Chapter 16
Ahmad
“It’s so nice to see both my kids looking happy,” my mom said as we all sat around the table.
“Do we ever look upset?” I asked, bringing my fork to my mouth.
“No, but you both look so happy. Well, Autumn, you’re always in a good mood, but Ahmad, something seems up with you.” My mom narrowed her eyes at me, causing me to smirk.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, woman,” I chuckled.
“Your mom’s right, son. Something does seem different with you,” my dad commented.
“Ahmad’s seeing someone, that’s what it is,” Autumn interjected.
“You are!” My mom’s face lit up.
My eyes cut to my sister. “I don’t need you to speak for me.”
“I mean, you were beating around the bush, so I thought I’d put it out there,” she shrugged.
“Well tell me, who is she?”
I looked at my mom, debating how much I wanted to reveal when it came to Fatima and me. I wasn’t trying to even bring it up, but of course, my sister couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Not that I was trying to hide Fatima, but we were still trying to figure things out.
“My neighbor!”
“The girl you mentioned a couple of months ago?”
I shook my head and took a drink from my cup. Now I knew my mom wasn’t going to let shit go.
“It’s not that deep. We’ve just been kicking it.”
“Kicking it, huh? That’s what you young folks say when you’re just having sex, huh?” I choked on the water I had just drunk and started laughing.
“Nah, mom. Dang, what kind of man do you think I am?” I hit my chest a few times.
“Loraine, what I tell you about being in that man’s business?”
“He’s about to be twenty-nine. I don’t want my son to be lonely for the rest of his life. I’m not getting any younger and neither is he. I want grandkids from him sometime soon.”
“Grandkids? You getting beside yourself, ma,” I chuckled.
“No, I’m being real. You’ll be thirty next year. It’s time for you to settle down and start a family. Your career is doing good now and you need to get your love life together too.”
I groaned. “I promise my love life is fine.”
“It sounds like it since you’re seeing someone. What’s her name?”
“Fatima,” Autumn jumped in. Once again, I cut my eyes at her. She was doing too damn much.
“Fatima, huh? When will we get to meet her?”
“We aren’t serious. We’re talking, getting to know each other. If things get more serious, then you’ll meet her.”
That wasn’t the full truth, but it was close. If my mom met Fatima now, I would never hear the end of it. She would try to pick wedding dates and colors before Fatima could sit down. I’m sure she was probably doing it right now, if we’re being honest.
“Loraine, you heard the boy; now leave him alone, and Autumn, get out your brother’s business.”
“What? I’m just trying to help him. Fatima did the photoshoot for my boutique. She’s really talented and I think she’s good for Ahmad. She’s nothing like Kylie either, which is a plus.” Autumn rolled her eyes.
“Well, that’s a plus. If she’s that great, then I really want to meet her son.” My mom was cheesing hard. Excitement dripped from her voice.
I sighed and dropped my head. “I’ll talk to her and see if she’s up for it. She’s got some issues regarding relationships too that we’re working on, so I don’t want to rush anything.”
“Just bring her by and let me judge if she’s the one.” There was no changing my mom’s mind, so I just nodded and got quiet.
If I let Fatima meet my parents, then that meant things were getting real with Fatima.
Just hanging out and talking was cool for me, but I couldn’t lie and say I couldn’t see her being around long-term.
When ole’ boy showed up at her house the other day, I knew shit was getting deeper with us.
I was ready to take his head off. Just knowing he was someone she once had a relationship with had my blood boiling, too.
A nigga like him didn’t even deserve her.
Fatima was special and she needed to be taught how to love. Her playing second to someone wasn’t showing her that. I didn’t agree with her sleeping with someone else’s husband, but I wasn’t going to hold it against her. She ain’t want that nigga and that’s all I cared about.
Yeah, I was getting in deep. I didn’t want anyone else to have her after me. To be honest, I didn’t even want there to be someone after me. Fatima may be the one, but I guess only time will tell.
____
“Hey Ahmad, there’s some girl out here asking for you,” Laci walked into my area and said.
I looked up from my sketchbook and pulled my headphones out. “Who is it?”
“Someone named Fatima.” I smiled.
