Chapter 3
Travel
Ikissed Deshoni's little chubby cheeks, and his teacher assistant walked him inside his daycare.
I hurriedly climbed inside my car and sped off because I was holding up the kiss and go lane in front of the building.
We were supposed to pull up, kiss our babies, and then drive off because the teacher assistants brought the kids inside the building.
It was a safety precaution that I appreciated.
There was a big brawl a year ago between one kid's mom and dad's sides of the families that resulted in a lot of parents and kids being hurt.
I still thank God for allowing Deshoni and me to be sick, so we missed that day.
Now, no one was allowed in the building unless there was an emergency with his or her child.
I drove to my favorite coffee shop and picked up a refresher and a breakfast snack for my favorite coworker, Aaliyah, and me.
If I didn't pick us up anything, then she'd do it.
I worked at the local burger joint, so I needed all the energy I could muster today to smile in people's faces, even though I was sad and hurt.
Since we had to be out early, I missed Trek, but he texted that he'd stop by for lunch so we could talk.
I smiled to myself just thinking about my best friend.
Trek was the only man who could hold a candle to my dad.
He was smart, so thoughtful and kind, and he always made sure I was taken care of.
Trek had been by my side since we were kids.
I thought things would change drastically when we made it to high school, but they didn't.
It was a shocker when he got June's thotty ass pregnant.
I was also slightly wounded. There was a part of me that once felt like we'd be lovers.
When he told me she was pregnant, it was evident that he only wanted to be friends with me.
At least I got my god baby out of the deal. I loved me some Junior.
I had no choice but to push away my schoolgirl crush and show up for Trek like a real friend was supposed to. It was hard, but I bit my tongue and returned the same love and support Trek showed me.
After I grabbed our items, I pulled into the Burger Royale parking lot. It was an upscale joint like people's favorite burrito bowl restaurant. Now that they have added breakfast items to their menus, we have had to open an hour earlier.
When I entered the restaurant, the dining room was free of customers, but the drive-thru was busy.
The sounds from the whirring machines and my coworkers speaking through headsets, giving commands, greeted me.
It was a busy Thursday. On any other day, I'd dread being here, but I needed the distraction from my aching heart.
I'd do just about anything to avoid focusing on Mook.
He'd occupied my mind all night, that I barely got any sleep.
I should've crawled into Trek's bed with him because the warmth from his big body always put me to sleep.
However, I didn't want to leave Deshoni alone, so I stayed put. I'm paying for it now, though.
I entered our employee break room. Thoughts of Mook and me played in my head as I placed our drinks and food on the table and walked over to my locker. My eyes watered. "Shit."
Dealing with my feelings at work was the last thing I needed. I shook my head and wiped away my tears. The first few days of a breakup were the hardest, but I'd get my shit together soon.
"Travel," Aaliyah's soft voice called out to me.
I turned and faced her as a soft sniffle escaped me.
She wore an empathetic expression. Aaliyah was a curvy plus-size beauty with a pretty, honey brown complexion and light brown eyes. Baby girl could lay hair better than anybody I knew on the south side of Chicago.
Aaliyah had a cousin named Perrae who owned a braiding shop, and she worked part-time out of it.
She had so many talents, but the one thing she loved outside of her daughter was being a romance thriller author.
I thought that was so dope. She was a big inspiration to me, not to mention she was the only friend I had outside Trek.
It was nice to confide in another woman.
Aaliyah strolled over to me and pulled me into a tight hug. Her sugary-sweet, floral fragrance filled my nose. "It's gonna be okay, Travel. I already know it's Mook because you only cry when it pertains to him. I know it hurts now but remember this too shall pass."
She released me and looked into my eyes. "You are a strong mama. You got this shit, baby." My girl reached inside her fanny pack and handed me a small pack of tissues.
"Thank you, boo." I took two and handed the pack back to her. I cleaned my nose and face. "Girl," I released.
I let out a deep breath and took a hefty sip of my refresher.
"You're right. I'm strong. It was a long time coming, but I left Mook. I chose my peace and son over all the years we spent together. It hurts now, but I know it will get easier.
