Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning (24 page)

Nodding slightly Nikki followed him as he beckoned her toward his bedroom. She assumed he didn’t want Rayne to hear whatever was about to come out of his mouth. Walking inside she immediately thought about the night prior and what transpired between them in her own bedroom.

“
I’m heading out for a few days,” Ryan told her, getting right to it.

Nikki nodded slightly, waiting on the rest.

“
I need this shit settled between us before I leave here,” Ryan added as she sighed softly. “So straight up Nikki, is it over or what,” he drilled as she swallowed hard, blinking back the tears his question brought.

She had to honestly deal with their situation and what she felt, and he wasn’t giving her any more time.

“
Ryan, I --,” she stumbled as he waited patiently. “You seem to have already decided that,” Nikki returned, shutting down again.

Ryan sucked his teeth softly.

“
See this is the bullshit I’m talking about Nikki, damn,” he threw out in frustration.

“
Ryan, what do you want from me,” she asked.

“
I want you to stop trying to be so fucking hard and let me be the man I’m supposed to be with you,” he told her irritated.

“
What are you talking about, I do that,” she fired back, her ire up.

“
No you don’t,” Ryan told her. “You always, and I mean always, have to be in control of the shit,” he fired as she vehemently denied it.

“
Yeah,” he threw back questioningly. “All I ever hear from you is, I can do this, I will handle that, I have to be top at this,” Ryan told her as Nikki ingested what he said. “What the hell are you so damned scared of? Why can’t you let me drive and you just ride,” he fired breathing hard now.

“
Because that bullshit always gets you hurt or fucked over,” Nikki yelled, the tears rolling down her cheeks. “I tried that,” she continued to rail her emotions over the edge now. “It got me cheated on, hell had a baby on, and fucked over,” she told him referring to a long ago love.

“
I was good to him too, never did anything crazy, was always there for him,” Nikki said sobbing deeply now, the hurt and the anguish evident. “But you know the very worst part,” she went on. “Not only did his ass cheat on me and betray me, the asshole stood in my face and lied to me when I confronted him,” she finished chuckling bitterly as she continued to cry softly.

Ryan watched her wordlessly letting her cry. He knew she needed to get all that had poured from her, out of her system. It was eating her alive and destroying them in the process. When she quieted, he walked over and pulled her from the dresser she’d leaned against, holding her in his arms. Ryan kissed her wet cheek gently, stroking her back as he held her and began talking to her.

“
Nikki, baby, I love you,” he told her. “Dude was definitely a loser, but that’s his damned loss, because you’re a helluva woman,” Ryan patiently explained. “All of us aren’t the same, and I for one, ain’t shit like that punk ass bitch,” he added as she sniffled slightly and nodded her understanding, eyes closed as she lay on his chest.

“
Baby, all I want to do is love you, take care of you, support you through whatever,” Ryan began again. “Trust when I tell you I’m proud of you doing you and going to law school, but you gotta find a balance baby,” he added gently. “Rayne and I need you,” Ryan told her, lifting her chin and kissing her deeply.

Nikki returned the kiss needing to feel the love he was giving. After the kiss ended, he looked into her eyes and spoke once more.

“
So you tell me before I leave this city,” Ryan started. “Are we on or off?”

Nikki didn’t need to think that over. It was a no brainer as she opened her mouth and answered.

“
On,” she said simply and Ryan smiled, kissing her deeply as he began undressing her.

*****

Horse was thinking about Ashlyn again as he waited on the information he’d requested. She seemed like a nice enough girl and Sa’Cari was definitely in love with her. He sighed deeply thinking about the drama that would ensue if he were forced to break them up.
That boy is even more stubborn than Socrates,
Horse mused sighing deeply as his phone rang.

“
Yeah,” he answered seeing the ID.

The caller began giving him various information that had been gathered about Ashlyn.

“
Hmph, that’s interesting,” he replied saying nothing more as they continued to talk. “You checked medical history,” he asked and the caller assured him the young woman had never visited a maternity ward or abortion clinic.

