The Chase II (9 page)

Sliding down the side of the wall, I looked at my bloodied knuckles as tears streamed down my face. I hadn’t cried since rehab. Well, I cried when Xena first showed me her tattoo, but she didn’t know. Matt sidled next to me and asked, “Have you had a drink?”

Shaking my head, I murmured, “I thought about it. Even went to the store last night. But no.”

My arms rested on my knees and hung in the air. He wrapped his arm around me just like he did when I had mom in my arms in the kitchen that dreadful day. When she told us to leave without her.

“I’m losing everything. All over again.” I didn’t even recognize my own voice.

There was silence among us as we sat silently for what felt like an hour, but was only fifteen minutes.

Then Matt squeezed my shoulders, then he exhaled. “No, X. You’re just coming to the end of yourself. Everything is still here. You just can’t keep doing what you’ve been doing to keep it here. We’re not those kids anymore. We’ve made this and did what she said. Now, we just have to eliminate anything that will stand in our way.”

I looked up at Matt. “But you said to change methods.”

“Yeah, as of yet. What have you done? Kidnapped him, paid a visit to his sister and I’m praying that is all, vandalized his apartment and paid him to dig up info on Xena. Now what has he done. We’ve been playing defense, when we should have been on the offensive.”

This was my brother.

“Let’s think, what has he done?”

I told him about all the things Xena had in her bag.

“That’s it.” Matt cut me off. “That’s it.”

He hopped up and grabbed my phone off the floor on the other side of the room.

“Good, it’s not broken. That phone cost a pretty penny too.” Matt said.

“It better, it’s
The Stark
. A guy from D.C., designed it.”

“Ah, I need to get me one.” He turned the phone around several time. “Okay, you call Tay and I’ll call some of these other people to have a meet-up. Just to let them know that a guy with a name is looking in on their business and they might want to take a closer look at that.”

“Fuck.” I caught my phone as he tossed it to me. “You’re a goddamn geniuses. I’ve been off my game.”

“Yeah, you have. But that’s what I’m here for.”

“Yeah, man. For real.” I let him help me up. “Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Me neither.” He laughed. “I’m glad Xena told you about that information. She was vague with me, trying to find out what was true or not, but I told her to tell you.” 

“Yeah, she did.” My heart contracted. “Then she left.”

“What?!” Matt turned around to face me. “Nooo.”

“Yeah.”

“Fuck, man. I didn’t know that shit. I’m supposed to be helping her teacher find a place. Going there today.”

“Yeah, I heard about that.” I smirked.

“What’d you hear?”

“Oh, nothing.” I found Tay’s phone number.

“Yeah, okay. I think the poor woman has a little crush on me, but she’s a damn recluse. Couldn’t even sit on the same bench as me to talk. You ever heard of anything like that?” He held up his phone. “Bat shit crazy.”

“Hmm, well. I’ve heard worse.”

“Ain’t nothing there man. I promise you that.”

I would have laughed outwardly, but he didn’t know Xena’s gut like I did. The fucking woman was on point.

“Mr. Jackson, Ben’s behavior is unacceptable. We've had this discussion before and while I understand what you'd aging about the situation with his mom, I also have you some suggestions on how to get help with that.”

“Are you seriously back on this counseling shit again? My son is fine, I already told you. He’s eleven years old.” Fear was evident in the strong man’s eyes.

“And as I already told you. This is a red flag and the last thing you want is an opportunity to fix something that you chose not to do something about now and it becomes something later.”

“It's his fucking mother. She got him on this shit. No judge will give me custody.” He made a sideward turn of his body like he was ready to walk off. Then he spun back around and said through grated teeth, “Fine. What the fuck should I do?”

I stepped closer to him, so no one would hear us and said, “What you do in your personal life is your business. But the kind of school we are trying to run here. A safe one, free of anything that shouldn't touch these kids at this age.” I straightened myself up and repeated, “Not this age. There is nothing wrong with counseling. You may also want to make a truce with his mother because this is not working out on your son’s behalf. I can refer you to some people. Great family counseling.”

The hairs on my arm slightly rose. Then I heard, “Baby, what’s going on here?”

I turned around to see Xavier standing close to me in a possessive way.

Narrowing my eyes at him, I said, “hello Mr. Andrews.”

He put his arms around my waist, pulled my body into his and whispered while looking at Mr. Jackson “what's going on?”

“You’re Xavier Andrews?”

“Who’s asking?”

“Bishop Jackson.” He stuck out his hand. “I just got your call and my guys are on it.”

“Good! Nice to put a face with a name.” Xavier replied as familiarity settled in his eyes.

