BEING THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

chapter eleven

Nathaniel took a deep breath and cover his face, he some how felt helpless and distracted, he wasn't working up a worried for himself but for Tiana, he knew once Cecilia tell her husband she saw them together it is going to be a nightmare, and he was tired of seeing Tiana got beat up on,
The floor became exhausted by the way Nathaniel walk back and forth moving brisk fully and impatient,
He glare out the window to see what was going on over by Tiana's place, it was still early morning late last night he thought he heard her scream but that was just his mind playing tricks on him, he could see the bike her man ride still park on her lawn, he hope Cecilia haven't gone to him saying Tiana's name, he had seen the way he beats her and he hate seeing her that way, he's sure Cecilia has a idea of how bad he does it as a woman he didn't feel she could really has the guts to see another woman go through what Tiana's husband puts her through,
He wanted to call really and beg her to stay quiet about tiana even coming by and to think twice before accusing her of getting with him, but everything was clear he wasn't thinking of Cecilia to come barging in the way she did, he was only seeing Tiana off to get back and clean up, he ran his palm over his face that by now was sweaty, the heat that pours from his body make him clammy he didn't need it but he lite the fire place and sat down to calm himself, he kept hearing Tiana screaming only it was in his head, he heard the two kid's voice and went out and the port Tiana wasn't with them at the time but her husband came out, he saw the car her friend drive came it was then she came on the porch she hug the kids before they went to the car he saw them wave she went back inside while her man was still on the porch, he saw him looking so he went in and close his door.
Next morning they step out at the same time, just as Nathaniel got in his truck he got on his bike and rode behind him until he turn off at on the road to Colorado springs, he turn off heading to Grand junction,
Nathaniel had decided to go sailing to clear his head he was totally confused right now he sail for half the day before coming back,   tiana's husband  was at  home  when Nathaniel make it back  in the evening, he saw him staring him down and just went straight inside and close the door, he sleeps with his eyes and ears open and his gun at his side,
He was up early on Thursday to do some working out, he didn't notice time passes so quickly until Tiana shows up after coming back from walking down with the kids,
"You're here?" He ask taking her in his arms,
"I had to see you, I wanted to Know, know if you were ok"
Nathaniel laugh "worried about your young lover ah aren't we?"
" This is no time to joke about Nate"
" Who said I'm joking?, Don't worry I'm ok, are you?"
"Tiana nod"
"I hope so Tiana for since you're my woman now I don't want that man to lay a hand on you"
Tiana hug him, resting her head on him, accepting his comfort,
"I'm right here for you tiana I'm not leaving you" he whispered as he kiss her,
Tiana was more worried for him than she was for her, for her husband might beat her but he'll do so a lone but they'll all come together and beat him they won't spare him, they even have guns, she rub his face and he held her shoulder "I'll be fine just need to be aware"
Tiana kiss him deeply, "love me Nate, love me" she asked him
He love her as asked then watch her leave she only left when Cecilia call him,
"You're still breathing?" She ask with a laugh, "that too so clearly you must be lucky"
"Cecilia you think I'm a coward?" He ask
"I know you are, I saw how scared you got at the sight of those men, it's no wonder you are begging me not to say anything"
" Ok so I'm a coward I admit let them do what they want to do to me but leave Tiana out of this she's a good person" he said "something I can't say for you" he thought
"you so in to Tiana that you have to beg for her?"
" I'm begging for her because she doesn't deserve the way that man beats her"
" You should stop worrying about her and start doing that for yourself" she said then hang up,
"damn!" Nathaniel said bitting on his lip sucking in air.
