4. Nakyra
Chapter 4
Nakyra
I jumped when a hand touched my shoulder and quickly shot my head up, looking around. My eyes fell on Creed’s gingerbread colored face. He tossed his hands up and began talking, but I was so tired I could barely read his lips. Lifting my hands, I brought them to my ears to turn my aids on.
“Can you repeat that?” I asked with a yawn.
“My bad, I forgot.” An apologetic look passed over his face.
I shook my head. “It’s fine.”
I was in desperate need of sleep, causing me to have a bad migraine. It became worse having my aids on continuously, so I turned them off to try and get some sleep. I had been bouncing between here and home to make sure Bella was taken care of. Thankfully Summer had been able to keep her for the past two nights because it had become a lot.
I looked around the room, noticing it was just the two of us in here.
“Your parents left?”
He shrugged. “I think Mom went to harass the doctor and Dad had a phone call.” His hand went into his sweats pocket.
He was dressed simply in a gray sweatsuit with butter Timbs on his feet. Creed was the opposite of Rome. I hadn’t been around him often, but from what I remembered, he typically dressed more comfortably than dressy or business casual. He now wore a goatee that connected with his short, trimmed beard running up his squared jaw. Last time I saw him, he didn’t have anything but a mustache.
“I was just letting you know I’m about to get out of here. You looked like you were uncomfortable and might want to go over to the couch.”
I stretched my back and rolled my neck. My body was stiff from leaning over the bed. Going into my pocket, I checked my phone. I had only been asleep for half an hour but it felt like forever.
“I need to head home, shower, and change anyway,” I stated and stood just as their parents walked back into the room.
“I’m going home to get a change of clothes and then?—”
“You might as well just stay there and come back tomorrow,” Marisol interrupted.
“What? No! I planned on being no more than an hour.”
“It’s not like he’s going anywhere. No sense in you being up here day and night. Go home and come back tomorrow.” She waved me off.
My eyes narrowed. I tried to respect my future in-laws, but both, moreso Marisol, made it hard.
I went to speak but a hand landed on my shoulder. I glanced over and saw Creed shaking his head.
Sighing, I dropped my shoulders. “Fine.” I turned and leaned over to kiss Rome. “I love you and I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
“They’re doing testing in the morning, so tomorrow afternoon will probably be better,” Deacon interjected.
Standing up straight, I didn’t bother to answer this time. I moved around Creed and grabbed my things off the couch near the far window. He talked lowly with his parents, but I drowned them out. I was tired, cranky, and annoyed. All I wanted was a shower and my bed.
Once I gathered my things, Creed and I headed out the room. We didn’t say much to each other as we waited for the elevator.
“Ay, the best way to deal with my parents is to pick and choose. Both of them are stubborn as hell and arguing with them is like arguing with a brick wall. I learned a long time ago not to stress myself out by going back and forth with them.”
“Typically I don’t, but since Rome hasn’t changed me over to be in charge of his medical stuff, your parents have been making decisions and running things. It’s frustrating that they refuse to include me in anything as if I’m not his fiancée.”
The elevator doors opened and we both stepped inside.
He chuckled and nodded. “Sounds like Mom and Dad. Why you think I got the hell outta here as quick as I could?”
I peeked at him from the side of my eye. He and Rome somewhat favored, but Rome had more of a baby face, which was ironic since he was four years older than Creed. While Creed didn’t look old, he looked more mature. He could easily be mistaken as the oldest if someone saw them together.
The elevator stopped a few times, letting people on who were going down too. Once on the ground floor, Creed and I silently walked to the entrance doors.
“Where you parked at?” he asked.
I pointed. “In the parking garage.”
“C’mon then. I’ll drive you over there; I found a spot up front.”
I was surprised but wasn’t going to complain. Truthfully I felt like I could pass out from exhaustion at any moment.
“Oh, thank you.”
I pulled my phone out while following Creed to text Summer. I planned on picking Bella up, but instead I was going to swing by and get her now since I knew she got anxious when she was away from me for too long.
The evening air was a bit cool for mid-fall, causing me to zip up the jacket I had on.
When we got to his truck, I was surprised when Creed opened his door for me. “Oh, thanks,” I said, tossing him a small smile. Before I could climb in, he grabbed my small bookbag off my shoulder. “Thanks.” Waiting for me to get fully inside, he closed the door behind me and headed over to the driver’s seat, stopping to toss my bookbag in his back seat.
