Chapter Twenty-Five #2
“Anything, really. If I wasn’t shootin’ hoops with your dad, I was usually painting something. Your mom used to play the flute, did you know that?”
He does a double take. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah, she was in the marching band at her school, but she could never practice at home because her dad worked nights and would be sleeping when she got home from school. So, she’d come here to practice.
Me and Taron used to go to her school’s games, and he’d be the loudest motherfucker there cheering only for her. ”
He laughs. “I bet she loved that,” he says with a pinch of sarcasm.
I’m guessing Sammy is not a woman who likes the spotlight.
“She did only when it was him.”
“What kind of stuff did he like to do? You had art, Mom had music. Was he focused on basketball?” He takes a shot, the ball bouncing off the rim and tipping into the net.
“Actually, he really loved kids. He would tutor here, help them with their homework. He’d even stay late to cook dinner for the ones who couldn’t go home. I think he probably would’ve ended up being a teacher.”
Tee stumbles over his dribble, but he recovers quickly. He’s clearly processing Micah’s words and maybe realizing that he’s more like his dad than he ever imagined. From how highly Micah speaks about Taron, I hope Tee is proud of that fact.
“What do you think he would’ve taught?”
“He could’ve taught any age, but younger kids really loved him, so I could see him teaching elementary school. He also loved science. He was always volunteering to help kids build baking soda volcanoes or balloon-powered cars.”
“That sounds dope.”
“It was. He was.”
They play for a little while longer while I watch contentedly, despite Tee’s urging for me to play H-O-R-S-E with them. Once I show him how terrible I am by attempting a shot and ending up with an air ball, the requests conveniently stop.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Tee says as he sinks another shot.
“What’s up?”
“Do you think maybe you could take me driving? Mom wants to, she just doesn’t have enough time with all her shifts and classes.”
I can see it written all over Micah’s face that he’s going to happily say yes, but he paces over the free-throw line to draw out the moment. He may not admit it, but he’s got a touch of Tanya’s dramatics too.
“Yeah, I guess I could do that.”
Tee starts to celebrate, but Micah holds up his index finger.
“On one condition.”
“I’m listening.”
“No more suspensions.”
Tee stands up straighter. “I can do that.”
“At least learn to deal with the bullies off school premises.”
We all bust out laughing and Micah makes him swear not to tell his mom what he said.
I’m heading over to Nelle’s place because I need to borrow a pair of sneakers from her. I realize that the very few sneakers I have are not made for the kind of walking required in New York City, and I love Tanya, but I’m not getting blisters for her.
And maybe I’m looking for a little self-assurance before I let myself walk into the lion’s den that is that city. I’ve been back to New York since moving home. My career doesn’t exactly allow me to avoid the place, but I’ve never gone back alone, and I always get out of there as soon as possible.
I won’t be alone, of course, but I know I won’t be getting out of there unscathed this time.
When I let myself into Nelle’s place, Evie turns around in her chair like a Bond villain.
“Jesus! You scared the shit out of me!” I yell.
She rubs her hands together maniacally as Nelle walks out from the back. “She’s been waiting for your ass.”
“Why?” I ask, hugging Nelle and making my fingers into a cross toward Evie.
“Oh, you know. You’re just about to go to New York with fine ass Micah. I wanted to see how you were feeling about that.”
Oh, brother. Here we go. Evie used to flirt with Micah relentlessly, which I always found entertaining, but now she’s more into figuring out what’s going on between Micah and me. I say let’s go back to the flirting.
“I feel fine about that,” I say, keeping my tone as flat as possible. Him going is the only reason I feel fine about this entire trip.
“Mhm. So, are you gonna admit that you and Micah are feelin’ each other?” she asks, looking over to Nelle, who nods.
Now’s my chance. My chance to come clean with two of my favorite people in the world.
I want to let them in. I want to share this part of myself the way Micah has with Bailey.
I’ve never gushed over a man with them before; the only one I ever felt inclined to do so about was Micah, and when it ended so suddenly, it felt like confirmation that I should never bring that part of me to light.
I can either rip off the Band-Aid or keep letting this wound fester.
“Actually, yeah, we are. We’re kind of dating.” Is that what we’re doing? It feels inadequate to call it that, but anything else feels too heavy for my mind to comprehend.
“Skrrrrrrt, hold the fuck up. You’re dating now?” Evie asks, her tone giddy.
“Rue, when was this?” Nelle adds.