Friday night Aran and his men hang out at the bar as usual he and the others sat at the table and Cecilia serve them drinks Nathaniel just sat when Cecilia saw him and point him to the others, Timmy got up but Aran stop him just as they saw a off duty police detective woman came and sat next to him,
They observe the two for some time as they Converse and he bought her a drink,
"He's not your boy anymore?" One of the guys ask
"We broke up and it's for good" Cecilia said, "I don't think she's the reason for our break up, for He's been seen hanging a lot around your wife lately" Cecilia said Aran look up so did the girl on his arm,
"he's renting her apartment" Aran said
"I think it's something more than that" she said
"What do you mean?" Aran ask
But Cecilia didn't answer for she was call to come to the bar since more people was coming, Nathaniel was still at the bar talking with the police and the guys kept their eyes on him, "he can't be messing with my wife I warned her to stay she knows me pretty well and she will never disobey my orders" Aran said
"we should teach him a lesson" Timmy said
"We should" Aran said knowing what he'll be doing
Timmy got up and walk to the bar when he got there he stood close to Nathaniel who ignore him but he lean over and said something Nathaniel and the woman look at him, he smile and left Nathaniel saw when they all leave at the same time the police got up and he made offer to walk her to her car after inquiring if she drove,
He saw her off before going off to his truck parked in it's usual spot he got in and start the truck but the truck kept skidding and making unusual sounds, sounds he wasn't expecting to hear it making, he got out and took the flashlight he kept in his gloves compartment, he check the wheels to find all four tyres cut in three different places, "fuck!" He curse kicking one off them, "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK...!" He curse more when he walk around the truck once more, he travel with only one spare and he has no patch it was no use calling his mechanic for he would have to give him direction and he probably won't get here till morning, he thought of walking back but instead decided to sleep in the truck and find someone to fix it in the morning,
The knock on his truck window woke him, Nathaniel open his eyes to see the guy who work the security post at the bar "yeah man" he said as he roll the window down,
"You ok?" The man ask
"Tyres" he said getting out the truck his foot point to the front and the security observe it he shook his head "sorry man" he said
"It's all good, do you know the nearest tyre shop around here?" He ask
"A mile and a half I'm getting off duty I can give you a lift"
'That I'll appreciate" Nathaniel said with a smile,
Soon as the other guy sign in he sign out and as said he drop Nathaniel to the tyre shop and back, together they got the tyre fix Nathaniel thank him shook his hand then they both drove off, he got to the house took a long shower then came to the port he came to notice Tiana's husband bike park out, he knew they have something to do with his truck tyres cut up the night before he want to confront him but with time for the entire day he sat on the porch watching his place Nathaniel spend most of the time watching him from the window where he knew he wouldn't be looking for him, he went away Saturday evening and he knew he wouldn't be back before morning he visited Tiana when he believes the kids to be a sleep, she was glad to see him, they made heated love to each other, thought Tiana have fear of her husband finding her and Nate together she was joyful for his love, "you stay out last night you made it up with her?"
Nathaniel laugh " you sound worried"
" It's not worried this time it's jealous, jealously"
Nathaniel lift his head to look at her grinning at her, he shook his head, " it's nothing like that" he told her, I got Tyre trouble" he said
" Did they, did Aran and his friends?"
" How could you tell?" He ask
Tiana held her head, "oh Lord" he said, "how bad?"
"Four new tyres how bad"
"I'm sorry" Tiana said
"It's not your fault, I guess he's paying for his mistake right, I think you should roll another condom on and sit back on top of me" he whispered, Tiana grin doing just as he wanted,
They cuddle each other as they lay talking,
"Since I met you Tiana I can't see me without you, Tiana I'll fight for you, I swear on my life this day much as he's your husband if he lay a hand on you again I'm not taking it easy"
"no they'll gang you and hurt you, I don't want that because of me"
"it's either you gave them to much credit or you are giving me far too little" Nathaniel said
But tiana was really scared,
They barely have any shut eyes and Tiana got up to sneak him out at five fifty in the morning,
Rihanna peek through the crack door after hearing movements in the living room for she woke up and couldn't go back to sleep, she saw her mother and who appears to be her tenant at the door, she solemnly wondered what he was doing over so early, what he and her mother was talking so low about, they were whispering and he had a smile on his face she noticed before that he was good looking but never saw it so much until she noticed now, he saw him lean in and kisses her mother's mouth one that goes deeply, when it was over she giggle and pushed him out the door close it then watch from the window, it seems he was gone so she came from there what Rihanna knew was that she would check in and quickly climb back to bed curling back beneath her sheet, she stood by the door for a while just looking at them Niccane shift and she got further to check on him, realize he was just turning she bend and kiss him, she move from him to where she lay and kiss her forehead, she then walk out the room Rihanna wipe her forehead on remembering the kiss she caught earlier and smile to herself,
Tiana took a long soak in the tub then fix breakfast, she was just about finished when Rihanna came in, she came in and hug her then sat at the table,
"Where's your brother?" Ask just the same time Niccane came in the kitchen,
