The Games You Play : A Hood Love Story

Jay (19)

October 19th

* ring ring ring *

"Oh my goodness. Babe." I woke up and Loren was already dressed. She'd showered and everything. "Your phone's been ringing ever since I got in the shower. Answer it."

"Damn. GOOD MORNING TO YOU TOO." I said, trying to be annoying. Loren crawled on the bed over to my side and gave me a kiss.

"Good morning handsome." She smiled and laughed. My phone rang again. As soon as I answered, I just knew something was wrong.

"NIGGA WHAT THE FUCK." Smoke was yelling, but not like he normally does. "I BEEN TRYNA CALL YOU-"

"I'm sorry, bro." I started. "I just woke up what's wro-"

"You need to come home. Now." He sounded more serious than normal. "Bryce got shot three times last night. He's in ICU in a coma."

..... I dropped my phone and covered my face.

"Baby. Baby what's wrong?" Loren came back out the bathroom and picked my phone up. I snatched it from her without knowing and she was startled.

"How's Kenya?" I asked Smoke.

"She's fine, Layla's here but I'm sure it would help if Lo were here too. And Angelo's fine too he's here with me."

"Y'all seen him yet?" I asked.

"Baby what's going on?" I was ignoring Lo, but not on purpose. It was just too much going on right now.

"Nah they won't let us in today. But we not leaving." Smoke said through the phone.

"We packing now. We taking the next flight back." I didn't even know when the next flight was but I was about to find out. "Who did it, Smoke?"

"We all know who did it, Nigga. Watch your back when you come to town and TELL LO! You hear me? You can't keep her in the dark after this."

"The less that's known, the better." I started. "I'll see you later."

" A'ight nigga, hurry." He sounded disappointed. I hung up the phone. Loren looked worried. I wanted to break down and cry. Loren sat on my lap facing me and wrapped her legs around my waist.

"Please." She started. "Talk to me." I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore. I brought her closer to me, wrapped my arms around her, tightened my grip and laid my head on her chest. Everything came out of me. I cried for what seemed like forever. When I was done, Loren wiped my face and sat there until I was ready to talk.

"I love you." I said. "More than anything."

"I love you, too, baby." She kissed my cheek. "What happened?"

"Before you ask, Angelo is okay. But .... " I could barely get it out. "Bryce got shot last night."

"Oh my God!" She screamed so loud it startled me.

"Calm down baby." I ran my hands up and down her back. "He's in intensive care. Layla, Kenya, Smoke and your brother are there right now. We're gonna go back okay?" She nodded at me.

"I'm sorry. I know this isn't how you planned on date night going." She put her hand on the back of my head and pressed her head against mine.

"I know we're just about to leave, but, when this is over, wanna come back with me?" I asked.

"I'll go anywhere with you." She looked at me and there was her deep ass dimple I loved to see when she smiled.

************************************************
Loren

"Here I got it." Jayvin said as he grabbed my suitcase  off of baggage claim. After the phone call from Smoke, he hasn't really said anything. He just held my hand the whole plane ride.

Before we left, he'd called his family and told them it was an emergency. They were all very understanding even though Jayna was sad about us not coming back. We promised her we would be back soon, though.

After walking out of the airport, Smoke was there to pick us up. He wasn't his happy, smiling self for
obvious reasons. Neither of them were talking to one another like they'd normally would and I just wanted to make things better.

"Thanks for bringing my car, G." Jayvin gave Smoke a a slight smile.

"No problem, come on let's go." Smoke got in the back and Jayvin put me in his front seat.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked after he picked me up.

"I don't know." He said to me.

"Everything's going to be fine. I promise." I stroked his face and gave him a gentle smile.

"You keep me sane." He chuckled and pushed my legs in the car and shut my door. I turned around to see Smoke.

"It's going to be okay." I said to him Don't think the worst, we all need to be positive and strong for each other nobody does that better than you." I put my hand on his knee and smiled. The truth is, I didn't know if it was gonna be okay or not, but I was gonna make sure they were okay regardless.