Tales of the Underground: Blinded - 27. Opening Day!

I ran my fingers against the thick paper in my hands, still not sure if it was real. I must’ve read it over a thousand times by now…but it just can’t be real. After everything I’ve seen, everything I’ve done…who am I to get a second chance? Who am I to be rescued? I know Carter said there’s someone up above watching over me, I know he said I have a purpose…but what is it? What can I do that all these people who are smarter than me can’t?

“Still looking at it?” Walter laughed, walking into the living room “You must’ve been staring at that thing for an hour now.” I shrugged my shoulders but didn’t say anything “Is it starting to feel real yet?”

“No” I shook, reading it over another time “I don know if it ever will.”

He took a long look at me before sitting down at a nearby seat “Trust me, before you know it, this will all seem normal” he smiled “Why don’t you hold onto it for now, and tomorrow I’ll go out and get it framed. We can even hang it in your room if you’d like.”

I nodded along with his idea, still not able to pull my eyes away from the paper “I thought adoption take months…howd it happen so fast?”

“Cy, if you want something in life…if you really really want it…don’t let anyone put a timetable on it” he instructed “Fight like hell for it…well…not actually fight…work” he corrected, worried I might take him literally “work like hell for it, and don’t let anyone stop you. Nancy and I knew we wanted this, so we didn’t let the courts tell us it would take months, instead we took it into our own hands, and made it happen. ” I shifted my mouth from side to side, unsure if we had the same definition of making things happen.

“And to think, just a few weeks ago you weren’t even sure if you wanted to be adopted or not.” Nancy softy laughed joining us in the room “My how time changes things.”

I nodded once more and looked over at them “Guess I jus needed to learn what it was like to be a part of a family, before I knew I wanted one.”

“I understand.” Walter exhaled taking another look at me “You understand the same rules are still in place, correct?”

“I get that” I sighed “I’ll try to keep to it, but no promises”

Nancy let out short laugh, but as their eyes connected I saw them begin to grow serious “Cy” Walter began “While we were going over your records and requirements with the judge…well we realized something was weird with the home visit record, you wouldn’t know anything about that would you?” I shrugged my shoulders, but kept my eyes down towards the ground realizing I had been caught “You can tell us…we won’t be angry.”

“She was gonna have me sent away” I exhaled, starting to come clean “She was stuck on my past…she wouldn’t see me for who I am now. So jus like you…I made things happen.”

I looked up and saw Walter shoot his wife a concerned look “and how did you do that?” he lead

I shrugged once more not wanting to explain, but their stares only grew more intense “I tol her that if she sent me away, no matter where she sent me…I would find a way back to the saints, and well…she wouldn want that.”

“So you threatened her?” Nancy sighed, keeping her eyes focused on me.

“I made things happen” I exhaled, standing up “Hold on” I instructed, running upstairs and grabbing the original report from my drawer before swinging back downstairs and giving it to them “I took this from her, and made her write me a better one…I had no choice, I did what I had to.”

I saw their faces begin to change as they read the report. Their eyes flashed from concern, to anger and back to concern “She actually wrote this?” Walter poked in disbelief.

“Yeah” I nodded “she wasn gonna let me get adopted…no matter what she was gonna stand in the way, so I made her work with us.”

“Oh Riley…” Nancy began, not sure what to say.

“We’re so thankful to hear what you would do to be a part of this family…” Walter cut off, knowing he could phrase it better than his wife “but if you came to us, we could’ve had her removed, and got a new case worker. You never ever have to do anything by yourself in this home, you’re never alone.”

“And you certainly never have to threaten anyone” Nancy supported “If you’re not sure how to handle something, come to us, and we’ll show you how.”

“So I’m not in trouble?” I poked, not fully understanding.

“No” Walter shook “We’re not exactly happy with the way you handled it, or with your actions in general lately, but we know you’re coming from a good place…we know it’s out of love. Just please, if you’re in trouble, if you need help and don’t know what to do…come to us, it’s our job to help you, no matter what it is…you’re our son…there’s nothing we won’t do for you.”

