Chapter 8
T he bright lights from the window and the ache in my neck reminded me I hadn’t made it to my bed last night. I opened my eyes, then looked over to my right to see Willow cuddled up against me. At some point during our movie night, we had fallen asleep. I couldn’t remember the last time I had just fallen asleep with a woman or allowed them to stay over my spot.
But for some reason, this woman was playing with my senses and my mind. Not to mention, I never told anyone as much as I shared with her. This town was small enough, and they knew their fair share without me helping to add more shit to it.
I closed my eyes briefly for a moment and I felt her move, so I looked back down at her. She looked so free, like all her problems didn’t exist; I watched as her eyes slowly peeled open. She immediately covered her mouth, obviously checking to see if she had morning breath. I held back my laugh with a smirk as I silently watched her move from my arm. Oddly enough, I missed her warmth that quickly.
“I guess I can assume the movie watched us last night?” She asked with her hand still over her mouth. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
I couldn’t help it this time. I laughed while standing up from the couch. I lifted my arms to stretch because this damn couch was not made for sleeping.
“You can say that. Trust me, I wouldn’t have fallen asleep on this damn couch on purpose. It is not made for sleeping and I’m sure my body is going to remind me all day.”
“You can say that again. These thirty-year-old bodies aren’t made for this,” she responded, then laughed.
I nodded and then walked out of the room to head to the guest bathroom. I looked underneath the sink for the extra toothbrushes my mother always told me to keep. I grabbed a toothbrush that hadn’t been opened and then grabbed Charlie’s barbie toothpaste. This shit was gone have to work. I walked back into the living room, and she was staring at her phone, trying to fix her hair. I shook my head.
“You don’t have to keep covering your mouth. I always keep a few brand new toothbrushes in the guest bathroom.” I told her.
She glanced up and stood from the couch with a relieved expression.
“Thank you so much.”
I smiled, “No problem, now go handle that before you burn my eyebrows off. You almost got me this morning.”
She nudged my shoulder and rolled her eyes with a giggle.
“Oh please, it’s not that bad.”
I held up my hands in mock surrender with a smirk.
“I hear you. Well, the bathroom is down the hall and on your left. I left the door open and oh, here is the toothpaste; this is all we had. I’m sure Charlie won’t mind.” I said, then handed both of the things to her.
She looked down at the toothpaste, then smiled.
“It’s been a while since I used pink toothpaste, but I’m sure the experience will be top of the line.”
“Cool, well I’m gone hop in the shower real quick since I need to pick my daughter up. I can drop you off before I do that, if that’s cool?”
“That works.” She responded.
We stood, staring for a moment before I turned to walk toward the hallway. If I didn’t, I wasn’t sure how long I would have continued to be enthralled by everything that was her. Once I made it to my room, I made a beeline for the bathroom so we could get out of this house. I was ready to see my baby and clear my mind after the last couple of days I’ve had.
Thirty minutes later, I was dressed and ready to head out. The moment I stepped into the living room, Willow was sitting on the couch, reading one of Charlie’s books. I couldn’t help but to smile.
“I tried to move as fast as I could, sorry if I took too long. At least you had one of Charlie’s books to keep you company.”
She closed the book with a smile and set it on the table before standing.
“I had to do something with my time and don’t worry about it. I appreciate the ride home. I’m ready to get out of these clothes, though.” She said, then pulled at her shirt for emphasis.
I nodded and then made my way to the front door. I held it open and waited for her to walk out ahead of me. Once we were outside, we made our way over to Jordan’s truck. I opened the door for her and then jogged around to my side. For the first time since we had run into each other, we had nothing to say and it was okay. The silence was comfortable, and I didn’t feel the need to force a conversation just for the sake of her being in the car.
I smiled to myself as I made my way to Willow’s parents’ house.
“What are you smiling about?” she asked.
I glanced at her, then back at the road.
“Honestly, just about how much I appreciate that the silence wasn’t awkward. You know how that can be.”
“Yeah, my ex was like that. It’s like he was allergic to silence. He just needed to use up as much space as possible with words that meant absolutely nothing.”
I nodded because for the first time, the sound of her ex irritated me, and I couldn’t understand why. She wasn’t mine to be concerned about with that situation. I just wanted better for her.