"Morning Mom, what's for breakfast
"Scrambled eggs with Burger rolls" Tiana answer, setting his dish before him,
"yes for I'm starve I don't know what happened to me last night but I think I lost all that meal I ate last night somewhere" Niccane said,
" Did you checked under the bed?" Tiana asked with a giggle
" Maybe Rihanna stole it" Niccane tease,
" From your belly, grouse!" she frown at her brother, make a disgusting face and held her chest
Tiana smile at them rub both their cheek, "have breakfast and get ready for church" she said
"Yes Mom" they both said
"Aren't you going to eat?" Niccane ask
" Maybe later, I'm full right now" she said
Rihanna look at her then to her brother, then to her mother's smiling face she haven't seen her so triphy since her father started acting crazy and beats her all the time,
They did as was told they were just about ready when clover call said she'll be at church and will give them a ride home,
Nathaniel get to enjoy going to church on Sundays he knew his mother would appreciate it and other reason he get to see tiana, he got to church after they do as he walk in Tiana turn to the door it was as though she felt his presence Rihanna saw her looking with a pleasing smile and turn to see the guy who rent her mother's house, he sat to the back of the church and her mother lost focus of the preaching and became distracted by the present of him, she seems glad to be around him than in the present of her dad she smile around him but not around her dad, like her mom she kept watch of this guy, church was almost dismissed when the decon present the veneration he got up and walk out since they always wait for the announcement her mother didn't get up yet, but on seeing him walk out Rihanna follow him out, Tiana turn when she saw her daughter Walk out it was then she realized Nate was gone,
Nathaniel was by his truck when the girl came up behind him he was half stooping as he drank from a bottle of water,
"Are you and my mom having an affair?" She boldly ask Nathaniel choked on the water and coughed for some time, he turn to see her looking up at him holding a steady gaze
"What was that?"
"I know you heard me" she said
"Why did you ask that?"
" For I saw you leaving this morning" Rihanna said
Nathaniel choked once again "me leaving, oh I just stopped over to, to find out when the rent was due"
"just before six in the morning, did she say the rent was free was that why you kiss her too?"
Nathaniel grasp as he look at the little girl who kept a hard glare she had not a simple smile on her face, he took a deep breath he knew it was no use lying to her, she was too smart to not notice petty lies, "it's not what you think"
"You mean the kiss isn't what I think, I'm sure I wasn't dreaming or was I sleep walking"
" He rub his hands over his face doing so with frustration, trying to find the right thing to say was there the right thing to say to a little girl who just saw her mother kiss another man other from her father,"I'm not going to lie to you"
"No for already you're a bad lier"
"I'm in love with your mom I'm crazy for her, I know you might not want to hear it but I am"
"I might not but I'm eleven I can't make decisions for my mother"
"you can't tell your dad either", "my dad is already putting her through so much, why would I tell him, the last thing I want for her is to be beaten up by my dad, or some one else hurting her"
" I'm not here for that" Nathaniel said pulling Rihanna in to him, "I hate seeing her hurting too and that's the last thing I want to do, I love her I love your mom"
He said he let her go and she turn to leave then turn back to him, " don't tell my mom"
"You haven't talk to her about it?"
She shook her head,
"Rihanna you are over here bothering the man?" Tiana ask
They both look at her as she look from one to the other,
"She's not bothering me at all" Nathaniel said smiling at the little girl,
"we should go clover is ready"
"Ok mom, bye" she said as she face Nathaniel for the last time before walking away to join her brother and the other children with clover,
"What were you two talking about?" Tiana question,
" You of course who else?"
Tiana look at him with a surprise look on her face,
" Why that look I can't mention you to your daughter?"
"I don't say no"
" So what's the tense look?"
" I'm not tense"
" I'll take your word for it" Nathaniel said and walk around to the driver's seat of his truck"
" Nate" Tiana called he got inside the truck and roll the window down,
" You can't bear to see me go?" He ask, "I thought your friend was ready"
"Yes I'll see you later"
"Haven't gotten enough of me yet"
She hang her head shyly with a smile on her lips making her look prettier than she should,
"I'll see you later tiana" he drove off leaving her watching him as he watch her in the rearview mirror,
"Are we to leave you?" Clover ask when Tiana was still standing there watching Nate's truck,
"I'm coming" she said walking briskly to them they got in the car soon as she came and drove off,
Tiana saw Nate's truck park out first think as she came to her gate but didn't see him figure he must be in side, she went in with the children and clover who decided to hang on a little before going Tiana made dinner and they have it, she and her children walk clover and her children to their car, where they share a hug, clover and her children drove off and tiana and the two children went in, they spent a little time together and was off to bed by eight for they got school Tiana went to bed after sharing a conversation with clover who's interested was in Nate Tiana gave her many details even considering options that could help Nate stay safe from her husband,
Tiana went to bed and dreamt of Nate running while running her husband and Friends were after him Tiana jump from her sleep frighten she nearly scream and cover her mouth knowing she might Alam the neighbors and woke the children, she got out of bed and peek out the front window, the truck was there and one little light shown throw the front window Tiana pray he remains safe for she didn't want him to get hurt they had done so much already.
