Story #2
A pair of jeans with a top that fell off my right shoulder and fit tight. When I got dress, I thought about the Jessica Simpson heels at Macy’s. I should have got them because it would have paired great with my outfit.
But I had some thong sandal heels that matched just as good. My hair was down with a side part and a bump on the ends. Halo had on a black Michael Jackson graphic tee with camouflage jeans and all black Puma high-tops.
His bandana matched his jeans and I re-did him a new set of braids the day before yesterday. I wanted to lick that man all over because he looked so good.
“I thought I would be nervous but it’s starting to fade. I figured nobody could be more intimidating than Greek and I am relaxed around him.”
“Yeah, bro sometimes have people shook. But my auntie Imani and Thaddeus are chill people. They gone love you like I do.” He kissed my hand with his other one on the steering wheel.
“I forgot to tell you. When me and Siren were at the mall I ran into Dallas and Aspen.” I casually brought that up.
Halo moved a little in his seat and his face screwed up, “What happened?? What the fuck did she say?”
“Calm down babe. She just tried to push my buttons by apologizing for being a problem. All while letting me know that you two talked and she assumed y’all were still friends. But I did not give her the satisfaction.” I wanted to see what his next words were about to be.
“Yeah, she was tryna fuck wit’chu. When she called me, I told her I was busy and would call her back because we had to talk.
But I got crazy busy with a job me and my brothers were doing and I haven’t gotten around to it.
But I plan to for real and I’ll let her know to leave you alone.
On some real shit, I don’t wanna make her my next mark.
But I will if she does not take my warning. ”
I watched him as he talked and he looked like he drifted off somewhere else for a second.
I looked at his left hand that was on the wheel, they grew bigger from him gripping it.
My head itched and I went to scratch it with the hand that he held.
It was a reflex to do that because it was my right hand.
But Halo gripped my hand so tight I had to say something.
“Um babe you’re about to break my fingers.”
“Naw, that’s you about to break your fingers.”
“No, it’s me just tryna scratch my head.”
He looked at me while he merged off the freeway. “You got another free hand Story. Might as well use it because this one is occupied.” He kissed it and continued driving.
I think that was when I noticed that my boyfriend might be a tad bit possessive. But to show him I wasn’t about to be compliant, I used both of our hands and scratched my head. I assumed he’d get annoyed, but he did not care, long as I did not let his hand go.
“You’re crazy.” I said cooly.
“Mmhm.” He agreed and kissed my hand again.
It was a losing battle, so I shook my head and let it go.
“It’s nice to meet you, Story.” His auntie hugged me and spoke when we arrived at her house.
It was an elegant house, big and the outside complimented it just the same. This family was not hurting for money at all. When me and Halo got here, his brothers were already there. They were in the den with their uncle Thaddeus.
When I met him, he was very stern looking. Like it would hurt him to smile but in a few seconds of meeting him I saw on my own that it wasn’t true. He was nice and welcoming. Halo walked me to the kitchen where his auntie was.
“It’s nice to meet you too. I brought you a red velvet cake, Halo said you and your husband like the one from Bebe’s Bakery.” I handed her the cake. I was buttering up because I missed their party.
“Aww that is so sweet, thank you. I’m about to put the food out now.”
“Want me to help?” I asked her.
“Of course! See, I like her Halo.”
He smiled, gave me a kiss, and left us alone. Imani cooked grits with fried catfish, French toast, spicy sausages, and churros with melted chocolate sauce. The food looked like it was catered.
“Everything smells so good.” I pointed out the obvious.
“Thank Greek for that, he taught me a few things to perfect this. He got that cooking gene from my sister.”
“I’ve had his cooking a few times, he is truly gifted.”
“Yes, he is. Love my three troublemakers.” She spoke proudly about her nephews. “So, tell me Story. How did you bring my shy little Halo out of his shell?”
I put the plates out while she did the silverware.
Her question made me giggle. “I have no idea. He came into my shop to get his hair done. My sister normally does it, but she wasn’t there. He did not want to sit in my chair at first, but I won him over.
After, he scheduled his next appointment, and we left it at that. But my friend Siren invited me to Blake’s party and Halo was there. I remember seeing you and Thaddeus, but it was for a second before y’all left. Anyway, we just clicked and next thing I knew, he was my boyfriend.”
