Chapter 4
I looked up at Allur while she massaged my scalp.
I’d already showered and gotten ready for bed.
I had been on my phone looking up different things that Kaleo and I could do on our next date when she’d come quietly into my room and asked if I wanted to talk.
I’d said yes. She’d agreed to scratch my head like her mom used to do the both of us to get us to sleep when we were younger.
“So, how was it?” she asked.
“It was so good.” I smiled. “I had a great time and Kaleo’s nice.”
“He is nice. He’s a little… passionate about some things, but he’s a good person. I like him. He’s probably my favorite of JV’s friends.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Allur started to run both hands through my hair. “So, do you like him or do you think you’re on your way to liking him?”
“Would I be stupid if I said yes?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I just got out of a relationship. It’s probably a bad idea to start liking someone so soon.”
“I don’t think you can put a timeline on that kind of thing, Novi. I mean, sometimes people leave relationships emotionally and mentally before physically. Plus, if you already knew it was a dead end there’s a good chance you were already preparing yourself to move on.”
“You just always validate my shit,” I accused.
“And I’m going to keep validating it unless you’re hurting yourself or others.”
“Good.” I turned and pushed up, tucking my feet beneath myself and facing Allur. “So, how is Kaleo when he likes someone?”
“Faithful,” she said instantly. “He’s very loyal and protective if nothing else.”
“I could see that,” I said.
“He’s honest to a fault though. He doesn’t like to lie or intentionally lead people astray so that’s good.
I mean, JV said it has something to do with his family life or whatever but I don’t know.
All I know is he’s honest even when it’s annoying.
He’ll avoid a question before he just lies about it. ”
“Yeah, we talked about his family life a little bit. It was nice. I mean, the conversation wasn’t nice but I appreciated that he was open and sort of vulnerable with me.”
“That’s a good start.”
“It is.” I sighed and collapsed back down, letting my head fall into Allur’s lap. “Allur,” I said her name quietly.
“Hm?”
“I like him already and I think it’s only going to get worse.”
"Nothing's wrong with that. Just have fun and enjoy your time together and trust that whatever is meant to be will be.”
“Yeah.” I exhaled. “I’ll keep you updated on the wedding colors.”
Allur laughed and I grinned.
“I support it.” She winked at me.
“Good. Then, help me decide what we should do for our next date.”
“I can do that.” Allur looked down at her vibrating phone. “I’ll send you some ideas tomorrow but in the meantime, I have a man calling me.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go sit on the phone with JV.”
“I will. Love you. Goodnight.”
Allur hopped out of bed and answered her call immediately.
I watched her pull the door lightly behind her.
I plugged my phone in, turned my television on and slipped beneath my sheets.
I let out a yawn as I checked my phone. I’d only been scrolling for two minutes when a post by Kaleo popped up.
It was a flier announcing that he’d be cutting hair at a back to school event.
I closed my app then sent him a text.
Me:
Thanks again for tonight.
I locked my phone and tossed it on the dresser. Then, my eyebrows fiddled together when I saw that he’d pretty much texted me back instantly.
Kaleo:
It was my pleasure. I promise.
I tried to run a big tooth comb through my hair, stopped midway through, paused and added some more product.
I huffed as I tried again. My arms were killing me and I was exhausted but I refused to not have my hair taken care of the next time I saw Kaleo.
I was also using the all day process of hair maintenance to keep me busy so I wouldn’t be sitting around thinking about him.
I’d already picked out a spot for our next date but I was trying to wait until at least midday to reach out to him. The last thing I wanted to do was scare him off by being too intense too soon.
We’d gone bowling an entire week ago and we hadn’t seen each other since but we’d spoken. Kaleo wasn’t the best texter but he called me at least twice a day which was honestly nice. I liked knowing he thought about me and wanted to talk to me on his break and while he was on his way home from work.
I exhaled, changed the playlist I had been playing and went back to focusing on my hair.
I got the entire thing detangled and twisted in some large twists before I called it and collapsed across the couch. I was supposed to be going out to eat with Allur when she got off but I had another two hours until she clocked out and another thirty after that just for her to get home.
I played a few games on my phone. Then, I opened my social media. I still had follow requests flowing in but they’d somewhat slowed down.
