Chapter 21 #2
“So... What really sent you over here tonight?”
I opened my mouth. Nothing came out.
He grinned. “I’ll wait.”
I looked away. “Damn.”
“What?”
“I don’t like when you’re patient.”
He laughed. “I know.”
“It doesn’t give me anything to argue with.”
“You tired of arguing?”
I looked him dead in his eyes. “I think... I’m tired of pretending.”
Hood’s smile disappeared, not because he was disappointed, but because he knew I wasn’t joking.
I can’t pretend I didn’t notice him changing, because I do.
I’m done pretending I don’t miss him, because my heart aches without him.
I refuse to keep pretending I wasn’t looking for him every time we ended up in the same place, because I was with a goddamn flashlight.
I won’t pretend that kiss at Edgewood Day didn’t mean anything to me, because it did.
I finally looked back at him. “I didn’t come over here because I needed answers.”
“What did you come for?”
I took one step closer until barely any space remained between us.
“I came... because I missed you.”
The words barely rose above a whisper. For a long moment... Hood didn’t say anything. He just looked at me as if he’d waited years to hear those four words.
Then he smiled.
Not the cocky smile.
Not the grin he’d give me when he won an argument. Just... relief. “I missed you too, Fumi. I finally loved you enough... to leave you alone and let yo ass go.”
Silence wrapped itself around us. Neither of us moved. Neither of us needed to. For the first time in seven years... We weren’t standing on opposite sides of the room. We had finally met each other... In the middle.
“I’m tired of running, Hood.”
Hood reached for my hands. His fingers curled around mine as if they belonged there.
“Oh yeah?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
His eyes searched mine. “Running from what?”
I laughed softly and looked away. “You.”
He grinned. “I figured.”
“No...” I shook my head. “I’m tired of running from us.”
Silence. The room suddenly felt smaller and warmer.
“I kept telling myself I was doing the right thing. I convinced myself that leaving you was the best decision I had ever made.”
“You did what you had to do.”
“I know. I don’t regret leaving.”
Hood nodded. “I wouldn’t want you to.”
I frowned. “You wouldn’t?”
“Nah, if staying with me would’ve cost you your peace... I would’ve wanted you to leave.”
My chest tightened. “That’s the difference.”
He tilted his head. “What is?”
“The old Hood would’ve never said that.”
He grinned. “The old Hood would’ve had yo stressed the fuck out.”
I laughed through the tears forming in my eyes. “You definitely did.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry.” I squeezed his hands.
“I believe you.” Silence settled between us again. This time, I’m getting comfortable with what I’m about to say. “I learned something,” I finally said.
“What?”
“It’s some shit... you just can’t run from.”
His smile faded. “I see.”
I shook my head. “No... I don’t think you do.”
“Help me understand.” I took a deep breath.
“I spent seven years convincing myself I was over you. I dated, traveled the world, and worked. I lived my life. I even tried to convince myself I was happy without you.” I looked down at our hands.
“But every time life pushed us back into the same room... my heart seemed to know you.” His grip tightened just a little.
“God, I hated that. I fought it. I tried so hard to ignore and bury it.” I looked back into his eyes.
“And every time I thought I finally won... there you were.”
Hood laughed softly. “I was wearing yo ass down.”
“You really were.”
“I know.”
“But then... you stopped.” The smile faded from my face. “You stopped calling, popping up, and chasing me. And damn... I hated it.” Hood didn’t say a word. He just listened. “I thought I missed telling you no.” I laughed at myself. “I was wrong.”
“What did you miss, Fumi? I did what you wanted me to do. Leave yo ass alone.”
I stepped closer until our bodies were almost touching. “You.” The word barely escaped my lips. “I missed you.” A tear slid down my cheek before I could wipe it away. “I wasn’t missing the chase... I was missing the nigga chasing me.”
Hood’s eyes glistened. He reached up and brushed the tear from my face with his thumb.
“You know... what? I prayed for this.”
“You did?”
“Every night.” His voice cracked. “I ain’t pray you’d come back. I prayed God would give me another chance... if it was meant for me.”
I smiled through my tears. “And if it wasn’t?”
He shrugged. “I was gone, love yo ass anyway, from wherever I had to.”
Damn... Why did that hit me so hard? I leaned my forehead against his.
“I don’t wanna run no more.”
A slow smile spread across Hood’s face. “Then don’t, I ain’t chasing yo ass no more.”
I laughed. “I know.”
“It’s your turn.”
I smiled. “Good. Because I plan to catch you.”
For the first time in a long time, neither of us was running.
We were finally standing still, choosing each other.
I looked down at our hands. Seven years, and somehow, they still fit.
Damn, it’s funny how life works. I spent years convincing myself I had moved on...
Then one touch reminds me... Some people never really leave your heart.