My fingers tapped on my thighs. I had never been alone with Creed before. In all the years Rome and I had been together, he’d hardly come around. He moved out of his parents’ house shortly after me and Rome got together and out of the city a couple years later. Even when he was still in West Pier, he didn’t come around his family much. Rome always said Creed didn’t get along with their parents and that was why he stayed away. Thankfully I still had his number from years ago, when I’d called to invite him to our engagement party, which he’d declined.
The radio turned on as soon as the car started and Kazier’s latest song blared through the speakers. Creed rested a hand on his lap and the other on the steering wheel as he drove, bobbing his head and rapping along.
“What level are you on?” he asked.
“One.”
My phone vibrated and I glanced at it seeing it was Summer asking for an update.
Me
Everything’s the same. The doctor doesn’t know when he will wake up, but he’s stable.
I knew she didn’t care for Rome, but I appreciated her still being concerned, at least for my sake.
Creed spoke up, gaining my attention after I hit send. “Make sure I don’t pass it up.”
“Right there, in the handicap,” I said, tucking my lips into my mouth as my cheeks heated. I wasn’t ashamed of my disability, but still, I hated when I was singled out, especially in front of people I didn’t know that well.
“Why the hell you got that bright ass car?” His face scrunched staring at my yellow Mini Cooper.
I reached over and hit his arm. “Hey! Don’t talk about Sunny! I love my car and yellow is my favorite color!”
He chuckled. “My bad, man, but that’s corny as fuck.”
I rolled my eyes. “I always wanted a Mini Cooper and as soon as my old car died on me, I got one.”
He stopped behind my car. “A’right, I ain’t gon’ shit on your little box car.”
Again, I rolled my eyes. “Whatever, I love my baby.” I went to open the door. “Thanks for the ride.”
He nodded. “No problem. Take yo’ ass home and get some sleep.”
Just as he finished, a yawn fell from my lips. “I will.”
I grabbed the door handle and paused. “Hey.” I twisted my body toward him.
“Yeah?” His eyes were now focused on whatever he was reading on his phone. I glanced behind me, seeing the suitcase and large duffle bag in the back seat.
Nibbling my bottom lip, I focused on him again, thinking about my next words. “Instead of staying at a hotel, why don’t you just stay at me and your brother’s house?”
He was mid text when his fingers froze and he glanced up at me. One of his thick brows rose and his hooded, syrup-colored eyes narrowed.
“What?”
I licked my lips and fidgeted in my seat. “I just mean… you said you don’t know how long you’re going to be here, and instead of wasting money on a hotel room, why not just stay at the house? We have plenty of room and plus I don’t really like being home myself, so…” My voice trailed off and I shrugged.
His stare became intense, almost reminding me of his dad and Rome. “You think that’s a good idea?”
Heat flooded my cheeks as my face balled in confusion. “Why wouldn’t it be? I’m just helping my future brother-in-law. I know Rome would offer the same thing.”
Creed chuckled and shook his head. “A’right, if you don’t think it’ll be an issue. I’m down. I ain’t gon’ complain about saving no bread.”
I blinked at him for a minute. I had only been around him a couple of hours and could already see the differences between him and Rome. Listening to him speak, I wouldn’t think he and Rome grew up together.
“I’m not sure if you remember where we stay, but you can just follow me. I need to stop by my cousin’s house and get my dog first.”
He nodded. “A’right.”
This time I quickly climbed out of the car and went into my purse to grab my keys and rushed to my car door. I didn’t know where the idea to have Creed stay at the house came from, but it was too late to take it back. Rome didn’t talk much about his brother, but the two didn’t seem to hate each other when they were around one another. With him being here for a little while, it would give me time to get to know him a little more.
____
“Feel free to make yourself at home. If you need more towels, there’s some in the hallway closet. I just went grocery shopping too, so feel free to use anything in the kitchen, just don’t touch my strawberry ice cream.” I pointed my finger at him and narrowed my eyes with my lips poked out, causing him to smirk.
“I won’t touch your shit.”
“Good.” I grinned. I looked around the guest room. We had three additional rooms in our house outside of the master. Two of the rooms were guest rooms and the other was used as storage.
Bella came into the room and brushed her head against my leg. “Bella’s my service dog, in case you didn’t know. I don’t always wear my aids at home. When I’m out I sometimes bring her with me if I’m having a rough day. If you call out for me and I don’t answer, I’m not purposely ignoring you. Bella will get my attention, however, and let me know you’re calling for me. We have lights set up around the house that flicker if the doorbell goes off or the main doors open, but she also will let me know if someone’s at the door, the smoke detector goes off, my phone’s ringing, and a few other things too. As you can see she’s friendly and just here to help. I can also read lips well, so even if I can’t hear a person, I typically can understand what they’re saying as long as they’re facing me and aren’t talking too fast.”
