Chapter 14 TONI ROC #2
Kay’Lo was behind me like always, his arm around my waist while I leaned against him.
Wherever I went, he went. He was like my shadow, only taller, darker, and finer.
He had his dark shades on even though the sun was goin’ down, and his jewelry was hittin’ under the lights somebody strung up across the tables.
Every time he moved, his watch caught the glow and sparkled.
Some of my cousins kept lookin’, and I could feel it, but I ain’t give a fuck.
I was used to bitches starin’ when I was with him.
Sha’Nelle was sittin’ across from me, sippin’ from her red cup and smilin’. “I still can’t believe you out here spoilin’ me like this, cousin. You really flew in for my birthday?”
“Girl,” I said, leanin’ forward to clink my cup against hers.
“You know I had to show up for you. Me and Kay’Lo been out here a few days, stayin’ at this nice ass Airbnb over there in them Oak Pointe subdivision.
It’s got this big ass pool and a whole backyard grill set up.
You gon’ have to pull up before we leave. ”
“Shit, don’t tempt me,” she laughed.
I didn’t notice the way Darnell and his son Deuce was close enough to hear us. I was too busy enjoyin’ the music, and feelin’ Kay’Lo’s arm tighten around my waist like he was lettin’ everybody know I was his.
Out the corner of my eye, I saw Darnell walkin’ over. My body tensed without me even realizin’ it, but I didn’t move. Kay’Lo felt it though. His hand on my hip got heavier with that quiet protective thing he did whenever he sensed somethin’ was off.
Deuce was right behind Darnell, lookin’ around with that slick smirk like he was too cool for everything.
Darnell stopped in front of us, his face too calm for me. “Toni,” he said with that fake ass smile. “How you been, girl?”
I swallowed hard but forced a smile. “I been good.”
Kay’Lo ain’t say nothin’. He didn’t even look his way. His hand stayed on my hip, his other one restin’ in his pocket, and that silence made Darnell look at him longer than he should have.
“You ain’t gon’ introduce me to ya man?” Darnell asked, his tone sharp under that fake smile.
I opened my mouth, but Kay’Lo finally turned his head just enough to look at him. “She don’t need to,” he said low, his voice calm but rough. “You ain’t gotta know me.”
That shift in his voice made the air change. Even the music seemed quieter. Darnell’s grin dropped a lil’.
He looked at Kay’Lo up and down. “Ain’t no need for all that, lil’ man. I was just bein’ polite. You holdin’ her like you scared she gon’ slip away or somethin’.”
Sha’Nelle’s eyes widened, and I could see her glancin’ between both of them. My heart started poundin’ hard ‘cause I already knew where this shit was goin’.
Kay’Lo didn’t miss a beat. He gave a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes.
“I ain’t never been scared of no woman slippin’ away, big man.
I just like what’s mine close.” He looked down at me, kissed the top of my head, then looked back up at Darnell.
“But I get it. You probably don’t know what it’s like to have a grown woman anyway. You like ‘em young, right?”
Sha’Nelle’s cup froze halfway to her lips, and everything in me clenched up.
Darnell’s smile dropped completely. “What you say?”
Kay’Lo kept his tone the same with that calm confidence that made it worse. “You heard me, buddy. Don’t make me repeat it.”
Deuce shifted beside him, his eyes narrowin’ as he stepped up. “Yo, fam, you good?”
He lifted his shirt just enough to show the handle of his gun sittin’ against his waistband.
Kay’Lo finally looked at him, takin’ one step forward so they was damn near toe to toe. He lifted his own shirt, his tattoos glistenin’ under the light, and the handle of his gun sittin’ against his waist. “I’on know, nigga,” he said with a smirk that was not friendly at all. “You tell me.”
Deuce’s jaw flexed, but before anything could pop off, Sha’Nelle jumped between them, her voice loud and shaky. “Aye, y’all chill! Please! It’s my birthday! Don’t start no shit out here!”
I grabbed Kay’Lo’s arm, my nails diggin’ into him, whisperin’, “Baby, come on, please. Let’s just go.”
Darnell was still starin’ at him, his face twisted with anger and shame, but he didn’t say nothin’. He knew exactly what Kay’Lo was gettin’ at, and for once, he didn’t have no slick shit to say back.
Kay’Lo’s voice came low in my ear. “A’ight, baby. We out.”
He turned without lookin’ back, slid his hand into mine, and walked us straight toward the car. His energy was heavy with a quiet fury that made people move out the way.
The ride back to the Airbnb was quiet. The only sound was the tires rollin’ against the road. I kept my eyes on him, seein’ that look on his face that said he was still heated. His jaw flexed once, then his hand tightened on the wheel.
I reached over, slid my hand across his face, and rubbed his jaw slow. “You know I love you, right?”
His eyes cut to me for a second before they went back to the road. “I know, baby. I love you too.”
When we pulled up to the Airbnb, he parked and turned the engine off. I leaned over and kissed his lips, soft at first, then deeper.
“Thank you,” I whispered against his mouth. “For havin’ me like that.”
He looked at me with that same unreadable stare that always got to me. “Ain’t nothin’ to thank me for, baby. I meant what I said. When it come to you, it’s gon’ always be what it is.”
He got out, walked around the car, and opened my door. When I stepped out, he grabbed my hand, laced his fingers with mine, and walked me inside without sayin’ another word.
And I followed him, ‘cause no matter how wild it got, that was my man, and I was always gon’ stand beside him.