“Likewise. Ms. Fuller and I were just discussing my son and some possible options. I'll leave you to it, but,” he turned towards me and finished, “I'll do it. It's all about Ben. Please send me the information.”

I nodded my head and smiled, “Good. That's good. I'm glad to hear it. Have a good evening.”

He raised his eyebrow at me then walked to the rear passenger seat of his chauffeured car.

“Xavier, what are you doing here?” I pushed away from him.

“Came by to see you.”

Putting my hands on my hips, I said, “We’re over. Okay. There is no reason for you to come and see me.”

“Xena,” he took a few steps towards me.

I backed up towards the school and said, “We’re not doing this dance.”

“What dance?”

“The dance where you act like nothing has happened and we end up in bed together to continue our toxic relationship built on lies and no trust.”

“Xena, that’s a fucking lie. Our relationship was not built on that. I love you and you love me too. Do we go hard, fuck yeah. But that’s us. You can sit here and act like I’m the villain in all of this, but you know I’d do anything for you. That’s love. You wanted a partnership. Fine, I gave you what I could give.”

“How do you know Bishop?” I turned to ask Xavier.

“I’m a business man, I should know people like Bishop?”

“Why, because he's the plug?”

Xavier reared his head back and asked, “What do you know about the plug?”

He was smirking.

“No, Xavier. I work at a school. I'm the one that should be hip on all terminology. You on the other hand should not know a man like Bishop.”

“On the contrary, darling. I'm a business man. I need to know everybody. All the players, the wannabes, the dreamers and the fakes. Bishop is highly connected and so am I. We just never met and now he knows who you are to me. So, now it's settled.”

“What's settled?”

“You won't have to worry about him and his business”

“Xavier, why I appreciate the sentiment. Mr. Jackson and I already discussed this. I'm a safe zone. We’ve had dinner on this already.” I started to walk away.

“Dinner? When?”

“Oh that's none of your business any longer.” I kept walking.

“What?”

I looked to see that all my students had been picked up or at least walking home. GRIT was shut down for the day and most of the teacher’s cars were gone.

“Xena, where are you going?”

“To clear the building. Make sure everybody left.”

“Why?”

“Because Xavier, it's gets dark out here quicker now and I don’t want people traveling to their cars or the train late at night.”

I kept walking and then it hit me, so I turned and asked, “Why are you here, again?”

“Why do I need a reason to come see you?”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Because,” I said slowly. “We are no longer together.”

I looked him straight in the eyes.

He looked like he was contemplating on saying something, then he exhaled slowly.

“Well, a situation came up and I …”

“Xena, is the building closed?”

I turned to see Penelope standing in her doorway.

I turned to face her, then said, “Yes, it's closed to you. Go, enjoy the rest of your evening. This will be here tomorrow.”

“Well,” she started. “I was going to meet Matt here, so we could go apartment hunting.”

Xavier sidled beside me. I turned and he raised his eyebrows. “Is this who you were telling me about?”

“Yes, Penelope this is Xavier and this,” I pointed to her and said, “This is our science teacher, Penelope. Also, my new tenant as of Friday.”

She looked down and away. Xavier stuck out his hand, then said, “It's nice to meet you.”

“This is Matt’s brother as well.” I added.

Penelope nodded, but kept her eyes averted away from him.

Okay?

“What time are you guys meeting?”

“He should be here any minute now. He text me a few minutes ago.”

“Yeah, I just spoke with him.” Xavier chimed.”

Just as Xavier finished speaking, the doorbell rang. “Oh, I got this?” Xavier said and turned to get the door.

When he was out of ear shot, I asked, “So, are you really that shy? Or do men make you uncomfortable?”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “Uh, is it that obvious?”

“Girl, you look like you want to crawl under some bodies table.”

She smiled and said, “Oh God. I'm so sorry, that's so rude and they probably think I'm a freak or something.”

“No, just shy. I'm sure.”

“It's not shy really. It's more that they make me nervous. They are hot. I had to talk myself into not canceling this showing with Matt, because I couldn't bear to be in the car with him. He’s drop dead gorgeous and it'll just be me and him.”

I erupted in laughter.

“Oh, I'm serious.”

“I know you are,” I said through small chuckles.

“I promise you they are just flawed men.”

She shook her head with a faraway look. “Gorgeous, flawed men.”

Oh my.

“How old are you?”

“25.”

“Okay. Well, you'll do fine. Matt is cool peoples. So you need help moving on Friday?”

“Not really. Matt has organized everything for me.”

“Oh, he has?”

“Yes” she sighed.

“You like him, huh?”

“It doesn't matter, he doesn't like me like that.”

“Why you say that?”

“He told me.”

What?!

“You ready?” Matt called to Penelope. “Sup Xena.”

