46. Love
LOVE
I had just dropped mama off at Auntie Delia’s house. I bruised my knuckles from wearing T. K.’s ass out, so every time I gripped the steering wheel, a pain shot up my arm. She claimed to be feeling better and she was acting like herself, so I guess that’s good.
I knew she was really tryna change when she showed me a prescription for her schizophrenia that hadn’t been filled in a long time. Auntie Delia promised to stay on her and make sure she doing what she supposed to about taking her medicine and eating healthier stuff.
Now, I was on my way back to Baby’s house.
It made me feel good when she texted me earlier saying she missed me because I thought I was the only one tripping out.
It took me a little longer than I expected to get mama situated, it was about five in the afternoon.
It seemed like we were apart for days, but it had only been hours.
Since she was off from work, I was tryna surprise her tonight with a date. I guess it’s a do-over from the Valentine’s Day situation. I was finna go take a shower and put on something else.
I called Trey on the way to the hospital to tell him what T.K. told me, but he ain’t answer. He was usually on point with that, so I figured he was busy with his family shit.
Going into the house, I tried to make it quick. Deciding on some black slacks, a black fitted shirt, and Gucci loafers. Small drip with my Rolex, nothing too flashy. After a quick shower, I got dressed and handled my hygiene before heading out the door.
What I needed to do was grab some snacks because I knew her ass gone have me waiting hours like she did the last time. I called in a favor to get this done. I just hoped she kept an open mind.
As I hopped in my car and drove off, my mind kept going back to my conversation with T.K.
He had that ass whooping coming for a long time, but it ain’t really solve anything.
All it seemed to do was piss me off more.
The only thing that would help him right now was if Tank confessed to what he did, and I didn’t see that happening.
My phone went off in the cupholder. With my right hand on the wheel, I grabbed it with my left. Why the hell was the office calling me?
“Hello?” I picked up, resting my elbow on the console.
“Love, it’s Mr. Simmonds. You have a minute to speak?”
Shit! They found out about me and Baby. “Yeah, what’s going on?”
“We’re done with our investigation and would like for you to return to work.”
My eyebrows furrowed. This ain’t never happen before. They rarely asked people to come back after situations like that. “Can I ask what brought this on? I thought I was definitely getting fired.”
Switching lanes, I waited for his answer.
“Well, we don’t under normal circumstances, but we think you’re a great asset to the team. If I can be honest, an individual just transferred and we need the help.”
“Who?” I asked, just out of curiosity.
“Lauren Mitchell.”
My ass almost swerved into another lane after hearing that. I just told her to get Baby a new officer. What she left for? She could blackmail muthafuckas, but at the first sign of pressure, she folded.
Either way, I was not going back there. My relationship with Baby was more important than that job. If I accepted, we couldn’t be together.
“I’m sorry Mr. Simmonds, but I’mma have to decline your offer.” I made a right turn onto Baby’s street. Jayda’s car was in the driveway, so I parked off to the side.
“Come on, Love. Is it the pay? We’ll discuss a raise once you come in for your keys.”
If I had his fat ass begging, they were doing worse than I thought. “Nah, I just found something better.”
I looked through the windshield, spotting Baby walking her fine ass to the car in a baby blue sundress and gold sandals.
“Thank you for the opportunity.” I hung up just as she reached my door.
Swinging it open, I pulled her into my arms.
“What took you so long? What happened? Did you kill him?” she fired questions at me. I laughed out loud.
“If I did, I’mma keep that shit a secret, Baby,” I replied, still smiling.
Pulling back, she looked me up and down.
“Where are you going all dressed up?” Leaning in, she sniffed my shirt. “And you smelling good too.”
I was finna tell her to go get dressed but decided to fuck with her for a minute.
“I got a date. I just came back to check on you before I headed out,” I joked, and her face dropped. I ain’t know what she was gon’ do, but I didn’t expect her to start swinging on me. For a little ady, them shits hurt like hell.
“Aye, girl. Chill out.” I held my hand up to block my face, moving around her. She got me one good time in my stomach.
“Baby, I’m playing. I’m playing. Quit that hitting shit,” I mumbled, my voice muffled.
“What?” she exclaimed, out of breath.
“I’m fucking with you. You ain’t go to them anger management classes yet, have you?” I took my hands down, watching her narrow her eyes at me.
“Why you gotta play like that, Love?” She stomped towards the front door. I had to jog to catch up, making it before she could step inside.
“Hold up, girl,” I said, grabbing her hand. “I’m tryna take you out.”
Turning towards me, she smiled. “For real?”
Chuckling, I intertwine our fingers. “I don’t know. You done beat my ass, now I gotta think about this.”
With a pout, she came closer, kissing me all over my face.
“I’m...” she pecked my cheek, “sorry.”
I huffed out a breath like it was a hard decision to make. “Alright, you wore me down. Go get dressed.”
Giggling, she made her way to the door, then stopped. “Leah and Tiffani wanted to go to lunch, but I'll tell them I got planes.”
My eyebrows creased in the middle.
“Tiffani who?” I asked because I only knew one Tiffani, and she was Valentine’s Ex-girlfriend from high school. But it couldn’t be her. Last I heard, she was outta state.
“Um, another story for another time. I won’t be long.” She opened the door for us to go in. Nosey ass Jayda stood on the other side with her auntie right behind her with a glass in her hand. I can tell she ain’t like me all that much.
“How y’all doing?” I greeted, standing there as they sized me up.
“Hey Love. What you doing here?” Jayda asked, stumbling to the couch.
“Minding his business. You should do the same,” Baby shouted from down the hallway. We all shared a laugh.
“Well, I wanna know.” Her auntie inserted her two cents, flopping next to me. I relaxed my elbows on my knees as she stared at me with scrutiny.
“I’m taking her out.”
“That’s nice.” She took a sip of whatever was in the glass. “Where y'all going?”
Leaning back, I threw my arm over the back of the couch. “I got somewhere in mind.”
As Jayda went into the back room to help, me and her auntie had a serious conversation about my intentions with her niece. Hopefully, she could see how serious I was about Baby and what I was willing to do to make her happy.