Chapter 9
The humidity slapped me across the face as soon as we landed in Lafayette, Louisiana. I wanted to get back on the plane and just stay there. LA was warm, but this shit was different. With the way Mi’Junae’s face was all scrunched up, she was clearly thinking the same thing I was. Kamari was all smiles like nothing was wrong.
It wasn’t that I hadn’t been south before, but it seemed it was never this damn hot. It was fucking October. There was no reason for it to be this damn hot. We were flanked by security wearing all black, and I immediately felt sorry for them. Kamari reached over and grabbed my hand as we walked toward the gate.
“You okay?”
“It’s hot as hell out here.”
“Yeah, but it’s supposed to rain tonight and be in the sixties by morning.”
“Thank God.”
She smiled as we walked. “I forgot you were a northerner. I’m used to this weather. Detroit is cold this time of year. I’ll be wearing my fur-lined coat tomorrow.”
“I know you fucking lying.”
She giggled. “Yeah, I am, but I will definitely have on a thick jacket.”
“Well, you gon’ halfway freeze to death if you come to Detroit during the winter months.”
“This is true. So maybe you should visit me in the winter months, and I’ll visit you during the summer.”
I chuckled and slowly shook my head. “So where are we going first?”
“Get the two of you checked in at Louisiana Cajun Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Thankfully, they had a suite available. I know you like luxury. I would have been just fine at Drury Inn.”
I chuckled. I was sure it didn’t offer the type of luxury we had in LA, but I was sure it would be sufficient. When we finally got our luggage and had gotten to our car without incident, I asked, “Is everyone asleep?”
Kamari laughed. “No. We just don’t make a big deal about seeing celebrities. Now, going to a public restaurant or mall would be another story. Welcome to the bayou, baby.”
Her Louisiana accent came through so clearly, especially when she said baby. That shit was sexy as hell. I kissed her cheek.
“I just want some Louisiana food. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Louisiana,” Mi said.
“Yeah, you’ve been to New Orleans.”
“Oh yeah, right. I forgot.”
“Now hol’ on, you two,” Kamari said, scooting forward. “This is southwest Louisiana. Our food is a little different from some places in New Orleans. Depending on where you go, there are places that use tomato in their gumbo. You won’t get that kind of foolishness around these parts. Not that I really care, but I didn’t want the two of you to think something was off. From what everyone says, the food is delicious.”
I frowned slightly. “Kamari, what are you talking about? What do you mean from what everyone says?”
“I don’t eat it. I don’t like the food.”
Mi’Junae fell out laughing. “You have got to be kidding me! You were born and raised here, and you don’t like the food? Okay, sis. I think you may be a lil off. Cajun food is top tier. The seafood alone is so good.”
“I like seafood. I would just rather it be fried or grilled. I don’t want it in a sauce or roux. So while y’all are eating it, I’ll be enjoying something else. My mama is cooking a feast for y’all.”
“Yes! Home-cooked meals! I’m ready.”
I chuckled at Mi as I pulled Kamari close. “How do you feel about us meeting your parents?”
“I’m a little uncomfortable, but my mom insisted. Who am I to turn her down? Besides, it’s not her I’m worried about, especially since the two of you already met. It’s Caleb Carrier that gives me pause. He is straight country with a hint of hood in him. His tongue has never intentionally seen teeth marks, and he’s protective when it comes to his wife and only daughter.”
I nodded. This would be interesting. “Sounds like my type of man. Plus, I would like to think he played a huge role in who you became.”
“He’s the reason I sing country music. He loves country and blues. Blues was my first choice, but I didn’t think I had enough grit to be a blues singer.”
“Blues, huh? My mama loved blues too. Betty Wright was her girl.”
I smiled at the thought of her cleaning up listening to the “Clean Up Woman.” Kamari smiled up at me. “My dad loves Johnny Taylor and Bobby Womack. He loves others too, but I think those two are among his favorites. I can’t tell you how often I heard ‘Last Two Dollars’ or ‘If You Think You’re Lonely Now.’”
She giggled as we pulled up to a quaint house-looking building. I assumed it was the bed and breakfast. It seemed really quiet, and I liked that. When the car came to a complete stop, we got out and stretched. It wasn’t a long drive, so I wasn’t sure why I was stretching. I supposed I hadn’t gotten out all my stretching from the flight.
I walked around the car with our luggage and made my way to Kamari’s side. “Please tell me you’re gonna stay here with us, baby.”
“Yeah. I don’t think I would be okay not staying with y’all with you being this close.”
Mi rolled her eyes playfully as we made our way to the door. After walking inside, the girl at the desk looked like she wanted to pass out. I knew it was probably because of Kamari. I was thoroughly surprised when she said, “Oh my goodness. Deontray and Kamari! Hi! I mean, I’m sorry. Your suite is ready.”
Kamari chuckled as I smiled. I glanced at her name tag and said, “Thank you, Alexis.”
