Undefined Love

Chapter 60: Advantage Part 2

Chris

"Can I talk to you?"

I moved over on the bench, so she could sit down.

Without hesitation, she asked her question. "Do you feel like I took advantage of you?"

"What?"

"Chris you heard me."

I wasn't sure how to reply.

"Uh, yeah, kind of but I mean it's okay. I'm not worried about it anymore. You got what you wanted and the two of us are fine."

She put her head in her hands.

"Ray'vn, I'm confused. What's wrong?"

She sat up and sniffled.

"Nothing. I'm going to sleep."

She got up, entering the house.

I sighed and walked inside. "Hey," I said to Teresa who was putting away dinner. "Hey sweetie. You never came in for dinner. You hungry?"

"Um, yeah. I'll have some."

Not long after, I sat at the table scarfing down food.

Teresa laughed.

"Slow down before you choke yourself." "Sorry," I said, my mouth full.

"How's your stomach?"

"It still feels soar, but I'm okay." She shook her head. "My Dad ever came back?" "No."

I finished the rest of my food then got up and put my dishes in the sink. Teresa came over, resting her hand on my shoulder. "You guys will be fine. We're all gonna get through this baby." She held down my head and my forehead. I gave her a hug.

I walked in the living room and saw J playing video games. He looked at me for a split second then back to the TV.

I went closer, sitting in the loveseat about five feet away from him.

He didn't budge.

He was playing COD zombie mode.

There were zombies emerging from left to right, not to mention how dark the area was. It started to bring back memories of a few of our nightly gunfire matches together.

"Bet if it was you and me, those zombie wouldn't be able to touch us."

At the sound of my voice, he shut the game system down and threw the controller on the table then began walking away.

"J, man. Come on. Talk to me."

"I don't got shit to say to you Chris," he said over his shoulder, making his way toward the stairs. I grabbed his arm; he swung his left hand back. Thank god my reflexes were functioning. "What the fuck J?! You really that upset bro?" "Why wouldn't I be? Everybody else lying low, waiting for calls and shit, waiting for the this situation to blow over so we can get back on our damn feet meanwhile you and Ray'vn walking around digging yourselves a deeper hole than you stuck in. I know y'all not that damn stupid, but that's not on me. I got enough chips on my damn shoulders, but you two are like scales in my skin."

"J, man, look, I'm sorry. I-" He began laughing.

"Ah, here we go with the bullshit."

I ignored him.

"I get why you upset and I see why you warned me when Ray'vn got here. I should've listened to you, I really should have, but we had so much going on emotionally from retracing our memories together to hearing about Ray, it was hard to escape. The heat of the moment made it difficult to leave." He laughed again. "I'm not about to waste no more of my time listening to this shit." He started walking up the stairs.

"J, I know it sounds like a bunch of bull, but it's true."

He walked back down, stopping directly in front my face.

"So what, you telling me you a bitch now? What, you getting soft on me? You can't hold your shits in your hands now?"

"Why you-" "Nah, nah. I see. Ray'vn boss now. You step down and gave her the throne. There was no problems and you ain't had an issue taking charge of her when you was walking 'round high and mighty after beating her ass so many times and taking ownership of her pussy. What changed? She grew the balls you don't have anymore that you couldn't take charge of the situation and end it before y'all took it farther?"

"Don't start with me J."

"If you feeling froggy Chris, jump, cause you of all people know I don't hold back from no scruff, so if you want it let's go."

He backed away some and posted up.

"I'm not gonna fight you J. I just need you to stop talking down on me." "So you really are a bitch now then. Since when you don't like hearing the truth? Huh?"

"It's not the truth J," I said unsure of myself. Even I knew part of what he was saying was true. "Oh! It's not? Then what is Chris," he challenged as he folded his arms. He stood there waiting for me to answer.

"See? That's what I'm talking about. I don't even know who you are bro. You need to check yourself Chris." He turned and started walking up the stairs when there was banging on the door.

Teresa came running out of the kitchen, probably frightened by the sudden rumble.

I ran to the wall by the door and shut the light off. I peeked through the curtain and saw that it was Devin.

I switched the light back on and opened the door.

He looked at me then at J who came up behind me. J and I looked at him confused seeing Kenny's wife and kids standing behind him. "What's going on?" "We need to talk," he said in a rush.

"Teresa, can you get the kids and Brandi settled upstairs, please?"

The four of them made their way upstairs, meanwhile Devon sat J and I down in the living room.

We sat there staring at him.

J, as jittery and impatient as he was at the moment, held himself together when he father spoke.

"Kenny in the hospital in critical condition."

"What are you talking about," I damn near yelled.

"A couple days ago, during the night, the house was raided. Shit was ridiculous. Nino's uncle isn't messing around anymore. It was most the horrifying thing to see Brandy almost get a bullet blown through her head. Kids were scared to death and crying. Then last night, I guess he went out for some drinks with a few of the boys. Julio, Nino's uncle, had his men keep Ken on track. They were watching him. Had a few of them go into the bar with fucking masks and shit; they ganged up on them and beat him damn near senseless. I couldn't even look at him when I went to see him. Doctors don't even know what to say about him. With all this shit going on, Ray not so good either."

"What? What's wrong with Ray," we heard come from behind us.

I looked at J and Devon. I got up quickly, moving her back towards the steps. "Nothing Ray'vn. You can't be down here right now." "You guys are talking about Ray. What's his condition? Why can't I be here?"

Devon stayed quiet.

Ray'vn looked at me then punched me in my chest. "You know something! Tell me."

"Ray'vn, I don't know anything. Just go back upstairs, please?" "You're lying to me Chris. Devon what's the hell is wrong with Ray? Is he alright?"

We all looked at him, skeptical about what would be wrong with him now.

God, please make it not be as bad as some of us may be thinking it is?