I gratefully nodded, before standing up and hugging them both…I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately, but I just want them to know how grateful I am…how happy I am to have them there for me. My whole life I’ve had to do everything on my own, but now I don’t, now I can just have fun…I can just be a kid…I can be who I want to be, not who I have to be, and in the next week and a half I let that show. I had fun in the classroom, and even started to meet more and more people. At practice all the coach’s congratulated me on being adopted, and Coach Murray even considered taking it a bit easier on me, but in the end he only started pushing me harder…something I knew I needed. I wasn’t even angry when he told me I wouldn’t be a starter opening night…I mean sure, I was upset…but I knew I could earn it…I knew I was capable of more than I was giving him.

Finally the big night came, and the same energy I had bringing with me through the week seemed to flow right into warm ups. Carter wasn’t lying when he said they go hard for regular season either…the lights, the music, the crowds…all of it. I mean when you say school spirit…damn that doesn’t even describe these kids…they really did love this place. In fact me and a few of the other guys couldn’t help but dance around as we waited for the game to start. One of the assistance coach’s went to stop us, worried we were a distraction, but Coach Murray stopped him, knowing it was more team building than distracting, it was a good kind of fun…its exactly how the professionals act. When the buzzer finally sounded I went to join the guys on the bench, but before I could Coach grabbed me by the jersey and pushed me back towards the court “You’re starting.”

“What?” I shook, not believing him “You said I wasn like a few days ago.”

“I lied to see how you would take it.” He laughed, patting me on the back “You’re becoming a good leader Walker, I’m glad you forced yourself on the team.”

I let out a small laugh, before joining Carter on the court. Ever since my birthday….since we did it…we’ve just had a connection that no one can match, and boy did it show on the court. The second the ball got tipped to me, we were both off…weaving through defenders, cycling the ball, working open shots…it was like we didn’t even need the other 3 players on the court…he and I, we had it all. There I stood black jersey, prototype jordans, but still proudly wearing my scars and bum eye…reminders to everyone that I didn’t grow up the way they did…that my past was a lot different than theirs. Yet I showed each and every one of them who I actually was…that I was more than just an ex-gang member or a troubled teen…that I had real talent, and that I was going to become a big part of this team…of this school.

By the half Me, Carter, Cam and Curtis had us up by 25, it didn’t even matter who coach put into the 5^th spot…hell it could’ve been a 5 year old, and we would’ve been fine. By the last quarter the 4 of us were able to sit out, with no worries of losing the big lead we had built.

“Boy we fixin to be the warriors up in here” I shouted jumping off the bench as the game ended “we got the shots, we got the height and you better believe we got the grit!”

“Hell yeah” Curtis yelped, jumping up into me.

“Woh!” Coach yelped “1. Let’s not get carried away after 1 win and 2. Do not jump into each other! Curtis you have about 60 pounds, and 6 to 7 inches on him, that’s how one of you is going to get hurt!”

“Sorry” we both giggled, as he tried to parent more than coach.

“Alright guys” Carter began, as he gathered the team together “That’s a great first win, we played just as coach drew up, good effort, good hustle. Our defense needs a few adjustments, but overall I’m proud of how you guys played. Cy next game I need you to follow your shots more, and whoever gets subbed in as 5^th man needs to stick to who their man is. We’re only as strong as our weakest link…let’s get this season going!”

The team broke with a big shout, as our classmates looked on with nothing but excitement…damn…so this is what it would feel like to have fans…man I could get used to this.

“So I gotta follow my shows more?” I teased, as I finally got Carter alone.

He giggled and bumped shoulders with me “Hey out on this court I’m captain Carter, not your friend.”

“Oh I’ll remember that next time I can take the shot or pass” I teased, bumping shoulders with him “So ugh…what are you doin this weekend?”

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled “Who want’s to know?”

“Someone who wants to celebrate the first win of the year.” I winked, with a devious grin.