“I don’t know about the second half, but I can feel you in the sentiment with some folks.”
She smiled, then peered back out the window. We finally pulled up in front of the house and her father was out front, mowing the lawn. I didn’t know the proper protocol when you dropped someone’s daughter off in the morning, even though we hadn’t done a damn thing and weren’t dating. I parked and stepped out of the truck to open her door, then looked over at her father, who was standing with a lift of his brow.
I did the one thing I don’t recall me ever having to do with anyone’s father, not even Tierra. I walked over and reached out to shake his hand, then introduce myself. A few seconds passed by before he took it.
“Benjamin. Sorry for getting her back this late. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, sir. It was nice seeing you again, Willow. Hopefully, I run into you again before you go back.”
He nodded, then looked over at Willow, waiting for her response. She smiled, then walked over to the steps but stopped to glance in my direction, ignoring her father’s glare.
“I’ll see what I can do. It was nice seeing you, too, and you let Charlie know she has immaculate taste in books,” she responded.
“I’m sure she will appreciate that.” I said, then jogged back to the truck.
“Benny!” she called after me.
I looked back to see her walking to me.
“What’s up?”
“Maybe you’d wanna hang out again while I’m here?”
I thought about it for a moment. “I’d be cool with that.”
She handed me her phone and I gave her mine. After exchanging numbers, we said our final goodbyes. She walked toward the house, and I watched, my eyes lingering on her figure until her father looked back at me. Clearing my throat, I averted my gaze and went about my business.
Soon as I slipped back into the truck, my phone rang and Jordan’s name popped up. I answered as I waved once more in her father’s direction, then drove away from the house.
“What’s up? You finally ready to get your shit?” I asked.
“That, and I need you to slide through to pick me up from Shirah’s spot.”
I shook my head, then told him to send over the address. Once he got it over to me, I could get there in ten minutes since I knew the area. She lived in Rose Ridge Townhomes; they were new builds with some of the best amenities, but the price on them reflected that. I parked in her driveway, then beeped the horn to let Jordan know I was outside.
I waited five minutes before the front door opened. Shirah was in a gold robe that had flowers on it with her hair piled on top of her head. Jordan was whispering something in her ear that had her grinning and giggling. I turned my head and gave my mom a call to let her know I was on the way to pick Charlie up and I had a surprise for her coming with me. I don’t know why my mom loved Jordan’s knuckle head ass as much as she did. But, she treated him as if he was her son, too.
Soon as I ended the call, Jordan was sliding into the passenger seat. I wasted no time pulling out of her driveway. I was ready to see my baby. It felt as if I hadn’t been with her in days.
“I think you missed the turn back to your shop. I’m trying to get out of these clothes. I can’t be seen in the same shit as yesterday.” Jordan said.
I chuckled. “Yeah, aight. We going to pick up Charlie first. It’s the least yo’ ass could do after eating her snacks and shit.”
Jordan kissed the front of his teeth. “Man, I only had one fruit snack and a juice box.”
I shrugged and then continued driving. “I don’t make the rules. Now sit back, talking all loud and shit with pussy on your breath.”
He pushed my shoulder. “Man, I brushed my teeth. Although, I wouldn’t mind if I was still tasting the shit,” he added with a smirk.
“Man, what you gone do? You know you signed an extension with your team, right? You plan to make long commutes to be with her?” I asked.
“Who said this was going to be more than a one-time thing? Shy cool, man. It doesn’t have to be complicated. We have an understanding.”
“Aight,” I responded.
I didn’t need to say more than that. I just wanted to give him a little food for thought. I knew Shirah was special to him and as much as he wanted me to believe this was a one-time thing, I didn’t. Shit, she was cool, and I hoped it worked out. But, the road definitely would not be easy. I had my own things to worry about, so we stayed silent the rest of the way to my parents’ house.
The moment we stepped out of the truck, the front door swung open, and Charlie came running out of the house. Her ponytails were neatly down in four, with barrettes at the ends. Her smile was wide as she rushed into my arms. I lifted her and spun her around before placing kisses all over her face. Her giggles were like a melody to my ears that I would never tire of and would come to miss when she became a teenager who wanted little to do with me.
“I missed you, my baby. Did you have fun at Grandma’s house?” I asked.