Aaliyah gripped my hand. "This too shall pass. God will fight for you and heal you, boo. Focus on you, your baby, and finishing that class. You're going to make a wonderful school counselor. One day at a time will suffice. For the morrow will worry about the morrow, Matthew 6:34," she quoted.
I sniffled and smirked. "You are the best person a girl can have in their life, Aaliyah. Thank you for your kind support and encouragement. I appreciate you, girl."
"You are welcome, my love. We'll get through this day together, one grueling hour after the other of taking customers' orders and listening to their complaints. After all, that is the Burger Royale way," she teased me.
"No, for real though." Together we laughed, drank our refresher, and ate our breakfast.
Once I'd mentally gotten myself in order, I fulfilled my job at the register. My heart still ached, but with friends like Aaliyah, I had the strength I needed mentally and physically to take care of my business.
<<<
The alert on the door pinged, and I looked up from my phone.
I exhaled a small breath of air at the sight of my best friend.
The smile that automatically lifted the corners of our mouths as our eyes connected needed to be researched.
A little arrow heart pierced my heart. At that moment, my heartache wasn't as important.
What I desired at the time was to be in the arms of the one man who brought me so much peace and security.
The swagger in Trek's walk was like a saxophone in a Jazz tune.
He rubbed his hands together, as if there was a dollop of moisturizer on his palms. The way his eyes roamed over my body was equivalent to dainty hands gently swaying over a field of flowers.
To have his full attention on me only made me feel like a main course at a five-star restaurant.
How blessed was I to be best friends with a man like him.
Trek was still water compared to the pain that flowed through me.
He was mocha, like the most decadent piece of chocolate I'd ever consumed.
His eyes were the most dominant shade of the autumn season.
His pretty hazel eyes always carried specks of color that mirrored fire flames whenever we were around each other.
His eyes were soft, and they often lured me to stand in his presence until he gestured that it was okay to move.
My bestie didn't command me to do anything, but his presence unknowingly commanded what he wanted and didn't want.
He was dressed down in a dark gray sweatshirt and black cargo pants.
A simple gold Cuban link and designer black boots brought his casual look together.
Trek looked relaxed, so it was clear he didn't have to work today. I knew his routine like the back of my hand. He wasn't clean-shaven or beard gang, but his tapered, wavy fade, mustache, and goatee made the perfect trio to dominate a woman. Sadly, for me, I wasn't one of those women he desired.
I turned away from him briefly to hide my disappointment and peered at my manager. "Monica, I'm going on break."
She giggled and looked up from her clipboard. "I don't blame you." Her eyes flitted from me to Trek, then back to me.
I shook my head and blushed as I walked around the counter and right into Trek's arms. He engulfed me in a tight embrace. His expensive cologne filled my nose.
Tiny bumps surfaced on my skin, displaying the effect my bestie had on me. I couldn't hide my feelings if I wanted to. He was my security blanket in human form.
Trek parted us partially and gazed into my eyes. "Did he put his hands on you or Deshoni?" he quizzed in his deep voice.
I shook my head. "No, he didn't," I replied, peering up at him. I wasn't a short girly, but Trek's six-foot-three frame towered over my five-foot-seven height.
Trek nodded his head. "Alright. Do you wanna eat here or somewhere else?"
"Let's get our food to go. We can take a walk while we eat," I suggested.
"Sounds good to me. Go get your things, and I'll order our food."
"Okay." I scurried away and grabbed my things.
I quickly snatched off my hairnet and freed my long hair from the ponytail I wore. Trek loved to play in my hair. It'd been that way since we were kids. By the time I came back, Trek stood off to the side, people-watching.
When he noticed me, a smirk adorned his face. He pulled me to his side and kissed the top of my head. "How are you feeling?" he queried.
"I'm sad. I'm hurt, but right now, next to you, I feel stronger than I did earlier."
"You know it's perfectly fine for you to feel that way. Healing takes time. Give yourself some time and grace," Trek encouraged me.
"You're right. I'm trying."
"Number nine," Adam, my co-worker, called out.
Trek walked over and grabbed our food. We exited the store and took a walk down the trail behind my job. The back area was surrounded by a wooded area, but it was a good place to walk during the day. I'd never walk back there at nighttime.