I smiled, petting the top of Bella’s head. “Bella, this is Creed. He’s gonna be staying here for a bit. Can you stick your hand out?” I asked Creed.
Creed’s eyes shifted down to Bella, but he did as I asked. Bella glanced up at me before leaning forward and brushing her nose against his hand. “Just letting her get familiar with your scent.”
I watched as Bella sniffed Creed. Her tail began to wag faster when he petted the top of her head.
“She’s a good girl.”
“The best.” I grinned and yawned. “Okay, I feel like I’m about to pass out. If you need anything and you come to my room, Bella will notify me if you knock and or call me—my phone’s always on vibrate—and my aids are off.”
“I got it from here.” He moved his hand and Bella came back to stand at my side. “I ’preciate you letting me stay here.”
“That’s what family’s for. C’mon Bella,” I called out as I turned to leave. “Oh I’ll text you the alarm code too, in case you need to leave, and I’ll get you the spare key tomorrow,” I tossed out behind me.
I might not have known Creed that well but I felt better having someone in the house with me. My mind had been all over the place worrying about Rome and whether or not he’d be okay. I was still trying to get a clear picture of what happened the night of his accident, but I was thankful he was alive. Being in this house alone only made my nerves worse. I hadn’t been able to work all week since getting the phone call. Hopefully Rome would make a quick recovery and things could go back to normal.
____
I was in a deep slumber when Bella nudging me caused me to stir.
“Okay, okay, girl,” I mumbled, still halfway asleep. Yawning, I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed them before blinking them open.
Bella rushed to the door and clawed at it. “You need to go out.” I yawned again, slowly lifting and tossing the covers off. It took me a couple of seconds to gather myself before I climbed out of bed and walked over to the door. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but I felt more rested than when I went to sleep.
I pulled the door open and was startled seeing someone on the other side. I jumped back with wide eyes as Creed was mid-knock, this time dressed in dark jeans and a sweater.
That must have been why she was waking me up. I had forgotten he was here.
“My bad to wake you so early, but I was about to leave and was wondering if I could get that key.” I watched his mouth move and read his lips.
“ Oh yeah, I forgot sorry, ” I signed as I spoke, but quickly dropped my hands and balled them into fists.
His eyes dropped. “Maybe you should put some pants on first.” He looked up at me with one corner of his mouth hiked.
Glancing down, my eyes bucked. Just like any other night, I dressed in a T-shirt and panties. Having forgotten that, I quickly slammed the door.
Rushing to my dresser, I pulled out a random pair of shorts then walked to my aids on my nightstand. After putting them in and turning them on, I walked back to the door.
“Sorry about that,” I said when I reopened the door.
“Don’t sweat it.” His shoulders lifted as he gave me a once over. “You ain’t got shit I ain’t seen before.”
I became aware of not wearing a bra either and my shirt wasn’t that thick. Tucking my lips into my mouth, I avoided his eyes, crossed my arms over my chest, and pushed past him. “You said you needed the key, right?”
“Yeah, I’m heading down to my warehouse to make sure business is running smoothly.”
“Oh yeah, this is where your business started, right? You ended up opening a second location once you moved, didn’t you?”
“Someone’s done their homework, but yeah. I fly out here every few months to check on things in person but for the most part my manager handles business.”
I went to the table near the door once we were downstairs and opened the top drawer, grabbing the spare key.
“Here you go.” I turned and held the key out.
“Thanks.”
“I have some work I need to do, but I’ll probably take my tablet with me to the hospital and try to get it done. So if I’m not here when you come back, that’s where I’ll be,” I explained. “Do you plan on coming up there?”
“I’m not sure yet. I got a few things to do since I’ll be here longer than I normally am.” He slid his feet into a pair black Timbs he had brought in last night.
“Oh, right. Well I guess I’ll see you later then.”
He stood up straight and it was then I realized how much taller he was than me. Rome was tall at six feet, but I was sure Creed was taller than him.
I watched him check his pockets to make sure he had everything before he turned and nodded at me, then headed for the front door.
“Wait, the alarm,” I called out, walking to the wall near the door. Quickly, I typed the four digit code in.
“Good look.” He flashed me a smile. His smile was nice. It was big too.
I watched until Creed shut the door behind him and Bella came to my side.
“I bet you need to use the bathroom,” I said, looking down at her. I knew I wouldn’t be going back to sleep so I planned on making a quick breakfast then going into my office and starting my work before I headed to the hospital.