Chapter 4 #2
In under an hour, we were crossing over into Channing. I rejoiced inside knowing that the trip was almost complete. I’d never felt as bound in my entire life. What was so shameful about the entire ordeal is that it was by a man who’d barely even open his mouth.
“Finally!” Lyric cheered from the backseat as we pulled onto a secluded street that seemed to go on forever.
As we ascended the back road, I realized we were deep in The Hills, where the wealthy slept peacefully at night with their doors unlocked and windows open.
In The Hills, the only true threat was financial loss.
Money solved their problems for the most part, and silver spoons were frowned upon.
It was diamond-encrusted spoons that the children were fed from and without shame.
“45336,” Lyric called out as we pulled up to a gated home that seemed to go on for miles and miles.
Its beauty was striking. Obviously, a new build, there was grass still being laid around the property.
The sleek design was an architectural masterpiece.
But even with all its beauty, it looked so cold.
That warmth I was accustomed to seeing on older modeled homes was missing.
The windows were large, reminding me of the hotel we’d stayed at.
Each bend, fold, corner, or top was squared perfectly, without a single round edge in sight.
Luca pulled close enough to the box near the gate and punched in the numbers that Lyric had given him. Seconds later, the gates parted, giving us access to the wide path that led to the home. Up close, it was even more breathtaking.
“Okay, now, how does it feel to be home?” Lyric questioned as Luca parked near the back of the gorgeous home.
From where we’d ended on the curvaceous path, I could see the large, very blue swimming pool that lapped the back of the home.
It was just off a gazebo that stopped only a few feet away from the concrete that led to it.
There were four cut-outs that offered a bit of privacy and lots of shade.
They reminded me of small sections at rooftop parties that were dug out for guests to feel a bit more exclusive than the other partygoers who were either standing around or burning in the scorching sun at an uncovered table.
The smell of fresh soil lingered in the air, slapping me across the face the second Luca opened his door and exited the truck. He then opened Lyric’s door, too, and waited for her to slide out of the back seat. I watched as the two of them embraced before Luca stepped back.
“It feels good, kid,” he finally answered her question.
“I love you,” Lyric uttered, barely audible because her face was planted in her brother’s chest. Her 5’6 frame had no chance with the meaty giant that had pulled her in for a hug.
“Always,” he enunciated before letting her go.
“The bag from Laike is in the back.”
“Yeah. Grabbing it now,” Luca assured Lyric with a nod.
I hadn’t realized just how long I’d been waiting for his eyes to discover mine again or that I was waiting at all until I was able to exhale the breath I’d been holding when his rounds appeared in my line of vision.
The glance ended as quickly as it had started, leaving me breathless for the hundredth time.
With flushed cheeks and prickly skin, I snapped my head in the other direction toward the massive pool and state-of-the-art gazebo. They didn’t look as half as good as the man who’d held my thoughts and body captive over the last four hours, but anything to keep my orbs off him would do.
“Ever,” Lyric beckoned for me. I turned to see what would fall from her lips next.
“I’m going to go take a leak really quickly,” she announced, bouncing toward the house.
And for the first time, I wasn’t opposed to the idea of Lyric leaving us alone.
Luca was a drug that I’d rapidly become addicted to in only a four-hour time span.
I wanted to be the center of his attention even if it was only for a minute or two.
Solidarity with my narcotic of choice didn’t seem like too much to crave.
Head forward and chest out, I swept the air for confidence that I wasn’t even sure I could possess as I listened to the rummaging he was doing in the back of Lyric’s truck.
When he slammed the tailgate, I waited with bated breath for him to say something – anything to me.
I could hear his footsteps as they got closer and closer, but I never expected him to open the door that I was behind.
My chest deflated instantly as my head dropped a few inches. My shoulders were no longer squared and that confidence I’d found was replaced by intimidation. He was so close and so calm. I, on the other hand, was melting down internally.
“Ever,” he started, saying my name as if he was the only person in the world with the privilege. “Nice meeting you.”
