Chapter 22
Honey was endgame for me. The calm and security I felt when we were together reinforced the thought every time. Honey was my soulmate, my heart in human form, and my anchor. I would go to the ends of the earth for her. I wanted to be a better man for her—even after she hid a child from me.
“When we first got reconnected, we started a conversation you weren’t ready to have. I still don’t want to rattle you after you just buried your grandmother, but I have to ask. Can I create a relationship with my son? Can I make up for the years we missed out on creating a bond?” I rubbed my hands together.
She wiped at her eyes and sniffled a few times. “I’m really sorry, Marquise. I did what I felt was safest for the both of us. I couldn’t bring my baby to see his daddy in prison. I didn’t want him exposed to any of that life.”
“That’s not what I asked. I understand why you did what you did. I understand it all, baby. I just need to know if now that I’m out, can you let me be a present and active father? Can you let me make memories with my son? Can I learn his likes, his dislikes, his nightly routines? Can I teach him how to ride a bike, catch a football, and dribble a basketball?”
Honey turned to me and held my hand. She smiled up at me with soft eyes. “Yes. You can do that.”
“So, how long are you staying before you leave across the country again? I need to organize family time and my work schedule. Unfortunately, as a condition of my early release, I have to keep good standing with a job for six months, minimum.”
Honey smiled. “I’ll figure something out. Quis and I catch flights often. I also know it’ll take a few weeks to get all of my parents’ debt taken care of.”
“Can you unblock me?”
She giggled. “I sure did block you and everybody associated with you. I’ll unblock y’all, I guess.”
I shook my head. “Bighead ass.”
“Look, I was serious about protecting my son from getting hurt by you. I’m still on the fence because I don’t know what your temper is like these days, but I’m hopeful and optimistic—still cautious.”
“I understand it, for real. Thank you for being cool about me being an active father too. You know I grew up in a shit show. I don’t want the same for our child, either.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
As we talked, a goose waddled up to Honey. Honey smiled down at the long-necked, oversized duck, and stuck her hand out to pet it. Instead of letting her pet it, the goose bit her.
“Ow!” Honey hollered.
“Quack!” The goose expanded its wings as if to buck up at Honey. This woman stood up and bolted down the stone path.
The goose was hot on her tail and almost took flight to catch Honey. I stood up as my sides hurt from the laughter. Honey looked like Cindy running down the hallway from the scene in Scary Movie 2 ,.
“Stop running,” I called out with amusement.
“Help me,” Honey screamed at the top of her lungs.
I cracked up laughing as I jogged to catch up to her. I grabbed the goose by his neck and slung him away from Honey. “Look, lil nigga. Leave my lady alone before you find yourself fried and served with some hot sauce.”
As if the goose understood what I was saying, he squawked and waddled away with an attitude. Honey fanned herself as she glared at me.
“You paid that bitch ass bird to chase me?”
“What?”
“You heard me. When did you become brother nature? How come that stupid ass bird ain’t attack you?”
“I ain’t try to pet the mothafucka like you. I looked at it and let it rock out. You are the one trying to be mother nature. The lil nigga was probably offended you thought he was a bitch… or he was trying to mate with you.”
We both paused and started laughing together. She used me for support as she doubled over with her unique laugh. I held her firmly in my arms. When our eyes met, the surrounding air shifted. This was where we both belonged. This was where I wanted to stay forever.
“Marquise…”
“Yes, my love?”
She shook her head. “Don’t call me that.”
“That’s what you are. You are the love of my life. That will never change.”
“Please…” She bit down on her bottom lip. I lifted my thumb to pull her lip from between her teeth. I caressed the plump lip.
“Can I?”
She didn’t reply. Her eyes gazed into mine before they darted down to my lips. If she thought too long, she’d change her mind.
Do I go for it?
Fuck it.
In one smooth motion, I dipped my head down to kiss her lips. Home. Honey’s lips tasted like home. I cupped her face in my hands and deepened the lip lock. She melted in my arms. At the moment, we connected with no other care in the world.
When she pulled away, I expected her to cause a scene, but she smiled softly.
“I need to get back to my parents’ house.”
I nodded. “Come on.”
I would slowly tear down the chains of her heart to make her mine again.