Just A Little Longer.
Zee has been quiet ever since I met up with her after the game, barely saying a word whenever I asked if she was okay.
The only full sentence she’d said was that she wanted to sleep the night at her dad’s tonight instead of driving back home.
It’s as if her mind was elsewhere, and I was starting to get worried.
When we pulled into the driveway of her dad’s home, she reached for the door, but I put my hand on her thigh, stopping her.
I could feel her body tense up, so I pulled back as she turned to look at me.
When she did, I instantly noticed the tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.
Without saying anything, I got out, walked around to her side, opened the door, and pulled her out and into a hug.
I could feel my shoulder get damp as she cried silently.
I wasn’t sure what had happened between the start of the game and now, but whatever it was, it was bothering her.
“Talk to me, Zee,” I say softly, pulling away to wipe her tears. “What happened? You seem so distraught, so defeated. Did something happen at the game?”
She sighs, nodding. “I…ran into Sasha.”
The moment she says that name, my body has a reaction, and a bad taste fills my mouth.
There weren’t many people on this planet who could piss me off so easily, but Sasha would always be on that short list. She and her annoying ass brother.
I still can’t believe that their asses owned the team!
Then he had the nerve to saunter his ass into the middle of our huddle before the game and put in his two cents.
I wanted to drop-kick him, but I controlled my temper.
If this was what we had to look forward to over the next few weeks, I already knew I was going to need to keep my extra-strength ibuprofen on deck.
“What did she say?” I ask, leaning against the back door.
“Nothing but excuses mostly, talking about how she’d only cheated on me once and that she felt so guilty, so that’s why she left,” she huffs.
“I mean, she apologized for the way she treated me and for abandoning Sera, but who’s to say that she wasn’t just saying that to get on my good side again?
” She shook her head, frustration written all over her face.
“And even if she’s telling the truth, am I wrong for still not wanting to forgive her?
No matter her reasons, nothing can change the fact that she cheated, even if it was just once, which I highly doubt.
Nothing can change the fact that she walked out on us.
She could’ve just talked to me if she didn’t really want to be with me instead of playing in my face. What’s so hard about that?”
“Nothing,” I assure her. “And no, you’re not wrong for feeling that way. At the end of the day, she broke your heart and then dipped.”
“And I tried to ignore her, but she just got me so heated. Then she had the nerve to bring Sera into it, talking about some ‘what about our daughter,’” she sighs deeply.
I felt my jaw tense. “I had to draw the line there and let her know that Sera will never be hers. She doesn’t even deserve to be in her presence.
Every time I think about her walking out that door and leaving me to be a single mother, I get aggravated all over again.
I’ll never forget that, Kay. That was the worst heartbreak I ever felt.
Now, I’m finally healing, and here she comes back in my life again? I hate this shit so much.”
“I’m sorry, Zee,” I say, pulling her into my arms once more.
I feel her body relax against mine as I stroke her back softly, my chin resting on the top of her head.
“I know how hard it must be for you, but please know that I’m not gonna let anything happen to you or Princess.
Even if I have to sit out this year, I’ll do that. ”
“No, absolutely not!” she shrieks, pulling back.
She looked up at me as if I’d lost my damn mind.
“You are not allowed to give up something you love just because I have beef with Sasha. Fuck her, and fuck her weird ass brother.” She fiercely wipes the last of her tears before staring at me with a serious look.
“Jakayla, don’t you ever even fix your mouth to say that again, you understand me? ”
I smirk, crossing my arms over my chest. Amusement bubbled up in the pit of my stomach as I stared down at this gorgeous woman who was fuming like a gas fire.
She wore a serious scowl, but it was still the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
I wanted to cup her face and slowly cover her in kisses as she slowly folded for me.
I wanted to make her feel like putty in my hands.
God, I was so attracted to this woman that I thought of telling her that I’m serious about quitting just so she can yell at me some more.
Was I being toxic?
Maybe just a little bit…
“Are you even listening to me, Kay?” she asks, crossing her arms as well.
“I hear you loud and clear, bossy,” I chuckled, causing her to scoff.
