Chapter 22
LIKE A ROACH
“He… had to go back home to handle some business,” I mumbled.
I wasn’t lying, but I was sure that telling him, “He flew across the country to see his ex—not because he has feelings for her. He just needs to make sure she was alive,” sounded as crazy out loud as it did in my head.
I was glad he wasn’t there because I was completely mortified at the way I broke down on him last night.
I thought I was fine, but the moment he pushed, I broke, and now I was dreading ever having to look at him up close again.
I was entirely too grown to be so shy and bashful around any nigga, let alone one who had licked all over my inside parts, but I couldn’t help it.
“I know he better be back in time for this damn cookout because I’m tired of your parents hounding me like I had the nigga stored away in my damn house.”
“He said he would be there,” I murmured. Once again, he had gone missing and wasn’t answering my calls or texts. Somehow, I knew he wasn’t up to anything grimy, but the fact that I couldn’t talk to him was bothering the fuck out of me.
“So, you really like that nigga? How did that happen? Because when you first took that case, I thought you were gonna end up catching one of your own,” he chuckled.
“I…” I paused. “I don’t know. I was adamant about not liking his ass, but he was more adamant about the fact that we were gonna be together.
Stupid ass.” I chuckled to myself before getting lost in thoughts of Chase with a silly grin.
When I came back to, AJ was sitting there looking at me with a smart ass expression on his face.
“What?” I groaned.
“Nothing,” he chuckled, then looked off.
“As long as you’re happy. It’s cool. I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Malcom’s lame ass, but I know it wasn’t good.
I saw a shift in you, May. Here lately, you’re looking more like your old self every day, and I really love to see that.
” He looked off, refusing to make eye contact with me which was perfect because I caught my eyes trying to tear up… what the fuck was happening to me?
“You could see that?” I asked, turning to him in disbelief.
“Yeah,” he chuckled angrily. “Your light dimmed, like you had lost hope or something. I know how bad you wanted marriage and a family and all that, so I knew it had to be bad for you to give it all up so suddenly.”
“You could really tell?” I asked again, mouth open in deep thought. I thought I was doing my best to keep it all to myself. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Hell yeah. I never said anything because you always try to play so tough, like can’t nothing hurt you, but you know I got your back whenever you need me, right?” he asked. I went silent and stared straight ahead because, tears. “May,” he called again. “You know that, right?”
“Mhm,” I squeaked out.
“Good,” he said, pushing me playfully. “Because you a bigheaded ass, certified maniac, but you’re my certified maniac, and I’ll put a bullet in anybody who tries you…
Even that big nigga you had chained up in your house like Django!
” This time I laughed hard, wiping the tears away from my eyes.
I couldn’t lie, it felt good to see the goofy grin that had returned to his face as well.
Laila came through with some of her influencer friends and really put a spotlight on Willow’s.
So much so that he was featured on the New Dawn Evening News—which brought even more eyes.
Mona recruited Tahmir to help with some new photos and revamping the website, and June spruced up the decor.
Things were going so well that he was able to hire an assistant manager, so he didn’t have to spend every waking moment at work.
“So,” I said with a sly smile, since he had been all up in my business. “When do you plan on putting yourself back out there?”
“What you mean?” he asked with a frown.
“Dating, nigga!” I snapped back. As far as I knew, he hadn’t dated anyone—seriously or casually—since Kari left about eight years ago.
“Man, gon’ head. I really don’t think that’s in the cards for me.
After everything that happened, I’m cool on just raising my daughter.
” That bitch really put him through the wringer.
He found out she had been sleeping with her much older boss for years, which led to their breakup and a paternity suit.
When she realized that even though Kadence was his, he would never be with her again, she decided to try to flee the country.
“AJ,” I scolded. “You can’t let one bad experience keep you out the game forever.
Kari wasn’t it, but I know there’s someone out there for you.
You deserve to be happy too.” I damn near gagged at the words coming out of my mouth.
I sounded just like Mona’s ass… but hell, aside from her and Tahmir’s minor setback, she was the happiest I had ever seen her, so maybe she was onto something.
“Nigga…” AJ narrowed his eyes at me. “When did you get soft like this? What is that nigga over there doing to you? Wait, don’t answer that!” he said in disgust.
“Fuck you!” I blurted out, earning a few disapproving looks from nearby parents. “Fuck y’all, too!” I said with a frown.
Once the game was over, I made my way home.
When I saw Chase’s brand new pickup in the driveway, I damn near jumped for joy, hopping out of my car and rushing into the house as fast as my feet could carry me.
As soon as my eyes landed on him standing at my kitchen counter, changing a lightbulb that I only had to ask him for once, all the nerves that I had again hit me full force, and I stood there looking like Raven having a vision.
