Chapter 34: Chapter 12: True Colors

JOCELYN

I woke up this morning on cloud nine! I am getting a sister-in-law, and I am going to be an auntie! I know that my mom and Nate were in a similar situation when my dad found them.

I think Nate was five when Dad saw them. He rescued them from her boyfriend and killed him. I know that comes with the territory, and this girl’s boyfriend will get what’s coming to him.

I quickly jump up as I have school today, so I run to the shower and jump in. I quickly get myself clean and get dressed in some jeans, a shirt, and a jacket. I run downstairs to the kitchen and see my brother sitting there having coffee.

I chat as quickly as I can, but soon I see Frankie tapping his watch. All right, all right! I grab some food and run out the front door.

As I jump in, I see Tank and Frankie are up front and Jessie jumps in after and sits right next to me. He grabs my hand and quietly talks to me as we drive off.

“I don’t like this. I know it’s an act and I trust you. I just don’t trust him. Let alone his mom. Who knows what lengths they will go to?”

“Jessie, it’s okay. I have been trained all my life to be able to protect myself. He doesn’t know that, though. You have been around for years now and have trained with me.”

He just nods and looks out the car window. I know he is nervous and, honestly, so am I. I know I cannot let my guard down for a second. That’s when shit happens.

The feeling I get when I’m with Jessie is security. He is a big guy and in his arms I feel protected, loved, and cherished. When he smiles at me, I know he will protect me at all costs.

As we near the school, I slowly release his hand. He turns to me, looking at my hand, and I can see the hurt on his face. I place my hand on his cheek and raise my head to meet his eyes.

“Trust me, you have my heart, Jessie...nothing will change that.”

I know what I have to do over this next year, and it’s to get that sucker roped in. When the car drives up to the front to park, we see Ricardo standing there with his guys.

Tank puts the car in park, and Jessie opens the door and turns to help me out. I step down and Ricardo steps up to Jessie. They are just about the same size. Jessie is slightly larger and covered in tattoos, and is looking sharp in his suit.

“Ricardo, you need to back up and give us some room.”

“Or what? What’s the babysitter going to do? She’s my fucking girl. When you gonna get that through your head.”

“Jessie, don’t, not now. He is not worth it, man,” Tank says.

“Tank, just give me two minutes,” Jessie says.

“Come on, mi amor, let’s go,” Ricardo says to me.

I step forward, placing my hand on Jessie’s arm and giving him a look that begs him not to start anything. He nods at me and turns around to face Tank. I look at Tank and feel an arm wrap around my waist yanking me away as Ricardo takes my backpack.

I’m pulled away by Ricardo and can’t help but feel pain for Jessie. This is going to be a long year for us both.

When we walk away, Ricardo leads me to an area where there aren’t many people. His guys surround me and when he turns to me, he is clearly pissed.

“Jocelyn, what is between you and Jessie?”

“What? Me and Jessie?”

Ricardo steps up to stand right in front of my face, grabbing my arm in one hand and wrapping the other around my neck and squeezing.

I know what I can do to get out of this situation if he grips too tight, but with the guys here I won’t get far. Never at any point would I expect this to happen.

“I will not ask again, Jocelyn. Answer the fucking question!”

“He’s my brother’s best friend. There can’t be anything. My dad and brother won’t allow it to happen.”

I am starting to secretly panic on the inside. I grab at his hands, praying the guys believe it also, because we can’t mess this up. If something happens to Jessie, I would be devastated.

Why is he even acting like this? This isn’t good if he is already starting to be this obsessive.

“Okay, I just got nervous. You are my girl and my girl only. Do you fucking understand that?”

“Yes. Your girl only.”

“Jocelyn, I swear if I find out there is more… My hand around your neck will be the easiest thing I do to you.”

“I understand.”

“Okay. Good girl. Now let’s get you to your locker.”

He lets go of my neck, leading me away by my arm, and I already know there will be marks. We see my locker come into view and Mary and Kerri are already there.

They see me being dragged by my arm, and just stare at the situation. Their smiles disappear, and you can see true concern on their faces.

