Chapter 22 Jayme
Jayme
I crossed my arms over my chest and watched as Arris flipped Blake’s mattress onto his boxspring and stepped back.
“Alright. Take a seat for me.” He gestured toward it.
I snickered but walked over to Blake’s bed and collapsed. I leaned one way then the other before climbing in completely and nodding.
“Seems sturdy to me.”
“Good.” Arris hopped up.
I smiled as I watched him putting his tools in the tool box. He slammed it shut and looked over at me. One of his eyebrows lifted.
He rubbed his hands on his sweatpants and walked over to lean over me, putting his face right in front of mine.
“What?” His eyes searched mine. “Why are you looking at me like that, Jay?”
“Just thinking about the last time I had you put this bed up for Blake.” I blinked up at him. “I feel like so much has changed since then.”
“It has.” He kissed me and stood back up. “It’s changed for the better though.”
“Yeah. It has.”
He offered me his hands and I gave him mine so he could pull me up.
When we walked back out of Blake’s new bedroom we were met with four men and Dyani instructing them where to put certain boxes.
The three of us had moved in together. We hadn’t gone anywhere far. We just moved down a floor into a three-bedroom apartment.
Blake and I had been in a two-bedroom before, but if the four of us were going to live together, it made more sense for us to have an additional bedroom.
Dyani and I had each claimed our own rooms, which made sense since we had the most clothes and accessories.
We hadn’t determined when we would sleep in which room or anything and I didn’t think any of us cared.
Having separate rooms was more so we could have all of our things in a designated place with enough space.
I slid out of the way when two DP members made their way toward me holding my dresser between them.
I was genuinely thankful for all of their help. D-Ville was a family if nothing else and I appreciated that a lot. They always showed up for Arris, and by extension, me and Blake.
I did a double take when I saw Darryl but didn’t comment because not only was DP helping move all of the shit from mine, Dyani’s, and Arris’s old apartments, but I was sleeping beside his sister every night.
He and Arris had squashed their beef and they repped the same set. He apologized to Dyani and they shared blood. The nigga was going to be around. I knew that. It didn’t mean I had to be his best friend.
I turned back to grab the box someone offered me.
“This shit is light, but it ain’t labeled,” he explained and I nodded.
“Thank you.”
I walked the box to the counter to pry it open and peek inside. I saw it belonged in Dyani’s room so I walked it down and headed back to the living room. I paused when Darryl cut me off at the doorway.
“Hey,” He looked down at me, “Can we chop it up real quick?”
“For what?” I deadpanned.
“Man, come on, Jayme. Don’t act like that.”
I looked over at Arris who was talking to two of the DP members but staring straight at me.
I gave him a little wave to let him know everything was fine. He nodded once then went back to his conversation.
“Alright. Whatever. Come on.” I gestured for Darryl to follow me and started walking without waiting for a response. I led him into the nearest room, crossed my arms over my chest, and faced him. “What’s up?”
“Look, I didn’t mean to disrespect you,” he said. “I had a lot of feelings going on and I was mad at Arris and Dyani and shit but that’s not your fault. You were collateral and that’s fucked up. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks for the apology.”
“Come on, man. We’ve known each other for years and I’ve never once talked to you crazy or disrespected you or no shit. Doesn't that count for anything?”
I exhaled. “Yeah. I guess it counts for something.”
“Then dap me up then. You gon’ be my sister-in-law and shit after all.” He wagged his eyebrows up and down jokingly but I didn’t smile.
“And that’s the only reason I’m going to dap your stupid ass up.” I cut my eyes at him.
“Ruthless.” He chuckled and closed some of the space between us. “But I’m genuinely sorry. You’re family to me, and family fights and argues and shit, but I’ve got love for you and I’d lay my life down for you and Blake for real. You know that.”
“Yeah, alright. Well, I’m going to give you a pass but I want you to know the next time you try me, I’m on yo’ ass.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Good.”
Darryl opened his arms to me and I hugged him briefly.
“You know I really am going to be your sister-in-law, right?” I teased.
“Yeah. I know. Shit. I’ve seen Dyani look at y’all niggas and I’ve seen y’all look at her.”
“Good.” I winked at him and he laughed.
We both looked over at the door when Arris knocked on the frame and stuck his head in.
“Hey, baby,” I greeted Arris and walked around Darryl to get to him.
“Hey, baby.” He pulled me into his side with one arm and kissed my head then dapped Darryl with the other one. “Y’all good?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to apologize to Jayme.”
Arris nodded. “Good look. Thanks.” He shifted to the side to let Darryl out. He looked back and watched him walk off then back down at me. “You good?”
“Yeah.” I tapped his broad chest with my hand and grinned up at him. “I’m good.”
“You sure?”
“Yep.”
“Alright.” His hand dropped to mine and he kissed my knuckles.
I noted immediately that this was just another reminder of why it was so easy to feel secure with Arris. I loved how present and protective he was just as much as I loved how sweet and independent Dyani was.
We headed back out to the common area and Dyani met us almost at the entryway.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
I giggled immediately.
“Damn. Did y’all think I brought Darryl back there to beat his ass?”
“Knowing you? Shit, probably,” Arris joked.
I lightly pushed him away from me as he and Dyani laughed.
“Whatever, nigga.”
“You do beat people,” Dyani added.
I rolled my eyes at her but smacked her on her ass.
“You love it,” I accused.
“I do,” she admitted with a little smirk.
“Ay. While y’all over there fucking around, I’m working my ass off. Can we get some music? Some water? Some air conditioning?” Darryl bellowed.
“Nigga, you could shut up. How about that?” Arris spun around and headed toward him.
Dyani shook her head then looked back at me.
“How are you for real?”
“Happy.” I shrugged. “Darryl apologized and we’re good. I’m excited about us all officially living together. I’m just happy.” I exhaled. “Everything feels right.”
We both looked at the propped open door where my dad was walking in with Blake who made a beeline straight for Darryl.
We watched while Darryl plucked him up and shook him side to side, making him laugh.
“Yeah,” Dyani leaned in and kissed my cheek, “Everything does feel right.”