreciating her worth. His arms holding her every night. Him kissing her. Giving her babies. Him.."

"Shut up I get the picture."

Jay- "Do you? Cause that's what will happen you dumb head."

"Dumb head?"

Jay- "Well, that's what her and my wife call you...."

Smiling despite my sore lip.

"I'll be over tonight round 7."

Jay- "My man! All grown up."

I left running a few ideas in my head. The boys seemed shocked when I walked out grinning. I must of really been difficult to be around.

Seven came around too soon. I was nervous as hell. I could feel the sweat beading across my forehead. Jay made sure they were in the living room. Standing in his front yard I felt like a moron but there was no time better than the present to start learning the art of wooing.