I scrolled for about half an hour before Kaleo popped up on my timeline. He’d shared a post about cutting hair at some back to school event and the comments and likes were flooding in. He wasn’t someone that posted everyday but when he did post it was obvious people were tapped in.
I liked the post and continued to scroll.
I froze when a call from Kaleo popped up. I jerked up on the couch as if he could see me and answered on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“What’s up, shawty?” His deep voice rumbled on the line.
“Not much. What’s up?”
“Trying to see if there’s something you want to do this weekend before I plan something myself.”
“I actually do have something booked.”
“Alright. What’s the plan then?”
“Hear me out. I was thinking,” I dragged the word. “A petting zoo.”
“What?” Kaleo chuckled. “You for real?”
“Yep. We can see all the cute little animals, talk without distractions and there’s even horse back riding.”
“November, have you ever ridden a fucking horse?” Kaleo asked seriously.
“Nope. That’s why I think it’ll be fun.”
“Alright. I’ll go with it because you want to do it but if you fall yo’ ass off a horse and hurt yourself, somebody getting their ass beat.”
“Wait. Do you know how to ride a horse?” I asked as a second thought.
“Hell nah,” Kaleo said.
“Even though you’re from here?” Genuine confusion crept into my voice.
“I’m southern, not country, shawty. There’s a difference.” He forced a little laugh. “Man, what day and what time?”
“It’s open every weekend until seven so maybe next weekend,” I suggested.
“I’ll move some shit around and be over to pick you up in an hour. We can head straight there.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. I’ll see you in an hour, alright?”
“Alright.”
We sat on the phone in silence for a moment. Then, we both gave little awkward laughs.
“Bye, November. See you then.”
“Bye, Kaleo.”
The second the call ended, I hopped up and rushed to the bathroom to start taking my hair down. I finished in half the time I usually did and did a speed run of my makeup. I threw on some jeans and a cute thin, long sleeved black top. I was still barefoot when Kaleo made it to the house.
He was holding a series of flowers in one hand when I opened the door. He smirked down at me while I just stared at him. He’d thrown on some dark jeans and a black shirt too and he looked good enough to eat.
There was definitely sexual chemistry between us if nothing else.
I gestured between us.
“Great minds think alike.”
“Don’t they?” He offered the flowers to me. “And this is for you.”
“The flowers you got me last week are alive and well, Kaleo.”
“And?”.
“And I didn’t need more.”
“Well you have more now and even if you don’t need them, you deserve them so.”
“Okay,” I exhaled. “Well either way, thank you and they’re beautiful and you can just come inside. I’m almost done getting ready.”
“Alright.”
I gestured for him to enter. He leaned in and kissed me. I froze. He continued on like nothing had happened. He brushed past me and smacked me lightly on the ass as he did it.
I stood in the doorway for a few seconds before I closed the door and headed further inside. I went to my room, checked on my hair and makeup, slipped my shoes on and quickly put on my jewelry too.
By the time I came out of the bathroom, Kaleo had already put the flowers he’d gotten me on the dresser in my room. I was more shocked about the kiss we’d shared than the fact he was navigating the house so quickly and quietly.
He hadn’t made things complicated or awkward. He’d just done it like it was a regular part of our time together. I liked that, how comfortable he seemed and how easy things were flowing even if they were flowing fast.
He walked me to the passenger’s side and opened the door for me.
We talked the entire drive out to the the little petting zoo.
Kaleo paid for our entry and I rushed to get a little food to feed the different animals before he could so I could contribute to the date in some way.
He snatched up two maps on his way to me and as soon as he was close enough he offered me a trade.
I took a map from him and he grabbed the two pails of food.
“Alright, baby. Tell me where we’re going. You lead and I’ll follow.”
“Alright.” I nodded once and looked at the map, mentally coming up with a route for us. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s do it.” He gestured for me to lead the way.
I did.
Kaleo and I fed all of the animals and I had him take pictures of me holding a baby alligator. I was a fan of all of the little animals. I loved the chickens, goats and smaller pigs. Kaleo, on the other hand, ended up being a natural with cows, reindeer ponies and horses.