Chapter Thirty-Two | | June 8th

Tyrell settled in his new crib. He already had a home but he lived there alone most of the time as his father was always out.

"Is he the leader ?" asked Tyrell. Him and Shawn were sitting on pivoting chairs by the kitchen counter, side by side on the first floor of the Rox crib. There were gang members around but none in the same space as them, nevertheless they spoke in a quieter tone.

"No."

"Who's the leader ?'

"No one besides Naveen knows." Shawn turned himself to Ty, frowning his brows. "Why are you asking so many questions ?"

"I want answers, isn't that clear ? Ask me some' for a change.." He looked away.

"Why'd you join ?" asked Shawn, regaining his calm tone.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"That's how you wanna answer questions ?" Shawn pivoted his chair back. "I joined because I had nowhere else to go and I couldn't stay after what happened with Tamika... Now you. What's your reason ?"

"I needed to prove my worth."

"Couldn't you do that over there ?"

"Nisha wouldn't see it. She didn't want to see my worth..."

"How are your parents ? How is Tanisha and everyone else ?"

"My parents are divorced. They separated soon after the gang's clash. Cash went MIA, Ray passed away, Diego is still in a coma.... Everyone else is still recovering from everything."

"Oh... Shit a lot happened."

Tyrell nodded silently, slowly turning himself towards Shawn. "You still care about her ?"

"Whom ?"

"Tamika."

"No, I don't."

"Yes you do. Look." He lifted his hands up, pointing at Shawn's head. "You still kept your locs. Y'all got them together-"

"I'll cut them." interrupted Shawn sharply as he stared sourly at him. They stayed in silence for a minute.

"You don't have to do that...I won't tell Andrea-"

"It's not about her ! Stop mentioning anyone from my past !"

"I'm on your side, you can trust that. I won't tell nobody, you know me Quann-"

"I'm not that guy anymore ! I'm Keshawn ! Quannell Johnsonn is gone bro... Forget about it."

Heads started turning into their directions. Roxs slowly neared themselves towards the kitchen. A man came forward and spoke to them. "Is there a problem ? If you guys want to fight, do it downstairs. You know the drill, Shawn."

"We ain't fightin', fuck off. I'm takin' him home, let's go T.Y." Shawn got off the stool. He bumped his shoulder on the man and walked out. Ty took a glance around him then got off his stool and followed Shawn outside.

"I'm sorry..." began Tyrell. Keshawn kept his eyes on the road. " I just don't see a difference. Keshawn is the first one I met and Quannell is the one who stayed and became my brother.-" he stopped noticing no reaction out of Shawn. "Say sum' !"

"There's a difference... It doesn't matter if you see it or not. I'm Keshawn, that's all that matters. I'm not your brother..." Tyrell's facial expression began to gloom. He turned his head towards the window, placing his chin on his fist. "Like you said..." continued Shawn. "Quannell is the one who stayed and became your new brother but I can also become your brother as I am now..." A slight grin appeared on Ty's lips. They continued to drive, silently listening to music from the radio.

"Do I drop you off at your mother's or at your father's ?"

"Mum."

Keshawn parks his car a few houses away from Janet's place. "That's as far as I'll go. Get out." he says while unlocking the car door. Tyrell places his hand on the handle but doesn't budge. "What are you waiting for? Go."

"I thought you said you didn't care-"

"I told you to stop talking about Tamika-"

"How did you know I was talking about her?" Ty turned his head and fixed him. Keshawn lowered his eyes. " You still care about her feelings, that's why you can't even drive in front of the house."

"She's not the reason why. I just don't want to go back to that place." he argued. "It's not just her I hurt..." he then mumbled unto himself.

"What?"

"Nothing. Get out."

"She's at the crib." he lied.

"Get out." He pressed his lips together.

"You can't hide your feelings forever."

Keshawn mumbled something to himself as he unfastened his seatbelt. He unlocked his door and got out of the car. He went around the vehicle and opened Tyrell's door. "Get out." he repeated.

"I'll tell her you're here." He said while getting out of the car.

"Don't do that." Ty continued walking. "Tyrell !"

"I thought you didn't care. Be honest with yourself and I won't." The gap between them was widening. Keshawn ran up to him and grabbed his wrist.

"What's your problem?" He inched forward. "Why would you need to tell her shit? She doesn't need to know ! Are you trying to break her? Our breakup was the hardest thing she's ever faced. Why would you want her to revive those memories? Leave her alone!"

"You're not talking about her..."

"Tell her anything and you're dead."

"Whatever." he pulled his wrists out of Keshawn's hand and walked home. When he had entered his house, Shawn walked back to his car and drove off.

***

"I'm here." says Tyrell as he takes off his shoes at the entrance. I was alone at home sitting in front of the Tv. Mum and Sha had gone out to buy groceries.

"Come sit." I told him. He washed his hands and sat next to me. "You scared me. I thought you had lost your way."

"How did you find out? Did Klaewkla tell you?"

"I heard it through Sha. I don't want you to leave, Tyrell. You're too precious to me." I said whilst hugging him. I brush the top of his head and gently lay a kiss on his forehead. "Good luck to you there, Ty." I say quietly.

We stayed quietly in front of the Tv. He laid his head on my lap and from time to time we cracked a few jokes while watching a show.

Mum and Sha later came back from the groceries. "Tamika, come help with the groceries." ordered Mum.

"Hi momma."

"Hi baby. Come get the groceries too." she ordered. We both got up the couch and directed ourselves to the kitchen. Tanisha and Tyrell didn't exchange any words with each other while we were unloading the bags.

"You're going to tell them?" asked Mum. Ty nodded.

"Tell us what?" Asks Tanisha.

"Ask him." Mum said before leaving for her room.

"What else is there? We already know that you're a Rox." comments Sha.

"I can't stay here anymore."

"I don't care that you're Rox, you're still my brother." She argues.

"Yeah we don't care." I add.

"They'll make me betray you, Sha. You're the leader of a gang, you can't let down your guard in front of the enemy. No matter who they may be."

"Tyrell..."

"Leave then." says Tanisha.

"Tanisha, don't push him away !"

"That's what you want, right ? Go live with Tyler." She continues, pointing to the door.

"Yeah. I'll do that."

"The door is always open for you." I add.

"Whether it's here at home or as a Silver." mumbles Tanisha.

"Now you want me there ?" scoffs Tyrell.

"I'd rather have you with me than against me. You're still my brother."

"Our brother." I correct. We accompany him to the door. He gives me a hug and timidly stops in front of Tanisha.

"See ya'" he briefly said, avoiding his sister's eyes.

"We're never gon' be enemies, you hear me ?" She hugs him.

"Yeah. Never."