17. Everly
Tuesday evening, Real came over a little earlier than usual. I guess our earlier conversation had him ready to go, too. I had just enough time to shower after work and make an experiential pasta dish. I made him wait while I did a light beat and slid into a sleek lounging set. The bouquet of purple and pink lilies he brought made me smile. I accepted them and stood on my tiptoes to press a kiss against his cheek. He had been aware enough to notice the colorful lilies I kept around the house and brought me flowers at the most random times. But I knew what these were for.
"Sorry about Sunday," he said, voice rough as he dragged a hand over his hair.
"It's okay. You really helped me relax earlier,” I teased. “I cooked for you."
Real and I ate together while we talked about our day. I had a feeling that what happened Sunday was deeper than a simple beef. After hearing the disruption of our conversation earlier, it was obvious that he was into more than he’d led me to believe before. Not wanting to ruin the mood, I decided my questions could wait until later and continued to enjoy our meal.
We cleared the table just for him to bend me over it and have me for dessert. Afterward, we chilled in my bed, his back against the headboard as I lay across his lap. He rubbed my back and ass as he toked on a blunt. I waited for him to finish.
"Tell me about Aaqil," I murmured, then watched him tense again.
He scoffed. "That nigga."
I rose, then gestured for him to lie down. I straddled his waist, working at the sudden knots in his shoulders and back. I worried about the toll stress took on him. So many times he came to me, tight and tired. Relaxing him was a job I took seriously. Finally, he opened his mouth. I felt tension leave him as he told me some of the twisted story of his hated half-brother.
“But why come to my neighborhood?”
“He thinks you’re my weakness,” Real explained. “I don’t want you worried. I have people looking out for you.”
I wasn't worried. Prime had reinstalled a heavier detail after I called.
“Am I?” The question was up and out before I could stop it.
He looked over his shoulder, a half smile curving his lips. “Aren’t you?”
Heart racing, I fell silent. I had no idea how to answer that.
And now, here it was Friday, and I was staring down at a text that announced he was about to be on his way to pick me up. Sighing, I dropped my head. I only planned to chill tonight because I’d be celebrating my upcoming birthday for the rest of the weekend. His new fascination with taking me places needed to stop.
Me:
Montréal… no, thank you. I can’t this evening.
Real:
Bet.
I smiled, grateful for how cool he always was. A few minutes later, I was snuggled down on my couch with a pint of cookies and cream ice cream, ready to binge The Black List . I was fascinated with Red because he was a sort of morally gray character—capable of great love and great selfishness. Halfway through one episode, I heard my bell. I scrambled fast as hell. None of my family was here. Any of my few friends would have called. I wasn’t expecting any deliveries. That was undoubtedly Montréal Hamilton at the door, with his hard-headed ass. Picking up the tablet, I looked at his handsome profile.
“Real,” I said.
He grinned at the camera.
“There are really only two options, love. You can come out, or I can come in to get you. Either way, it ends the same.”
I exhaled deeply. I argued. And in the end, I went out. He opened the door of his Range Rover for me. I had no idea what he had planned, but I was surprised when we pulled up to a huge H-E-B.
“Grocery shopping?” I asked.
He looked at me speculatively. “Yeah. That all right with you?”
I almost forgot and opened the door without him. Thanks to my mama and granny, I was an excellent cook, and I loved grocery shopping. I nearly abandoned the attitude I was trying to have.
“Yeah. It’s all right.”
My tone was grudging, and I crossed my arms over my body as we walked in. Smirking, Real grabbed a cart.
"Is it really that hard to admit you wanna do something with me?" he teased.
I ignored him. I realized pretty quickly that he knew what he was doing. From the way he picked produce and herbs to the way he eyeballed and sniffed the seafood counter, Real was serious.
"You really shop for your own groceries," I murmured at one point, standing back and watching him as we waited for steaks to be cut to his specifications.
Real grilled me. "How the hell do you think I eat, love?"
I lifted my shoulders. "I guess I just assumed someone did all this for you."
Frowning, he shook his head before grabbing the package the butcher handed him.
We continued to shop. He encouraged me to throw things in the basket, and I did grab a few new spices and sauces that caught my eye. We spent over an hour walking up and down aisles and running up a bill. He paid without even seeming to listen to the total. I was in a better mood when he opened the door for me and watched me settle in before he put the groceries in the back. Impulsively, I leaned over to open his door. Real shot me a look when he climbed in.
"What?" I asked, shrugging. "I have manners."
He didn't say a word, just pulled away from the store. Part of me was looking forward to settling in for the night. But part of me liked hanging out with him. I was in trouble, getting in way over my head. And when I noticed he was not taking me home, headed instead to the far North Side, I knew I needed to say something.
"Once again, you seem to have forgotten the way to my house," I noted sarcastically.
He smirked at me. "And once again, you seem to have forgotten that I don't get lost in my city."
"Real—”
"You spending the night with me, Ev," he announced.
"I am definitely not doing that," I responded calmly, pretending to stare out the window.
"Yeah, love, you are."
"I don't even have clothes!"
He chuckled. "You won't need 'em most of the time, but I got you."
A deep exhale escaped my chest as I glared at him.
"Montréal—”
"Why you think calling my whole name does anything but make me wanna fuck the shit out of you, I don't know. I wanna hear you moan that shit."
His voice was a low growl, and I had to fight the sudden need to squirm in my seat. I opened my mouth to argue some more, then stopped. I could insist he take me home. I knew if I were adamant, he'd do it. Or… I could just spend a little time with him, something I wanted to do anyway.
"You are so annoying," I said, but I didn't protest anymore.
He gave me a knowing little smile, and I sighed, watching the city pass in a blur. Things were going too far with Real, despite everything I did to stop it. I was mad at myself, not so much because I was teetering on the edge now…
…but because I’d known from the start, I was in danger of falling…