CHAPTER SEVEN

Ten minutes later, Ranger stalked out of the bedroom. I smiled at his outfit and wondered where he had found it. He was wearing loose wide leg jeans that rode so low on his hips, a tight black tank and a button down shirt completely unbuttoned. His boots weren't tied, and the laces clicked on the tile as he walked. I thought that I had once seen 'Ghetto Ranger' but this…this WAS ghetto Ranger. He had large diamond studs in each ear and a ton of chains hanging on his chest. He wore his big platinum watch and mirrored sunglasses. His hair was spiked up and shooting out in all directions.

"Wow." I whispered.

"Later, Kitten." He winked at me and strutted over. He had the walk down for sure, almost looked like he was limping. "I don't usually bring my bitches home to my mama's house, but I guess it would be alright. Just don't get all clingy and shit. Ya feel me?"

I shook my head and stood, gathering my purse and heading towards Bobby and Tank who were already in the hallway waiting. Les followed Ranger and I out, locking the door behind him. The camera's had been scrambled so that the rest of the Merry Men wouldn't see Ranger like this. He did have an image to uphold. Thankfully, Tank had made arrangements while Ranger was getting dressed so that the monitors wouldn't cover us going to the garage or that anyone would run into us.

We piled into the awaiting SUV and headed towards Newark. We were all silent, staring off into space or making sure that Ranger didn't do anything stupid. I had met his family before, albeit briefly, after Scrog. They knew who I was, and I was surprised to find out that I was actually a pretty popular topic for Ranger and the guys to have when they visited. Les had called Mama Manoso when Ranger had been sleeping, so she at least knew what to expect. From the volume of her end of the conversation, she wasn't happy that 'Coño' was back.

"What happened to the house?" Ranger asked as we pulled up.

"You and Mama have been remodeling it over the years." Les parked and got out. We all followed. We were ten feet from the door when it opened and Mama Manoso stepped out.

"Mama?" Ranger said softly, looking confused before breaking out in a run. "Mama!" He picked her up and hugged her tightly against his chest.

"Mi niño! Mi ángel. Mama tiene usted, sin lágrimas."

They embraced, whispering in Spanish. She kissed his cheeks and stroked his hair. After a moment, he gently set her back on her feet. Waving us in, she took his hand and made her way to the kitchen. After setting Ranger down into a chair, she crossed the room and drew me into a hug.

"Stephanie!" She kissed my cheeks. "It's been too long, my dear."

"It has." I smiled and took a seat across from Ranger, who just stared at her as she greeted each of the guys with similar affection.

"Let's eat." She patted Ranger's shoulder. "My Angel is hungry and there are a lot of things to discuss."

We were stuffed as we all sat around the small Formica table in the kitchen chatting about nothing. Ranger had been sitting quietly and was currently shoving food around his plate with his fork.

"Carlos, I know that you are very confused right now." Mrs. Manoso said taking his hand. "Why don't you tell me what is on your mind?"

"Mama." He bit the inside of his cheek. "I can't remember anything that they have told me."

"The doctor said that it should be temporary." She smiled and combed her fingers through his hair. "It will come to and hopefully soon."

"Why did you forgive me?" He asked quietly, staring down at the table.

"Because you are my son, and I love you." She smiled again, tipping his chin up with her finger. "Because every moment without you is dark and I missed your light."

"I love you, mama." He wrapped her into a hug. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I hate that I hurt you."

I looked away, a knot forming in my throat. Les, who was sitting next to me, grabbed my hand and squeezed. I looked up at him and he smiled.

"You okay?" He whispered, leaning close to me. I nodded.

"I just feel like I am intruding. He never wanted me to be in this part of his life."

"He did." He curled his arm around my shoulder and squeezed. "He always wanted you here with his family. He just was too big of a coward to admit it and ask for you to join."

He kissed my forehead and I chuckled.

"Is papa…." Ranger spoke quietly, his voice thick with emotion. We all looked from him to Mrs. Manoso.

"Yes, Mi angel." She sniffed and stroked his face. "You were with him when he died."

"So, he didn't hate me either?" Ranger's voice was so unsure and weak. It broke my heart to hear him talk like that.

"No, Carlos. Your father never hated you. You became very close and spoke him as much as you could. Over the past six years, your visits have become more frequent. I think that it's because of your Stephanie."

"Stephanie?" He raised his eyes to me and furrowed his brow. "She's my Stephanie?"

"Actually, she's your Babe." Les laughed, ruffling my hair. "You call her Babe."

"Babe." He smiled and burst calm rushed through me. I feel tears prick my eyes and I sniffed them back quickly. "Babe?"

"Yes, Ranger?" I smiled so large that it hurt my cheeks.

"Are we in love?" He asked almost sheepishly. I blushed and opened and closed my mouth like a fish.

"Uhhh…" I stammered.

"Yes you are." Mrs. Manoso shook her head laughing. "But the two of you are so stubborn that neither of you would admit it to anyone."

Ranger looked at me and then to Les.

"It's true, Carlos." He waved his hand between Ranger and I. "You two are crazy about each other. You wouldn't believe the sparks that fly when you are in the same room. It's like a fire hazard."

I felt the blush creep up my neck.

"It's not that bad." I whispered, hiding my face with my hands.

"Is that why..." Ranger began but quickly shook his head and whispered never mind.

"What? Is that why what?" My head popped up and I looked at him. He bit his lip and looked around.

"It's embarrassing." He whispered. His mother stood and began to clear the table. "Let me help you."

The guys and I all stood, clearing the table. Tank and Bobby started doing the dishes as Les, Ranger and I wiped down surfaces and put things away.

"It's a tingle." Ranger whispered, leaning down close to my ear as I wiped down the table. I froze and looked at him. "Right here." He gently touched the nape of my neck. "I feel it every time you're close."

"I do too." I smiled, turning back to the table and placing the wet rag in the basket near the door.

"What does it mean?" He was right behind me and so close that I could feel the heat radiating off his body.

"I don't know." Turning around I looked into his eyes. "But it's been that way pretty much since the day I met you."

"You don't seem like the type of girl I would…" He ran his hand through his hair. I smiled and took his hand. I lead him to the sink and tapped Tank on the shoulder. He was elbow deep in sudsy water. He quirked an eyebrow but shifted a foot or so. I reached forward and turned on the tap filling my hand with warm water.

"Come here." I pulled at Ranger's shirt. He stepped forward and I tilted his head towards the faucet and over the empty rinsing sink. "I just can't talk to you with your hair like this." I chuckled as I let the water pour down over his head.

"I was waiting for that to happen." Bobby laughed, passing a hand towel to me.

I rubbed gently at his hair with the towel sopping up most of the water. He stood with an eye roll as I ran my fingers through his hair.

"Much better." I winked at him and he laughed. "This is the Ranger I know."

"Why don't you call me Carlos?" He asked.

"You never asked me to."

"Babe?" He smiled and plopped me down on a chair at the table, taking a seat next to him. I raised my eyebrow, or at least tried to. "Call me Carlos."

Sound stopped in the kitchen as all eyes were on us.

"Okay, Carlos." I giggled. "I wish you would have told me that before you forgot everything about me."