Blame It On The Pain Episode 65
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???? Blame It On The Pain SIXTY FIVE:
(Alyssa)
Last call ended 20 minutes ago.
Jackson, Tyrone, and Ricardo never showed up after the fi ght.
Iโve tried calling Jacksonโs cell multiple times but he still hasnโt picked up or responded to any of my text messages.
I would call Momma, but she doesnโt believe in cell phones.
Itโs obvious that something is very wrong. Which is why I locked up the bar and Iโm currently standing in front of Jacksonโs apartment door, pounding on it as hard as I can.
I thought for sure that Momma would be here, but seeing as Iโm still not getting a response, that only makes this bad feeling I have worse.
With no options left, I have no choice but to walk down the hall to Lou-Louโs front door.
She answers on the second knock. Her eyes are red and puffy, itโs obvious that sheโs been crying and sheโs upset about something.
โLook, Iโm sorry Iโm interrupting whatever it is that youโre going through right now, but I canโt get a hold of Jackson, and no one is at the apartmentโโ
โYou donโt know what happened, do you?โ she says, her voice raspy with emotion.
I swallow hard against the lump in my throat and tell myself to breathe before I shake my head.
โThere was an accident at the club tonight. Tyrone got stabbed by his opponent when the match started.โ
My hand flies over my mouth and a sob escapes.
โEveryoneโs at the hospital because heโs having emergency surgery. Thatโs probably why you canโt get a hold of anyone.โ
โThank you.โ
I start running down the hall, but to my surprise, I hear Lou-Louโs footsteps behind me.
โItโs after 2am, Alyssa. Youโll never catch a cab because theyโre too busy picking up drunk id!ots and it will take you an hour to get there on foot. Also, itโs not exactly safe to go walking in the city by yourself this time of night. If you want, I can drive you,โ she offers.
I nod my head, too shaken up to form actual words. My heart is breaking for Jacksonโฆand Momma. Oh, god, poor Momma.
I pray as hard as I can for Tyrone the entire ride to the hospital.
I give Lou-Lou a questioning look when she pulls up to the front of the hospital but makes no move to get out. โYouโre not coming in?โ
She looks down. โI want to, but I donโt think anyone really wants to see me.โ
โLook, donโt take this the wrong way, but itโs not about you right now. Tyrone needs all the positive thoughts he can get. Plus, I think Ricardo would appreciate you showing up and offering your support.โ
She gives me an odd look and I can tell sheโs ready to argue, but instead she gets out with me and hands her keys to a valet attendant. โDo you think theyโll give us any information? Weโre not immediate family and we didnโt come in with him. And you already said that Jackson wasnโt picking up his phone.โ
ยขrap, I didnโt really think about that.
I scan the emergency room. The look on both the security guardโs face and the nurse at the desk, tells me theyโre both going to be hard nuts to crack.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see my doppelgangerโs blonde ponytail and pink scrubs.
โPenelope,โ I call out, while taking Lou-Louโs hand and rushing over to her.
I quickly explain the situation. She looks sympathetic, and before I know it, sheโs leading us past the front desk and walking us toward a special section of the intensive care waiting room.
She tells us that Tyroneโs still in surgery but sheโll keep us updated if she finds out any information. I quickly thank her before Lou-Lou and I round the corner to the small waiting room.
Thatโs where I see Jackson and Ricardo in some kind of standoff, looking like theyโre about to rip each others faces off.
โYouโve gotta be kidding me,โ Lou-Lou mutters. โStop it!โ she screams.
Itโs no use. In the blink of an eye, Jackson advances toward Ricardo and holds him up against the wall by his th roat. โYou knew this was going to happen, didnโt you?โ he sneers.
โYouโre out of your mind, Jackson. For fks sake, I snapped that guyโs neck. You think I would ever let anything happen to either one of you?โ
Jackson shakes his head. โYou knew about them switching his opponent before the fi ght. You had to know something was up. You told me everything was okay right before the fi ght. But, it wasnโt okay. You knew about the meeting because he had to go through you to get one! You knew he wanted out and you never told me. And now, my best friend is in surgery fi ghting for his life.โ
Jackson sIams him up hard against the wall again, but I see Ricardoโs eyes flash and that strange feeling washes over me. The very same one I had that night Jackson fought Dean in the bathroom and Ricardo showed up.
โI had no idea that any of this was gonna go down, Jackson. I got him a meeting, yeah. But I wasnโt privy to their discussion. It was a closed meeting. Tyrone wouldnโt tell me why he wanted the meeting either, he just said it was important. If I had known, I would have talked him out of it,โ he screams, his voice cracking with emotion.
โYou guys are like my brothers. You both are the closest thing to a real family Iโve ever had. I would never be okay with someone taking either one of you out, ever. I donโt care who might have issued the order.โ
Order? Taking them out? What is he talking about?