“No, I asked if you were listening to me, not if you heard me,” she points out. “There’s a difference, you ass.”
I laugh out loud before grabbing her by the waist and pulling her closer until there is no space between us, and our lips are damn near touching.
Her eyes widen, and I can feel her heart pounding against her chest. I smirk before kissing her against the forehead and letting her go.
She doesn’t move, and I chuckle under my breath.
I loved it when she was at a loss for words.
“I’m always listenin’ to you, Zee,” I tell her as I move around her to get a sleeping Sera from the car. “You always talkin’, so I have no choice.”
And just like that, she narrows her eyes at me, and I let out a laugh that feels so good.
She cracks not long after, and soon, we’re back to joking as we get our bags and head up the driveway to the door.
Before she can get her key out, the door swings open, and we’re greeted by her 9- and 6-year-old nephews, Andrew and Jeremy, and her dad, dressed as if they were about to head out.
As soon as her nephews saw us, they hugged us tightly.
“Hey, Tee Kayla! Hey, Auntie Zee!” they exclaimed, and she chuckled before hugging them back.
“Hey, Andy. Hey, Jer,” Zee greeted them. She then moved on to hug her father. She noticed their outfits and cocked her head to the side. “Y’all going somewhere?”
“Oh, yes, we’re about to head to the store to get a few things for dinner tonight,” Mr. Roscoe said before moving on to hug me.
Upon hearing this, Serenity’s eyes opened.
She reached her arms out to him, and he chuckled before taking her from me.
“Of course, you would wake up when I mention going to the store. Hey, Pop Pop’s Princess. ”
“Pop Pop going to the store? Me too!” she says, suddenly full of energy.
“Look at this faker,” I teased, pinching her cheek. She squeals before hiding her face in her grandfather’s chest. “You just wanted us to carry you. You not slick.”
“I guess I’m taking all of the kiddos with me then,” Mr. Roscoe stated, but he had a big smile on his face. “Good thing I installed those car seats in my truck. Come on, Bria, before I leave you here!”
Within seconds, Zee’s niece comes running outside. She quickly greets us before hopping down the stairs and racing her brothers to the truck. Mr. Roscoe and Sera follow them. We watch as they get buckled in and wave behind them as they pull out of the driveway and head down the street.
“Ree, where you at, sis?” Zee yells as soon as we cross the threshold. I close and lock the door as she takes off down the hall to find her sister.
“I’m in the kitchen!”
While they get situated, I head up the stairs to drop our bags off in the room we always stayed in together when we visited, her childhood bedroom.
It’s been remodeled since I first visited when we were in college.
Back then, she had walls covered in posters of her favorite musicals and singers; the walls were a bright shade of purple, and she had a full-sized bed.
Now, everything was more simplistic and earth-toned.
The posters were replaced with art and vinyls from her favorite artists and musicals.
The bed was replaced with a Queen-sized one, and everything was more organized and tidy overall.
Her dad surprised her with a room renovation a couple of years ago, and I remember her tearing up because of how much she loved it.
She kept saying that it was her aesthetic, but more mature.
“Kayla, I know you ain’t bring yo ass up in here and not speak to your favorite sister-in-law!
” Zaiyre yelled, and I chuckled to myself, shaking my head.
I headed back down to where they were, and the closer I got, the more I could hear Zee fussing at her for playing too much.
“What? You act like I’m not right! I’m just predicting the future.
You and Kay are gonna end up married one day, just watch! ”
“Ree, PLEASE,” she groaned, covering her sister’s mouth as I entered the kitchen. She cut her eyes at her, and I chuckled to myself. They were a trip.
“Whatever, Zee,” she waved her off.
“I’m sorry about her. You know how she is,” Zee chuckles nervously, and I shrug.
“It’s cool. I don’t mind,” I reply, taking a seat on the bench in the breakfast nook. I reached out to grab her by the waist and pulled her onto my lap like I always did when we were relaxing. I wrap my arms around my waist and look up at her, but she tries to avoid my eyes. “You avoiding me, Zee?”