Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Fumi
Istared at my phone for a second after hanging up on Hood. This nigga was exhausting and persistent as hell. He’s stubborn and hardheaded, and he hears only what he wants.
Somehow, he’s still getting under my damn skin. My phone rang again. I looked down at the screen. It was Cohen. A smile found my lips before I could stop it.
I answered. “Hey...”
Cohen laughed. “So, you still busy?”
I leaned back against my couch. “You heard me. I said something came up at the last minute.”
“I did. I figured I’d give you a little time before I called.”
“I appreciate that.”
“So, you done entertaining your ex for the evening?”
I laughed. “Something like that.”
“You sound tired.”
“I am. You wanna talk about it?”
I thought about Hood standing outside my apartment... showing up at my parents’ house... calling me the minute he got home. Damn… Damn…
“No. Not really.”
“I’d rather hear about your day.”
“Oh, you trying to change the subject?”
“Absolutely.” I laughed.
“I figured.” He chuckled. “I ain’t gonna force you. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I know enough to know that everybody doesn’t process things the same way.”
The silence settled between us. I’m comfortable. It’s not awkward.
“So... When can I see you?”
I smiled. “Cohen...”
“I’m serious. I know you are. You canceled on ya boy tonight.”
“I did.”
“You owe me.”
“I don’t owe you nothing.”
He laughed. “I was hoping that line would work.”
“It didn’t.”
“It was worth a shot, though.”
I shook my head.
“You funny.”
“Nah, I just like making you laugh.” He paused for a moment. “What are you doing tomorrow after work?”
“I got a full book.”
“I can meet you after your last client.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll take ‘I’ll think about it.’”
“Don’t get excited.”
“It’s too late.”
I laughed again. Damn, this man was too easy. It’s no pressure. No games being played.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Goodnight, Cohen.”
“Goodnight, Fumi.”
I smiled before ending the call. For the first time all day, everything was quiet again.
I ain’t gon’ lie, I enjoyed myself with Hood, but I got to protect my heart at all costs. I got to keep my distance because I can see myself falling for Hood again, and I ain’t ready for that, especially with bitches like Adrienne lurking around.
Besides, I missed Cohen, and I really looked forward to being with him tonight. Thank God Hood didn’t show his ass and ruin whatever chance I had with Cohen…
Fuck it, let’s see if his offer still stands. I grabbed my phone to text Cohen. I should’ve just said this while we were on the phone, but I was embarrassed because he’d seen me out tonight.
Me: You may not believe me, but I really hated to cancel earlier. Can I see you tonight?
Cohen: Oh yeah?
Me: Yes.
Cohen: I was hoping you’d say that.
Me: Don’t get excited.
Cohen: Too late.
Me:
Cohen: You still owe me that date.
Me: I know.
Cohen: Good… Pack a bag.
Me: That’s assuming I’m staying.
Cohen: That’s assuming I’m letting you leave.
Me: Boy...
Cohen: I’m on my way.
I tossed my phone on the couch… I miss Cohen. I hated the way he looked at me when he saw me with Hood. My heart dropped.
Iglanced at the clock; Cohen was right on time. A pair of headlights swept across my living room wall, then disappeared.
I smiled. It’s Cohen; my stomach flipped. I grabbed my overnight bag, phone, and keys, then headed for the door. Just as I reached for the handle...
My phone buzzed.
Cohen: Outside.
I laughed. Cohen never blew up my phone. He never honked the horn or texted me ten times asking where I was. One text. That’s it.
Me: Coming.
I locked my apartment behind me and headed downstairs. Cohen leaned against his Corvette, his hands in his pockets. Damn, this nigga stayed fine. The closer I got, the wider his smile grew.
“Damn. You actually packed a bag.”
I held it up. “You asked.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d listen.”
“I surprised myself.”
He laughed. “I’ll take it.”
Before I could say another word, Cohen reached for my overnight bag.
“I got it.”
“I can carry my own bag.”
“I know, but you ain’t got to tonight.”
He opened the passenger door for me. “Thank you.”
“Always.”
I climbed inside as he walked around to the driver’s side. The car smelled just like him. Creed. I shook my head. “You always smell good.”
Cohen glanced over at me before pulling away from the curb. “Oh, you noticed.”
“I have a nose.”
“I thought maybe you forgot.”
I laughed. “Boy, ain’t nobody gonna forget that cologne.”
“I suppose I should take that as a compliment.”
“It is.”
The silence settled between us. I’m comfortable around Cohen; it’s always easy with him. There’s never any pressure or awkwardness. The expectation is peace and a good time.