Jackson eases up on his grip and bangs the wall beside his head. โI swear to god, Ricardo; you better be telling me the truth. Because if I find out that you knew about thisโฆweโre done in every way you can think of.โ
The dangerous intensity in Ricardoโs eyes is replaced by sadness. โI didnโt know. I swear. Iโd let him take me out before Iโd ever let him do it to either one of you.โ
What should be a somewhat comforting statement, instead forces the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up.
Jackson pulls him into a hug. โI donโt know what Iโm gonna do if he doesnโt pull through this.โ
My eyes water because the thought of losing Tyrone is heart-wrenching, but the moment turns tense again when Jackson fixes himself and his eyes darken. โActually, I do.โ
Ricardo shakes his head. โNo, man. Get that thought out of your head right now. He didnโt order it. It wasnโt him. Iโm telling you.โ
Jackson sIams him up against the wall again, but Ricardo deflects it and now heโs the one sIamming Jackson up against the wall.
โIt was. I know it was,โ Jackson screams. โAnd you can tell him Iโm done.โ
Ricardoโs hand wraps around his th roat. โDonโt be stupid. Youโll get yourself ki lled. You canโt be done with him. That ainโt the way it works and you know it.โ
Two thoughts hit me simultaneously at that momentโwhat else is Jackson keeping from me? And more importantlyโฆwhat kind of dangerous situation is he involved in?
Jackson lifts his arm and maneuvers out of the choke hold. They face one another again, but this time, itโs clear itโs not going to end in a hug. Jacksonโs fist flies out but Ricardo blocks it at the last possible second. Jackson ja bs him again, though and gets him right between the eyes.
Lou-Lou and I start screaming our heads off, trying to get them to stop, but they ignore us completely.
โYouโre not out,โ Ricardo says before punยขhing Jackson across the face. โIโm not gonna let you ki ll yourself,โ he screams before he throws another pun ยขh.
Jackson has that wild look in his eyes when he issues a kiยขk straight to Ricardoโs side. My hearts in my th roat because I know that once Jackson gets started and heโs in this mindset, the only one who can make him stop is Ricardo, but since heโs fi ghting Ricardo right nowโIโm terrified of how this is going to end.
Ricardo spits bIood on the ground and motions for Jackson to come at him again. If Jacksonโs eyes are wild, Ricardoโs are purely menacing and downright murderous.
My stomach drops and my hands shake because this time, I know Iโve seen that look and Iโm not mistaken like before.
And I think I might just know what, or rather who Jackson is involved with. But my god, I hope Iโm wrong.
Before I can focus on that, though, I have to stop this fi ght. My instincts are taking over and I surge toward them. Lou-Lou tries pulling me back but I twist away. She lets out an ear piercing whistle but it still doesnโt stop me or them.
Both of their arms are pulled back and I know itโs the last possible second that I have before they both strike each other again.
Lou-Lou screams my name when she sees what Iโm about to do, but I do it anyway.
Thereโs no way to describe how it feels to be punยขhed full force by two massive men at the same time.
Well, except one. It really hurtsโฆa lot. Way more than I thought it would. Enough to almost make me regret doing it in the first place. Itโs literally the complete opposite of โdouble your pleasure, double your fun.โ
Jacksonโs fist lands on my cheek, and Ricardoโs fist lands somewhere in my stomach region. Seeing as Iโm 5โ3 they were both obviously going for some low bIows.
I let out a sound somewhere between a cry, a yelp, and a scream before hunching over and falling to the floor. Thatโs when I hear Mommaโs voice. โOh my god. Look what you boys did! How could you?โ she screams.
Both Jackson and Ricardo drop down to the floor, their expressions ho..rrified. โAlyssa? Fk, baby. Iโm sorry. Iโฆgod,โ Jackson says. He cups my face and I wince. โIโm so sorry.โ
โMe too,โ Ricardo says. โI had no idea you were even here. What were you thinking getting between us?โ
โI just wanted you both to stop fi ghting. I didnโt know how else to make you stop.โ
โWhat is going on here?โ another voice calls out. I look up to find Penelope standing over us concern splashed across her pretty face.
โIt was an accident,โ I say. When she raises an eyebrow, I stand up. โHonest, Penelope. I was the one who got in the middle. They didnโt even see me.โ
She crosses her arms over her chest. โIโll get you a few ice packs.โ Then she looks at Jackson and Ricardo. โGentlemen,โ she scoffs that word. โThis is the intensive care unit of a hospital. This is not a zoo. Keep your hands to yourself. If it happens again I will have security escort you out,โ she snaps, before she turns on her heels and storms out.
โWhat were you boys thinking?โ Momma whispers, her voice shaking.
