Chapter 6 #2
“Adonis, I know you. Everyone else doesn’t.” I spoke. “That’s why I came here today. There is no question whether or not Apollo is properly cared for, I know that without a doubt, but I also know how hot headed you are.”
“And?” he frowned. “That ain’t got shit to do with nothing for real, and like you said, you know me. I would never involve my brother in any bullshit.”
“I know.” I sighed heavily.
I was starting to think that this case was too close to home for me.
I knew and cared about Adonis and his brother a lot, therefore I didn’t want to see anything happen to either of them, but I didn’t want my personal feelings and relationship to them to cloud my judgement.
I needed to treat this case as I would any other one.
“Can you have Apollo come in here, please?”
He held eye contact with me a few seconds before nodding then getting up to go get his brother. When they returned, I smiled at Apollo and began asking a few questions I already knew the answers to.
He was a very sweet, well-spoken child. To others it could be shocking considering his twenty-seven-year-old brother, who was probably the wildest and most unhinged man that I knew, was raising him, but Adonis was doing a great job with him.
I asked routine questions about both his home and school life while Adonis sat off to the side listening. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him watching me while stealing glances at his brother here and there.
By the time I wrapped up my observations, I felt good about reporting that there was no foul play in the home, the house was clean, and I could see that Apollo was safe and cared for.
I did give him my card and let him know that he could call me anytime he needed me.
I also let Adonis know that we were available for any additional resources that he may need.
“Go back to yo’ room. I’m gon’ walk her out.” Adonis said to his little brother as he rose from his seat. Apollo smirked and did as his brother said, singing me a goodbye on his way.
Adonis took my things from me as he pulled the front door open then waited for me to exit first before following me out.
The walk down to the car was quiet, but it was comfortable.
I was glad that I was able to sit with them and talk for a while.
Even though it was work, spending time with them was like a breath of fresh air.
When we made it to the car, I hit the button on the key fob to unlock the doors, and he pulled the driver’s side open for me.
I took my things then peered up at him with a smile.
“Thank you for letting me come in and speak with you guys.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” He slipped his hands into the pockets of his sweat shorts. “You’re welcome here anytime.”
“I’ll report everything we discussed today. Since an investigation had to be opened the case will stay pending for forty-five days, but you shouldn’t have anything to worry about as long as he doesn’t handle any more incidents.”
“His lil’ ass betta not.” Adonis said as his handsome face twisted into a frown. “I went easy on him this time.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure he’s going through it without all of his belongings.”
“He’ll be aight,” he shrugged. “What about you though? You good? That nigga didn’t do shit to you did he?”
“No.” I quickly answered. “I’m okay. Derrick talks a lot, but he knows better than to act on anything he says.”
“Nigga shouldn’t be talking to you crazy either, Jruelle.” He frowned. “You’re better than that and you know it.”
“Adonis, I’m fine.” I assured him, a little annoyed. I never got to see him, so I didn’t want to spend the little time I was around him talking about Derrick.
“You’d tell me if you weren’t?” he asked, pulling one of his hands from his pocket and easing it onto my cheek. The gesture warmed my entire body. His hands were so soft and his voice too. He was always worrying about me when he had it worse than me.
I placed my hand on his, closing my eyes briefly as I enjoyed the temporary connection before reluctantly pulling it down and nodding.
“I’m okay, Adonis. I promise.” I smiled for good measure. “I enjoyed sitting with you and Apollo today. It felt like old times when we would sit and talk for hours.” I chuckled. “I’ve always been the more talkative one, but you know I love to hear you talk.”
“Right,” he grinned. “You love to hear my voice.” He teasingly mocked my words from when we were kids.
“I didn’t sound like that!” I laughed.
“Take my number down,” he suggested.
Our eyes locked as I chewed on my bottom lip contemplating. It was wrong to even be considering it, but I wanted to, so badly. Still, I couldn’t. It would be wrong.
Wouldn’t it?
Did I really care?
“I can’t.” I dropped my head. “I have a man—”
He scoffed and cut me off. “Nigga is hardly a man, and I don’t give a fuck about him. I ain’t ask you all that. I miss talking to you and shit, so we gon’ talk. Take my number down.”
I could tell he wasn’t going to budge and part of me didn’t want him to. I missed talking to him too, so against my better judgement, I handed him my phone and allowed him to key his number in. He also made me call him so that he could have mine.
I could have died when he pulled me into his gentle yet firm embrace.
I didn’t reciprocate right away. Instead, I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath so I could relish in his scent.
He smelled just how I imagined Heaven would smell, and feeling his arms wrapped around me gave me an unexplainable feeling.
God, how did I miss out on this?
I eventually hugged him back then had to force myself to let go. I needed to hurry back to the office because it would soon be time for me to get off.
“I have to go.” I said lowly.
“Drive safe, beautiful.” He smirked, back pedaling onto the sidewalk. “And when I hit that line, answer. I don’t give a fuck if you with that nigga or not. He can’t whoop my ass, and he better not touch you.”
Though he was smiling, I didn’t sense a hint of humor in his voice. He was serious. He really wanted me to answer when he called me no matter what, and the worst part was that the wheels in my head were already turning trying to figure out how I was going to make that happen.
Lord! What am I going to do?