Chapter 17 Khloe
Khloe
I woke up to Kairo’s voice drifting in from the small sitting area attached to our bedroom. The barn door was cracked just enough to hear numbers and timelines. I didn’t have to see him to know that it was about a home. It was always about a home.
I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling, blinking through my blurred vision. I hadn’t really slept until I knew Kennedi was home. And even then, my body stayed alert with my mind refusing to shut down.
By the time Kendrix finally dropped her off, I was already three episodes deep into a new series that I couldn’t turn off.
My alarm went off the next morning and Kairo told me to lay back down because Kendrix was taking her to school.
I almost cried from relief. I was so exhausted that it felt like sleep couldn’t fix it either.
I stretched and reached for my phone, unplugging it from the charger. Stacks’ notifications were silenced since I didn’t need them popping up while I was around Kairo. But when I unlocked my phone to check, they were always there.
6:10 a.m. – Good morning, Beautiful. Just sitting here working and thinking about you.
6:22 a.m. – Song for the day. “Good Girls” by Joe.
I smiled before I could stop myself. I tapped the link and let the music play. My lips curved into a big smile as I listened to the lyrics.
Why are all the good girls taken every time…
And why do I always keep falling for someone else’s dime…
I laughed quietly, shaking my head as heat rushed from my cheeks to other parts I didn’t want to admit. My mind ran with it. The intent behind the song wasn’t subtle, and neither was the way it made me feel. I felt seen and desired in a way that had nothing to do with titles or expectations.
I knew I was a good girl. I’d always been one. And the fact that he acknowledged it without asking me to be anything else made my heart race.
I was typing a reply when the barn door opened all the way. I turned the music off so fast before he could ask a question that would require me to come up with a lie.
Kairo crossed the room, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I said, sitting up.
He stood there just staring at me. “What were you smiling about?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “Just my group message with Niv and Rivah.”
The lie came easier than it should’ve. I didn’t even have to think about it. He didn’t question it. He just nodded and turned toward the bed, grabbing his suitcase from his side where everything he planned to pack was already laid out.
I rolled onto my side, watching him. “What time are you heading out?”
“Whenever Kendrix gets here,” he said. “My dad wants us all to ride together. You know saying no to him is against his rules.” He smirked. “Kross and Kordai are already complaining, so this should be interesting.”
“At least you’ll have fun with your brothers.”
“Yeah.” He zipped the suitcase after he packed everything in. “And Kennedi had all her bags when she left for school.”
“Yeah. She’s riding home with her friend after school,” I said. “And you already know I’m watching that location like a hawk.”
He laughed. “Baby, relax.”
His phone buzzed in his hand. “Kendrix just texted. He’s ten minutes out.”
I sighed and pushed myself out of bed.. “Let me brush my teeth and wash my face. I’ll pack you some snacks for the road.”
I made it downstairs in one of Kairo’s old t-shirts and a pair of shorts, tying my hair up into a loose bun as I walked into the kitchen. I grabbed a tote from the pantry and started packing Kairo’s snacks for the road. He leaned against the counter, talking while scrolling on his phone.
“So the house I mentioned yesterday? It’s perfect for that young couple. Renovated kitchen, spa bathroom, and the closet is basically another room.I think if we move fast, we can get it before anyone else even sees it.”
I nodded. “That’s good.”
He kept going, explaining the layout, the upgrades, the location. His voice was animated with so much passion and focus.
I smiled in the right places. I nodded like it made sense. I even asked a light question here and there. But I wasn’t really listening. My mind was somewhere else.
Why are all the good girls taken every time…
The lyrics replayed in my head and wouldn’t shut off. I could still feel the way Stacks’ message had made me feeling like he woke up thinking about me. Meanwhile, my husband was in front of me talking about square footage.
I hated that my mind kept comparing them because it wasn’t fair. Kairo had always been a provider. He loved loudly in responsibility, protection, and long-term planning. Stacks loved in moments, intention, music, and deep conversations.
I caught myself wondering—why can’t Kairo be a little more spontaneous? A little more soft? Why does everything have to be structured?
I immediately felt guilty. Kairo is my husband. The father of my child. The man who never missed a bill, who showed up when it mattered, and built a life most women prayed for. So why was I standing in my kitchen fantasizing about another man’s voice in my ear?
