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"Like what Ricardo did to you?" she then asks.
I close my eyes as agony rips through me. "No," I whisper when I open my eyes. "Let's just say that I've been right where Jackson's standing. I know what it's like to be on the receiving end of that look and have the man you..." I wipe the tears that somehow manage to escape. "The man you love, look at you like the thought of touching you is unbearable and he'd rather die."
I clear my throat, hating that I'm falling apart. "I'm go
She looks like she wants to ask me another question but instead, she sits down on one of the chairs. "No, I'm good. Thanks."
I make a dash for the nearest bathroom and splash cool water on my face, attempting to calm myself down.
When I walk out, I decide I'm not quite ready to go back just yet and wander down an empty corridor.
Only to find Ricardo rocking on his heels, looking like he's fighting back tears. "Come on, Tyrone. Make it through this, brother," he whispers and my heart constricts.
I slowly back away, hoping not to disturb him but it's too late. He shoots me one of those looks that rip me to shreds and I feel myself shrink down before I walk away.
I have no idea what I missed while I was gone but when I walk back Alyssa looks a hot mess and she's laying on the floor. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot some gorgeous girl calling out her name in a southern twang. However, my eyes land on Jackson who's currently beside her—even though it's clear Alyssa doesn't want him anywhere near her at the moment.
Especially when she stands up, walks over to me, and reaches for my hand. Obviously she needs some support right now.
Jackson makes a face like he wants to kill me, but I jut my chin out and glare at him, my protective instincts taking over. "Leave her alone, Jackson. I have no clue what you did but she doesn't want you near her for the time being. You need to respect that."
He opens his mouth and his eyes narrow but Alyssa shoots him a look letting him know she means business.
Well, I'll be damned. This girl might have some spunk in her after all.
"Touch me again and you'll be in a jail cell," she snarls while pointing to her cheek.
Whoa, Alyssa. Too far.
What I can only assume now to be Shelby gasps and I'm sure my eyes pop out of my head.
Jackson takes a step back and shakes his head. "That was an accident and you know it. I would never, ever hurt you on purpose. You stepped right in the middle of a full-on fight between two grown men, Alyssa. I didn't even see you until it was already too late. You have to know that I would never hurt you! I love you!" he screams, his voice thick with emotion.
Hell, even I'm starting to feel bad for him now.
I'm about to pull Alyssa out of the room because these two are so far past needing a time out it's not even fu
Any possible altercations between all of us come to a rapid halt as we all wait with baited breath.
When the Doctor a
Until the Doctor's face falls and he informs us about the damage to his spinal cord.
Momma shakes her head, confused. "I don't understand what that means, Doctor."
Jackson closes his eyes. "It means he's paralyzed, Momma."
Momma gasps and Jackson walks over to her and pulls her in his arms.
The Doctor nods sadly. "Yes. Although we won't know the full extent of the damage or his injury level until he wakes up, recovers from surgery and we can do further testing. And now that the surgery is over, I'll have to ask that only immediate family remain here to see him. The rest of you can come back tomorrow during scheduled visiting hours."
The Doctor leaves after that and no one says a word. The only sounds are the sniffles and sobs coming from both Momma and Shelby.
My lower lip trembles but I force myself to stay tough for everyone else.
A few moments later Momma and Shelby hug everyone goodbye...including me. "Thank you for being here tonight," Momma whispers. I give her a small nod because that's about all I can do without losing my composure.
Jackson a
He's not the only one who appears to have a problem with me giving Alyssa a ride because Ricardo gives me a look that can cut glass.
Only this time, I don't shrink down like he wants me to, I meet his stare full on before marching out of the waiting room with Alyssa in toe.
It's mind boggling that he's even upset about me giving her a ride in the first place—considering a few months ago he was tearing me a new one for being mean to her.
Everything comes rushing back in one big wave and I wish he'd get out of the near vicinity because the more I feel his presence surrounding me...the more I feel like I'm about ready to lose my shit in a way I never have before.
If I thought I felt anger after Tyrone got stabbed...it's nothing compared to the tsunami of poisonous rage consuming me now.
Yes, I love him. That's never going to go away. But I also fucking hate the shit out of him.
"You need a ride back to your apartment, right?" I confirm as we walk out of the elevator and make our way toward the parking garage.
Fortunately, Ricardo and Jackson were smart enough to go out a different way.
"Yeah, if you wouldn't mind. I'd really appreciate it," she says.
"No problem."
I freeze when I hear footsteps behind us and I know exactly who they belong to. And so does Alyssa because we exchange a glance, both of us wondering the same exact thing.
Why the fuck are they still following us?
I glance over my shoulder just as Ricardo tosses his keys to Jackson.
"Don't wreck my baby," he warns.
Oh, hell no.
"I won't. I appreciate the favor."
"You owe me," he says before he begins walking closer to me at the same time Jackson walks closer to Alyssa.
"Oh, shit," I whisper as I prepare myself.
"What?" Alyssa questions.
I give her the best piece of advice I've got. "Alyssa, I suggest that if you don't want to be manhandled by Jackson—you start ru
She takes off like a bolt of lightning with is rather ironic because it's exactly what I see across the sky before I start ru
Out of the corner of my eye I see Jackson snatch Alyssa up off the ground.
My heart goes out to her, but I've got my own problems to worry about.
Fortunately for me, I know the biggest advantage I have and I'm not afraid to use it.
I start dipping between cars and spaces that are near impossible to fit through, especially for someone as massive as Ricardo.
There's no point for me to attempt to outrun him when I'm still in his line of vision because he'd catch up to me in a heartbeat.
My best bet is to keep maneuvering between these tight spaces until I can make it to my car...then I can burn rubber and leave him to choke on my dust.
I can hear his footsteps behind me and I turn and sneak behind a pillar. I bite back a smile when he walks right past me.
When he's far enough ahead of me, I turn back around because my cars in the opposite direction. That's when I start ru