When we walk up, Ricardo lets go roughly, and I quickly dump what I don’t need into the locker and close it. He then grabs my hand, pulling me away from my friends and toward my class.

“Ricardo, I didn’t even get to say hi to my friends. Why are you acting like this?”

Ricardo stops abruptly, turning and wrapping his arms around me. The grip he has around me seems to tighten to make his point known.

“You can talk to them at lunch. You are my fucking girl. You will understand what it means to be my girl, or there will be consequences. I will see you at lunch.”

He hands me my backpack and leaves while I try to process what the actual fuck is going on. Why is he acting like that? I know I will have bruises and know shit will hit the fan.

Will it get worse if Jessie keeps coming with me to drop me off? I turn and walk into class because now I am pissed. Who does he think he is? That will not be happening again.

I focus as much as I can in class, but my mind is elsewhere. When class ends, I walk out but Ricardo isn’t here. I don’t know if I should be, but I am actually happy he isn’t here. I need to clear my head before lunch.

The next few classes go by quickly then I head to lunch, grabbing my food and sitting by my friends.

“Jocelyn, what the hell was that this morning?” Mary asks.

“Mary, I don’t know, but I will be dealing with it.”

“I am nervous, Jocelyn. He was really irritated,” Kerri adds.

“I know, Kerri. I know.”

We are continuing to chat when Ricardo sits down next to me, straddling the bench. He puts his arm on my lower back, and I stiffen up and look at him.

He looks at me and clearly sees that I am not in the mood. I lean close to him so only he can hear me.

“Ricardo, I have had time to think about everything you did this morning. Why would you ever grab me like that or yell at me? I will not stand for you to tell me what I can or can’t do. Or to ever put your hands on me again. Understand?”

“Jocelyn, I overreacted, and for that, I am sorry. I let my emotions dictate my actions, and I shouldn’t have. There is no excuse for the way I acted.”

I nod my head, then I turn back to my friends, smiling, and continue our chat. I can still see their nervous expressions on their faces. I need to remind myself to just breathe.

I can get through this, but it will be a long year. If he ever pulls this shit again, I don’t know if I can stick to the plan. I’m pulled from my thoughts as the bell rings to get back to class.

I get up, and Ricardo tries to grab my bag to carry it. I let it go because I don’t need to cause a scene.

We slowly head over to the lockers after dropping off the lunch trays. When I get to my locker, I grab what I need and close the locker, heading toward my class.

Ricardo follows me and stops me when we get close. He leans down and lightly kisses my lips while saying, “Sorry, mi amor.”

I just turn to walk into the classroom, just wanting this day to end so I can get home. I’m hoping Mandy will be awake so I can officially meet her.

I’m apparently on autopilot because before I know it, it’s the end of school. When I exit my last class, there’s Ricardo standing there talking with his guys.

He sees me and steps toward me. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, and I instantly stiffen up. I just stand still when he pecks my cheek.

He starts walking with me up to the front, and I see Jessie and Frankie standing there. They are smiling about something till Jessie spots me and just stares. Ricardo knows just how to push his buttons to get him riled up.

Ricardo kisses my temple and walks away toward his own car. I try to keep my neck hidden because I don’t want to start anything right now. I have no doubt guns would be flying and this isn’t the time or place.

“Where’s the car, Uncle Frankie?”

“Tank ran to pick something up and will be back shortly. Let’s stand off to the side so we are out of the way.”

I follow Frankie and Jessie slowly with my bag in tow. We step off to the side, and I drop my bag to wait.

It starts getting hot, so I take off my jacket and drop it on my bag. I stand there looking around while people get picked up and leave.

I jump at Frankie yelling, “Jocelyn, what is on your arm?”

“What are you talking about?”

Jessie grabs my arm, looking at the bruises, and looks at me. I quickly shake my head and try to pull it away. I plead with him to let go as I watch his eyes become wide, looking directly at my neck.

“It’s nothing. I am okay.”

Jessie lets go and walks off, jumping on his phone. No doubt he is calling my brother.

“Did Ricardo do this to your arm? Wait, what the fuck? Jocelyn, he choked you also?”

I just look at him, then back over at Jessie, knowing he is beyond upset. I didn’t want to hurt him. I know he doesn’t want this to happen.

