32: Decisions, Decisions

❝ Don't know these streets we roam, graffiti on the roads inside my bones, mark me like stone ❞

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Ray came into the line of our sight and we all froze for a second. Richy's eyes were wide and flitted between us and him. Susan took a step forward, tears flowing down her face, and I had quite the same reaction.

He was covered from head to toe in scratches. His lip was busted open and there was a huge scar etching over the right side of his cheek. His eyes were bloodshot and his knucles wounded.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Richy walked over to the door and pushed Ray in, not before slamming the door shut. His gaze settled on Ray tentatively, as a smirk took over him. "Holding up fine after all that beating, aren't ya?"

Ray smiled, the crazy evil kind of smile and looked Richy in his eye. "Your men look worse than me. Find them a hospital, okay?" The smirk washed off his face and Richy shoved Ray against the wall as Susan screamed.

"Maverick, no." Sanders whispered, as he looked over to me. I couldn't say anything, I couldn't do anything. Fear was visible on every feature of my body and there were tears in my eyes. My heart was hammering and all I wanted to do was run in Ray's arms and protect him from everything that was happening. But I couldn't. It was as if my feet were glued on the spot.

"Why? I care about ya man, you know I do. But just 'cuz you had a lil somethin' with that chick's father," his eyes settled on me, "that doesn't mean I ain't beating his ass. He's been a trouble to us, you know that. They're gonna hand our asses to the police and we don't want that. We've been doing well, there's kilos of cocaine coming in tomorrow from Mexico. Imagine the money we'd make!" Richy's voice was desperate—begging Evan to see his point.

Disgust filled me because these people were destroying lives of so many others whether by just being a part of the cycle or by being the suppliers. Money was such an addictive thing; the more you got it, the more you wanted it. And so were drugs. Money is a drug. These two men were addicted to money and in turn weaving their way to quick illegal methods.

Drugs destroyed Susan's life. Drugs destroyed Ray's life. Drugs destroyed so many people's lives and yet, we continue to portray them as something cool. Was it social expectancy? Did people feel obligatory to make their way up the social hierarchy? Was drugs, sex and money the only way? If that was what was needed, I didn't want it. If you can destroy your own life, it means you can destroy other's too.

"I understand, but let's not hurt the kids." Evan spoke, grabbing Ray's hand and pushing him towards us. "Let them go, and let's leave for LA. Morgan will keep us safe." A passive expression made itself visible on Evan's face, as if he was treading in dark waters, trying to figure out how to get out of this situation.

"Are you kidding me?" Richy growled, stepping towards Evan. "We can make them rat bait. We can use them to escape smoothly! Why can't you get that, Evan?" In a minute Evan was pinned against the wall as we all watched the two men, horrified. My hand was engulfed with another, and I looked up to see Ray looking down at me, his coffee brown irises a mix of softness and concern and guilt.

He pulled me behind him, as I watched the scene unfold.

"I know. But it's not ethical to hurt them. We don't do that Richy, we never hurt anyone; and please, not these kids." Evan's eyes again fell on me and the confusion increased, as to why and how was he related to my father.

"We got the document we needed and you got the money you did. Let us go and maybe we will keep our mouths shut." Susan decided to declare, as we all huddled a little more closer. Silent questions were passed between the friends as Ray only spared everyone an assuring glance, his fingers rubbing the back of my wrist lightly.

"Let them go, and we'll leave too. Okay?" Evan pushed further, as Richy sighed.

"Whatever. Get lost, the lot of you." He muttered something into the walkie talkie and the door opened, as two men motioned us to follow them. "Wait." We all turned back. "This doesn't mean you can expose us. Remember, we always come back for those who oust us. And this time, I won't go easy." His eyes glinted with rage and Susan nodded quickly.

Evan turned to me. "Just—" he cleared his throat, as his voice cracked. "Tell your father I'll always owe him. And that I'm so thankful for whatever he has done for me. I'll never forget that." His words confused me so much. How did he know my dad?

"How do you—what happened between dad and you?" The question did not provoke an answer as he smiled sadly, his eyes a bit wattery.

"Go home, June. Your father is a great person. Tell him that." Not before giving him a last glance, as we both held our stare off, we started to make our way back outside, Ray's hand firm but soft in mine. The two men led us out of the basement, their guns steady and cocked up.

"Let's go." Is all Susan said, as we piled into Jason's and Simon's cars.

××

"Explain." Susan said, as we all fell into a stealthy silence. The dinner table at the Rutherford's household was crowded; an addition of two more members—Neil and Lilah—to our group. The spotlight fell on Ray, as I simply squeezed his knee. We had a lot to talk about, but he owed it to his friends and family an explanation. We could wait.

He sighed. "I'd known for a while." He shifted uncomfortably, as I continued to rub circles on his knee. "Richy was going to bring in a huge amount of cocaine from Mexico. One day, he came up to me, about two months ago, that he would forget the debt we owed him if I agreed to help him with the transportation and distribution of the drugs. Basically, he wanted someone to push the blame on if he got caught."

The whirr of the fan was audible as yet again no one uttered a word.

