Chapter 69 The hood
Ryder's POV
My jaw ticked as I glared at Gwen from opposite the couch, where she sat, staring at Uriel in some weird way.
"So, is she going to leave?" Gwen spoke just exactly the way she had it in her mind.
That was one thing I always considered her 'downfall'.
It was so annoying. Most times.
"Uh..." Uriel turned to face me, her whole body visibly tensed. Even her face had an awkward expression that was equally mixed with that of confusion.
My hand found hers, squeezing tight - enough to send my message.
"Stay." My tone was calm, my eyes pinning her down to the chair.
If I had to face whatever this was, I needed her by my side.
"I wouldn't want to interrupt you two, Ryder." Uriel's eyes glanced to the girl and then settled on me, her eyes rock hard and filled with ... jealousy.
"Kinky." I held her chin up, my voice holding it's edge of seriousness, "I want you to stay with me."
Her mouth clamped shut, the jealousy in her eyes washing off immediately and being replaced with a small smile.
"Hmmm... My mother would love to hear this. The devil got himself a ... an angel. The irony." Gwen chuckled, fiddling with her laptop.
This never gets old.
With the corner of my eyes, I caught Uriel digging her nails into her palm, so I took her hand in mine, my eyes pointed at no one in particular.
"That's Gwen, Kinky. She's my therapist's daughter."
"And one time crush." Gwen added. "Too bad, I do women."
"You wish you were my crush, you mean." I scoffed, turning to face a shocked Uriel.
"She...she's bisexual?" Uriel's voice came out as a whisper.
"Actually, I'm fully gay." Gwen smirked at Uriel. "And if I wasn't in a complicated, psychotic relationship, I'd definitely pick you up."
Scoffing again, I placed my hand around Uriel's shoulders, pulling her closer. "She's as straight as a ruler."
"You never know." Gwen sang.
"You can't have her."
"Why? Because she's yours? Blah, Blah." Gwen rolled her eyes at him.
"Gwen, are you fighting with Ryder again?" Mrs Richard's voice echoed through the speaker, making me mentally groan.
It was true that I had been ignoring her calls.
I just didn't know what to tell her about my decision.
"We were just having a very cozy conversation. Right, Ryder?" Gwen glared at me, giving me that 'you better go with the flow' look.
Uriel chuckled from beside me, stopping instantly when I glared playfully at her.
"I want to see his - good. Ryder, you better start spitting your last damn prayers boy. I have been - oh, who's that pretty damsel?" Mrs. Richard's lips lifted up into a beautiful smile.
That was new considering the fact that she always looked like she wanted nothing but to bury me six feet under during our sessions.
Okay fine, I admit that I am not one of the best clients you dream of working with every morning when you wake.
"Mrs. Richard, my -" I paused, looking at Uriel. My heartbeat picked up it's pace, my hands trembling slightly from beside me.
Fuck.
I didn't know what we were.
"His close friend." Uriel completed for me, squeezing my hand slightly, as if to say 'i got you'
"Mhm-hmm." Gwen scoffed, making her mother's smile grow even wider.
"Why are you calling, Mrs. Richard?" She looked between Uriel and I, her eyes lingering longer on Uriel though. "I want her here. You can speak."
"Okay then. Your father has been on my neck, asking for a feedback on your present condition. Nigga, I am not your doctor. Oh wait, I'm a medical therapist. I hate this job sometimes." She grumbled, almost making me chuckle.
"So ..."
"So, give me something Ryder." She frowned. "How's your knee? Can it play on the big field now? Are you back to playing basketball? What's holding you back?"
My teeth gnawed against each other, pressing hard. I felt Uriel's face on mine, boring holes into the side of my face.
If she thought I was going to answer that, then she didn't know me at all.
"Well, if I may, Mrs Richard," Uriel spoke up, startling me. I raised my eyebrow at her but she completely ignored my silent message.
"I believe he's still trying to make his decision on whether to play basketball or not. So far, he hasn't had any knee complications and I bet he's been taking his medications accordingly." She turned to look at me, her eyes fluttering.
Lol. She wanted to know if she was on the right track.
"He came out at the top in one of the swimming competitions that was held in Holland. A little more time to make his decision wouldn't hurt." Then she turned to me, "I believe he'll make the right choice."
Everywhere went silent for a while. Uriel and I just stared at each other, breathing rhythmically.
Fuck, I could kiss her right now.
She said it better than I would ever have said it.
Though she didn't know the real truth.
"Wow! You got yourself a nice one there, Ryder." Mrs. Richard chuckled lowly. "Thank you..."
"Uriel Kennedy."
"Uriel. This means a lot to me. Thank you, that will be all."
Then the screen went blank.
"You just shortened an hour conversation. You are a lifesaver." Gwen spoke, smiling at Uriel.
Their interactions looked harmless but somehow, I didn't like it at all. I frowned at her, giving her a predatory glare.
"I better get going. I have a night flight to catch." Gwen told us, walking to the door already. We stood up, following her out.
"It was nice to meet you." Uriel spoke politely.
"Me too! I'm so sorry I barged on you two like that and said whatever. I usually don't have filter and just spew out whatever I'm thinking."
"Oh. That's -"
"Bad, I know."
"Good." I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
Gwen flipped me off, waving a goodbye at Uriel before disappearing into the street.
"That was smooth?" Uriel shrugged, turning to face me.
I wrapped my hands around her waist, pulling her into me, "I couldn't have done it any better. Thank you, Kinky."
Her cheeks turned red, her head shaking, "it's really nothing."
"It's everything, Uriel." My face leaned down until my forehead rested on hers.
"Now, will you tell me the truth about everything?" She whispered, looking up at me through her lashes.
My body froze.
I really couldn't get past this woman.
As if on cue, my phone pinged. She pulled back, watching me bring it out of my pocket.
"It's time. Come pay homage to the hood."
"I'll keep to my promise if you keep to yours."
My throat bobbed up and down, my eyes hooded with dark, feral look - one that screamed everything wrong.
"Ryder, I know that look. What are you up to?" Uriel's voice held warning.
"Come with me tonight. I'll show you everything."