“Hey,” he said, eyes lit up as he stepped towards me.
“Heyyy,” I sang awkwardly.
“God Damn,” he gushed, million-dollar smile on his face as he just stared at me.
That morning, instead of my usual press, Mona gave me a wash and go so I could wear my curls out for a week or so.
He must have liked what he saw because he stared at me like I was walking down the aisle or something.
I couldn’t think of a smart ass reply, so I kept my mouth shut, looking up at him as he pulled me closer and kissed me.
I completely dissolved, letting him make up for every kiss that he missed while he was gone, then something behind him caught my eye.
“Chase, baby, what is this?” I asked, gesturing to a huge green plant in a pretty crystal vase.
“Grass,” he answered with a shrug and a smirk.
I looked back from him to the vase and busted out laughing, because, yes, it was grass, but it was the prettiest grass I’d ever seen.
This nigga had gone to a florist and had them make me a damn floral arrangement out of grass and other greenery.
All I could do was pull him in for another mind numbing kiss
“You know you get on my nerves, right?”
“That’s why I’m here,” he teased, resting his forehead on mine and making my heart melt.
The way he kept looking me over, I could tell he was confirming with his own eyes that I was okay after our last conversation, but he wouldn’t say it out loud because he knew I would get weirded out.
At that moment, it clicked. I kept trying to figure out how we happened, and it was all him.
He didn’t bully me into a relationship, he just let me be me.
He didn’t lash out when I was moody. He didn’t feel a way when I pushed back out of fear of being “too soft”.
He just accepted me for who I was, and even when I tried to run from that, he wouldn’t let up.
Somehow, he knew exactly what I needed and when to calm my crazy while still fueling my fire.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I couldn’t control my smile. We didn’t even have sex that night, we ate together, had a bubble bath, and cuddled up under the covers while going over every detail we missed in the four days that we had been apart.
Mona
Are you asleep???
Me
I WAS!
Mona
Well get yo ass up! You need to see this!
I rubbed my eyes at the text trying to figure out what the hell Mona was talking about, and why she decided to have this conversation ten minutes before my damn alarm was set to go off.
When I clicked the link, I damn near screamed, and my jaw was completely unhinged by the time I hit the end of the article.
brEAKING NEWS:
New York Basketball Star, Malcom Payne Facing Early Retirement After Being Found Naked and Badly Beaten Outside a New York Recording Studio.
Payne’s injuries were reportedly so severe that he was unrecognizable. The victim claims to have no knowledge of how he got injured, or who may have been involved, but due to shattered bones in both hands, he’s looking towards a lengthy recovery and may never step foot on the court again.
“Oh my God,” I mumbled. “Oh, shit.” I heard the shower running, so I knew Chase was back from his morning workout. I started to bust in there and ask him what the hell was going on, but then my phone started blowing up in the group chat.
June
Wait, what the hell??? Did y’all hear about Malcom??
Mona
Oh… My God…
Laila
Won’t he do it???
June
Yes, he will!
Mona
Are y’all really over there praise dancing over the fact that this man got stomped out like a roach in the corner with a pair of pointy toed boots? Y’all really happy that the man pissed AND shitted on himself, and lost a few teeth???
Now, how the fuck did she know that? That wasn’t mentioned anywhere in the article that she sent me.
Laila
Hell yeah!
June
Sorry, Lord, but yes! You don’t get to play in my girl’s face and think shit gon’ be sweet.
Laila
Stupid ass nigga! And while we’re on the subject, why the fuck is his name spelled like that?! I bet his mama thought his name was cool with just one L!
Mona
He only has one because he needed more room to take more Ls in life… You know what? Y’all are right! Fuck him! I’m glad he shitted on himself, and I hope he never heals right! I hope they stomped his dick off too! Weak ass nigga!
I started typing then stopped no less than five times, remembering how tense and concerned Chase was when I told him what happened with Malcom. I noticed that since he had been back, he seemed more relaxed than he had been since I’d known him.
Like he got all his frustrations out by stomping that nigga out like a roach in the corner… with a pair of pointy toed shoes.
My brain didn’t even compute that he had finished his shower and walked back in the bedroom with only a towel around his waist.
“What?” he frowned, looking over at me. That’s when I realized that I was just staring at him.
I should have asked him about Malcom. Should have asked him if he was responsible for beating that man to a bloody pulp, but I didn’t, because at that point, I didn’t care.
What Mona said before—I felt safe with him, and happy—was the absolute truth.
That man risked jail time and a forty-million-dollar contract to make sure I was protected, and while I wanted to light his ass up as his former attorney, as his woman…
I just wanted to suck dick until he needed a saline drip.
So, I didn’t ask any questions.
All I could do was flip the covers back, invitingly.
“Come back to bed.”