Chapter 10 #2
“I’ve had some shitty experiences with edibles too. What I have isn’t that much. It won’t have you out here trippin’. You’ll be able to enjoy yourself.”
“Will you be okay enough to drive?” she quizzed in a whispered tone.
“Yes, ma’am. I wouldn’t play with my life or yours. Like I said, it’s just enough to make you feel good.”
I damn near fell out laughing when Saturn tapped my leg under the table, signaling for me to drop the gummy in her hand.
“Why are you laughing? I’m trying to be discreet.”
“I’m laughing because it’s not that serious, Saturn. You got your hand under the table like this a damn drug transaction.”
“Well, it is.”
“Okay, baby, I laughed.”
Digging in my pocket, I carefully took two gummies out of the pack and handed one to Saturn. The shit looked exactly like candy, so she was being extra when she threw it in her mouth in less than a second.
“You really are funny, Saturn. Without even trying to be.”
“Tiffany says I’ve been paranoid since I was little. I’m always the one overthinking everything,” she explained.
“I can believe that. I feel like that’ll slowly start to change over time. Especially with me around. Life is all about balance. What are you thinking about getting?”
“I don’t know if I want an omelet or the skillet.”
“I was looking at the skillet myself. I’ll get the omelet and you get the skillet so we can share.”
As our breakfast date went on, Saturn loosened up and talked a bit more.
That was what I wanted, and it felt good to see her in lighter spirits.
The day we met replayed in my head and I felt terrible again.
I’d apologized for it so many times but seeing the tears I caused disturbed my spirit.
I wasn’t sure if it was the edible kicking in or if I was genuinely still fucked up about the situation.
Either way, I had to speak on it and reassure her that I meant no harm.
“My bad again for makin’ you drop those roses. I was trippin’.”
“Where did that come from? I thought we were past that?” Saturn countered.
“We are, but whenever I see you smile, I think about that day and how you looked when you were crying. Shit gets to me every time.”
Placing her fork down, Saturn turned her body to look at me. She was sitting on the same side of the booth as me, giving her access to pull me in. After a while she pulled back and finally spoke.
“You know how you asked me to stop telling you things you don’t have to do for me?
Let’s put that encounter in that box as well.
If I truly thought you did that on purpose, nothing you said would’ve convinced me to date you.
I wouldn’t have even accepted your apology when you came to the shop.
We don’t even need to have this conversation right now. ”
“I just needed to let you know one last time. The only tears I wanna see you cry are from happiness. You’re a kindhearted woman, Saturn, and you deserve so much.
That’s why it pisses me off when you don’t take time for yourself.
I understand the stress you’re under, but you gon’ get it right, baby.
You’re doing what you’re supposed to do and you’re open to change.
I can look at you and tell you’re gonna accomplish everything you put your mind to.
Just know I’m here to make your life easier. ”
“Thank you for that. Sometimes all I need are words of encouragement and you always have them.”
“I got you. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
The rest of our breakfast was filled with random conversation.
The two of us ate from both plates and the food was good.
The fluffy pancakes that came on the side were what filled me up.
I felt like I needed a damn nap, but it was time for us to jump on the road.
Chicago traffic was always bad, but if we got there early enough, it shouldn’t be as bad.
I planned to keep the car at the hotel and Uber everywhere.
That way Saturn and I could both have a good time and I didn’t have to worry about finding and paying for parking.
“Oooh, this is nice, it’s giving we’re staying here for an important business meeting,” Saturn joked as we walked into our hotel room.
I booked us a room at London House and it was truly a nice hotel.
I’d stayed here a few years back when I was in town for a party and told myself I’d come back.
It was within walking distance of so many sights that it was crazy.
Plus, for the hotel to be this nice, the prices were still reasonable.
“I’m glad you like it. The last time I stayed here, they didn’t have a pool, but we aren’t here to chill in the room anyway,” I admitted.
“I’m not a swimmer so that’s fine. So what’s first on the agenda? It feels good outside and people are out already.”
“It’s always like that downtown. It feels like a mini New York when you’re walking through crowds of people.”
“That’s what I thought about when we were pulling in. There’s a few stores I wanna stop by before we leave. They even have a Chick-fil-A around.”
“We don’t have a Chick-fil-A in Pleasant Springs?”
“Nope. There were talks about building one, but I’m not sure if it went anywhere. Whenever I have a taste for it, I have to take a twenty-minute drive to Cherry Moon.”
“Speaking of Cherry Moon, we gotta go there soon. They have a sports bar that keeps poppin’ up on my social media pages.”
After freshening up, Saturn and I decided to start our day at Navy Pier.
They had an Architecture of Chicago boat tour we wanted to try, along with a few other things.
I felt like a kid on Christmas when we were finally outside, and from the excitement Saturn displayed, I knew she was enjoying herself as well.
She surprised me when she only called in to check on Sapphire twice.
Once when the shop opened, then again about thirty minutes before closing.
From the sound of the conversation, Sapphire was handling everything just fine.
