Chapter 25
Verse Twenty-Five
“Not much, but it’s mine.”
He walked to his family room area as she slowly rolled behind him.
The ride was quiet, at least it seemed to be, except both were in their heads.
He took a seat and closed his eyes, his head tilted back.
He was beyond tired, but it seemed like sleep was trying to find him once he had her in his presence.
“I want you next to me.” He didn’t open his eyes.
He wanted her to tell him to come get her.
He noticed the last time he was around her, she appeared to be more comfortable moving around in his presence.
Due to the limited use of her legs, he’d seen her eyes filled with fear if she stood too long, even clinging to him.
“Kee?”
“What?” she muttered, responding to Chaney via text. They had a night that started off shaky, but once the boys went off to sleep, they finally cleared the air. She wanted to make sure she made it home safely.
He kissed his teeth, sat up, and gently tugged her cellphone from her hand.
He wanted her fully present, not just physically.
She huffed when he stood, and with a silent count to three as he bobbed his head with each count, she braced herself before he slid his arms underneath her and scooped her up.
“You feel good in my arms, Kee.”
“Whatever. Let’s get this over with.”
“Aye, I get I fucked up, but what you’re not about to do is dismiss my fucking feelings. Use your words, get it off, baby girl. Lose that attitude. A nigga trying to show you he’s fucking with you.” He grabbed her chin, his eyes clinging to hers. “Because I do.”
“Can you at least put me down?” A lazy grin followed on his face. He loved when she whined. He lightly bit her earlobe just to annoy her, knowing they’d get nowhere if he antagonized her.
“You’re comfortable?”
He smirked, bracing himself for a snide remark.
Surprisingly, she nodded as he encased her in his arms. He could never get enough of her mean ass, but when she wrapped her arm around his torso and rested her head on his chest, he felt a weight was lifted.
Most times, he initiated all the contact, the physical touch, so this was progress.
“Short version, I want to be with you. Long version, I did ask Naz to get her tickets. I didn’t want to call shit off over the phone or through no text.
I have three younger sisters, Kee. I’m built differently, but I’m a provider.
That’s what I do, and that’s what I’ve always done.
Serita was a part of that because, at one point, she was my girl. ”
He noticed Kaleela’s body stiffen at his admission, but she remained quiet as they settled in on his sectional. He kissed the top of her head and slid down just a bit so he could hold her in his arms.
“After the last time we were together, the night in the jacuzzi, I decided that maybe bringing her was sending a mixed message. It’s hard, not doing what you naturally would do, but I knew at some point, I’d have to choose…
and I chose you. I was still figuring out how to let her go.
Ask anyone. Hell, ask Mango because her lil’ ass will give it up for free nail and hair service or, at this point, because she likes you. ”
“I’m not asking her anything,” she mumbled, tears skating down her cheeks. “When I have to start doing that, the me that will fuck you up comes out, and I don’t like that side of me. That me is the side of me that makes me want to not feel shit, Scoot.”
“That you is also the you that started that community resource center and that group home. Don’t discount your pain, your trauma, baby.
Don’t become a prisoner of it and shit, even if you didn’t ask Mango, on site, her ass is telling.
Lips bleed when it’s time to tell a nigga’s business.
” He laughed, but it was true. He told her she should major in journalism or broadcasting because she did it so naturally.
“Tell me about this Serita?” she mumbled, drawing circles on his stomach. She looked up with narrow eyes. “And don’t be shitting on her. I hate when niggas only tell the bad to get out the dog house. You fucked with her, and you had to for a reason.”
“Damn, baby. Who said I was?”
He smiled, feeling that same flutter he’d been feeling in his stomach.
He wished his father or his sister’s fathers had tried to show his mother the love she needed, wanted.
Maybe that was why he did handle Serita with kid gloves.
He loved her enough to keep her around, but he knew sooner or later, he wouldn’t be any better than his own absent father, short of supporting her financially.
“She’s smart and was accepted to every college we applied to, from Tuskegee University, Clarke, North Carolina A I should have told her.
I just never felt obligated to have to explain myself.
Her rent and utilities are paid, food in the house, and gas in her tank. ”
“Sounds like a trick to me, with you receiving the short end of the stick.”
“It’s not short to me. It’s a means to an end. As soon as she could support herself, my goal was to terminate that contract.”
“That doesn’t sound like love, Scoot.” She rested her head on his chest, feeling his heart beat against her face. “That sounds like a subtle form of manipulation, a way to keep her out of your space while tucking away how you really feel. I would know.”
She lifted her eyes, and he gulped. “I’m guilty of that shit. Dragged Chaney for years,” she revealed. “It wasn’t on purpose, but with her working for Shona, she was always right there, always willing to accept the bullshit I offered while I chased another bitch.”
“Another one?” He looked down, wondering who, since Chaney was the only one she was ever tied to, to his knowledge.”
“Don’t matter. Just know Chaney shouldn’t have allowed it, but I tossed money at her, took her on shopping sprees, and fucked her with other women and all.”
“Damn.” He smiled. “That last part made my dick hard.” Kaleela smacked his chest, followed by a roll of her eyes. “That shit did. I won’t even ask.”
“Don’t, because I’m not coming off the only dick I’ve ever wanted, to share with a bitch.” Her confession shocked him, and her scowl was cute.
“So that means you forgive me… even though I didn’t give her the dick?” He rose up with lifted brows. He wanted her ass in the worst way, and no one was there. He wanted her screaming to the top of her lungs, crying and pleading for him to climb out of her pussy.
“Depends on how I feel after you give it to me again, but your ass is not off the hook. You were still deceptive.” It was true but not intentional in his eyes. He figured he’d have that one-on-one time in Atlanta to let her down easily and face-to-face since she did show up.
“To you, maybe, but not to her.” He shook his head. “I kept up my end of the deal when she left Miami, and I do want her to win, just not with me.”