Chapter 11 #2
I chuckled. “She already likes you. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be going anywhere with you and we both know it ain’t because of the car maintenance. Jiselle’s got more money than me in the bank. She could have gotten her own shit and paid for it cash if she wanted.”
“Then why’d you offer?”
“Because if she can rationalize it, she doesn’t have to deal with her feelings.”
“And that’s something you can relate to, huh?”
“What? I’m not an open book?”
“No,” Kiano deadpanned.
“And what’s your weakness?” I looked beneath Selle’s hood.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well you know me and Selle have our shit with vulnerability and communication and shit. What’s yours?”
“I don’t have any issues committing or telling people what my feelings are. I wear that shit on my chest.”
“Is that because of how your parents operate?”
“Probably,” Kiano said and shifted the light when I nudged my head to the right again. “They’ve been married over thirty years. I’m their only kid. They built their company together from scratch and never let me know if they’ve regretted a second of their time together.”
“So, picture perfect then?”
“Something like that.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I at least want something close to it, the vulnerability, commitment, and longevity mostly.”
“That’s real,” I acknowledged.
“Yeah and I think that’s what my weakness is.
I, uh, I can’t imagine disappointing my parents.
I refuse to disappoint them and not fight for what I deserve, whether that’s my place in our family’s company or with you and Jiselle.
” He didn’t wait for me to respond. “What’s the deal with your family? ”
“There’s not really a deal. I love all my brothers. The older one, Elijah, is in jail. The younger two, Joss and Xy, are little angels. The brother right beneath me, Morocco, is one hell of a hard worker and has a baby, and the one beneath him, Drake, is my little twin but also a pain in my ass.”
“But you’re close to them?”
“Extremely.”
“And what about your parents?”
“My mom died a while ago and pops is in prison over some stupid shit.” I glanced at Kiano. “I’ll tell you what though. They gave me a great representation of what I don’t want out of a relationship.”
“Which is?”
“Lying, cheating, and disrespect,” I said. “That’s what I really appreciate about Jiselle. She may crack jokes and shit but I never have to question her honesty, even when shit is complicated. She’s always the same person and I appreciate and respect that.”
“Yeah and I don’t think she’s going to change any time soon.”
“Good.” I exhaled. “Let’s call it for the day. I can finish tomorrow and you can head home and start getting ready for your date.”
“Sounds good to me.” Kiano clapped his hands. “Thanks for having me.”
“Thanks for sticking around.”
We dapped each other and I froze once he yanked me in. I stared into his face and that smile I was getting used to slowly covered it.
“You know you—”
I cut Kiano off with a kiss.
Then I hit him on the back of his shoulder and nudged him toward the exit.
“Have a good night with Selle.”
“I will.”
“And keep our girl safe,” I added.
“I definitely will.”
“Good.”
I walked Kiano to his car then headed back into the garage to help out. I was helping someone with a windshield when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I answered as soon as I saw it was Elijah.
“What’s up?” I answered and popped in an earphone to talk to him while I worked.
“What’s up with you?” he countered.
“Not much for real,” I admitted.
“Nigga, you lying.” He snickered.
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing with him.
“How you gon’ tell me I’m lying?”
“Because I called you last.”
“Which one of them lil niggas was snitching?”
“You want to guess.”
“Xy?”
“Fucking right. I was on his ass about something and he threw you under the bus quick.”
I laughed. “That sounds about right actually. So, what did he say?”
“What should he have said?”
“Don’t beat around the bush, Elijah. You know you've only got ten minutes.”
“Fuck you, bitch.” Elijah laughed harder. “He said you had a pretty woman over.”
“And?”
“And you never bring anyone home, so what’s up? You got a woman now?”
“Something like that.”
“Something like that,” he repeated. “That’s cool though. You need to have somebody. You can’t spend every waking moment working or hanging out with our brothers, shit. You need to live your life too.”
“Trust me, I’ve been living it.”
Elijah snickered.
“We gon’ circle back to that,” he said. “But uh, I talked to Pops.”
“Talked to Pops?” I repeated. “They let mothafuckas do collect call to collect call?”
“Nah, bitch,” he said simply. “But I told him—”
I cut him off. “I don’t care what you told him or what he told you to be honest.”
“Alright.” Elijah didn’t push the issue. “Well, ay, I called Xy and Joss earlier. Let Morocco know I’ll call him and Drake sometime in the next few days, a’ight?”
“Yeah. I’ll let them know.”
“I’ve got some money coming to you soon too.”
“For real?”
“Yeah. Just a lil something to help out with the bills and shit.”
“How you worried about us when you’re the one locked up?”
“Ain’t shit to do in here but sit around and worry about y’all niggas.”
