Chapter 23
Verse Twenty-Three
“Fix your face.”
“You don’t get to tell me what the fuck to do,” Kaleela spat angrily. “This shit is kidnapping. I can’t believe my own family turned on me.”
Sliding his hand around hers, Scooter didn’t care if she pouted the entire time. He had exactly twenty-four hours to meet the fellas in Charlotte, so every moment he spent with her had to count.
“She didn’t and it doesn’t matter. I’m here.”
“Fuck you being here, and fuck you.”
He smiled, watching her push out pouty lips. He could tell she had a bad night from the dark circles underneath her eyes to her disheveled hair. Still, his girl could never have a bad day.
“Fuck you being here, and fuck you,” he mocked her before growing serious. He shoved a few strands of hair out of her face as she turned away from him. Her heart hurt so bad, and it pained him to see that he’d caused it.
“Kee?” She ignored him when he turned her face by the chin, guiding her to look at him. “I never touched her, don’t want to.”
“The fuck that matters?” she pushed through gritted teeth. “You’re trying to take me back to a place that is known to swallow me the fuck up, Scooter. I can’t go back there anymore. The boys need me.”
“I know,” he answered.
“And I need me.” Her voice croaked, misty eyes meeting his.
“I know that too.”
“Then why didn’t you… Look, never mind.”
She turned her head, but he was done playing with her, forcing her to look at him as he grabbed her face.
“I’m sorry, baby. I know I fucked up, but I swear that shit is all optics. Just give me a chance to explain.”
“Did you fuck her?”
“Fuck no.” He frowned, studying her eyes.
“And not because I can’t. I didn’t fuck her because I chose you.
You deserve someone to choose you, and not because you put fear in their heart, or who the fuck the streets know you to be.
You’re still that person, but you don’t have to keep being her to have me.
I’m yours, Kee. I’m all yours. Why the fuck do you keep pushing me away? ”
“Nope, I don’t believe it.” She slapped his hands away and crossed her own over her shaking body. She was spiraling, her mind in search of any liquor store in sight. She’d find a way to get what she wanted. She always did.
“Hey.” He pulled her over to his lap. That time, surprisingly, she didn’t pull away. She was tired and angry, and she was over it. At that point, it didn’t matter what he said.
“I wanna be with you. Stop self-sabotaging shit. This is real for me, Kee. Will I mess up? Fuck yeah, but you will, too, and I’m okay with that. I have to be if I want everything that comes with you.”
“Damn, sounds like he’s about to propose,” Shonasia muttered teasingly. She fanned her face, her eyes welling up with tears. After Chaney left, she decided to stick around.
They both ignored her when his tongue slowly slid in her mouth, tasting her tears. The kiss grew hungrier, his hand wrapping around her neck, their tongues pushing and swirling around each other.
“Damn,” she whispered and frowned. “Let me go home and fuck X. I’m sending these boys back to their mama.” Scooter paused, smiling against Kaleela’s mouth. He glanced over his shoulder at Shonasia and laughed.
“You heard me. She comes with a tribe, and I’m the head bitch of it, but I’ll be damned if you fuck her while I’m sitting here.”
“I didn’t try to.”
“I don’t know, but do better. Then you won’t have to hypnotize her with dick.” He nodded, then pressed his forehead against Kaleela’s, who groaned from embarrassment.
“I’ll do better,” he whispered. “Can we find somewhere to talk without the head bitch in charge eyeing me like she’s preparing for shooting practice? Y’all Bradshaw sisters are scary as fuck.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, and I don’t need shooting practice.
Unlike your cousin, my aim is steady, and shirts will be printed in your honor, courtesy of me.
” She was teasing since she was genuinely happy for Kaleela.
She didn’t have all the details, but ever since he showed up, there was a post of Kaleela, his lips pressed against her cheek. He tagged her, too.
“This is Solomon Black’s girl. Get back, hoes, I’m taken.”
“Kaleela, you’re good?”
She looked at Scooter, then Shonasia, then back at him.
She so wanted to kick his ass, but so far, she believed him.
She was just upset that his idea of breaking up went left and quickly.
She also learned that men were stupid. If he were her, she would have sent a few bitches to her apartment, beat her ass, and threatened her to even look Scooter’s way.
She still needed to be delivered because that was still an idea she planned to put in motion.
“I’m good.” He issued his signature lop-sided grin and pecked her lips. “Later, sis. I have a nigga to go fuck.”
“Ugh, I can’t stand you. I’ll send y’all children home tomorrow when he flies out. Thank me later.”