Carter looked down as a blush overtook his face “My dad’s like always home on the weekend, I don’t think it’s going to be as easy…”

“Aaron’s lookin at a college this weekend!” I shouted a little too loud “Gonna have the house to myself! Ohhhh baby”

“Alright relax” Carter giggled with the shake of his head “Let’s not get too carried away …I mean…It’s…okay fine…we can celebrate.”

“Hell yeah!” I yelped, carefully packing my new Jordan’s into my bag, too scared to wear them anywhere but on the court.

“I’m so proud of you!” Nancy exclaimed, breaking up me and Carter’s little moment “You’re so good at basketball! How in the world did I miss all your preseason games? That was just…”

“Ma” I groaned throwing my head back “Please…there are people around.”

“Oh sorry dear.” She quickly let out “I’m just so excited!”

“Great game Cy!” A student I had never seen before remarked as he passed by.

“Yeah man” Another student shouted “You were insane out there!”

I turned towards Carter and made a face “You better get used to it” he smiled “Now that people know you’re good, well they’re going to try to talk to you all day.”

I exhaled a deep breath, and showed off my broken eye a little more “I don like people” I shook

“It doesn’t matter” he giggled “and that eye won’t scare them off! Guess you’ll just have to get used to being Mr. Popular!”

“Oh! I have one athletic son and one smart son!” Nancy remarked, still behind us.

“You sayin I ain’t smart?” I defended, turning back to her and faking shock.

“That question speaks for itself” Carter teased, standing up and giving me a light thump to the head “I’ll see you tomorrow”

“Peace” I let out, watching him leave the gym.

“Hey, can he come over Saturday while you guys are out?” I poked, standing up and leading Nancy towards the door.

“Well me and your father were actually thinking you’d come along, and see…”

I let out a long groan to interrupt her “Please don’t make me go! Can’t I just have Carter over and practice on our new hoop? Please, I haven’t gotten a chance to use it yet!”

She thought about it for a few seconds, before reaching over and fixing my hair “He would help keep you out of trouble if he came over…and then you wouldn’t have to sit around while Aaron interviews…well okay, fine! But only if you behave the rest of the week!”

“Deal!” I exclaimed with a big grin crossing my face.

She shook her head and laughed at my smile “You better not get Carter into any type of trouble! He’s a good kid!”

“Sure he is” I teased, as we finally arrived to the car.

The next few days couldn’t have passed fast enough! I mean a whole day alone with Carter? Sign me up! I ain’t just talking sex here…even spending time with him…it’s all just…he’s fun to chill with.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay here alone with Carter?” Walter asked for the 5^th time all day.

“yeah” I groaned, repeating the same answer I had given him all answer “ We gonna be absolutely fine!”

“We’ll just be 20 minutes away at North Western, if anything goes wrong you call me okay?” he double checked “and I left money for pizza on the counter! Just please no stove, no microwave, no…” he droned on as I suddenly began to understand what Aaron meant when he called being the baby a burden.

“Yeah dad!” I complained a bit louder “I got it!”

As they pulled away, Carter slowly began to roll up. I stood in the doorway and couldn’t help but shoot him a halfcocked grin. “Dad said you too much trouble to come over, you gotta leave.”

“Oh be quiet” Carter dismissed, stepping out of his car and looking over at me “You would be wearing the bulls jersey” he groaned, taking a long hard look at me.

“you bought me this!” I protested as he got closer “You wearin cologne?”

“Yes” he smiled, pulling me closely and shutting the door behind him with his foot “We’re two different people aren’t we?”

“Very different” I giggled, hugging him tighter.

“I told my mom about you.” He let out, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Welp I’m definitely in the mood now” I teased pulling away from him.

“Oh so today was just about sex for you?” he poked, faking a frown.

“You’re only sex to me.” I playfully teased, with a wink

“Welp you have to deal with the baggage first.” He giggled, playing a long with the joke.

I turned my head, and took a seat on the stairs “What’d she say?”

“Things” he diverted swaying his head back and forth “You were some type of trouble back then, weren’t you?” he poked, taking a seat next to me.