She nodded her head wildly, sending her ponytails flying around her head and smacking me. My baby had long, thick hair. It took me forever to master a few damn ponytails. At this point, I was a pro at doing different styles with her hair.
“I miss you so, so, so much, Daddy!” she exclaimed.
“Now, lil’ bit. Your daddy the only person you see?” Jordan asked, feigning hurt.
She wiggled out of my arms, then ran into his. She wrapped her little arms around his neck, then squeezed as tightly as she could. I shook my head as I made my way up the steps of my parents’ house. Jordan followed me with Charlie still in his arms.
“Charlotte Grace Davis! What did I tell you about running outside without an adult?” My mother said, walking from the kitchen toward the front door.
She was frowning until Jordan walked through the door with Charlie. Her hands went to her mouth in shock.
“Jordy! How are you, baby?” she asked as she rushed over to him, then wrapped her arms around him.
Jordan never told me, but I knew my mother held a special place for him. After his mother passed, she stepped in to fill that void.
“Charlie, I know you were excited to see me, baby. But next time, follow the rules; it’s for your safety. Understood?” I told her.
She poked her lip out and nodded. She reached out for me, so I took her from Jordan and rubbed her back. My mom looked over at me with a lift of her brown and a smile. Then made a circle with her finger and mouthed wrapped around her finger. I couldn’t help but to laugh because I knew she was right. I was stern when I needed to be, but ultimately, Charlie could get anything out of me.
“Mom, are her things all packed up?”
She gripped her hips and then smiled. “Yup, she has been waiting for you all morning.”
“Alright, cool. You know what? I don’t have any tattoos to do today, and it’s Saturday. Charlie, you want to go with daddy to Movies In the Square?” I asked.
She pulled back to look me in the eye, no longer any sadness lingering. She grinned as she nodded her head wildly.
“Yes! I want snacks, too.”
I placed her down on her feet, and she reached for my hand.
“Speaking of snacks, your uncle Jordy ate some of your snacks at the house and drank one of your juices.”
I didn’t give a damn that I was snitching on him to a five-year-old. I didn’t want to hear her mouth when we got home, and she began counting the damn snacks like she paid for the shit. Jordan looked at me with his head tilted to the side.
Charlie released my hand and gripped her hips before facing Jordan.
“Uncle Jordy, how could you? Those are my snacks.” She released the hold on her hips, then crossed her arms against her chest and released a dramatic sigh.
It took everything in me not to burst into laughter. My baby played about a lot of things, but her snacks weren’t one of them.
“Lil’ bit, your daddy didn’t have no hospitality. I was hungry and you know I like princess fruit snacks! But look—” Jordan reached into his pocket.
I shook my head as my baby held her hands out for him to put the money into it. Jordan pulled his wallet from his pocket and began shuffling between a few bills before finally placing a couple of twenties into her palm. My baby was still frowning as she turned to face me, then showed me the money.
“Is this enough monies to get me more snacks, daddy?” she asked.
She lifted her hand up to me so I could count it. I wanted to fuck with Jordan and tell my baby nah, but I was gone let him slide this time.
“Looks like it, baby. You want daddy to hold it?” I asked.
She nodded and I took the money from her outreached hand, then put it in my pocket. Charlie smiled up at Jordan, all her grievances forgotten.
“I’m not mad anymore, Uncle Jordy. Thank you for my monies for snacks. Me and my daddy can get a snack now!”
“Mmm hmm. I’m glad I could make you happy, Lil’ Bit. Now, Benny, get me home before your child hustles me for more money. Momma, it was nice to see you,” Jordan said with a shake of his head.
I laughed. “Aight, I’m about to grab Charlie’s stuff, then we can head out. We got big plans tonight! Right Charlie?” I asked.
“Yes,” she shouted behind me.
I jogged upstairs and grabbed everything before hearing the tail end of my mom’s and Jordan’s conversation.
“You make sure you come back here without Ben, Understood?” she asked.
I didn’t bother to ask, as I leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek. Then took Charlie’s hand into mine.
“Yes, ma’am. Let’s get going, little hustler,” Jordan said.
I knew he was talking about my baby, but clearly, she didn’t give a damn. She skipped the entire way to the car. Tonight was going to be the reset we needed.