all american | lance tucker

ch. 12 • jealousy and anger

I need to call Roman.

I fumbled for my phone and pulled it out of my pocket, opening it and finding his number. He picked up quickly, and there was noise all around him in the background when the line connected.

"Miss me already?" He purred. I sniffled.

"I need you to come pick me up." I whimpered, my voice shaking as I cried.

"Whoa, hey. Babe, are you alright?" His voice was filled with concern, and I literally shook my head, even though he couldn't see me.

"No, Rome, I'm really not. I need you to pick me up from Rikers, like right now."

"You're lucky I'm at work, or else it would take awhile. I'll be there in seven. And hey, don't move until I get there. Got it?"

"Yeah, I-yeah, I got it." I tumbled over my words, not really sure of what I was saying. I just sat there on a bench, shaking, with Ciara in my arms, paranoid that someone would see me like that, broken down and balling my eyes out.

Finally, the pickup truck pulled into the parking lot, and I was quick to get in. But I didn't get in my side, I got in his. I sat Ciara down in the passenger seat and just cried in his arms, shaking so badly I couldn't control myself. He held me like that, letting my cry, for what felt like ages, holding onto his grey blazer. I glanced over to Ciara to make sure she was okay, and saw Roman rubbing her back, which seemed to be keeping her calm.

"Mama?" She cooed, reaching for me. I picked her up, holding her close to me. Roman stroked my hair, his lips pressed to my forehead.

"Get into the passenger seat. I'll take you home." He murmured. I did so, climbing over to the passenger seat with Ciara in my lap. He kept his hand protectively on my knee the whole time, keeping his eyes on the road. He knew I didn't want to talk about it, and I was glad, because I didn't know what would happen if I tried. Finally, we pulled into the parking lot of the apartment, and he turned to me. "Do you want me to take you inside?" He asked, squeezing my knee reassuringly. I nodded.

"Yeah." My voice was hoarse, and barely above a whisper. We got out of the car, and he put his arm protectively around me. I unlocked the door and let him in, walking up the stairs to the front door. He kissed my softly, holding my lower back.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly, looking down into my eyes. I nodded.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." I sighed. I turned to unlock the door, but was surprised when it opened for me. Lance was standing there, looking furious.

"She does not have a doctor's appointment, Cara. Where the hell were you?" He snapped.

"I-I..." I couldn't explain. I had no excuse. I was going to have to tell him. But no words came to me, just the tears all over again. Lance understood best. He would know how I felt. "I saw him, Lance." I whispered, and hugged him, bunching up his jacket in my fists desperately. He was so surprised, it took him a second to wrap his arms around me.

"Hey. Hey. You're okay. Come inside and tell me what happened." He led me into the house, closing the door behind me.

If only I'd known that Roman had still been in the hallway. I never would've hugged Lance.

He led me to the couch and let me sit down, taking Ciara out of my arms.

"Thanks." I said weakly, taking a pillow off the couch and squeezing it tightly. Lance sat down next to me, turning so he was facing me.

"Who did you see? Where were you? Why are you crying?" So many questions at once. Typical Lance. I shook my head.

"Jackson. I went and saw him." I said it quietly, because I knew he was going to be pissed.