“So... Where are we going?” I asked.
“You hungry?”
“I already ate.”
“I figured.”
“So... I rented us a cabin.”
I turned to look at him. “A cabin for one night. You said to pack a bag. I was expecting this.”
“I did. I figured we’d disappear for a bit.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Are you always this intentional?”
“When it comes to you... Yeah.”
I looked out the window, hiding another smile. Damn... This man made dating feel easy. After everything I’d been through, easy felt good.
Iwalked to the wall of windows and rested my forehead against the cool glass.
The silence out here felt different. It wasn’t empty; it was peaceful.
No traffic, no sirens. Just the wind moving through the trees.
Cohen walked into the kitchen and returned with two slices of cheesecake and a bottle of champagne.
“I figured we’d celebrate.”
“What are we celebrating?”
He handed me a plate. “You chose me tonight.”
I laughed. “You’re so damn dramatic.”
“I am.”
We settled onto the couch, talking about everything except Hood.
I didn’t want to talk about Hood anyway…
We talked about my childhood, his childhood, and his first car.
Oh, and we talked about the first time he got fired from a job.
Oh, and the fucked-up haircut I’d given this one client in beauty school.
We laughed until my stomach hurt. Hours slipped by without either of us checking the time. For once... life didn’t feel heavy. Around midnight, Cohen built a fire in the stone fireplace. The flames swayed across the room as soft R it’s my business.”
Hood surprised me. “You’re right.”
I blinked. “What?”
“I said you were right. I ain’t entitled to shit. I’m cool. I just...” He paused. “I wanted to know.”
That wasn’t the response I expected. I came home ready to check his ass, but instead... he checked himself, which threw me off.
His gaze drifted back to my overnight bag. “Aye, I ain’t gonna lie... That bag fucking bothers me.”
I couldn’t help but smirk. “I figured.”
He chuckled. “But...” he shrugged. “...as long as he treated you right.”
“He did.”
“I’m glad.” Hood paused again. I know this is fucking with him. “You deserve that.”
For a second... Neither of us spoke. The morning breeze drifted between us, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass across the complex.
Hood stepped back. “I ain’t gonna hold you. I’mma let you be. I know you’re probably tired. I’ll see you around, Fumi.”
Hood turned and started walking toward his Chevy.
“Hood...”
He stopped but didn’t turn around. “Yeah?”
“Thank you...”
“For what?”
“For not making a scene.” A slow smile spread across his face.
“I told you... I’m trying to do this differently.” He looked over his shoulder. “Enjoy the rest of your Monday.”
Then Hood climbed into his Chevy and pulled away. I stood on my porch a little longer than I’d meant to. It’s crazy because the old Hood would’ve cussed, accused me of sleeping with Cohen, yelled, and demanded fucking answers.
He probably would’ve accused me of trying to hurt him. Instead, he accepted the truth, even though it clearly hurt. That wasn’t the Hood. I knew… Or maybe I didn’t really know him. Maybe I never gave him enough room to become this version of himself.
I shook my head.
“No.”
Yeah, I wasn’t finna do this. I wasn’t about to start romanticizing a nigga just ’cause he acted like he had some damn sense. He was supposed to. That didn’t erase the seven years we were apart. I set my water on the counter and walked to the window.
His Chevy was gone. For some reason... I wished I hadn’t watched him pull away. Damn... What the fuck is wrong with me? I pulled my phone out of my pocket. It’s crazy. I didn’t have any missed calls or texts from Hood. He just pops up.
I frowned.
That’s strange. Normally, he would’ve found another reason to call, another reason to text, another reason to get on my nerves, but today... nothing.
I unlocked my phone anyway, but still nothing. I tossed it onto the couch.
“Good… Leave me the fuck alone.”
The words came out, but they didn’t settle in my spirit. I paced across my living room, then sat down. Then I stood back up. This is exactly why I didn’t want to see him. Every time Hood came around, he disrupted something. Not my routine, but my emotions.
I knew how to handle the old Hood. The loud, impulsive one. The Hood who would’ve crashed the fuck out after seeing me with an overnight bag.
This Hood, the nigga who admitted he was bothered... Then respected my boundaries anyway... I didn’t know what to do with him. I rubbed my temples.
“Damn.”
For the first time since he got home... Hood left me with more questions than answers.
And somehow... that bothered me more than if he’d argued. I looked at my phone again. It still hadn’t lit up. I caught myself waiting for it to ring. I rolled my eyes at myself.
“Girl... get your shit together.”
Because if Hood had finally learned to walk away... why did that thought bother me more than his showing up?