I was sure that was a big reason Saturn was able to loosen up and really enjoy herself.
“Mccoy, come on before I fall asleep!” Saturn yelled.
After a full day of nonstop events, we were back at the hotel and getting ready to hit the bar. Initially, I wanted to take Saturn to Wrigleyville, but decided to take her to a nearby spot. The day had tired us out and she wanted more of a chill vibe tonight.
“I’ve only been in here for ten minutes, baby. Damn.”
“It feels like it’s been longer. I don’t wanna fall asleep and ruin the night for you.”
“You won’t ruin it for me. If you’re tired, we can chill in the room and call it a night.”
“No. We’re only here for a night and I wanna make the best of it, so let’s go. I have all day tomorrow to catch up on sleep,” Saturn countered before taking a sip of her Red Bull .
Going to the Uber app, I ordered a ride to our destination.
The app said the driver was three minutes away, causing me to gather my things in somewhat of a hurry.
By the time we stepped off the elevator, our driver was pulling up to the entrance.
From the R&B music he was playing, I could tell the short ride would be decent.
“We gotta come out here more often. Preferably on a Friday and stay until Sunday. That way we have more time to do things.”
“Just tell me when and we’ll be back.”
Before I could say more, my phone started ringing. My mother’s name flashed across the screen and it was just my luck that it was a video call.
“Hey, Momma. What you doin’ up at this time of night?”
“Hey, son. I was up and thinking about you. I haven’t heard from you in a few days, so I just wanted to hear your voice. Where are you? It looks like you’re in the car.”
“I am. I’m not driving though. I came to Chicago for the day.”
“Oh really? With who? Justin?”
“No. Her name is Saturn,” I explained as I put the camera on my baby.
I wasn’t trying to cross any boundaries, but I wouldn’t lie to my mother about who I was with.
Saturn was someone I wanted to build a future with, so there was no need to lie or hide her.
There was nothing about her I was ashamed of.
Plus, my people would be finding out about her soon anyway.
I was planning to have them visit, and of course Saturn would be right by my side. Only if she was comfortable.
“Well, aren’t you beautiful?”
Although it was after ten at night and dark, the streetlights and headlights gave enough light for my mother to see Saturn clearly.
“Thank you, ma’am. Nice to be speaking with you.”
“Oh, you code switching now?” I asked, only loud enough for Saturn to hear.
“Hush.”
“Hopefully we’ll be meeting in the near future,” my mom stated, pulling my attention back to the phone.
“You will, Momma. I’ve been meaning to call you and Pop to set up a weekend for y’all to come visit. Pleasant Springs is having a festival coming up that I think y’all would enjoy.”
“That sounds nice. As long as we see you soon. It’s been long enough. But I’ll call you tomorrow. Enjoy your night and be safe. Make sure you’re being the gentlemen I raised you to be.”
“Of course.”
Right as I ended the call, we pulled up to our destination.
There was a line to get in, but it wasn’t long.
To pass the time, I made small talk with Saturn until we were being checked at the door.
The club we were at was called The Wild Hare.
It had a Caribbean vibe and I was told the live bands and drinks were good.
It took us a minute to find a table since the place was packed.
After getting our drinks, Saturn and I enjoyed the music and even danced to a few songs.
“Thank you for today, baby. I haven’t been to Chicago in forever and now I don’t wanna go home,” she admitted as she kissed my cheek.
Just like I knew she would, Saturn had shown up and shown out with the sexy ass outfit she rocked.
She sat next to me in a see-through top with a black bra underneath, black leggings hugging her every curve, and black heels that exposed her pretty feet completed the look.
Silver jewelry dangled from her neck and wrist while her curls were styled in a half up half down do.
She had on more makeup than earlier and the red lipstick she wore had my dick hardening again.
I’d really hit the lottery with this woman and I’d spend every day showing her she was the prize.
“No problem at all, baby. You enjoying yourself was the only thing I cared about.”
Her phone lit up with a call before she could respond. As if I had the right, I leaned in to see who was calling, causing Saturn to laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. Why are you being nosy?” She giggled.
“You’re my business. Someone’s calling my lady this late and I want to know who.”
“It’s Ava. The childhood friend I was telling you about.”
When I got back from Kentucky, most of our conversation was about her brother moving home. She’d mentioned the phone conversation she had with Ava, but I’d been so damn tired I kept dozing off.
“Yeah, I remember. What’s going on?”
Scooting closer to me, Saturn caught me up.
Since I only knew Ava based on what Saturn told me, I wasn’t too quick to suggest them being friends again.
The fact that she had been so inconsiderate when my baby needed her the most didn’t sit well with me.
Since that happened years ago, I decided not to say too much.
It was clear Ava had some shit going on, so I’d sit back and see how things played out between them.
I would never come between Saturn and her friends, but I’d express my opinion if I felt like any funny shit was going on.
The two of us talked and danced as the night went on. We didn’t make it back to our room until about two in the morning. The night ended with my dick deep inside of Saturn’s tight walls. If this was how life would be with her, then I never wanted this to end.