Chapter 9
Ali
For the first time in months, the words flowed effortlessly. Today, I wrote twenty thousand words, and I hadn’t had that long of a writing day in years. Usually I’d do five to ten thousand words a day, but for this story, the words poured. I couldn’t deny why.
Avery.
Not just her randomly showing up and getting my creative juices flowing as far as the storyline was concerned, but her energy was lifegiving.
Just being around her inspired me. She breathed life into me in a way that made me excited to sit down and write again.
All it took was that initial inspiration to unlock the discipline and focus, the passion, that had been guiding my career for the last decade.
When she came over this morning for breakfast, we ate what my chef had prepped, then she and Gremlin entertained themselves while I wrote.
The only time I stopped was to check in on them, or when she forced me to eat.
Hours later, I was officially done for the day, and I couldn’t wait to have her in my arms.
It didn’t surprise me to find her in Gremlin’s room. While he slept, she read a book. I was a little late for his last walk of the day, and as usual, he didn’t mind at all. At the sound of my voice, he woke up but made no effort to get out of his bed.
“Done for the night?” she asked with a yawn as she stretched.
“Yeah. Sorry it took so long. I wasn’t expecting to be at it for all this time. Otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you to stay.”
“Don’t apologize for being productive,” she said as she stood. “I didn’t mind. If I wasn’t here, I would’ve been chilling in my hotel room, so it was fine.”
“Have you been exploring the town?” I asked, picking Gremlin up.
“Hmm, not really. I’ve gone to the spring festival and a few coffee shops. I didn’t think there was much to do here.”
That made me smile as we left. A lot of people were surprised by how much fun they could have in a small town.
Even though I didn’t do a lot, I was aware of a lot of things the town had to offer.
I had this . . . list of things I’d do when I completed a book, then it turned into things I’d do when I was ready to get out into the world again, then it was something else, and something else.
And before I knew it, I’d been here for years and hadn’t really done much of anything.
I gave her a few ideas of what she could do and explore as I grabbed Gremlin’s leash, but she grabbed my hand, stopping me mid-sentence.
“What?” I asked, looking from her to my hand.
“It was shaking. Does it always do that?”
A small smile lifted the corners of my mouth. Her concern was so cute, it made me give her a quick kiss.
“After a long day of sitting and writing, yeah.”
“I’m going to give you a massage before I leave.”
“I won’t turn it down, but you don’t have to do that, honey. You also can stay if you’d like.”
She looked up at me with a smile as we walked down the hall, but she didn’t respond until we were outside. “I can’t do nights,” she muttered, sounding like that viral sound on TikTok.
“Why not? Do you have a weird nighttime routine you don’t want me to see?”
With a giggle, she shook her head. “No. I just . . . I don’t want to get even more attached to you than I already am.”
Nodding my agreement, I confessed, “That’s fair.”
By the time we made it to the end of my street, Gremlin decided he was done walking for the night. He laid down and didn’t get back up, forcing me to pick him up and carry him for the rest of the walk. When we made it back home, I got him settled, then Avery and I went into my room.
For her to not want to spend the night, she didn’t mind getting even more comfortable and taking a shower with me. After that, she gave me a massage—a full body massage—paying special attention to my hands and neck. The shit felt so good I fell asleep three times before she was done.
“Thank you, honey. That shit felt good as hell,” I complimented as she blew out the candles she’d lit around the room.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. We gotta keep your circulation right if you’re going to be writing for so long.”
“Yeah. I usually take breaks every two to four hours, but today, I didn’t want to stop. I haven’t written like this in a while.”
“That makes me so happy. I’m glad you were able to lock in. You’re about to create another masterpiece, I’m sure.”
When she was about to pass me as I sat on the side of the bed, I grabbed her wrist and sat her on my lap.
“As a writer, I understand the power of words,” I shared. “I’ve never been the kind of man who didn’t communicate.” After kissing her shoulder, I said, “I have to be honest with you and tell you I don’t think I would have had such a successful writing day if it wasn’t for you.”
Confusion covered her pretty ass face as she caressed my cheek then pinched my chin. “What do you mean?”
“I had a bit of writer’s block before you arrived. I had an initial idea and set of characters, but the words weren’t flowing.”
“You said you don’t believe in writer’s block,” she mentioned. “I remember you saying that on that Black Men in Lit panel six years ago.”
Pride surged through me. Even with Avery saying she was a fan, it didn’t really sway me. But knowing she not only was at an event I headlined but remembered something I said . . . that made me feel good.
“Yeah, I didn’t. I don’t. I guess I just wasn’t connected with those characters to tell their story.
Then you came, and a new idea formed. Then you didn’t go away, and I felt inspired.
I felt what I wanted to write, and feeling it made the words flow.
Which is weird because I can write street shit and thriller and kill a muhfucka on every page, but doing this contemporary romance was the true challenge. ”
As serious as I was, her light laughter made my facial expression relax as her thumb massaged the space between my wrinkled brows.
“Well, I’m honored to help. It’s exciting being here while you create. This is a moment, an experience, that I’ll never forget.”
“I appreciate your support. The inspiration and influence. Your companionship. I won’t ever forget this moment in time either.”
Her nose brushed against mine before I cupped the back of her neck and connected our lips. In that moment, as much as I craved the warmth of her walls, I preferred the intimacy of having her in my arms . . . on my chest . . . feeling her heartbeat sync with mine.
We settled into bed, because I convinced her to let me hold her .
. . just for a little while. A little while turned into all night.
When I woke up around three in the morning and found her snuggled up against me as she snored softly, I smiled and thanked God for the intrusion of her presence.
She was my own personal gift, and though I knew she’d be leaving me soon, I planned to take full advantage of having her close until that day came.