She looks so heartbroken and devastated right now, I feel myself break.
Jackson and Ricardo stand up. โWeโre sorry, Momma,โ they say at the same time. โIt will never happen again,โ they promise.
Then they walk over to her and wrap their arms around her.
I hear her sobbing softly and I lose it. Iโm not the only one though, Lou-Louโs also weeping quietly in the corner. I donโt miss the look Ricardo gives her. For a moment, I think heโs going to walk over to her, but instead, he gives Momma and Jackson one last hug and leaves the waiting room altogether.
I look at Jackson and I want to confront him, but with everything else happening, I donโt have the heart to just yet. I donโt want to accuse him of lying to me and committing the ultimate betrayal until I have absolute proof and I know for a fact that itโs DeLuca heโs involved with. Iโm going to need a little more to go on than just a gut feeling about Ricardo.
That doesnโt mean Iโm not still pissed to know that DeLuca or no DeLuca heโs obviously been keeping something from me.
He walks over to me and holds out his arms. I take a deep breath and look down before he hugs me. He senses my hesitation and says, โIโm so sorry, Alyssa. I would never hurt you on purpose. Please forgive me.โ
The tears fall harder thenโฆbecause if heโs lying to me about DeLucaโฆIโm not sure that I can. Hell, for all I know, Jackson could be the one setting me up for DeLuca.
Oh, god. What if he is?
That thought sends a chill right through me and I have to push myself away from his embrace.
The look he gives me breaks my heart, but I canโt stand the thought of being in his arms right now.
I slowly back away from him and he looks both crushed and stunned.
Luckily, Lou-Lou comes to my defense by taking my hand and saying, โI think sheโs in a lot of pain, Jackson. Probably not the best time to be hugging her. She did just get punยขhed by two huge guys, remember?โ
He winces and rubs his face. โIโm gonna go get those ice packs for you.โ
Momma looks at us. โIโm gonna go see if thereโs any news.โ Before she leaves, I run over and throw my arms around her. โIโm so sorry, Momma. I know heโll make it through this. Because heโs tough just like his Momma.โ
She hugs me tight and gives me a kss on the cheek before leaving the room. Thatโs when Jacksonโs eyes connect with mine. There are so many emotions in those eyes of his right now, I have to force myself to breathe.
He walks over to me and hands me two ice packs. โHere.โ Then he turns and walks out the door.
โIโm being a real bch, arenโt I?โ I ask Lou-Lou, because letโs face it, who would know better than her?
She considers this for a moment before saying, โItโs probably not the best time to be so angry with him seeing as Tyroneโs still in surgery and we donโt know the outcome.โ She shrugs. โHowever, you canโt really control how you feel when someone you love hurts you. And the fact that you canโt even stand being touched by him combined with that look you gave himโฆtells me that whatever Jackson did to you was unforgivable.โ
I turn around and face her. โLike what Ricardo did to you?โ
She closes her eyes in agony and I feel bad for even asking the question. โNo,โ she says, opening her eyes which are now glassy. โLetโs just say that Iโve been right where Jacksonโs standing. I know what itโs like to be on the receiving end of that look and have the man youโฆโ She pauses and wipes a tear. โThe man you love, look at you like the thought of touching you is unbearable and heโd rather die.โ
She clears her throat. โIโm gonna go grab some coffee. You want anything?โ
I want to know more about what happened between her and Ricardo, but I know sheโs not going to tell me. I sit down in one of the chairs. โNo, Iโm good. Thanks.โ
She leaves and I curl my arms around myself while saying another prayer for Tyrone.
BLAME IT ON THE PAIN : EPISODE 61 โ 70
A moment later, I look up to find one of the most gorgeous women I have ever seen in my life staring at me. Her eyes are bIoodshot and thereโs a look of utter despair on her face, but that does nothing to diminish her beauty. Her skin is smooth and mocha colored, her dark hair falls around her shoulders in soft curls, and her bright green eyes are mesmerizing.
โIโm sorry. The nurse told me this was where everyone was waiting. But I must have been mistaken, seeing as thereโs hardly anyone in here,โ she says in a Southern accent.
The accent gives her away and I immediately know who she is. โShelby?โ
She blinks and looks surprised. โWhy yes,โ she says. โI donโt believe weโve ever met before. Iโm not from around these parts. How do you know my name?โ
I stand up and hold out my hand. โIโm Alyssa. Iโm Jacksonโsโโ I donโt have a chance to finish that statement because her arms are around me and sheโs hugging me so tight I have to force myself not to yelp.