“Play chess or do a puzzle or something. I got shit taken care of out here. You ain’t got to worry about us. I promise.”
“Man, ain’t none of them four kids yours. It’s not your burden to carry alone.”
“I hear you.”
“I’ll hit you up later though and check the mailbox as soon as you get home from the bar tonight.”
“A’ight.”
“A’ight, man. Love you.”
“Love you.” I hung up and did a double take when I saw I had a message from Selle.
Babygirl:
Shopping?
Me:
Tf does that mean?
Babygirl:
Can you pick me up and take me shopping?
Me:
When?
Babygirl:
Now?
Me:
Omw.
I slid my phone into my pocket.
“Ay. I’m going to head out early if that’s cool.”
“Yeah. You’re good. Just send somebody out to take your spot,” my boss stated.
“Alright.”
“You coming in tomorrow?”
“Yeah. I’ll be here.”
“A’ight. Cool.”
We dapped each other and I headed straight to Jiselle’s spot.
She met me outside of her place and hopped right in. She leaned over and I kissed her lips quickly.
“This whole dusty thing is sexy.”
She collapsed into the passenger seat and looked me up and down.
“Oh. For real?”
“Yep. I love a hardworking man. Whew.” She fanned herself and I laughed.
“What are we shopping for, Jiselle?”
“I need a dress for tonight.”
“And you’re buying it three hours before you’re supposed to get picked up?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s kind of crazy, Selle.”
“Come on, Stone. Y’all love that crazy shit.”
“A little bit.” I looked at Selle and she punched me in the arm. “A’ight, a lot of bit.”
“Good answer.” She set a hand on my leg and squeezed.
“I saw your boy today,” I said.
“I’ll assume you mean Kiano.”
“That’s right.”
“And?”
“And he’s cool people.”
“Good. I love when my men get along.”
“Your men, huh?”
“You like that?” she teased.
“I don’t hate it,” I admitted. “Where you want to go?”
“I was thinking this cute little dress shop over by the nail shop on Third Street.”
“A’ight.” I put my signal on and switched lanes.
When we got to the shop, Selle hopped out immediately and I followed her inside.
“What color should I wear?” she asked as she rummaged through the dresses on the rack.
“You’ll look fine as hell in anything you pick out, baby.”
“I know.” She flipped her freshly straightened hair over her shoulder and gave me one of her sultry looks, the one I’d seen her use to disarm men countless times at the bar.
“Then what’s the question?”
“I don’t want to just look fine as hell. I want him to be unable to breathe when he sees me.”
“I’m pretty sure he feels that way every time he sees you.”
“Maybe.” She headed to the next rack and I followed, casually pulling my phone out.
Me:
What color dress you want Jiselle to wear?
Kiano:
I don’t know.
Me:
She needs a color. ASAP.
Kiano:
Black
Or red.
Me:
K.
I locked my phone and shoved it into my pocket.
“How do you feel about green?” I asked.
Selle looked at me and lifted an eyebrow. She thought carefully then nodded.
“I can get behind that.”
“Let’s do it.” I clapped my hands and we moved toward the rack of green dresses.
Selle ended up pulling three different dresses. Each was beautiful and I followed her to the dressing room then waited patiently while she tried them on.
She didn’t show them to me.
She picked one and we checked out and headed back to her place.
“You’re coming in, right?” she asked.
“You want me to?”
“Of course I do.”
“I like that.” I grinned.
“Yeah, yeah. I bet you do.” She giggled, leaned over, and kissed my cheek.
I turned my head so we could kiss briefly and pulled into a parking spot.
I carried her bag and followed her to her room. I found myself automatically glancing at the living room camera. The thought made me grab my phone and turn both cameras off. I texted Kiano immediately.
Me:
Selle is working hard to look good. No peeking.
Kiano:
You’re full of shit.
Me:
Nah. I’m serious. Patience is a virtue. Be cool. It’ll be worth the wait.
Kiano:
I’m sure.
I liked the message without responding and collapsed at the foot of Selle’s bed while she walked over to her vanity and sat down.
She played music while she did her makeup and neither of us spoke. I just watched as she worked and honestly this shit was flattering. I liked that she just wanted to exist together. She’d invited me up just to be with her. That was cool. I liked it.
“Do you want kids?” she asked after a while.
“Why? You pregnant?”
“Fuck no.” She snickered and looked back at me. “Answer the question.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted and collapsed onto my back, feet still planted on the floor.
“I mean, I know I’d be a good parent and shit, but honestly, after damn near raising my siblings, I’m not really rushing to start over again.
I’m just trying to get the kids I already have to college or some shit. You know what I mean?”