My mom will never win mother of the year, but I think she loves me. Hopefully. I’ve blamed John, but maybe he was doing what my mom asked.
She’s either cut off communication with no warning or can’t use her phone for whatever reason. They confiscate phones at some rehabs.
What hurts the most is not knowing if what John said is true, that she doesn’t want to talk to me.
As I reach a busy intersection, the wind stings my face, and I turn away, noticing the sign is lit up to walk.
I’m not facing oncoming traffic and hear honking, brakes squealing, and I’m jerked back. A car misses me by inches.
“I had the right of way,” I say stupidly at the same time my savior says, “Are you all right?”
King. He saved me from being flattened on the pavement.
“Don’t touch me.” I push his hands away.
“Can’t believe I found you. Everyone’s worried.” King tugs me back onto the curb.
I snort. No one’s worried about me.
“Why can’t I get rid of you?” I yell, taking all my frustration out on him. “Stop fucking with me.”
King doesn’t flinch when I get in his face. He’s unmoved and I shove him. He’s solid and takes a step back but doesn’t lose his balance.
“What’s wrong with you?” I want him to disappear. My life would be so much better without him.
He remains stoic and smug, and my fist itches to punch his face. My arm moves of its own volition, and right before I connect, he catches my fist and stops me. Staring me in the eye, he doesn’t let go while he fishes his phone out of his pocket and dials.
“Hey, I’m with O’Keefe. I’m going to show him my neighborhood and MS 74. If one of us goes missing, blame the other.” He hangs up and opens his palm, pushing my fist away.
“Am I supposed to be impressed by that?” I sneer. He doesn’t deserve my anger, but at this point, I need to get away from him.
“No, but you’re coming with me.” He takes my arm.
“You’re fucked in the head if you think I’m going anywhere with you.” I stand tall and jut my chin.
“Are you scared?”
“No,” I huff. “All I have to do is find a cop, and they’ll arrest you for kidnapping.” There’s a cop a block down, and his ass will be in jail so fast.
“That’s short-sighted.” His mouth turns up at the ends. “Yes, I’d most likely get put in the back of a car with cuffs, but then what? They’ll figure out who I am and that not only am I your teammate, I’m your stepbrother.” His voice is low, so I inch closer to hear. “How do you think the Enforcers and their fans will react when it comes out that you had me arrested for showing you around the city?” He arches an eyebrow and waits.
Of course, he’s right. The fans aren’t on my side yet because of last season. It would be the nail in my coffin for my new start. “You’re really only going to take me around the city?”
“We’re going to a borough and back.” He tilts his head at the subway entrance.
“You’re taking me someplace sketchy.” I’ll never find my way home if we get separated.
He nods his head in agreement and barrels down the stairs to the trains. He swipes his card to get through the turnstile, then hands it to me to use.
Jamal doesn’t look at any signs or schedules or say another word until we’re standing on the train and holding the bar above our heads.
“We know nothing about each other. My mom told me some shit that turned me inside out. I’m not going to tell you about my life, I’m going to show you.” King is close enough that I can smell his soap and shea butter.
I grunt, having nothing to say. This field trip is futile. There’s nothing he can show me that will change my mind about the past. Except…it’s hard to tell what was real and what John made up.
We switch trains, and I become the minority. It never occurred to me that King lives in a world where he sticks out. He’s rarely in a room with another Black person. I’m getting side-eye, and I wonder if he’s ever afraid for his safety.
My heart rate picks up on the next train. I am most definitely the white dude who lost his way.