โIโve heard so much about you, Alyssa,โ she says. Then she starts sobbing. โHave you heard anything? Is he still in surgery?โ
โThe last I heard he was. I know a nurse who works here, sheโs myโโ I pause because Iโm not entirely sure what to refer to her as at this point. โFriend and she promised to update me as soon as she can.โ
โThank you, tell her I appreciate it. Iโm so scared, Alyssa,โ she sobs. โI wonโt be able to go on if I lose him.โ
โHeโs a fi ghter, Shelby. Heโs going to make it.โ
She pulls away and wipes at her tears with a tissue. โI canโt believe this happened.โ Then her green eyes turn angry. So angry I become alarmed. โI swear, if that son-of-a-bch DeLuca did this to him. I will raise hโll.โ
My heart constricts and Iโm pretty sure I make a choking sound from somewhere deep in my throat.
Thereโs a world of a difference between suspecting something and having it outright confirmed.
Because now I have to face facts, I have no choice but to acknowledge whatโs happening.
I have no choice but to realize that DeLuca wants his revenge. I have no choice but to accept that Jackson was setting me up.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I recall Jackson telling me not to go to the club. But before it can hit the surface of my thoughts, I stuff it down. He has to be setting me up, this is the only reason I can come up with for him lying to me. Why else would he be actively working and fi ghting for a man who he knows bru.tally ki lled my father?
The room spins and Iโm struck with the feeling of wanting to call Ford for some kind of protection, but I force myself to stay strong. Despite my father, I already know that I canโt trust Ford, heโs already shown his true colors to me. Thereโs no way in the world I would ever put myself at his mercy again.
โAlyssa?โ Shelby calls out.
Her name sounds so far away now but I donโt know why. Itโs only when Jacksonโs face appears right in front of me and I let out a scream that I realize Iโm on the floor.
โTalk to me, baby. What happened?โ Jackson says, searching my face.
I quickly crawl away from him and stand up. I look up just as Lou-Lou walks in the room.
The face Jacksonโs makes when I walk over to her and reach for her hand is unlike any Iโve seen.
As messed up as it sounds, itโs my way of letting him know that Iโm on to him. Itโs my way of telling him that Iโd rather hold Lou-Louโs hand than ever touch him again, the traitorous mother fker.
He steps closer to me, but to my surprise, Lou-Lou lifts her chin and glares at him. โLeave her alone, Jackson. I have no clue what you did but she doesnโt want you near her for the time being. You need to respect that.โ
His eyes narrow and he opens his mouth, but the look I give him halts him and he looks taken back.
I thought Iโd break down over his betrayal. But Iโm not, far from it actually. Iโm straight up seething. Iโm so outraged I want to put my hands around his neยขk and st. rangle the sht out of him. I want to el!minate him and wipe his beautiful face off the planet.
They always say thereโs a thin line between love and hate and right now, Iโm standing on it, planting my flag, ready to build a house on my newfound land made out of pure wrath. โTouch me again and youโll be in a jail cell,โ I say deadpan while pointing to my cheek.
Shelbyโs eyes open wide and she gasps.
Jackson takes a step back and shakes his head. โThat was an accident and you know it. I would never, ever hurt you on purpose. You stepped right in the middle of a full-on fight between two grown men, Alyssa. I didnโt even see you until it was already too late. You have to know that I would never hurt you! I love you!โ he screams, his voice thick with emotion.
He looks completely wrecked right now and part of me wants to take back what Iโve said, but then Momma and Ricardo walk into the room and announce that Tyroneโs out of surgery and the doctor will be updating us on his condition momentarily.
Any altercation brewing between Jackson and I goes on the back burner as we wait for the doctor to enter the room.
When he finally does, we all hold our breath, until he says, โHe made it through surgery.โ
Thereโs tears, shouts of happiness and smiles.
Until the Doctorโs face falls. โHeโs still not out of the woods quite yet, but weโre hopeful about his recovery from the surgery.โ He pauses and looks at Momma. โBut there was extensive damage inflicted to his spinal cord. Specifically his thoracic vertebrae region, and more specifically, his T11 and T12 thoracic nerves.โ
Momma shakes her head, confused. โI donโt understand what that means, Doctor.โ
Beside me, Jackson closes his eyes. โIt means heโs paralyzed, Momma.โ
Momma gasps and Jackson walks over to her and envelopes her in his arms.
The Doctor nods sadly. โYes. Although we wonโt know the full extent of the damage or his injury level until he wakes up, recovers from surgery and we can do further testing. And now that the surgery is over, Iโll have to ask that only immediate family remain here to see him. The rest of you can come back tomorrow during scheduled visiting hours.โ
The Doctor leaves after that and no one says a word, but there are sniffles and sobs from both Momma and Shelby.
Jackson and Ricardo look like theyโre about to lose it but are trying to remain strong. Lou-Lou looks down and her lower lip trembles.
My heart just breaks for poor Tyrone. Iโm so happy heโs alive, but this is devastating in its own right.
TO Be Continued