Chapter 9
Three Days Later
I ’d asked Kayne to come over so we could talk. Handling things for Miley and Mateo pulled us back in each other’s orbit without us having to face the shift that had happened between us when he kissed me.
Kayne kissed me.
Worse?
I liked it and wanted more.
I spiraled for a while over what that kiss meant and wasn’t sure I was ready for that conversation.
Though both Kayne and I were in tune with our emotions, he was more willing to have the difficult or awkward talks while I had a habit of shutting down while I processed things.
Words couldn’t express how grateful I was for him giving me space, but I also couldn’t deny I’d been missing him like crazy—intimately.
We’d been texting over the past two weeks but not like we usually do, and he didn’t pop up on me like he used to. Even over the last three days after he told me about Miley and Mateo, our conversations just revolved around them. I wanted my friend back, and I knew it was on me to make that happen.
Miley and Mateo were with their grandmother for now.
We called her Saturday, and she made it seem as if she had no idea Sonny was out of town or that he was struggling with the kids.
She asked us if we could keep them that night while she got her house together to receive them, and we agreed with no hesitation.
I appreciated that she trusted us with them.
The next morning, we took the kids to church and to have lunch before dropping them off with her.
Last I checked, she’d called her son, and when he heard she had them, he extended his trip.
While I could understand his need to take a vacation, I was appalled by his audacity.
Sonny was relieved that we’d stepped in and sent the kids to his mother as if that wasn’t something he should have done from the beginning.
I couldn’t help but ask her why she didn’t have a more prominent role in their lives, and she told me that was the way it had always been.
I told her she could call me if she needed anything and prayed Sonny would come home soon.
Regardless of when he came, I firmly believed there was nothing anyone would be able to do to keep Kayne from going to see him.
As excited as I was to see Kayne, when his light taps sounded against the door, I hesitated briefly before going to let him in.
More than anything, I was nervous about us fucking our friendship up.
Then again, we hadn’t even talked about taking things to the next level, so I felt like I was prematurely overreacting.
Sure, we kissed, but we hadn’t committed to each other.
Who knows? Maybe my reaction to things made him change his mind about wanting me anyway.
When I opened the door, I couldn’t help but smile.
Kayne looked good as always. During the summertime, I saw him dressed more casually.
When school was in, he wore a suit Monday through Friday and on Sundays for church.
As good as he looked in them, I also appreciated the sight of him in jeans, Nikes, and a T-shirt.
“Hey,” he said, stepping into my apartment.
“Hi.”
“What made you call?”
Deciding to be honest, I admitted, “My thoughts of you are no longer enough. I need the real thing.”
With a smile, Kayne pulled me into his arms, and I could have turned into a puddle of mush as they wrapped around me.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get my mind right.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he countered, cupping my cheeks. “We’re here now.”
After Kayne kissed my forehead, we walked to the living room hand in hand. We sat down, and I pushed my nerves away to be honest with my soul mate.
“First, have you heard from the kiddos?” I checked. “I know Sonny didn’t pay Mateo’s phone bill because he called me from his grandma’s phone last night to make me aware. I’ve been trying not to bother her but I wanna know how they’re adjusting.”
Kayne smiled and squeezed my hand. “I called this morning and worried her enough for the both of us.” That made me smile.
“I was able to do a gift payment, so their phone is back on.” Relief immediately washed over me.
“She said they’re adjusting well but they miss Sonny.
They are eating and resting but a little restless because she doesn’t have anything for them to do besides watch TV.
I told them I’d take them home so they can get a few books and games after I leave here. ”
“Cool. Um . . . When you’re done, can you come back? I missed you.”
“Of course, bae. I missed you too.”
Sitting back in my seat, I nervously ran my hands up and down my leggings. “Did you . . . do you . . . does what you feel for me . . . is it just attraction?”
“No,” he assured me quickly. “I’ve been in love with you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. I buried those feelings deep in my heart because of your past with my brother.”
“What’s changed now?”
“I feel like I’m a volcano that’s about to explode.” He chuckled softly as my eyes glossed over. “I got all these feelings for you inside of me, this love, that I’ve never been able to do anything about.”
“I feel your love for me,” I countered. “I just thought it was that of a friend. And maybe I’ve always known it was something more because what I feel for you is more, but I was in denial, because I knew we couldn’t be together.”
“But what if we can?”
My eyes blinked rapidly as I swallowed hard. “Kayne, I was with Kenya?—”
He sucked his teeth and tilted his head. “I don’t give a fuck about that shit. That was a whole decade ago, and y’all were together for less than a year. He didn’t value you, and I do, so I’m not going to let that continue to keep me from you.”
“Are you saying this can really happen?”
“I am. So . . .” Kayne kissed my hand. “Will you allow me to court you, Jayla? If so, I’d love to take you out Wednesday evening.”
I wanted to tell him that wasn’t necessary, and he could just ask me to marry him today. I’d say yes. Instead, I nodded and giggled.
“Yes, I would love that.”
“Good. I’ll get everything planned and let you know how to dress.” He stood and dropped a kiss to my nose. “Let me go get these kids though. Need me to bring anything back?”
“I don’t think so,” I considered with a shake of my head. “Are you hungry? If so, you might want to grab food. I have some leftover pasta, but it might be dry by now.”
He chuckled. “Aight. I’ll call you if I stop somewhere and see if you want anything.”
“Okay, pookie. Be safe, and hurry back.”
“I will,” he declared before leaving, and I couldn’t wait until I was alone to squeal and laugh to release my excitement. I wanted desperately to call Brooke and tell her about what had transpired, but I also wanted to at least have our first date and keep this moment to myself.