“I mean, I did ask him on a date, and we went, so—I guess we’re dating.” I shrug.
Evie turns to Nelle. “Did she just say she asked him?”
“She did.” Nelle turns back to me. “Say more about that.”
The knock on her door is just the distraction I need. When she answers, I hear Rome’s deep voice float through the halls. Moments later, they walk back to the kitchen arm in arm, an iced coffee in her free hand.
“Oh, hey, ladies. I’m sorry, I didn’t know y’all was here. I would’ve gotten y’all coffees.”
“That’s okay, Rome,” Evie chimes in. “You can make it up to us by answering some questions.”
“Okay, like what?”
“Did you know Micah and Dani are dating?”
Here she goes.
“Damn, look at the time, I gotta get going.” His eyes widen and he disentangles himself from Janelle, giving her a sweet kiss as he tries to escape.
Poor, unfortunate soul. He’s never going to make it out that door.
“Uh-uh. Hold up!” Evie literally chases him and drags him back.
I make a mental note to buy my own damn sneakers next time.
Nelle makes Rome hide out in her room while I tell them the truth for the first time. The whole truth. Every part of mine and Micah’s history and every part of our present. Their mouths are practically on the floor by the time I’m done.
“I wasn’t expecting to tell y’all all that when I came over, but there it is.”
“Holy shit, you two are in love,” Evie gasps.
“You always have to take things too far.”
Evie scrunches her nose and tilts her head. “Riiiight. Because that’s such a stretch. Either way, I’m so fucking happy for you. You deserve this level of happiness.”
“And it looks good on you,” Nelle adds.
“Yes, consistently fucked and blissfully happy might be my favorite look on you,” Evie says, waving her hand up and down my frame.
I hide my head in my hands. “Okay, okay. Thank you. We’re just seeing how things go. That’s all. No pressure.”
Evie and Nelle share another look. “Mhm,” Evie says.
“Yep,” Janelle responds.
“No pressure,” Evie adds.
“No pressure at all,” Janelle echoes.
“Are you two done?”
“For now,” Evie confirms.
“You know, you never even told us what you’re going to New York to do, just that you got one final task from Tanya,” Nelle notes.
“Right. I do wanna tell you guys about that. I’m just not ready.” Not to go into details at least. I don’t want to dredge up all those feelings right before I’m going to face the man responsible, but I want to get better at being honest with my friends.
Nelle grabs my arm. “Wait, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Or I will be. But I promise to tell you everything when I get back.”
“You don’t have to if it’s too much,” Evie assures me. “Just know that you can.”
“I know.”
“Does Micah know whatever it is you’re not saying?” she asks.
I nod slowly.
“Good. Do not let him out of your sight. I don’t know if it’s a person or a thing that put that faraway look in your eyes, but I do know if it’s not us that’s gonna have your back, Micah damn sure will.”
For once, my heart and my head have no objections to that.
“Do you wanna free Rome from his prison cell?” I ask.
“No, this is his punishment for not telling me about you and Micah sooner. I mean, what am I giving up the cookie for if he’s not doing pillow talk correctly?”
Fucking Tanya. The longer I sit on this bench, the longer I’m cursing her name.
I’m already itching to leave this city, but I didn’t come this far to let it tear me down.
“And your friend was sure this is the time he comes?” Micah peers around the bench we’re sitting on, which is situated across from the spa that Nigel frequents.
When I told Micah that I wanted to confront Nigel, I knew I wasn’t going to reach out to him to do it.
I’ll be damned if I give him the satisfaction of letting him know he still has an effect on me after all these years, but what I will do is stage a little run-in.
I called Anya, as she’s still modeling in New York and part of Nigel’s circle, much to her chagrin.
She and Pedro were more than willing to help me set this in motion.
“She said he’s still a creature of habit and this is his appointment time every week.”
At 3:00 p.m. on the dot, I pretend not to see him approaching the door to the spa. My teeth chatter as if they know the moment he spots me.
“Dani? Danielle? Is that you?”
My skin crawls at his use of my full name, as if he knows me well enough to do that.
Micah’s eyes never leave mine and I’m grateful for that because they keep the proverbial walls from closing in just slightly.
The voice calls out to me again, this time closer, and when I jump up on instinct, Micah moves me behind him.
I can’t run from this. I won’t let him chase me away from this.
“Hi, Nigel.”
“Wow, it’s been too long. You look amazing.” His voice is dripped in a tone that makes my blood run cold.