Chapter Rhythm Brooks
RHYTHM brOOKS
The next day, Sincere and I were on FaceTime while I sat in traffic. My phone was propped against my steering wheel, and his face filled the screen from his car. He was leaving work too. His tie was loosened and his glasses were on, and he looked good in his sexy, nerdy way.
I stared at him for a second longer than I should have. I adored the way his eyes softened every time they landed on me. Even through the phone, he made me feel touched, like he knew exactly how to feel me without ever laying a hand on me.
“Do you think you can really love again? And trust your partner after what Tempo did?”
He thought for a second before answering, “My heart was guarded. It hasn’t even been that long. It’s only been a few months since Tempo. But it opened up easily for you. I don’t know why. I didn’t expect to love again this soon.”
I smiled like an idiot and didn’t even care. “You love me?”
“Of course,” he said, like that was obvious.
I leaned back in my seat and let myself enjoy that for a second. I loved how sure he was.
He looked at me through the screen like he was studying my reaction. Then he asked, “How you doing with not being with Kodi after all these years?”
I exhaled slowly. “I’m okay. I was mentally and emotionally out of the relationship a long time ago. I never expected to find someone this soon. I wasn’t even looking. I was trying to get my life together and focus on my kids. But I’m glad it happened.”
He smiled slightly. “Me too.”
We stared at each other through the phone for a second. He lifted his brows like he was flirting without saying anything. I rolled my eyes, smiling, then glanced back at the road.
A text notification dropped down on my screen.
It was Kodi. I read it without opening it fully: Can’t pick them up. Got a move to make.
I felt myself frown before I could stop it.
Sincere noticed immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Kodi,” I groaned. “He can’t pick the kids up. And I can’t get there in time. KJ’s after-school program and Kinsley’s daycare close at six. I’m still in traffic.”
“I’ll get them.”
“No,” I said fast. “You don’t have to do that. I can call my mom or Joi.”
“I’m in the city and it’s already a quarter to five. I can get them quicker than they can.”
“Sincere, you don’t have to do that.”
“I’m not just fucking you, baby,” he told me. “You’re my woman. I got you.”
I bit my lip and looked away. “You don’t have to be responsible for my kids.”
“Stop letting my mother’s words get in your head. Your kids are a part of you. If I’m saying I got you, I’m saying I got them too.”
I sat there silently for a second, then my shoulders dropped. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” He winked at me with a smile that eased every nerve in my body. “Now where am I going?”
I texted him both of the addresses, and he headed to get KJ first since that was closest.
We stayed on FaceTime while he drove. “Does their father always flake on them like this?”
Sighing, I nodded. “Yeah. It’s one of the main reasons why I left him. It’s gotten worse since we broke up.”
“Why? He’s not taking the breakup well?” he asked with a raised brow.
“After twelve years, I don’t think he believed that I was serious about the breakup, but he believes it now.”
That was an understatement, but I refused to allow Kodi to cause any tension in what felt like a perfect relationship. But ever since Kodi and I had that conversation, Kodi had become colder. He barely spoke to me. When he did, it was short, and he kept flaking on me and the kids.
I just hoped that he would soon get over it.
Soon, Sincere pulled up to the after-school program. He grabbed his phone and got out of his car.
Inside, the lighting changed and voices echoed in the background. He approached the front desk, and I heard him speak.
“I’m here to pick up KJ,” he told the woman.
“Kobe Hendricks,” I corrected.
Sincere smiled with a hint of embarrassment. “I’m here for Kobe Hendricks.”
“Are you on the pickup list?”
“Give her the phone,” I told Sincere.
Once he handed it over and the receptionist saw me, she smiled. “Oh, hi, Rhythm.”
“Hey, girl. Sincere is my boyfriend and he has permission to pick up KJ.”
“Okay. Thank you for confirming. I’ll go get Kobe.”
She handed the phone back to Sincere, and a minute later I heard footsteps and then Kobe’s voice.
“What’s up, big man,” Sincere greeted him.
He turned the phone toward Kobe. “Say hey to your mom.”
Kobe took the phone and stared at the screen. “Hi, Mama.”
“Hey, baby. Sincere is my friend. He’s going to take you and Kinsley home for me because your daddy couldn’t make it. I’ll be there when you all get there.”
Kobe’s eyes slid up to Sincere. “Okay,” he said, still looking at him like he was trying to figure him out.
I giggled under my breath.
Sincere walked him outside while I stayed on FaceTime. Kobe climbed into the backseat and buckled up. Then he leaned forward between the seats, looking into Sincere’s phone. “Mama, his car smell like rich people.”