I can feel the tears starting to fall when I look back at Uncle Frankie and nod my head. He pulls me in for a hug, and I start sobbing. I see Tank pulling in to get us, and Jessie starts walking back over to me.

I just stare at him while tears continue to fall down my face. He jogs over, pulling me into his arms and rubbing my back. I tell him everything that Ricardo said and what happened today at school.

“It’s okay, baby. We will figure something out.”

We’re all standing there when Tank pulls up, jumping out and walking over. He looks at Frankie for info on what the hell is going on. Frankie just points to my arm and neck.

Tank looks closely and is now fuming. He storms off, jumping on his phone and talking for a few minutes, then heads back toward me. He walks back over, handing me the phone.

“It’s your dad.”

“Hi, Dad.”

“Jocelyn, baby, get home now. You will not be going back. We will homeschool or something. But get home and just hang with Jessie.”

“Okay, Dad.”

I hang up, handing the phone back to Tank. I grab my jacket and backpack and head to the car. I slide into the back seat, and Jessie climbs in next to me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me against his chest.

I just sob as he continues to rub my back while we ride in silence to the house. I watch the town go by through the window as we head out of the city toward the estate.

When we pull in, I see a large group of my brother’s men, including Luis, Kyle, and Carlos. My brother is standing there fuming, pacing back and forth. When Tank parks, he storms over to the car right as Jessie jumps out.

“Nate, I know you’re pissed—so am I—but don’t yell at her. She is emotional as it is. She knew she had to play the part, and this got out of control. None of us ever thought that this is how it would go, but this is where we are now.”

“I am going to fucking kill him, Jessie. How dare he fucking touch her!”

“I get it, Nate. Believe me, I am on the same page. Let’s be smart, though, and think it out first. We can’t just go storming over there guns blazing.”

He nods his head then he slowly backs up. Jessie turns to me, nodding, and I start moving toward the door to climb out. My mom and dad come storming out of the house, fuming, running up behind Nate.

I slide out, grabbing onto Jessie’s forearms to help myself down. Jessie grabs my bag and jacket for me as I walk up to Nate and my parents.

My mom gasps and covers her mouth, burying her face into my dad’s chest, as he looks and clenches his jaw. My brother walks up, looking closely at my arm and neck, while Frankie and Tank stand by.

Nate motions for me to go inside. I start to walk up to the door with Jessie when I see Jesus walking out with the jewelry Ricardo gave me. I don’t want it anymore. I don’t want to see him ever again.

At least this year is his last year. Maybe I can go back next year. I walk inside and go straight up to my room. I flop down on my bed and just cry. My body hurts and is so sore.

After what seems to be an hour or two, my mom knocks and comes into my room. She walks over and sits on the edge of my bed. I sit up and lean against my headboard.

“Jocelyn, I just talked with your father. Frankie says Ricardo made some threats to you. That has us all concerned right now. They are going to move you with Jessie and the guys to the apartment with your brother and Mandy.

“We will get you set up with homeschool to finish the year, then maybe have you go back starting next year. Since you will be under the same roof as Jessie, we know that things can happen. Do not give us grandbabies.”

“Oh my God, Mom! No way! Jessie knows that is not happening! Besides, that’s the last thing on my mind.”

“Okay, I trust you and know you would know not to, but your dad wanted me to talk to you. Please do not make us regret this decision. Your dad trusts Jessie to protect you, and so does your brother.”

“Don’t worry, Mom.”

I sit up and hug her, then I hear a knock on my door. When it opens, I see Jessie standing there in all his glory. I jump off my bed and run and jump in his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist.

“God, I love you, Jocelyn! I heard from Nate what will happen.”

“I love you, too, Jessie!”

“No babies, you two!”

Mom gets up and walks by us, pointing her finger, and leaves my room.

“Yes, Mrs. Maxwell, you have my word! Nothing will happen. I promise that!”

I lean back and look at him, smiling, crashing my lips to his. He tenses up and pulls away, shaking his head.

“You are going to kill me, Jocelyn.”

I lean forward and place my forehead against his.

“Let’s get ourselves packed, Jessie.”