“So both yo parents hate me?” I exhaled, no longer able to look at him.

“My dad doesn’t hate you…” Carter began, lightly grabbing onto my face and turning it towards him “He just doesn’t understand you…and I never said my mom said bad things…she just told me what she heard about you.”

“And that’s probably bad things.” I dismissed, pulling away from him.

“It was” he nodded “but then she asked how I knew you.”

“And you said…”

“I said you were sweet, loving…caring…”

“So you lied” I cut off

“Those aren’t lies” he smiled, throwing his arm around me “In your own way you’re all 3 of those things. I told her you’re changing, and that most importantly I love you.” He lightly rested his head against mine “You don’t have to worry about her…she believes in second chances…she believes in us, and most importantly she wants to meet you.”

“I don know…I gotta meet my grandparents later this week, and then…”

“Please, please, please” he pleaded, trying his best to make a cute face. I let out a long sigh as our eyes connected…he really was cute…those soft hazel eyes, and light pink face…I just “Fine” I groaned “but you so owe me.”

“I have just the thing in mind” he smiled, taking my hand and leading me up the stairs.

Just like the first time…Carter…he was unbelievable. Growing up in a gang, all you hear is that sex is for power, prestige, pleasure…and I mean sure, I was enjoying it, but there wasn’t any power to it…if anything I was the weakest I’ve ever felt when I was with him. Completely exposed and open to anything, he could see everything. All my scars…all my brands, tattoos, battle wounds…he saw it all, but never for a second let it gross him out. Just like before I struggled to keep up with him at first…I mean years of trying to watch porn of women didn’t exactly translate well…but Carter never seemed to mind, he was patient like that…loving like that. To him the actions weren’t selfish, they were passionate…full of love, and focused on connecting us more. I was never one for any of that bullshit, but this was so close…so intimate, I couldn’t help but get wrapped up in it all.

When we finally wrapped up, we spoke for a bit before passing out…what can I say? I guess we wore ourselves out. I woke up to the most nightmarish sound ever…the creaking open of my door. I franticly poked Carter awake, freaking out about who was about to walk in on us.

“Oh sorry Cy, I didn’t realize you were sleeping.” Aaron began, shutting the door behind him “What’s that smell? Did you throw…. OH MY GOD” he shouted as he finally turned towards the bed then quickly away “What?! What?! What the fuck?!” he exclaimed “What the hell Carter?” he shouted still staring at the ground, desperately trying to make it to the door.

“Aaron!” I yelped “Aaron! Chill! You gonna get Nancy and Walter up here!”

“Oh shut up! They went to the grocery store! They dropped me off to hang out with you and Carter” he yelped, still not able to find the door “Oh my god! I still…Oh my god!” he kept shouting as I was finally able to get my shorts from the floor and throw them on. I jumped out of bed and tossed Carter his clothes, as Aaron still roamed near the door.

“Bruh” I nervously shook, realizing what had happened “Bruh you can’t tell no one bout this!”

“Can’t tell no one?” he repeated in a shout “I never want to think about this again!” he cried out “Just…What the fuck Carter?”

“What do you mean what the fuck Carter?” Carter desperately let out, finally getting out of the bed. I could tell by the look on his face, that this was just as terrifying to him as it was to me.

“That’s my little brother!” Aaron protectively shouted “How could you be… How?! Why?! That’s my younger brother, why would you sleep with him?!”

“He came onto me…” Carter nervously began not sure what to say.

“What the hell Carter?” I interrupted, staring him down.

“Okay fine, maybe it was mutual…but today was his idea…he said that we’d be alone all afternoon!”

“You were!” Aaron yelped, finally looking up “You guys slept it away, doing-doing god knows what!”

“Shut the fuck up” I finally shouted “Erybody jus shut the fuck up!” I screamed as everything finally calmed down. They both turned to me, waiting to see what I would say next but I just threw my hands up, not sure what to do or say.

“Surprise?” Carter nervously let out.

