22. Mercy
MERCY
“So, it’s a giant puzzle?” I asked as I looked around the room. “That we have to put together in order to leave the room?”
“Something like that,” Givens answered.
I continued looking around, trying to figure out the picture, but I also knew this wouldn’t be easy.
When Givens called me this morning and asked me to make some runs with him, I thought we’d be out and about, wasting time.
I didn’t expect to end up at The Puzzle House, standing in the middle of a room with giant puzzle pieces surrounding us.
“And if we don’t figure it out?” I asked as I started to walk around. Fifty three feet by three feet puzzle pieces were scattered around the room. The only way I knew I could figure it out was to start with the edge pieces like I would with a smaller puzzle. “What happens then?”
“I don’t know,” he answered with a small laugh. “I saw an ad for this place this morning and decided we would spend our day here.”
“What if I would’ve said no?” I grabbed the first end piece and set it on the floor.
“You got other plans?” he asked as he watched me.
It’d been a few days since the incident with Shai in the arena's parking lot, and ever since then, he’d been acting weird.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying from the car, but I knew from how he got back in the car that they’d had a heated exchange.
“No,” I denied. “But I could have.”
“With who?” he pushed off the wall and approached me. “With the cop that’s been coming to the arena to bring you lunch and chill during practice?”
“What?” I laughed as I picked up another piece and set it on the floor.
“Faylin told me about him,” he replied, and I nodded. “You seeing someone else?”
“Gift is a friend,” I said, then adjusted the purse that was slung across my body.
“Friend, huh?” he questioned, then kissed his teeth, shaking his head. “A friend that just started popping up?”
“A friend,” I answered with a laugh. “And he’s been coming around because he wants to throw his sister a surprise birthday party and asked me to help him get a list together.”
“That’s all?” he asked, and I nodded. “You ain’t seeing that nigga?”
“Not like that,” I laughed. “Gift and I are just friends.” I peeked up at him and saw his shoulders drop as if he were relieved. “Why, are you jealous or something?”
“Nah,” he denied and shook his head. “I would’ve just killed that nigga and went on about my day if you would’ve said something different. I ain't gotta compete with a ghost.”
“Gift is a cop,” I laughed.
“I got enough money to get off,” he said, and I playfully rolled my eyes. “Plus, I’m pretty sure I got some pull with Xoey since she thinks shit like that is sexy and she would’ve helped me.”
“Xoey hasn’t met Gift,” I replied as I started to move again. “Plus, she wouldn’t take out my friend just because you asked. Xoey is loyal to the people she loves.”
Givens stepped into my space and pulled me to him by the strap on my purse. “You expect the same, right?” he asked earnestly, and I nodded. “Which is why your circle is small. You only kick it with your family and a few friends. Everybody can't get close to you, and I respect that.”
“Your circle is small, too,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck and looking up at him. “You’ve been burned enough by the people who were supposed to have your back. But like I told you, it's cool cuz the DeCortes don’t like to share.”
“You trying to get me to fall in love with you, DeCorte?” he asked with a humorless laugh as he shook his head. “Like, legit, I think you are.”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly, and he smirked.
“But it’s happening anyway,” he said, then kissed me.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close.
My knees started to shake, and I whimpered from the intensity of our kiss.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine and licked his lips.
“Even if you ain’t trying to make me fall in love with you, it's happening. I want you to know that and understand I’m cool with it cuz I want it to. ”
“Okay,” I said as I nodded.
He kissed me again, with the same amount of intimacy, but not as long as he pulled away. “Now, let's get this shit going. I got a feeling you already got it figured out.”
“Not really,” I laughed. “But I have an idea.”
“Alright, let's get to work, then.” He smacked my butt, then stepped back to give me space. “You are a pro on the court; let's see what else you have up your sleeve.”
We walked through the city market a few hours later, enjoying our time together.
The Puzzle House was much more fun than I expected, and I planned to go back.
Givens was still in his head but was starting to relax and talk more.
I didn’t know what was going on, but I would give him his space to figure it out as long as he didn’t push me away.
“I want to cook for you,” he said out of the blue as we looked at some fruit. “Nothing crazy, but I want to prove I can get down in the kitchen.”
“When?” I asked as I started to put stuff into my basket.
“Tomorrow?” he suggested without looking up at me. “I need to grab a few things from the butcher, and they are already closed.”