That lil white girl nearly passed out. Mi’Junae rolled her eyes as she processed our information and gave the key to the room to Kamari. When Kamari smiled at her, she asked, “Is there a concert going on that I’m not aware of?”
Kamari glanced at me, and I shrugged. I didn’t care who knew my business when it came to positivity. Being with Kamari was absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, she should have been ashamed to admit that she was with me. “No, ma’am. Just trying to give them a sense of peace here. I hope I can count on you to keep this to yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am. Absolutely.” She glanced at Mi and smiled. “Welcome to Lafayette. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“I’m sure we will,” I responded.
Following behind Kamari, I said, “I thought you were going to tell her that we were a couple at first.”
“I was, but then I thought better of it. The two of you are here for peace and quiet. I’m going to do my best to keep things quiet.”
“Wait. So y’all are official official?” Mi asked. “When I asked if y’all were serious, I meant exploring what was between the two of you. But y’all are an actual couple?”
I slid my arms around Kamari’s waist and pulled her to me then slowly kissed her beautiful lips. “What that tell you?” I asked when I pulled away.
“That you finna be doing the most. Word of caution, Kamari. The man is possessive as hell. If a nigga look at you too long, he gon’ be in his face.”
I rolled my eyes and lowered my head to kiss Kamari again. “I know how things work in the industry. I’m not that bad, baby. If you’re my woman, though, I should have way more access to you than anyone else. I know I don’t have that to worry about with you though.”
She smiled slightly and kissed my lips again. “No, you don’t. I’m actually pretty surprised with how fast you won me over.”
I kissed her forehead, then we continued to our suite. When Kamari opened it, I had to smile at how it looked. It reminded me of how the house we grew up in looked. It was like my mama had come here and decorated this shit herself. I glanced over at Mi to see she was just as stunned.
Kamari turned around to see both of us frozen in time. A slight frown made its way to her face. “Is something wrong? We can get another suite,” she said as she looked around, clearly trying to find whatever she thought was bothering us.
“Actually, baby, this is perfect,” I said softly.
Mi’Junae came over to me and hugged me around the waist, laying her head on my chest. “It feels like she’s here, Tray. Wow. I’m never gonna want to leave.”
“I know. I can feel the peace already.”
After kissing her head, I pulled away and set our luggage down. When I walked over to Kamari, I could see the confusion on her face. There was something soft about it though. It was like she knew that it was something sentimental for us. She grabbed my hand and led me to the couch. Mi joined us and sat in the chair across from us as she continued to scan the room.
“It feels like our mother is here. This is her style to the T, from the drapes to the area rug. You did great by picking this place. It’s like God worked through you to provide the ultimate experience for us.”
I kissed her hand as she blushed. It was hard as hell keeping my hands and lips off her. I just hoped when I met her parents, I would be able to restrain myself. She lay against me for a moment, then said, “Well, if y’all wanna take a nap, you have time. Mama texted and said dinner won’t be ready for another two hours.”
“I just wanna lay here and hold you. Can I do that, baby?”
She sat up and looked at me. After licking her lips and looking away for a moment, she stood and grabbed my hand while Mi’Junae rolled her eyes. She was such a hater. When we got to the room, Kamari kicked off her shoes and got in bed, prompting me to follow suit. Sliding in behind her felt like a dream, and I couldn’t wait until she felt comfortable enough to give me all of her.
I already knew it would be a battle trying to be faithful because of how I’d been operating for the past few years. I was deep in the streets, sticking and moving. I was so far removed from celibacy I’d forgotten what the hell it meant. However, I knew I couldn’t fuck up in that way. My fuck up would crush this beautiful flower. She didn’t deserve that. She deserved the best I had to offer, and I planned to give her just that.
“So, since you’ll be at my show in two weeks, I think we ought to go public then. What do you think?”
“I think it’ll probably get out before then, but we can definitely confirm it then. What did you have in mind?”
“I want you to sing with me,” she said as she turned to face me.
“Real shit?”
“Yeah. I think we can do one of my songs and one of yours.”
“You would share your stage with me like that?”
“Absolutely. I told you I’m a fan. I love your music and the way you sing.”
“Mm. That’s good to know, baby.”
I kissed her lips and started singing one of my all-time favorite songs, “All I Do is Think of You” by Troop. Those lyrics were so fucking true in this moment. I wasn’t in love with her yet, but I was more than sure I would be soon. I thought about her all the time before we even met. It felt like I already knew her because I fantasized about her so much. To know she was reading up on me, trying to know about me as well was kismet.
When she started singing the background vocals, a smile broke out on my lips. We would make beautiful music together. I gently stroked her cheek with my thumb as I continued to sing my heart out to her. Her cheeks stared reddening as I stared into her eyes. Damn. This shit I felt for her was so intense. I didn’t understand the why and how, but I was grateful for both.