Chapter 7
Jade
I hadn’t been home in a few days and I was irritated.
Oden tried to make it better with dinner and his presence, but I was creeped out.
Who in the hell would leave a trashcan with roses on fire in front of my door?
I meant it when I said I wasn’t stalkable, but damn, was somebody actually stalking me?
Why would they? Irritation loomed in my being as I drove in the direction of my brother’s house.
It was a dinner night, which meant we all needed to be in attendance.
I guess I was fine with it considering Oden was going out to his house for the next two days.
He had live crops and land to care for. He couldn’t just drop everything for me, even though he offered to.
The only reason he let the fact that I had yet to tell my brothers go was because I agreed to stay in his condo instead of mine for a few days while my complex investigated the incident.
That irritated my soul because I couldn’t understand how they didn’t have any footage of somebody lighting a fucking fire in front of my door.
Where was security? Or any of that high tech shit I paid fees for every freaking month?
It all annoyed me, but again, I had Oden.
He didn’t let me stress about it, no matter how close I was to doing so.
Oden was different from any man I had ever spent time with.
He wasn’t the type to talk a lot, but when he spoke, you listened.
Though I could tell he had gone through some things, he had this unwavering presence that made me feel like I had known him for longer.
He was one of those people you couldn’t believe you encountered because he was too pure for this earth.
He was no street dude or anything, but he possessed the edge and protectiveness that only a hood nigga could carry.
He was different, the type of different that had me drawn to him with every motion.
When he suggested I stay at his condo, I wanted to fight him on it, but the look he gave me shut that down.
By the time I pulled up to my brother’s house, the sun had set and I already told myself I would be staying at his place. I hated nighttime driving. So any time I drove out to Rennix’s house, I ended up spending the night.
“Yo, where the fuck you been?” Reminisce asked as soon as I got out of the car. He was standing outside with a blunt to his lips.
I hugged him while I spoke. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Of course he followed me into the house. “Try me.”
“Try you what? What’s up, sis?” Rennix hugged me then so did Dimitri.
I moved around the counter and hugged Caya and Beyah before finally looking at my brothers. They looked too much alike. Shit gave me whiplash some days.
“I’m waiting, shorty.” Reminisce’s voice broke my stare down.
“So, I have a stalker. And before anybody in here says I’m being dramatic, here are the facts. I’m getting anywhere from fifty to one hundred random private calls a day, and som?—”
“Why the fuck yeen tell nobody, Jade?” Dimitri was the first to start.
“Because I’m not the woman you stalk, I mean hello.” I shrugged, taking my jacket off and putting it on the back of a chair.
“How long has this been going on?” Rennix asked.
“Not long that I know of. I was only getting a few calls here and there, but I didn’t feel like I was being stalked.
Then a few days ago I was home and somebody knocked on my door.
I went to the door and opened it. Right in front of my door was a small, silver, metal trashcan with a fucking fire inside.
When the fire was put out, I saw a box of chocolate and roses in the trashcan. ”
“That’s why you ain’t been home and ain’t told nobody?” Reminisce asked. I could see the frustration on his face because out of everyone he and I had been talking the most lately.
“I’ve been staying with a friend because my complex is investigating the situation. Their security cameras didn’t catch anybody putting that shit in front of my door, but they saw it there. From what the guy said, it was like the footage had been altered.”
Rennix tilted his head to the side. “I mean, it’s possible. A motherfucker must have access to the mainframe and the hardwiring of the building to pull that shit.”
“What friend are you staying with?” Rem asked and I shook my head. I didn’t know why I’d referred to Oden as my friend. We’re more than that, right? Shit I don’t know.
“Fire in front of your door sounds like some crime of passion. Given what was on fire especially,” Caya responded.
“Yeah, you fucking somebody’s nigga, sis?”
“No. Well, I don’t think so. I’m only fuckin one ni—” My phone was ringing in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I made sure it wasn’t Oden. When I saw it wasn’t I set my phone on the table. These sorts of calls all day.
Reminisce snatched the phone from the table then put it to his ear. “Yo.”
I could tell when whoever it was either started breathing into the phone or hung up randomly because he pulled the phone away from his ear and glared at it then looked at me. “You really been receiving these fucking calls and ain’t told me?”
