Imani #2
It’s after four now and traffic is starting to get thick, too thick for this shit.
I’m already going 67mph in a 45; I need more speed to lose him and clearer roads to do that safely.
In about three more blocks, I can take Kings Road.
I would typically take Kings on some mornings when I was running late and needed to make up time to get to the hospital on time.
There’s a long stretch with no stop signs.
As quick as I can, I switch lanes, speed pass two cars, then merge back into the right lane just in time to make a sharp turn on Kings.
My baby rides so smooth that DJ doesn’t even feel the quick turn.
The NISMO isn’t as smooth as my baby because when he makes the sharp turn after me, his tires screech and I can hear his engine when he shifts gears.
Seconds later, he’s back on my ass, hugging my rear so I speed up, pushing my baby to 80mph.
Mase’s driving skills seem to have improved a little since our race and when I speed up, so does he.
The two-lane road is thankfully clear so I decide to push my baby a little more to ditch this clown.
However, he speeds up and pulls alongside me.
We’re running neck and neck at damn near 100 miles per hour.
My nerves are on ten. I’m not alone. It’s just not me and my baby.
I have a passenger. DJ, and this isn’t a street race.
Mase is playing a dangerous game and I don’t like this shit at all.
After glancing over at DJ, I turn back to Mase. He’s closer, the divide narrower, and the smirk on his face has turned into a cruel ass smile. Without warning, he swerves, his tires screeching as he slams into my side.
“Shit!” I cry, completely blindsided.
His metal is shrieking on mine and I fight hard for control of my baby but I’m losing, bad.
The unexpected impact sends us skidding.
My baby slides across my lane, sparking and smoking, before my front tires bite into the shoulder.
I regain control on my steering wheel, slam my brakes, reach my right arm out to shield DJ, and we finally come to a hard stop on the grassy embankment.
“What the…shit! DJ! Are you okay?” I cry out, voice shaky and loud.
He doesn’t say anything; he just shakes his head feverishly as he removes his headphones. His head raises and he starts to look around. My hand moves to my chest and I exhale, trying to calm my pounding heart.
My emotions are all over the damn place. I’m thankful that neither one of us is hurt. I’m grateful that I didn’t slam into anybody or another vehicle but my blood is boiling.
This bitch ass nigga really just ran me off the road and could have killed us.
What the fuck!
With shaky hands, I call Daymir. Everything that I’d been suppressing since first seeing Mase’s NISMO parked behind mine at the gas station up until he ran us off the road surfaces the moment that I hear Daymir’s voice. All I can do is cry.
“Beautiful! Beautiful! What’s wrong?” he rushes out, alarmed by my frantic sobs.
Three hours later and the thick vein on the left side of Daymir’s neck is still throbbing and that menacing look is still on his face.
My poor car has been towed to Dax’s Auto Repair and looks like she’ll be out of commission for a week or two.
DJ is fine, full of the delivered dinner from Redmond’s Soul Food, and fast asleep in his room.
My hands have stopped shaking, my heartbeat has normalized, and my body is starting to relax, thanks to a much-needed long hot shower and two 500mg ibuprofens.
I’m lying in Daymir’s big bed waiting on him to join me.
“Baby, please get in bed,” I encourage.
“Nah, not yet,” he utters while shaking his head. “I can’t sleep until,” he begins but stops talking and pacing. That vein is still pulsating though. He’s irate and I’ve never seen him like this.
“At least come sit on the bed. I don’t want to get up,” I say.
“Don’t get up. You need to relax and get some sleep,” he insists.
“I do but with you. Get in here so I can climb on you, close my eyes, and sleep that bullshit away.”
“I can’t. I can’t sleep knowing that he’s probably somewhere laying his head down with no worries. He almost killed you and DJ then just drove the fuck off,” he grits.
He swipes his hand down his face, scratches his fingers through his trimmed beard, sighs, then walks over to his armoire. When he takes off his watch, I relax, thinking he’s about to join me in bed. However, when he scoops up his keys and phone, I tense up and frown.
“Daymir, what are you doing?” I ask, praying for the best but feeling like the worst is about to occur.
I know the man I fell in love with. He has been very open and upfront about his past but I also know what he wants in his future.
I don’t want him doing anything that may jeopardize that or get him hurt in any way.
My heart can’t handle losing another man that I love. It’s just starting to heal from Imari.
“I need to get out of here for a minute,” he says as he places his keys and cell in his pocket.
In an effort to keep him here, safe with me, I rush out of his bed and step in his face. I place my hands on his face and hold his head steady so he can look into my worried and pleading eyes.
“DJ and I are fine, not even a scratch. Whatever you are about to try and do, don’t. Stay here, please,” I beg.
