“Goodnight, Dylan.” She turned away.
JAKE WAITED IN THE Limo, fuming. He said nothing during the drive back. Dylan let him stew. Whenever his brother was ready to talk, he’d be there to listen.
IN HIS ROOM, DYLAN showered and turned on the television for the noise. He lay in bed and messed with his phone. It was simple enough to restore the numbers, but Tigris knew that when she deleted them. The real challenge was figuring out which number belonged to Nile. If he dialed the wrong one, Tigris would stop him. “Game on, sister.” He thumbed through the eight pictures Tigris gifted him with. Nile was gorgeous. She fit him like a puzzle piece completing the picture. He marveled at how fast he developed a crush...at his age. No, it was bigger than a crush. She made his heart beat. He could hear her declaring her virginity. He could feel her against him. He could still taste her on his lips. No. This wasn’t a crush. This was something that needed more time. To hell with tomorrow.
The heavy knock on his door brought him to the present. He padded across the room in bare feet, opening the door for Jake.
Jake found a bar. He had a twelve-pack of Coronas and a half-bottle of Jack Daniels. His glazed expression left Dylan no doubt where the other half went.
“This place is fuckin’ hell, man. They are all batshit crazy.” Jake stumbled forward. Dylan shut the door and steadied him. Jake took a seat and Dylan took the beer. He helped himself to one.
“You know this place is so batshit crazy, they gave me the booze...for free. The guy said I needed it. He was right, but hell, man. Everybody knows what’s going on because they are all batshit crazy.”
Dylan had a long drink. He imagined his night would warrant it. “What happened?”
“Every damned thing. That’s what happened.”
“If you want an opinion, I need details.”
Jake offered Dylan the whiskey. When Dylan shook his head, Jake chugged down a big gulp.
“They said, no. They did not approve of Maya and I being together. Maya’s dad asked about a trial probation, like watch us date or some shit. No to that. I asked if it would help if I sent you and Sonny home. That bastard, Jordan, told me to shut the fuck up. And, if I spoke again, Maya would have to deal with it. I don’t know what that means, but Maya started to cry and begged me to be quiet. Her mother called me a son-of-a-bitch. For what? Man, what the hell is wrong with these people? It’s some kind of psychological warfare torture or some shit. I don’t know.” He had another drink. “I tried to be quiet, I did. But, they weren’t making any sense, and you weren’t there to explain it, and Sonny’s ass is locked up for what? Nothing. Not a damned thing.”
Jake was drunk and spiraling. Apparently, he had something before or with the Jack. Dylan didn’t know how much longer until his brother passed out. “Did they give you any reasons?”
“Nothing that makes any damned sense.” Jake was almost through the bottle and beginning to slur. “First Tigris—the bitch—what kind of name is Tigris, anyway? First she said, no. She wouldn’t help us. Who the fuck asked her to help us do anything? Then, then that bitch’s bastard brother said no, he wasn’t helping either. I looked around that room and I knew. I knew, whatever the hell help they think I want, if Jordan and Tigris say no, then they all say no. Pawns. ’Cause that’s how clan-shit works. They got a daddy and a momma, but the two imbeciles in charge and everybody bows and follows.” He belched. “Robots. I don’t know why ever’body listens to them. You know what I said? I said, I said, who the fuck want your help? I got money too. I ain’t, I ain’t fuckin’ rich...not like dem...” He finished the bottle. “But, I don’t needs no handouts. I says Maya and me is getting married and you all can, can, can kiss my ass.” He tried to get more to drink, but the bottle was empty. He let it fall to the floor. “Maya’s momma calls me selfish. Me.” He pounded his chest with his finger. “And, and, and, then, and, and, and, then, and then, she slaps me.” He rubbed his face. “That shit hurt. I ain’t gonna hit her, but, but, but I’m not putting up with that dis...disrespect.”
“Is this where you started throwing things?”
“It is. Man...I grabbed me a doohickey thing off the, the table. And, and, I hurled that motherfucker. I aimed for, for...Jordan’s arrogant head, but, but he was the other...the other way. I kept throwin’ shit anyhow.”
Jake went into a stupor. Before Dylan was sure he was asleep, his head popped up. “They grabbed me. Four, five, five, ten...I don’t know. They put me in the car and, and, and said, don’t come back. Don’t come back.” He nodded out again.
Dylan gave him a few minutes and pulled him up. He led him to the bed and helped him down. While he was pulling off his brother’s shoes, Jake started talking again.
“I called Maya. She blocked me.” Jake started crying and fell asleep.
Dylan nursed his beer. He put his feet up on Jake’s abandoned chair and got comfortable. He could sleep in his brother’s room; he thought he might, later. But, for now, he wanted to stay close in case Jake needed him.
What is going on? Trying to make sense of the minuscule amount of information he had was frustrating. The Bishops were shady as hell. But, was it racial? It seemed that way to him. But why? Why do they do it? Why is everybody okay with this creepiness? Wait...everybody wasn’t okay with it. At least, according to Sonny, everyone wasn’t. If it was racial, why would Jake and Maya be a problem—they’re both white. Not like him and Nile...Nile. Nile was different. Nile was beautiful and sweet. She hadn’t manipulated or tried to control anything. She didn’t have an opinion or a vote in Jake and Maya’s circumstance. No. She was too busy setting him on fire. And, she did. She made him burn.
Dylan took out his phone and studied their picture. He made it his wallpaper. He couldn’t have her but damned if he wouldn’t dream.
Goodnight.
The message popped up on his screen and he grinned. Yes! He typed back: Thank you and added the googly eyes heart.
Do not contact me unless I contact you first.
I promise...as much as I’m able.
This is only because you’ll be in another state.
I’ll take whatever I can get.
Why don’t you “get” some sleep? Mackey will be waiting on you first thing. You have to keep your word.
I always keep my word.
I’ll remember that.
You better.
I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast before you leave.
That’s a bittersweet thought but I can’t wait.
Me either. Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Less than a hundred words between them and she changed his night. He was sad Jake was going through hell. But, he, Dylan, wasn’t in hell...not at all.
Chapter Thirteen
Dylan’s phone rang. He opened his eyes and checked the number. “Good morning.”
“Rise and shine, sleepy-head. You have a date.”
Hearing the sunshine in Nile’s voice was definitely the best way to wake up. “With you?”
“Uhh, no. The monster-in-charge informed me, he was on his way over to collect a debt.”