“What would you have done? It only escalated with the fire. Even then I wouldn’t have believed that happened had I not literally seen it. Somebody is either trying to get my attention or under my skin.”
“And you’re sure you’re not messing with somebody’s nigga?” Rennix asked.
“No. I’m not. I am messing with somebody but he is single. As a matter of fact, this started before him because somebody also sent me flowers to the shop twice. I thought it was Gavin, seeing as how he’s been trying to get back in my good graces.”
Dimitri’s expression tightened.
“But no, I don't think it was him now. Shit, I don’t know who it is, but who I’m dealing with is only dealing with me,” I said, like I knew it for sure, but hadn’t even asked. Shit at this point I was assuming, something I didn’t normally do.
Reminisce nodded. “Cool, then tell me who you dealing with so I can go ask that nigga myself. That way I don’t end up killing your ex for no fucking reason.”
I waved him off. “Um no, I’m not ready to tell y’all who I’m dating . Shit I wasn’t ready to tell y’all I have a stalker, but here we are. I’m fine, this is fine, and I swear it’ll blow over without my brothers going all John Wick.”
“Yeah aight. You’re staying here tonight, right?” Rennix asked.
“Yes. You know I don’t do nighttime driving.
Now can I get a plate and not talk about this anymore?
How is everyone else?” I quickly forced the conversation off of me and onto someone else.
I needed that. For the remainder of the night, we talked and ate.
My mind continued to flow over to this whole stalking thing, then my mind went to Oden.
Was I assuming too much and leaving what I didn’t know to assumptions?
Was I too busy going off vibes rather than concrete facts?
I liked him, right? Not just the way I felt around him.
“So, I take it that things with Oden are going well?” Beyah asked when it was just her and me in the kitchen. My brothers had retreated poolside for Reminisce to smoke and Caya was asleep. That baby she was carrying made it impossible for sis to hang.
I laughed. “And why do you say that?”
“Because that’s one secret you’re holding onto. Usually you can’t hold water.” Beyah laughed at her own joke. “But all jokes aside, you’re happier, even with this stalker shit going on. You’re not all frazzled, but instead annoyed like it’s an inconvenience.”
I shook my head. “Because it is. I’m not famous. Why in the hell would somebody stalk me?”
“Because you’re smart, beautiful, and most of all, not easily attainable like everyone else. You don’t have to be famous to have a stalker, Jade. Unfortunately, people find a reason to latch on. And you, mama, are the shit, lowkey and all.”
I smiled.
“Now tell me about your ma?—”
“Tell you about what?” Dimitri entered the kitchen, narrowed, nosy ass eyes locked on me.
“None of your damn business. We were having a closed conversation that didn’t involve you,” Beyah responded before I could.
“Damn, that’s how you feel, baby? Are you out here keeping secrets with your girl?” He closed in on his wife with a fake mug plastered on his face.
“It’s not a secret. It’s her business and she isn’t ready to share it. When she is, you'll know. Now move around, Mr. Hines.” She was trying her hardest to remain serious, but that failed her.
“Bet.” He nodded at his wife before focusing on me again. “So, I know this nigga, huh?
I was immediately confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Means every time it’s somebody new; I at least get a name out of you. You're holding that shit hostage.”
“Bye, G.” I waved him off.
“Just answer me then. Do I know him?”
“Yes, you do. Now can we move along?”
“Then how did you meet him?” He tilted his head to the side, waiting for an answer.
“Minding my grown ass business. He isn’t in the streets and has his own stuff going on before you ask. Now can I please get some more time with my friend before she has to go back to being your wife?”
Of course he laughed. “That’s me forever, but I get your gist. I’ma let you slide for now, but sooner or later I’ma know who he is.”
“And when you do is when you do.” I spent a while longer talking and laughing with Beyah before she and my brothers departed. I ended up cleaning the kitchen and putting the leftovers away before I retreated to the guest room. The entire time I felt myself overthinking.
I was lying in bed when my phone started ringing. I had lowkey overthought myself into a bad mood. When I glanced down and saw his name, I couldn’t fight the smile. Out of all that thinking I’d done, I was still giddy ’bout this nigga.