3. Cambrie Rhodes #3
That was alarming. Sol said that Staten and his brothers were out trying to bring Six home and that it was more than likely dangerous. She hadn’t said anything when she dropped me off, so I didn’t know what to think. The fact that he hadn’t been home worried me.
“I’m sure he’s fine.” I left my rolling luggage bag beside the bed and dropped my duffel on the mattress. “I know he had some business to handle. Are you hungry? Maybe I can make you something before I leave.”
“We don’t want you to leave, Cambrie. Is it because of us?” Piaget’s little wide, brown eyes searched mine for answers.
It broke my heart. Our relationship wasn’t perfect, and it seemed we were constantly going toe-to-toe over her art and overall view of the world, but this little girl had so much sauce it was ridiculous.
I knew wholeheartedly that she would change the world.
She had so much fire and wit that sometimes I found myself in awe of how naturally certain things came to her.
“No. Absolutely not,” I insisted.
“So who gon’ check me around here?” Rogue held up his arms in surrender, which made me laugh.
The tears building in my eyes were blinding as I sniffled and bowed my head.
“I already told you, you need to learn how to check yourself!” I poked at his little belly playfully.
“That ain’t no fun.” Rogue waved me off.
“I know that Tavi and Saga are happy they mama is here, but I don’t think she likes me and Rogue because we not her kids,” Piaget observed.
“Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know.” Piaget shrugged. “She don’t talk to us the same or look at us the same. Not like you. It don’t matter who our mamas are when you with us. You like all of our mamas.”
I didn’t know how to take that. Kids were honest if nothing else, and if she had peeped that about Nadia, it was a problem.
My next breath was caught in my chest when I glimpsed past them at the large figure in the doorway.
His familiar scent floated into the room with his signature cologne and the faint weed aroma.
“Daddy!” Piaget and Rogue pivoted and ran to him for an embrace.
Smiling, I brought myself to my feet as he hugged them back, but his eyes never wavered from mine.
“Shh, your brother and sister still sleep?”
“Yeah, but we hungry,” Rogue voiced.
“Go grab a cereal bar from the pantry while I talk to Cambrie.”
“Okay!” they cheered together and rushed off.
When they were gone, those dark, coal eyes drifted to my luggage near the bed first before fixating on me. Draped in all black, Staten seemed weary and drained. With his hands in the pocket of his hoodie, he canvassed me carefully. Whatever was behind his stare was unreadable.
“You was just gon’ slide in and get your shit and leave?” he asked, a tinge of hostility in his tone.
“I don’t know what I was going to do. I mean, when I got here, yeah . . . that was the intent.”
“So we can’t talk?” Both of his shoulders raised, making him rigid.
“I didn’t know what there was to talk about. I thought this was easier.”
“Ain’t shit about this easy, Cambrie.” He moved closer to me. “I fucked up not telling you what I suspected, but none of that shit was done to hurt you. I fuck with you. I want what’s best for you. I’ll body any muhfucka coming behind you incorrect, that’s what this is.”
Looking into his eyes, I believed him. God, I wanted nothing more than to take him at his word. Part of me also understood it. I thought about something my daddy told me when we were planning the funeral.
“When my mama died, they said an anonymous donor paid for everything. Do you know anything about that?”
“No, but it sounds like something my parents would do,” he admitted.
“I was young. That accident almost killed me. Rossi was paralyzed. Knowing that someone innocent also died during that whole thing always fucked with me. For weeks I visited her fresh grave before they placed a headstone. I reduced it to sending flowers to her grave every year on that day.” He lowered himself to the edge of my bed and rested his hands in his lap.
“I still wake up in a cold sweat every now and then.”
Gasping with tears filling the brims of my eyes, I did my best not to fall apart. I visited her grave every year myself and always wondered how fresh flowers arrived before I did to see her. White lilies, her favorite.
“That was you?” My lip quivered as his dark, somber gaze found me. “I go there every year and just assumed it was my daddy since he could never bare to visit.”
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about your mother, Cambrie,” Staten confessed.
I blew out a slow breath, hoping it would take my emotions with it.
“How’s Brick . . . and Six?” I queried, wanting to change the subject as my eyes lowered to the ground.
“They’re fine. I just dropped them off at the big house.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, and it was obvious that he was exhausted. “Six is a little shaken up, but she’ll be good.”
“That’s good.” I nodded, and he reached for my hand.
“I meant everything I said last night, Cambrie. About me and you. That hasn’t changed for me.” Staten studied our fingers together and drew me closer.
The warmth in his touch sent a wave of shudders over me, and his eyes glittered when locking with mine.