“I have to leave in the morning, remember?” I sniffed a pineapple and then put it back. “I’ll be back in two days.”
“Oh, that’s right,” he said with a nod. “Then when you come back?”
“Deal.”
“What’s wrong, Givens?” I asked as we returned to the car after paying for our fruits and vegetables. We were hand in hand, so I felt it when he stiffened.
“I just got a lot on my mind, is all,” he responded as he let my hand go and put his arm over my shoulder.
“I can tell,” I said as I nodded. “You’ve been off the last few days. If you need some space...”
“I don’t,” he quickly replied, then kissed my forehead. “I don’t.”
“Givens, it's okay to need a minute,” I laughed to try and lighten the mood. “I understand. All I’m asking is that you don’t go ghost on me again. If you need a minute to yourself, all you have to do is tell me, and I’ll give you your space.”
“Nah,” he denied. “I need you in my space at all times. We locked in, Mercy, ain't no other way.”
We returned to Givens’ house to find Faylin watching TV in the living room.
I kicked my shoes off by the front door and went upstairs to shower.
We’d been out almost all day, and I wanted to shower.
I grabbed a pair of ball shorts that were too big and a wife beater from Givens dresser and showered.
Once I was done, I put on some body butter, dressed, and made my way back downstairs to find Faylin eating popcorn in the same spot, but Givens was nowhere to be found.
“He went to grab some wings from Cool’s,” Faylin said as I looked around.
I dropped down on the couch next to her and laughed. “Was it that obvious?”
“If I didn’t know you or how you acted, then I would’ve been offended at the thought of you not wanting to be around me,” she answered with a laugh. I grabbed a few pieces of popcorn from her bowl and threw them at her. “Daddy gonna be mad you are wasting food.”
“Givens Robbins does not scare me,” I replied as I picked up the popcorn.
“Then why are you picking it up?” she laughed.
I pushed myself up from the couch and walked to the trashcan to throw them away.
“Because Mary DeCorte does, and if she knew I was throwing food, she’d kick my ass,” I answered with a laugh.
I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge for both of us and returned to the couch.
“Speaking of Madea, she told me she expects to see you at church Sunday.”
“Is Krude leading the children's choir again?” she took the water bottle from me and opened it. “Because if he is, I want to bring the team with me so they can see him in action.”
“I don’t know,” I said, shaking my head. “But I will ask when I get back to find out.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she said, waving me off and picking up her phone. She swiped the screen, and a few seconds later, the sound of a ringing phone echoed through the room.
“What’s good?” Krude answered.
“Are you directing the kid's choir this weekend?” Faylin asked. I wasn’t even surprised that she had Krude’s number; as goofy and unpredictable as he was, no one could deny how good he was with kids.
They gravitated to him, and everyone knew he’d lay down his life before he let anything happen to them.
“Because if you are, I want to bring the team with me.”
“Nah, man,” he said, then kissed his teeth. “OG told me to sit my ass down this weekend cuz it’s a guest pastor coming in.”
“Ah, man,” she said, sounding disappointed. “I wanted to see you get up there.”
“Come anyway, though, cuz the guest church is Corinthians' baby daddy people, so that means Madea gonna show out.”
I put my hand out, and Faylin put her phone in my hand. “You for real? They coming?” I asked.
“Well, hello to you, Hell Raiser,” Krude said, acknowledging me.
“No bullshit right now. Is Corinthians’ baby daddy family really going to be there?” I said.
“Yep,” he answered. “Madea told me this morning. Corinthians is pissed, which is understandable, but you know I don’t know shit about how the behind-the-scenes stuff works. All I know is they will be there.”
“Fuck,” I groaned and wiped my hands over my face. “Have you talked to Corinthians?”
“Yeah,” he replied. “I’m waiting for Megan to get out of the shower so we can slide through and check on her. You showing up?”
Givens walked through the living room with a bag of food in his hand. As he passed her, he kissed Faylin on the head, but his eyes never left me. He threw a quick nod to the phone and lifted his brow.
“Yeah, let me go home and grab some clothes, then I’ll be there,” I answered as I stood.
“Bet, see you in a minute,” he said, then hung up.
I tossed Faylin her phone and then turned to Givens. “I need you to take me home so I can change and then check on my cousin.”
“Nah,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ll go with you.” He set the food on the table and then turned to Faylin. “You riding?”