"I agreed to it." Susan inhaled heavily, her eyes cast down. "I mean, I agreed because I wanted to expose him for once and for all. I agreed to be a part of this operation and work with him on that so that I could document, record the things that went underground. I would go meet him every morning, quite early, and he and his men would explain to me how things work out generally when drug smuggling is involved."

"But how did you record? Phones are not allowed in there!" Katie questioned, as we all looked at him for an answer.

"Yeah, at first. I gained his trust pretty quick. Helped him a bit here and there and he was already all over me. One day, I casually slipped in how I had a girlfriend and that I needed to check up on her every once in a while and that my brother was ill and I could be called in for an emergency anytime, he caved in. He allowed me to carry my phone inside. I started to record and take videos of his office, his files, the embezzlements he did." We all collectively gasped, as Neil and Lilah sighed, nevertheless, a glint in their eyes.

"I had whatever I needed and I was going to go to Neil and Lilah today. But in the morning, I got texts from Richy's men asking me to come meet him as soon as I could or else," his voice broke, as his eyes settled on me and his hand squeezed mine. "Or else, he would not hesitate to harm June, or Mom, or—or Sam." He forced out the last bit, as if it was giving him great trouble to say. His fists were clenched and he shook his head.

"We knew about the plan. Ray had come to us one month ago about the whole fiasco. We were helping him every way we could, because let's be honest; every responsible citizen of Moordale wants Maverick & Sanders to be convicted." Neil spoke up, as our eyes fell on him.

"Susan, I know you might not get why we advised Ray on hiding this from you, but you need to understand that Richy is not a man who thinks rationally. That department is owned by Evan. And we were keeping our PI's behind Ray everytime he went there." Lilah squeezed Susan's hand as she nodded heavily.

"He found out somehow that I was planning to bust him and his business. As soon as I went there, he had his men set on me, and they destroyed my phone, my belongings. Beat me up, but hey, I injured them twice as much." Jason sniggered and fist bumped Ray but quickly sobered up at everyone throwing him looks of irritation.

"So you lost the evidence?" Susan asked, cradling her son closer.

"Yeah, sucks. I really wanted them to end up in jail. They've tortured us and so many other's enough." A sigh left his lips and we all looked around aimlessly because our and Ray's efforts had been fruitless. Richy and Evan would by now be on the run to LA. They'd escaped yet again.

"Don't lose hope yet kids." Neil smirked and Lilah nodded, a secret smile falling on her lips. "You mentioned a cargo ship was coming to LA Port from Mexico, right? We can catch them red handed!" Lilah exclaimed as we all soaked that in.

"Hell yeah we can!" Simon whooped, before being sushed down by Olivia.

"Not you, dumbass. The police will do that. We can't and should not get involved in criminal matters, moreover because you and I, we're still minors." Jason smacked Simon on his head as he grumbled.

"That's right son. Hand it over to us, and we'll get them. We have great connections in LA." Neil's eyes fell on Ray. "Kid, you went through so much. We'll get that justice for you and your mother and your little brother. Don't you worry." He stood up and hugged Ray, who nodded and hugged Neil back tightly.

"Thank you for your help." Ray voiced and Lilah waved him off.

"Oh don't you mention it. Because of you, Jason here learnt that people will want to be friends with him despite his skin color. You taught him to be brave. And nothing makes me more happy than to do this for my son's bestfriend. Stay happy kid." Lilah kissed Ray on his cheek as Jason stared down at his feet.

As everyone said goodbyes to Neil and Lilah, I nudged Jason in his stomach as his beautiful coffee brown eyes met mine, a whirlwind of emotions raging in them.

"Hey. Wanna know something?" I said, as we watched Susan and Ray smiling side to side. Jason quirked up a brow and moved his attention to me.

"What? You're acting weird." Jason often joked a lot, but I could tell he was trying to cover up his curiosity and fear by humor right now.

"I just want you to know how glad I am to have you in my life and that you're really handsome. I'm glad Ray has a friend like you and I'm glad you have a friend like Ray." I reached for his neck and pulled him into a light hug, and before I left his embrace, I smiled at him, hoping that he understood how wanted and loved he was by us.

Validation is a weird thing. We all deny we do not want it, but we do. Oh we so badly do. Whether by our friends, parents, teachers or by someone we love. Humans need people to feel that they are wanted. They need the extra assurance. And I wished that Jason felt validated, because he rightly deserved to.

Something changed in his eyes and he smiled back, stuffing his hands in his pocket. "Thank you. And if it helps, I'm so glad we found you. Especially Ray. I mean look at that guy, he's glowing and he's not even pregnant!" We both laughed and looked at Ray who at that exact moment decided to look at us, a happy but confused expression on his face.

I said nothing and only held his gaze, my heart beating a bit more faster, my stomach convulsing a bit more and my chest tightenening a bit more with the way I loved this beautiful and selfless boy.

Oh, I was a goner. From day one.

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An updateeeeee!!!

Also guys, I'm so confused. I need you guys to help me out. I've half written two books: 1) Boy x Boy college romance and 2) A girl x boy college sports romance. I don't know which to post and start after Irresistible is over.

Which one would you guys like me to start first? Please comment in line here to let me know. I'll post the one which you guys want!! So make sure to comment and let me know. Both the stories are pre-written, so the updates will be regular <3