“Everything’s changed, Staten,” I whispered.
“Not how I feel,” he said, shaking his head and draping me across his lap.
“I love my kids, don’t get me wrong, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had this feeling.
I live for them, breathe for them, want to be better for them .
. . and then there’s you. It’s like you were made for me, mama.
” He rested his hand on my ass and gave it a squeeze.
“You feisty, funny, nurturing. All the shit a woman is supposed to be without being told. You remind me that some shit is just easy, like being with you.”
“Between your ex, the kids, and your mother... this is anything but a cake walk,” I countered.
“Nadia doesn’t get an opinion. As for the kids, it might take some time, but for the most part, they’re already coming around. I also made it crystal clear to my mother last night that this is my life and she needs to stay out of it.”
“What makes you so sure this is what you want? We haven’t spent that much time together. We barely know each other.” I was trying to come up with all the reasons why this shouldn’t happen, not used to the certainty from a man like Staten.
“I know enough.” He cupped my cheek. “And I want to get to know everything else,” he muttered against my lips before taking them hostage against his.
Arms falling around his shoulders and neck, I fell into it, deepening the kiss with my tongue lashing hungrily against his.
He stole my breath, but I didn’t want to come up for air.
His strong arms around me had me melting against his chest, and we collapsed on the bed side by side.
Looking into his eyes, I knew that there was no way this man would intentionally hurt me or anyone who didn’t deserve it.
I stroked his beard when he pulled away.
“Do you mind if we take this slow? Not just for us, for the kids. I don’t want them getting confused or acting out.”
“My kids are smart, Cam. I don’t sugarcoat shit for them.” His gaze softened, and a hint of a smile toyed with his supple lips before he licked them sexily.
“I know, but Tavi’s so raw right now. She has it in her head that you and her mother are getting back together. I know what that can do to a child, especially one her age.”
“I love that you care about their feelings so much, but we can’t walk on eggshells for them or anybody else.” Staten stroked some of my hair behind my ear. “Why you trying to make this harder than it needs to be?”
“Because I’ve learned to be cautious in life. I typically don’t do anything if I can’t see the outcome on the other side. Losing my mama the way I did and then going through everything with my daddy and his illness?—”
“It’s been a lot to deal with alone,” Staten concluded. “It made you strong, fearless, and resilient. All the other shit I like about you. What I need you to know now is that you’re not by yourself anymore.” He pressed his thumb against my lips, and I got lost in his hooded eyes.
It was nice to hear a man tell you how you made him feel. Showing was what any woman wants, but with Staten, that came first. Hearing him say the words was the icing on the cake. Most men said all the right things but didn’t act on them.
“There is nothing perfect about me, Staten.” When I tried to pull away from him, he resisted and kept his arm tightly around my back.
“It’s a good fucking thing I ain’t looking for perfection then, Cambrie. Stop fighting this, mama.” He stole another kiss. “I’m going to shower. Be here when I get out.” It wasn’t a request, more like a gentle order while cuffing my ass.
When he pulled away and sat up, I lay there staring at him as he moved toward the door.
This man wanted to be with me and had made his intentions very clear on that.
I had no reason to doubt it, and I wasn’t on board with just walking away, given my own feelings.
Rolling over onto my back, I searched my pocket for my phone and texted Plum.
Me: What if I stayed?
Bestie: That’s what the fuck I’m talking about!
Me: It’s not crazy to you?
I had to make sure I wasn’t being dumb nor blind, and outside of my daddy, Plum was the only other person whose opinion I checked for.
Bestie: No. For more than one reason. You know I would tell you fuck some shit in a minute, but I got a feeling you shouldn’t jump the gun on this.
Me: And why is that?
Bestie: Motha knows, chile!
Me: Whatever!
Bestie: I’m a call or text away! You know I’m with that pull up shit if need be!
Me: That’s why I love you! (kiss emoji)
Bestie: Love you bitchhhhh!
Sighing, I set my phone down beside me and propped myself up on my elbows.
I guess I wasn’t going anywhere. Instead, I decided to shower and freshen up before unpacking.
Although there was plenty to throw me off my square, I wasn’t going to hide from it.
I’d told my daddy I would cook for him and bring him a plate tomorrow, so I wanted to get my food marinating.
Knowing that Nadia was lurking in some corner of this house left me on guard, but I wasn’t about to move like some punk bitch.
If she wanted smoke, she could get it. It was one thing to be employed around here, but she wasn’t about to treat me like the help or think I was standing for any kind of disrespect now that I was the lady of the house.