His hands cover mine and he lowers them.
Then, he cups my chin and lifts my face up to his.
Slowly, he leans in and kisses me with so much love and tenderness.
None of the tension or anger he’s been displaying exists in this kiss.
I lean into it and him and my arms latch around his neck.
I return the kiss with just as much love and tenderness.
I also reluctantly accept what I know he’s going to do next.
Daymir isn’t going to change his nature.
He’s a man that takes care of and protects who he loves.
“Certain things about me I can’t change. I won’t, especially when it comes to you and DJ. Get back in bed, go to sleep and don’t worry your pretty head about me. I’m coming back, believe that,” he says solemnly then pecks my lips. “I promise.”
“There’s nothing I can say to make you stay is there?” I ask although every ounce of my being knows there isn’t anything.
He’s leaving and going to find Mase. That fact is solidified when he doesn’t utter a word. He simply kisses me again before walking out of his room. I follow him to the front door and lock it behind him when he leaves.
Sleep and rest are not even on my agenda until he returns so after peeping in on DJ, I journey to his bar and fix myself a double shot of tequila, sans any ice or chaser. I need this glass to supply its maximum amount of liquid reassurance to put my weary mind at ease.
After taking it to the head and feeling the slight burn as it glides down my throat, I grab the last German Chocolate cupcake from my last baking course. Obviously, I missed the one tonight thanks to a sore-fucking-loser and sorry excuse of a man.
Mase had no regard for me and the child I had in my ride.
There’s no question; he saw DJ with me. DJ and I were walking side by side and Mase watched DJ get in my car.
Yet, he still trailed me and ran us off the road and left us there, not knowing if we were alive, hurt, or dead.
As I think about that shit and the tequila does it’s job, I come to the realization that whatever fate awaits him is deserved.
One day, I might regret even thinking that but I don’t know if that day will even come.
When I smash the decadent and delicious cupcake, I realize that I’m a little hungry.
Earlier, when the food was delivered, I was too shaken up to eat.
I picked over my smothered chicken and didn’t even touch the sides or cornbread.
So, I take out the containers, fix a small bowl, and warm it in the microwave.
Eating serves two purposes. It will satisfy my hunger and buy time as I wait.
About an hour later, the tequila has kicked all the way in, my stomach is full, the kitchen has been cleaned, and I’m back in Daymir’s big ass empty bed.
The television is on but I’m not watching it.
My eyes are glued to my phone. I don’t know why because I’m not really expecting him to call or text.
Another hour passes and I’m still in the bed alone with my dry ass phone.
So, I open Skroll and try to get lost in postings.
After about thirty minutes, that gets stale and I only find myself annoyed and frustrated.
My eyes are getting heavy but my mind is wide awake.
My active mind is currently winning the battle against the cocktail of the cupcake, food, tequila and ibuprofen.
Heavy eyes and all, I’m restless, worried, and needing Daymir to walk through this damn door.
When the third hour comes and goes, my eyes get heavier and I feel my body slouching in the bed.
My head gets comfortable on the pillows and my body warms under his comforter.
Minutes later, the battle with my heavy eyes ends and I drift off to sleep.
I don’t move until I smell his coconut butter soap and feel his large warm body spooning mine hours later. My smile forms before my eyes open.
He’s back.
He kept his promise.
I turn around to face him and make sure that he’s whole and not hurt. When I do, the light from the television allows me to see his captivating smile. I smile too then plant kisses all over his handsome face. His strong arms encase me then he pulls me closer to him.
“I didn’t want to wake you,” he says.
“I was barely sleeping, waiting on you. Are you okay?”
“Of course,” he assures.
“No, like really really, okay? Nothing’s wrong? You’re not hurt?”
“Baby, I’m the same as I left here.”
“Oh good,” I sigh. “What happened?” I ask and his eyebrows knit.
Totally ignoring my question, he simply kisses my forehead and says, “Let’s get some sleep. It’s late.”
“You know you can tell me anything,” I assure him.
“I trust you with me and my son’s life but I’ll never put you in harm’s way or ever make you an accessory to anything that I do. Just know that whatever happen, it will never land on me and definitely not you.”
“I know but,” I begin but his mouth on mine halts my words.
“No buts, beautiful. There’s nothing else to say accept that I’m your man.
I love you and I will make sure that anyone that puts your or DJ’s life in danger can never do that to you, to DJ, or to anyone else again,” he says, his words confirming what I already knew.
“I just need you to love me back and go to sleep,” he adds.
“No man has ever loved me like you do. Of course, I will forever love you back.”
“That’s all I need,” he utters before closing his eyes.