In the morning Nathaniel got up pack his bags putting all his things together he has a feeling it was better that way to keep them together it wasn't all that much things anyway he toss them on the back seat of his truck with the small box that held his rat, he later went into town late afternoon for he needed a few things just as he step out his truck he saw Cecilia walking across the street and ran her down, "hey!" He call for he often forgets her name, he caught up with her and grab her by her shoulder yank her around to face him,
"Ouch!" Cecilia almost scream aloud,
"So did you influence your biker buddies to slice up the tyres on my truck?" he said
Cecilia almost ask what he was talking about for she didn't know about that she figured that Friday night it happened at the bar, they had left before she saw them and she didn't think to look for Nate since he wasn't at the bar and already the woman he was with had left so she thought it was together,
"So you got the message ah...!!!" She grin,
"If I had known you would turn out to be such a bitch I would have stayed a way from you but all because of a little sex that wasn't even enticing"
Cecilia struggling to get from him but his grip was too tight,
" Leave me ah you're hurting me!" She called out and the guys across the street heard all four turn to look, they were park in front the bike shop as usual and the one Nathaniel saw her eyeing first came across followed by the others,
"He's hurting me" Cecilia said struggling once more,
"The lady said you're hurting her boy" Timmy said
"Look man I don't know what is going on with you two but it's between me and her now" Nathaniel said
"the woman said you're hurting her"
"stay out of it man"
"ouch" Cecilia said
Timmy ease Nathaniel shoulder by pushing at him he let go Cecilia and turn to face Timmy the other three has came to gather behind Timmy,
Clover husband came out of the barber shop and saw the gathering he would have walk by but he saw the guy who rent the home of his wife's best friend and stop to ask what was going on, a man next to him wasn't sure but explain what he happen to hear and saw the guy was talking to the girl who suddenly started screaming then the other guys came over,
"I'm not looking for nothing I'm talking to her that's it"
"She doesn't want to talk" Timmy said taking Cecilia's hand pulling her to him,
"I'm warning you to stay a way from me" Nathaniel said turning to Walk a way,
"Why so you get more time to screw aran's wife" Cecilia bellow cause Nathaniel to stop and turn around, "I don't know what you're saying" he said
"You know exactly what I'm saying I saw you with her it's the reason I left you I left your sorry ass for you are no use to me dead for when Aran found out you're screwing his wife he's going to kill her,
"The boss wife you're dicking her , wait till I tell the boss" Timmy said pulling out his phone,
"No man!" Nathaniel said stepping in front Timmy It's nothing like that, what she's saying isn't true"
" He's only lying to save himself" Cecilia said
Aran came on the line and Timmy smirk over at Nathaniel, "Boss you're not going to believe what I just heard?" He spit out,
Nathaniel look at the phone in his hand hearing his heavy voice,
"Try me what did you hear?"
"The fool that rent your wife house is fooling around with her"
" What you mean man, by he's fooling around with her?"
He's digging your wife" Timmy said
Nathaniel look from Timmy to Cecilia
"My wife? How could that fool be fucking around my wife, he wait till I catch him, he's dead"
" We got him right here just tell us what to do and we'll take care of him,
"Cut him up, cut him so deep if he live to survive it it will turn h in to and vegetables and I'll take care of my wife"
"I'm not doing nothing with your wife" Nathaniel said for aran's earing,
" He's lying he's just scared why he's doing it he told me so himself that he's in love with her"
" What you saying woman haven't I said to you that your accusations are wrong"
"I don't give a fuck she's dead anyway" Aran said "kill him" he told the others then hang up,
At this point Nathaniel didn't care what they did to him he was more worried for Tiana and was concerned about getting there before her husband did, he turn to leave but Timmy grab his shirt and fist him a hard knock to his cheek,
Clover was just about to start dinner when her phone rang
"I think you should get over to Tiana's place now" her husband said
Clover knew something was wrong or was about to get wrong she ask no questions she just turn out the stove get the children and head there.