“
Hmph, okay, thanks for all the information,” Horse told him as they disconnected and his mind continued to whirl.

Dialing another number on his cell he waited for the call to connect.

“
Wassup,” the person on the other end greeted him.

“
We need to meet,” Horse said simply.

The other party picked up the tone asking if anything was wrong.

“
Not necessarily, but we need to talk,” Horse replied offering no further explanation.

“
That’s fine, when and where,” the party inquired.

Horse supplied an answer and they agreed, disconnecting. He sighed deeply afterward, before rising and heading into the kitchen to make himself a drink.

His cell rang again and he smiled seeing Sapphire’s name.

“
Hi,” Horse greeted her amiably.

“
Horse, guess what,” she threw out excitedly.

He was curious what had her so giddy, secretly hoping Sa’Cari and Ashlyn hadn’t done anything crazy like elope.

“
What,” he asked still amiable.

“
They have a donor, they just called and told me to get to the hospital now,” Sapphire told him as the smile covered his face.

“
Wow, that’s fantastic, I’m on my way,” he told her grabbing his keys as he talked and heading out of the door.

Sapphire explained about the young woman killed in the auto accident and her family honoring her wishes and donating her kidney. As saddened as Horse was about the young woman losing her life, he was eternally grateful for her gift to Sapphire. They talked a few minutes more before she hung up saying she needed to finish packing her overnight bag. Horse was still thinking about the ramifications of her getting the new kidney. He prayed her body didn’t reject it and that she would get many more good years on earth.
Are you going to finally man up and approach her,
his mind questioned.

Horse couldn’t deny what he felt for Sapphire getting stronger and stronger everyday. Soon he would be forced to either deal with the feelings or stay away from her. The latter being something he definitely didn’t want to do. Reaching her place she was waiting outside, smiling and waving cheerfully.

“
I’m so nervous,” Sapphire confided as they rode.

“
It’s going to be fine,” Horse told her reaching out and taking her hand.

She didn’t pull away, making him smile slightly. They reached the hospital and he went inside with her helping fill out the various papers required to proceed.

“
The surgery should take about 3 or 4 hours,” the nurse was informing Horse as they prepped Sapphire inside her room.

“
How long will she need to stay in the hospital,” he asked, his own anxiety beginning to kick in. “Normally about 7 to 10 days, but that will depend on how well her body responds to the kidney,” the woman told him as Horse nodded and thanked her for the information.

They brought Sapphire out on a gurney almost an hour later, heading to the operating room. The orderly stopped at her request as Horse gave her a reassuring smile.

“
Call Sa’Cari and let him know,” she asked as he assured her he would. “Horse, if for whatever reason,” she began as he quickly told her to stop.

“
When you wake up Sapphire, I’ll be here,” Horse told her firmly.

She looked into his eyes for a moment, silently, before smiling and softly telling him okay. The orderly resumed his trip and Horse watched them disappear inside the elevator. He pulled out his cell and made the call to Sa’Cari, assuring him he would call him back once his mother was out of surgery. Sitting down, Horse picked up and magazine and prepared himself to wait.

*****

Sa’Cari was still thinking about his mother when Ashlyn arrived moments later. “Hey,” she greeted him happily.

Sa’Cari gave her a short smile and invited her in.

“
What’s wrong,” she asked, taking note of his mood.

Sa’Cari told her about his mother getting a kidney and that she was in surgery right now.

“
That’s good though honey,” Ashlyn tried to cheer him up. “No more dialysis and stuff for her,” she added as he nodded thoughtfully.

“
I guess I just don’t want anything to go wrong,” he finally confessed.

Ashlyn told him she understood but they had to stay positive. He hugged her tightly then, telling her how glad he was to have her in his life.

“
Did you enjoy Chicago,” Sa’Cari asked changing the subject wanting to lighten the mood.