I held my breath, waiting for him to continue.
I’d reprogrammed my cell number in my head just so that I could be prepared for this moment.
Because from the obvious chemistry that we shared, him asking for my contact information had to be next.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered me and gone into the house.
Right? I questioned myself.
I watched as he extended his free hand until it was underneath my chin. He then lifted slightly until our skin touched. I couldn’t bear the task of looking into his brown eyes, so I closed mine. He lifted my chin slightly and demanded my attention with his words.
“Look at me,” he challenged, ever so softly.
I obliged, parting my eyelids to see his handsome face.
It was faultless. He was flawless, physically.
From his kissable lips to his large arms that I wanted him to pick me up with and spin me around as if I, too, had been waiting for his return all these years.
I hadn’t, but I wanted to be treated as such.
“You should keep your head up.” Luca pored over my features and said to me, “You’re prettier that way.”
After he’d dropped his hand, my head remained high. I took his advice to heart as I deepened the breath that I inhaled. I wanted to consume as much of his air as possible. With those parting words, he disappeared behind the double doors that led to his home.
Immobile, I remained fixated on the double doors as if he’d reappear from behind them.
When I finally came to and gathered myself, I slammed the door of the truck and released a sigh.
As astonishing as the man that was just before me was, he didn’t see me.
He saw my pain and that within itself said so much about my trauma.
At that moment, I made it a priority to let go of whatever hurt Dewayne had put on me because it would only keep my head down and shoulders slumped.
My cell buzzed as my thoughts bounced around in my head. It was my mother calling.
“Hello?” I answered while reclining the seat.
“Hey, Ever. You made it back yet?” she wanted to know.
“Yes. We just got back so I’ll be able to pick up the girls for sure.”
“That’s what I was calling about. James and I really enjoy having them over.
I was thinking we could keep them for the week to give you a break.
I can get them to and from school and have them back after church on Sunday.
If that’s OK with you,” she emphasized, making sure she wasn’t overstepping boundaries.
“This is the most time they’ve ever spent away from me.” I was saddened, realizing just how much I missed them already.
“I know. It’s just a thought, baby. You can decline if you’re not up for it and maybe we can get them for a full week during the summer.”
“No. No. It’s fine. They can stay. I’m just trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’ve never spent more than a day away from them,” I explained.
“Well, now that you’re around family you can expect to spend more time without them. And, I don’t want you feeling guilty about it either. Allow your village to help.”
“I know.”
“So, is that a yes?” I could hear the excitement in her voice.
“Yes.”
“Good. OK. I’ll let you go now. Don’t be calling all day every day, either. Give yourself time to breathe.”
“I won’t make any promises.”
“Alright. Go on about your day. Enjoy your time off.”
“I’ll try.”
As the call ended, Lyric hopped up into the truck.
“You ready?”
“My mom is keeping the girls until Sunday,” I revealed.
“Then why the fuck you looking all sad?” she sneered.
“Because I miss them already and was looking forward to picking them up.”
“Ever, baby, let your hair down or get your pussy sucked for once. Tell Cedric to bring his ass to Channing if he really wants to show you how much of a good time he is.”
Or maybe Luca could , I thought, but refused to acknowledge the tiny crush I had on her brother. It all seemed so silly and immature.
“I don’t think I’m ready for that yet, Lyric. Maybe in a few weeks.”
“Alright. It’s your call. Meanwhile, I’m going to see what we can get ourselves into this week since you’re free.”
“Who are you fooling? Both of us will be under the biggest blanket in the house, praying no one bothers either of us.”
“Well, at least it sounded good,” Lyric agreed.
We arrived at Lyric’s house in no time being that she lived on the cusp of The Hills in Edgewood where the only difference between the residents was an additional zero on their bank statements. Her home was immaculate, too, with enough room for a family of six to eight.
Neither of us bothered with the bags that were in the trunk. We scurried to the door where we stood until Lyric unlocked it. The cold, crisp air from inside welcomed us with open arms.