“Surprise? SURPRISE?!” Aaron shouted “How could you do this to me? That my brother…why would you think it’s okay to sleep with him?! Why would you…”

“Oh Aaron grow the fuck up” I interrupted “I ain’t no baby, mom and dad just treat me like it so they can feel young…I’m 16 years old, It’s not like Carter raped me.”

“You don’t get it!” Aaron dismissed “This changes everything!”

“It doesn have to” I shrugged “Look I…I…I love Carter okay? This wasn just some quick fuck…we been datin for weeks…that’s why we both been sneakin round together, and-and whisperin and shit…cause we been datin!”

“So you’re gay?” Aaron questioned, still not understanding what was happening.

“Bitch I ain’t no fag!” I defended out of instinct “Sorry Carter…I jus…Aaron grow up!”

“I just walked in on my best friend and brother! You grow up!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.

“Alright! Alright!” Carter exhaled “You two fighting won’t help anything…I’m sorry Aaron, but like Riley said…I love him okay? We would never have wanted you to walk in on us…or find out this way…but shit happens okay?” he poked, starting to come back down to earth “Remember Saturday how I said you’ll be my best friend no matter what?” Aaron nodded, and took a seat on his bed, trying to adjust to it all “I meant it…you’re still my best friend. Your brother just happens to be my boyfriend. That’s like the best case scenario…if me and Riley get married we can legally be brother! Plus it means I’m going to be around more!”

“But not to hang out with me.” Aaron pouted, starting to look down again.

“I promise we’ll hang out just as much as we did last year.” Carter smile “Maybe even more because now me and Riley don’t need to go behind your back. Maybe this is a good thing.”

“This ain’t a good thing” I sighed, taking a seat on my own bed

“Silver lining Riley” Carter reprimanded, still looking at his best friend “So we’re cool?”

“We’re cool.” Aaron nodded, finally calming down “Just…why in our bed room? And that smell on your birthday? Oh my god! How long have you two been…been?”

“Since last weekend” Carter explained, saving him the pain of saying it “And where else do you want us to do it? In other parts of the house?”

“I don’t know” Aaron groaned “Cy…we’re getting mom and dad to get you your own bedroom…please…between the nightmares and the…the this.”

“You still get nightmares?” Carter poked turning around, and reaching out for me.

“Kinda” I swayed as his hand met my face “Jus when I think bout back the saints.”

“Oh Riley why didn’t you tell me? He smiled, gently rubbing my face.

“I didn want you to worry” I shrugged, as a smile grew on my face

“Oh my god!” Aaron grumbled “Can we please focus?”

“Yeah? What?” I shook Carter off, trying to appear masculine again “New room, got it…but you can’t tell mom and dad…please! Please!” I pleaded “I don want no one to know!”

Aaron nodded his head and took another look at us “I won’t…I think I’m still in shock.”

“Me too” I shrugged with a laugh “At least we had the covers on”

“For the most part!” he groaned thinking about the moment again “No more talking about it…just please put on a shirt…shower…do whatever you have to for me to be able to actually look at you again!”

“Fine! Fine!” I groaned looking up at Carter.

“You okay?” he smiled with the tilt of his head.

“I don think my heart has even beaten this fast…not even when I was gettin arrested.” I nervously laughed

“Me neither” he laughed “but at least it was only Aaron…he can keep a secret.”

“Trust me” Aaron shouted from across the room “I’m never talking about this moment again! NEVER!”

I softly laughed, stood up and went to walk over to him “Thank you Aaron…you my brother.”

“No!” he flinched, backing away “Just stay away until you clean up!” he cried out “I mean I love you, and your my brother too, but just….”

“I get it” I nervously laughed heading towards the bathroom “I’ll just take a quick shower then we can play somethin or do something...Carter you can use the guest shower if you…”

“Yup!” Carter nodded, eager to get out of having to talk to Aaron alone right now.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation…talk about a nightmare come true! But still…I guess this didn’t go so bad…I guess it could’ve been worse. Aaron still accepts me…he still loves me. It might take a few days for him to get used to us, but maybe this is a good thing…maybe…just maybe.