21

21/Ch. 36

"Cherelle," he groaned.

Hakeem's pants were bloody. I think...I think he's been shot.

I ran over to him and helped him limp over to the window that we have to crawl through to get outside.

"Baby, please. I know you're hurting, but you're gonna die if we don't get out in time."

The only response I was getting back were grunts of pain.

"Hurry the fuck up and man up!"

He picked up his pace and I went out the window first. I pulled him up afterwards and dragged him fully out.

"Fuck!"

"Hakeem, we're still not done yet. The truck is through those trees. I'm about to warn them that you're right here. Baby, please don't give up yet. I'm right here. I'm helping you out."

"Help me up."

I did what he asked and he, surprisingly, went faster. I saw the truck and called the girls to help pull him in.

"I told you to hurry up. You wasting time."

"I'm sorry, Ronnie, but either way, we're all a family and I wasn't gonna punk out because of anybody. Hakeem was--"

"I'm about to go plant some stuff around here. Don't pull up to the front. Go straight to the hospital. I'll be in a black Nissan Maximum. Don't wait for me."

He left before I had anything else to say.
........**********.......

I was at the store grabbing snacks for everyone who was at the waiting room. While Hakeem was in surgery to get 4 bullets out, Toni went into labor.

"You're total is $47.34."

I was grabbing three $20 bills out of my wallet, but a voice paused me.

"I'll pay for it. You look stressed out already."

I turned around and saw his sexy ass man. He looks around 22ish.

"No, I got it myself."

I'm independent and want everyone to know that.

I got my change back and Mystery Man stopped me again.

"Let me have your number, at least."

"At least don't come at me with game."

"Ohhh, you got a man already?"

"No, and I'm not looking. I'm working and in school. A family, especially MEN, isn't so much on my mind these days."

I walked out and started to pump gas in the truck when he came behind me.

"Holla at me sometimes, though. You seem tense and I know a couple ways to loosen you up."

"No thanks. If I was as desperate as you, I'd go to a ratchet ass club."

"Damn, you fiesty."

"No, but I know what respect is, unlike you."

"I know how to treat women--"

"Obviously not. Unless you categorize me as a 'hoe', you're being purely disrespectful."

"I'm sorry you took it the wrong way, but let me just get your number.."

"I don't know if you got a girl, so I'll just take your number so you can leave me alone."

He programmed his contact in and I got into my driver's seat.

"I respect ladies. If I was in a relationship, I wouldn't be talking to you right now," he explained through the opened window.

He's sexy. His lips looks so small, but shiny and pink.

"That's nice to know, but if you'd excuse me, I got someplace important to be."

"One more thing and I'll leave. What's your name?"

"Cherelle...and yours?"

"I go by Julio."

"But your real name?"

"James."

"Where you get Julio from?"

"Look at me. I don't look like I got some Mexican? Julio is James in Spanish."

"So you're bilingual?"

"Si, Hermosa. Pero único un pequeño. ¿Tú hablas español?" (Yes, Beautiful. But only a little. You speak Spanish?)

"I understood what you said, so yes. I speak a small amount."

"Say something."

"Like I said before, I have somewhere to be. Adiós, Señor Julio."

I cranked the truck and drove off.
*******

I finally made it back to the hospital. I went back to the group and people were trying to calm Ronnie down. Whitney and Tyra were holding Komisa'. Kilani looked like a lost puppy.

Komisa' was tight with Hakeem. Ronnie was like his blood brother.

I didn't say anything. Instead, tears filled my eyes and I sat down near Miguel.

"Is he dead?" My voice was barely audible.

Miguel looked at me and hugged me.

"She's gone for the better. Both of them couldn't make it."

"Both of them died?"

"No. Only Toni."

Hold up! Did he just say TONI?

"N-No. I thought something happened to Hakeem."

"No. Toni and the baby couldn't make it together. The baby is doing okay, but Toni..."

I'm not mean or anything, but I really don't care about Toni right now. All I was worried about was my boyfr--- friend.

"Miguel. You can let go. I have to use the restroom."

I walked to the restroom and texted Rakim.

I told the gang that I was leaving and that it would probably be hours until I came back. I switched the truck out for Ronnie's black Nissan and was on my way.