Crossing The Line

Chapter Twenty

I woke up early the next morning so that Id be ready by the time it was time to leave at 10:00.

I ran through my usual morning routine, stepping out the shower to find something to wear.

I scanned through the brand new clothes in my closet that Lauren and I had bought. I decided to put on some highwaist jeans and a plaid "craig" button down shirt with some black single sole heels.

I threw my hair up into a loose bun and walked out the room.

I walked past the guest room and the door was closed. I didnt know if Cedric was still here after what happened last night but I doubt he had left since he said he had nowhere to go.

I went into the kitchen to start breakfast, french toast, eggs and bacon.

As I pulled the hot pan of bacon out the oven, and a jug of gratefuit juice out the fridge. I heard the sink running in the guest bathroom.

I set the table with dressed plates and filled the glasses with juice before I sat down to satisfy my hunger.

I turned on the television in the living room from the kitchen and the first thing I saw was the news about Mrs. Watson. The news reporter flashed videos of what was left of the house. I could see the neighbors watching as the police roamed through the yard and talked outside of the crime scene tape.

"Noisy ass neighbors come out to see the after-math but never come when somebody needs them.." I said shaking my head as I sliced the french toast with my fork.

I heard footsteps coming down the hallway as I sat at the kitchen table. I picked up the remote and turned the tv off when I saw Cedric appear from around the corner.

"Goodmorning." I greeted as he walked in dressed in the clothes I once had on.

I held my hand out for him to have a seat across from me at the table where his plate was fixed.

"Goodmorning." He responded as he took a seat at the table.

Silence crept over the room as we ate.

"So theyre broadcasting what happened yesterday?"

"What?"

"I heard the tv just a few minutes ago.."

"Oh yeah.."

He was silent.

"You aight?"

"I would say yes but Im not sure."

I didnt respond.

"You know.. as bad as I feel right now.. Im glad my mother doesnt have to be in this cruel world.. Im just really going to miss her presence."

"She'll always be with you Cedric. Maybe not physically but spirtually."

He nodded.

I got up to wash my plate and glass as he continued to eat.

"About last night.." He began in a low tone.

"There is no need to talk about it."

"I think we need too." He said.

"Cedric.. lets just leave it be. We were both emotional and we got caught up in the moment but its a good thing we stopped it before it went to far."

"Youre right." He said as he got up walking toward me. " But I'll tell you this.. after hearing what you told me last night. I found a burning inside of me.. a rageing fire from anger, from pain.. from hurt.. from love. All in one. I found myself weeping all night long from the guilt of the pain I caused you. I wanted so bad to crawl in bed next to you and wrap my arms around you but I knew that would never happen."

I stood with my back against the sink as Cedric stood in front of me.

"I guess it took losing my mother to see the wrong that Ive done. I pray.. that you'll forgive me." He said as he ran his hand down the side of my face.

My head dropped to the floor to avoid looking him in his eyes.

"I wont make you choose between me and the other guy because we both know who you will choose and I have no reason to feel any type of way about that decision.. but if it means anything to you.. I need you to know that I didnt realize how much I loved you until I searched past this thick wall of revenge inside of me."

I rose my head up..

"Once all of this is over, I wont bother you any longer. I wont be in the way of you finding or staying in love.. but I hope that we'll some how be friends.." He said before he placed a long kiss on my cheek.

He stood there in front of me for awhile as we looked at eachother.

"Stace. You up baby?" I heard Rico say from the front door.

I walked away from Cedric as I went to open the door.

"Morning baby." I said as I opened the door and gave him a kiss.

"Morning. I smelt your cooking all the way out the door."

I smiled as he walked in.

"You know I cant stay out the kitchen."

Rico took off his coat and hung it up in the closet before he led the way in the kitchen to get a plate.

"Good morning man. How you feeling?" Rico greeted as he saw Cedric sitting at the table.

"Good morning and Im hanging in there. I think I'll feel a little better once I have those two brothers blood on the pavement."

"I feel you bruh. Sometimes revenge is sweeter than candy." He said as he ate his food.

I leaned on the door frame of the kitchen as I watched the two men socialize. The way Rico held himself is one of the man reasons why I fucked with him in the first place. He didnt need to act childish by giving Cedric a side eye or being rude toward him after all he's done. He was a man.. a man that lacked boy tendecies. What I mean by that is young boys will jump at any opportunity to jump bad with Cedric. They would find any and every little reason to pick a fight. A MAN only acts out when feels threatened or someone he loves is being threatened. He doesnt go around causing trouble. He doesnt waste his energy on something or somebody who doesnt deserve it. He handles his business accordingly and when necessary.

I found myself drifting off in thought about the intense conversations Cedric and I had. I knew I was suppose to be mad at him. I even felt like I shouldnt even be helping him at all after all he'd done to me.. but listening to him open up about everything changed my views of him. No I wasnt thinking about leaving Rico for him. HELL NO! I just found a soft spot for him. Everything.. all of the pain that I wanted him to feel for hurting me.. he recieved a little taste of it last night. I wanted so bad to forgive him.. to ease his mind of one bad situation but the other half of me, the little evil bitch sitting on my right shoulder was screaming for me not too. Why? .. I had no clue..