“
Yeah, it was really nice,” Ashlyn replied.

“
Hmph,” he said simply, kissing her lips. “Think you would be happy living there,” he inquired.

Ashlyn frowned slightly wondering where he was going with that question, but answered she thought it would probably be a nice place to live.

“
You want something to drink,” he asked, again shifting gears and leaving her mind confused.

“
Yeah, a juice is fine,” Ashlyn returned.

She thought it was a random question but decided not to give it any more thought as Sa’Cari took her hand and pulled her up from the couch, heading she knew, to his bedroom.

“
You have a good day today,” he asked, beginning to undress her.

“
Yeah, got another two papers to write,” Ashlyn complained as Sa’Cari chuckled slightly. They began to kiss, all conversation stayed as the atmosphere heated up and they were both soon naked, touching and caressing intimate parts.

“
Mmm, so soft,” Sa’Cari murmured as his hands glided down her body.

Ashlyn loved his touch and the things he did to her when they made love. He began tasting her and she almost lost it. Sa’Cari was an artist when it came to orally pleasing her. She felt the first orgasm hit her and she moaned loudly. Sa’Cari continued tasting and arousing her as Ashlyn continued to moan softly, finally making his way back to her lips.

“
Sa’Cari, wait,” she told him managing to catch herself before he entered her.

“
What’s wrong baby,” he asked, breathing rapidly wanting very much to make love to her.

“
I have condoms and I need you to use one,” she told him sweetly.

Sa’Cari frowned deeply, giving her a look. “Why,” he threw out. “Aren’t you on the pill baby,” he tried, kissing her neck now.

“
Yeah, but,” Ashlyn began before he stopped and moved off her. “Sa’Cari, don’t be mad, please,” she tired seeing the look on his face.

“
Nah, what I want to know is why suddenly we have to use a condom when you’re on the pill,” he threw out his tone angry. “I mean normally when a woman wants you to use a condom its to keep from getting her pregnant, or maybe you need to tell me something, huh Ashlyn,” Sa’Cari told her.

“
What are you trying to say Sa’Cari,” Ashlyn returned, offended at the inference.

“
I’m saying, are you fucking someone else and that’s why you want me to use a condom now suddenly,” he answered right in her face.

“
Sa’Cari, you know damned well I’ve never been with anyone but you,” she told him her own temper starting to flare. “Why is it such a big deal, damn,” she added as he continued to glare at her.

“
Because I don’t see the purpose,” he fired back. “You’re on the pill Ashlyn, that shit is like 98% safe,” he drilled as her eyes teared.

“
So now you’re calling me a whore,” she threw back.

“
No, I didn’t say that,” Sa’Cari returned seeing the hurt mirrored in her tears. “I’m just confused baby, explain it to me, okay,” he tried, softening his tone.

Ashlyn wiped the errant tear that had fallen regarding him once again. “Sa’Cari, I asked you to use the condom ‘cause I don’t want to get pregnant,” she began as he continued to listen without comment.

“
I’m on the pill, but honestly, sometimes I forget to take them or I’m late taking them, and that could leave room for me to get pregnant,” she told him as understanding began to dawn.

“
My parents would kill me, and I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t make me too popular with your mother; or you either for that matter,” she finished wiping more tears now.

Sa’Cari felt like a complete heel.

“
I’m sorry Ashlyn,” he told her, kissing her lips and wiping the tears for her. “I understand baby,” he continued, as they began gingerly touching each other again.

Sa’Cari aroused her once again, kissing her neck softly now as he lay slightly atop her.

“
Ashlyn, I don’t want to use a condom with you,” he told her looking into her eyes now. “I promise to help you stay on track with your pills,” he added as she nodded slightly. “If anything happens, which it probably won’t, I got you Ashlyn, don’t ever doubt that, okay,” Sa’Cari told her lovingly, kissing her deeply as he moved between her legs and entered her and their passion filled moans of pleasure permeated his bedroom.