The doorbell rang, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“It’s open!” Kairo yelled.
Kendrix walked in like with sunglasses on his face like he was going to a resort for vacation.
“I hope you packed enough for me,” he said, stepping into the kitchen.
I didn’t look up as I zipped the tote. “I didn’t. I packed enough for my husband and Kordai.”
He smacked his lips dramatically. “There you go with that favorite brother-in-law shit. Now when I start saying Rivah my favorite sister-in-law, it’s gon’ be a problem.”
I laughed because he knew not to try me. “It’s not even like that. Kordai is the only single one without someone to prepare his snacks.”
Kendrix paused. “That’s that nigga problem. But I guess you got a point.”
He leaned against the island. “Niv packed me something, but it’s all granola bars and protein cookies. I don’t want that shit.”
Kairo laughed. “You started your couples health journey?”
Kairo dropped his head like he was tired. “I told her I would try and stay committed but man I miss my little Debbie’s and greasy ass food late at night. Shid, she’s headed to workout now.”
We all laughed.
“Yeah,” I said. “She mentioned going to yoga.”
Kairo raised a brow. “You going?”
“Hell no,” I said immediately. “Me and Rivah already said no. Niv has the upper body strength of a damn ox. That is boot camp, not yoga.”
Kendrix burst out laughing. “She is strong as fuck though.”
“She’s a magical ballerina with army stamina,” I added, shaking my head. “I’m not signing up to die.”
They both laughed. Kendrix cleared his throat.
“Since we all gon’ be gone tonight, though, y’all should do something.
Magnolia is hosting ladies night at the club.
Niv’s not dancing tonight, so maybe y’all swing can through.
Rivah needs some fun before she’s caged in the house with a newborn. Have some fun.”
I thought about ladies night with drinks, music, and distractions from my town head.
“That actually sounds really good and well needed,” I said.
Kairo walked over and kissed my temple. “Yeah, baby. Go have you some fun.”
He hugged me, squeezing me tight like he always did before leaving for a trip. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said back.
I walked them to the door, watching as Kendrix teased him about something else on the porch. Kairo turned back once, gave me that small wave, then headed to the car.
I sat cross-legged on the bathroom floor, a towel folded under my feet while I painted my toenails.
I could’ve gone to the nail shop and probably should have, but something about doing it myself calmed me.
The slow motions and focus of it all. It felt good to just do something for myself.
No one needed me or asked for anything. Just me and the sound of Stacks’ voice on speaker phone.
I laughed, leaning my head back against the tub. “No, you did not say that to that lady.”
“I absolutely did,” he said, laughing with me. “And she still bought it.”
I shook my head smiling, glancing at my phone screen sitting beside me.
We’d been talking for 1 hour and 53 minutes. It didn’t even feel like it had been that long. My phone vibrated and I picked it up, unlocking it to a message from Niv.
Khloe I just got some edibles for tonight. I’m ready to get messed up and send those Givelle boys videos.
I burst out laughing.
“What’s funny?” Stacks asked.
“My group chat,” I said, still smiling. “They’re talking about edibles and tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” he said. “You taking one?”
“Hell no,” I replied quickly. “I barely want to drink, but I’m home alone and responsibility-free so I’m actually going to let loose for once.”
That felt good to say so I grinned and finished painting my pinky toe.
“So are you calling me to come get you when you drunk? You don’t need to drive yourself anywhere,” he asked.
The question caught me off guard. My fingers froze around the polish bottle.
Rivah was pregnant and couldn’t drink, so she was obviously driving. I already knew I’d get home safe. But the way he said it… like it was natural for him to be responsible for me… made something warm spread through my chest.
I let out a nervous laugh. “I appreciate the concern. Really.”
“That’s the best part,” he said softly.
“What is?”
“As a man…. dropping your woman off looking good for girls’ night. Let her have fun, then pick her up drunk and smiling so I can reap the benefits of making love to her all night. I can’t wait for days like that.”
My cheeks heated instantly. I stared down at my freshly painted toes, wondering if that man had read my journal. Because that… that right there… That was the exact fantasy I always craved but I never said out loud.