Unpredictable Match 2

Fourteen

PART TWO

"Holy fuck, Cameron. Is it you? Is it really you??"

I am forcefully pulled into a hug in the middle of the street with tears soaking my t-shirt. The tears of Pheonix.

"I just got to New York, and I was trying to get a taxi to find you but I ain't know where you was but God just made the shit happen- I'm so happy," she sobs. I'm so in shock that I don't move I don't speak I just gaze ahead and stay put.

"I don't even care that you almost hit me bitch, I been looking for you."

Cars beep us and I gather my attention and pull away from her, who looks the same after all of these years.

"I gotta get going," I say quietly and walk to my car door.

"Wait, please! Can you bring me to a hotel please? I didn't drive here I took the plane. And I can't get a cab because my Uber rating is mad low, don't nobody want to pick me up. I think that shit is like a 1.5"

I open my door.

"Please Cam. I really have to talk to you," she wipes her eyes.

I wait for a minute, sigh, then comply and let her come inside of my car. This is the last thing that I want to do but I don't think it would be fair of me to deny after I put her in harms way.

I put my seatbelt on and begin to drive away from the angry drivers stuck behind my car. That was so inconsiderate of me and I wish I could apologize to each and every single one of them for the delay.

I can't believe I'm crossing paths with Pheonix after over a decade. I always planned on never seeing her again and completely erasing her from my memory. But, she always finds a way to reappear. In my life, I always seem to cross paths with the people that I don't want to cross paths with. And the people I would do anything to see never show up.

I was hoping this would be a silent encounter, but I don't even know why I thought that would even be an option because Pheonix from what I remember never ever stops talking. And it's the same now.

"I'm so happy I found you. I'm only here for two days. The guilt was just eating me up so much last night I bought a last minute ticket to New York out of emotion. I'm really glad we crossed paths because I don't think I would've found you," she rants.

I stay silent and look at her from the side of my eye then back at the road.

"How have you been?"

I clear my throat, "Uhm," I begin "I'm okay."

"How is your twins?"

"Fine."

"How old are they now?" She asks and I shift in the seat.

"Fifteen."

"Wowwww," she gasps.

"How's Tyler? Or should I even ask that shit. That nigga is all on Tv and my social media. I know he's doing so well."

I force out a laugh, "yeah."

"Shit, maybe I shoulda said yes when he asked mw to be his girl back in high school. Lord knows I wouldn't have been struggling the way I am," she says and I can't tell if it's a joke or not.

Pheonix inhales deeply, "so uh, how is Anthony? Have you seen him at all this week?"

The moment she said his name my throat tightened up. Have I seen him this week? I have not seen him in two hundred and eighty six weeks. How could she even ask me about Anthony knowing that that's the only reason I have anything against her is because she set him up to react how he did in high school. She made his anger problems his weakness in an attempt to- do what? Hurt his feelings? Have him beg for me back?