He came over to me to give me a half hug. “Hey, man. Thanks so much for taking care of Penelope.”

“Sure.”

“So, I was just telling Matt here. We should all go out after you guys look at the three apartments. You know like a double date.”

Matt turned to glare at Xavier, “and I was telling him that, it wasn't feasible because I got shit to do.”

“It can wait until tomorrow or Monday.” Xavier chided.

“No, it can't.” Matt responded.

“If you need to do something else, we don't have to do this. Xena has been kind enough to let me stay at her place, so this isn't urgent.” Penelope said.

Matt’s eyebrows bunched together and his head reared back when he said, “Yes, it is. You can't live in that neighborhood forever.”

What was with everyone talking about my neighborhood?

“There's nothing wrong with that neighborhood,” I extended my hand out towards Matt. “My block is quiet and my neighbors are good. Plus, I can’t go.”

“That neighborhood is shit. Do not listen to her. I'm with Matt on this, a place like that is only temporary for now. Let’s all go out afterwards.”

‘Xavier,” Matt pronounced each word, “I can’t for the fiftieth time.”

“What?” Xavier crossed his suit covered arms over his broad chest. He continued, “What do you have to do?”

“I’m going out if you must know, so I can’t.”

“I also can’t go….so maybe you and Xavier can go out.” I said to Penelope.

“Uh, no. Maybe we should reschedule Matt.” She started backing up towards her classroom, “I feel a migraine coming on and I need to get home now. Uh, I’ll see you on Friday when it time to move. Seven in the morning, right?”

“Uh, yeah. Are you sure?” Matt started walking towards her. “We can just go see the houses and be real quick. Most buyers, Xena can tell you, usually walk in and declare the one they like almost immediately.”

She was inside her door at this point. We all looked at her with curiosity, as she waved him off. “Yeah, yeah, uh, I’m sure. Believe me, these migraines will take me out. Maybe next week.”

“O-kay.” Matt turned to look at us. “What just happened here?”

“You’re an idiot.” Xavier blandly added with his eyes cut to the side facing me, but looking at Matt.

“Exactly.” I turned and headed to my office. “I’m getting my stuff.”

“What the fuck?” I heard Matt whisper.

When I returned, I saw Matt holding the door for Penelope and Xavier was typing something out on his phone.

“Did she change her mind?” I asked.

“Nope,” he kept typing. “He’s trying to convince her to go and she is not having it. I see what you mean about not taking much shit.”

“Hmm.” I started walking towards the door.

His footsteps followed me out as I made sure the door was locked behind me. I reached my car and Xavier held the door for me, then he asked, “So who is supposed to watch out for you late at night?”

“I can take care of myself, Mr. Andrews.”

“Xena, can we talk?”

I exhaled and shook my head, “Listen, Xavier. It took the whole host of heaven to get me out of bed this morning. It’s a struggle to not think about you every minute of the day. I’ve cried enough tears to be dehydrated and the last thing I want to do is see you or talk to you. This is my last time. Xavier, and I need you to hear me. My last time telling you to stay away. My heart,” my voice broke, “can’t take it. Okay?”

My body slumped against the car and Xavier stepped to me, grabbing my face with both of his hands. He kissed my forehead and the tears running down my face. Then he whispered, “Sorry baby. I was being selfish. I want you to be happy above everything else. If that is away from me, it’ll kill me, but as long as you’re happy. I’ll stop. Okay?” He kissed each cheek again. “I’ll stop.”

I held on to his jacket, then made a shaky exhale. “Okay.”

His lips touched my forehead for what was probably a minute, then he let me go and walked away.

******

I stopped by my place in Brooklyn to start packing what little stuff I did have there since Penelope would be moving in on Friday. I had to ensure that when the movers came, it would be a seamless process for her. I forgot to tell her, she’d need to pay rent to Xavier, he paid for rent for the entire year.

Tears hit my eyes at the memory of that gesture. The damn man moved me out of my apartment, into his, recreated a room of his to look like my old place and then invited his parents over to dinner, so I couldn’t cut him like I wanted. He was crazy, but crazy for me.

Check - eight.

A sudden urge to go see Kevin’s grandmother and give my condolence overtook me when I arrived. His last name was Lowe and they was a Margaret Lowe on the second floor.

I didn’t really know what to say, besides to say, we knew each other and offer my apologies.

After three knocks, an older lady with a cane opened the door.

“What can I do for you at this late hour?” she looked up at me with weary eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry ma’am. I, uh, just wanted to stop by and give my condolences. Ur, I just saw the article about Kevin and I knew him, so I thought I’d give him my condolences.”

“Are you Zia?” she asked.