Imani was beaming as I told her the story of us.
“Sounds like God had plans for the both of you. Halo was complicated when he was younger. I remember my sister used to call me and express concerns about how he changed when he was ten years old. I advised her that he was getting older and was trying to find his way.
When they died and we took them in, I think he became worse. He just had no interest in making friends, dating or anything outside of watching movies and being with us. Me and Thaddeus did not know what to do so we just made sure that he knew we supported him.” She whispered and continued.
“Between me and you, Thaddeus and I assumed Halo was gay and he was battling with coming out. Regardless, we would have accepted it. But I guess we were wrong, still, you make him happy. He is so easy-going with you, even when you’re not around.
My little Halo’s personality shines now.
Thank you for that.” When she hugged me, I almost cried.
“You’re welcome, I love him a lot.” I let her know.
The table was set and it was time to eat. The guys came in and everyone sat down.
“You put your whole foot in this catfish darling.” Thaddeus told his wife.
She thanked him and everyone else agreed with him including me. I talked some when I needed to. But I liked seeing how Halo interacted with his family. They were all funny, Greek even made me laugh when he made a joke.
I saw how Imani loved her nephews, but Halo was her baby. I could just tell and it was sweet. I liked how there was a picture of the brother’s parents on the wall next to the mirror. It was a beautiful photo.
I had seen them many times in Halo’s apartment. He had a few up and I liked it when he’d tell me stories of them even if I heard them before. We were done eating and on to the churros, the chocolate sauce was rich and smooth.
I enjoyed myself a lot with them and I made sure to let Imani and Thaddeus know that before we left. Me, Halo, and Greek were outside of the house. Golden said he had to go to the bathroom.
As soon as we stepped out of the central air the heat made me want to run back inside. Luckily, their auntie and uncle had a long car port on the side of their home, so the cars were in the shade.
“What y’all about to get into?” Greek asked Halo.
“I’m about to take Story to run a few errands.
First stop is the strip mall in Allen Park.
It’s got a bunch of stores there to hit up.
I got some to run too then we are goin’ back to my spot.
Our next job isn’t until Sunday, right?” He leaned against the passenger door of his can and pulled me in front of him with my back to his chest.
Greek hit the alarm to his car; I noticed a while back that all three of them liked old school cars.
“Four days in Canada.” Greek answered.
Halo told me about their next job, not in detail just the location and dates on Monday. I was going to miss him while he was gone but when he came back. We would act like we hadn’t seen each other in weeks.
“I don’t have anything to do until tonight. Mind if I follow y’all to the Allen Park.”
Halo looked at me, “You cool with that?”
“That’s a-okay with me.” I looked at Greek with a smile then said, “To see you in T.J. Maxx is something I need to witness.”
He laughed. “God, damn you think I’on shop!”
“Not at stores like that!” I cracked back.
Halo laughed too, “You should see his sour face lookin’ ass when we went to Pandora. We were getting a gift for our auntie and he scared the salesclerks. Had the workers scared to even make suggestions.”
“Fuck you brother.” Greek joked and put his middle finger up.
Golden walked out of the front door, and he was on the phone. When he got closer to us, he said bye to whoever he was talking to.
“Aye, Friday is Aspen’s birthday.” Golden shared.
“And?” Halo responded
“And she is having a hotel party---”
“Pass.” Halo cut him off.
“Why are you treating that girl like she yo’ chick when you know damn well she not.” Greek asked Golden.
“I’m not treating her like nothing but some pussy and a good dick sucker.” He shot back and he looked at me.
“Story, does my brother have permission to attend Aspen’s party? Since clearly, he acts like he need permission.”
I was about to answer but Halo kept his arms around my waist and talked first.
“Get the hell on with that shit bro. Me not wanting to go to Aspen’s hotel party don’t have anything to do with no permission. I said pass and that’s what it is.”
Golden had that similar smirk on his face like he did at the club when I first met him. It’s funny because he apologized to me the next morning for being an asshole and here, he was doing it again. I was confused because we got along, I do not know what Golden has against me.
“But your best friend Dallas will be there.”
I felt the heat radiate off Halo’s body, and it wasn’t because of the temperature outside. I shouldn’t have said anything, but I did.