“Tell her here I come.”
I set my sketch pad and the pencil in my hand down then stood up to stretch. I was done with my appointments for the day, so I was up drawing premade tattoos for customers. I had been running around all morning at the second location and was running on E for real.
Walking out to the lobby, my smile grew as I stared at Fatima from behind. She had her friend Isabella with her, and they were in a conversation.
“What you doing here?” I wrapped my arms around Fatima’s waist from behind and kissed the side of her face.
“I wanted to come see you. I hope I’m not interrupting. I know you said you been busy, so I brought you something to eat.” The smile in her voice was present.
I let her go and she turned around and handed me a bowl. “I made some spaghetti and garlic bread.” I grabbed the bowl from her, pulled her into me, and kissed her forehead.
“Thanks, pretty girl. Laci, you can head out too,” I let her know.
She nodded at me and got her stuff together.
Isabella cleared her throat. Fatima giggled and pulled away from me. “Isabella, this is Ahmad. Ahmad, this is my best friend, Isabella.” I nodded at her.
“Nice to meet you.” Even though Fatima had told me a little about her and I’d seen her before, this was the first time we formally met.
Isabella grinned. “Likewise. It’s nice to meet the man that finally broke down the walls around this one!”
“Bella,” Fatima whined.
I chuckled and pulled her into me. She rested her head against my chest. “I’m glad I was able to. Fatima’s too good not to let a nigga love her properly.” Fatima looked up at me with her mouth ajar. I looked down and kissed her lips.
“Aye, Ahmad, I’m about to head out.” Neal walked up to us and said but paused when he saw Isabella. “Damn, what’s yo name, beautiful?”
Isabella giggled while blushing. “Isabella.”
Neal bit down on his bottom lip. “How you doing, Isabella? I’m Neal.” He grabbed her hand and kissed it, causing me to shake my head.
“Your friend is funny,” Fatima whispered, giggling softly.
“Man, don’t pay him any attention.”
Neal looked at me. “I remember you. You’re the girl that was in here with Autumn that one day.”
“Yeah, I’m Fatima. Nice to meet you.”
“This is my brother, Neal. This my girl, Fatima.”
“Your girl?” both Neal and Fatima said. She turned and looked at me, cheesing.
I gave her a lopsided grin. “Am I wrong?”
She gave me a bashful look. “I guess not.” That shyness was coming out and that was sexy as hell to me. I loved when I got her all nervous and bothered.
Neal gave me a surprised look too. “Well, I didn’t think I would hear that come out of your mouth.”
I shrugged. “Shit happens.”
He smirked and then turned to Isabella. “So, beautiful, you got a man?”
“No, she doesn’t,” Fatima spoke up. Isabella gave Fatima a look.
“Let me take you out.”
He grabbed her hand again and held it. “I don’t know,” she said quietly.
“You should go,” Fatima encouraged.
“Yeah, listen to yo girl.” She smiled at Neal.
I can’t blame Neal for trying to holler at Fatima’s girl. She was bad and thick as fuck. Right now, she was dressed in a dress that clung to her body and showed her shape off nicely.
“I guess it can’t hurt,” Isabella giggled.
I bent down and kissed on Fatima’s neck. “Aye, y’all good while I steal her away?”
“Yeah, go ahead, bro,” Neal said, looking at Isabella.
I pulled on Fatima’s hand. She looked at Isabella, and Isabella nodded to her to give her the okay to leave.
When we got into my room, I shut the door and pushed Fatima against the door, after setting the food she brought me down.
“Thanks for bringing me food.”
“I know you always forget to eat when you guys are busy.” I started kissing her neck and gripped her hip securely.
She moaned softly in my hair. “I didn’t come here for this,” she giggled.
“It’s been a while though.” I bit down on her neck.
There was a knock on the door that caused Fatima to jump. “Tima, I’m going to get something to eat with Neal.”
“Okay, I’ll just catch a ride with Ahmad,” she called back out as I continued to kiss her neck.
I gripped the bottom of her shirt and lifted it over her head and tossed it to the side.
“Let me properly thank you,” I said, stepping back and undoing my jeans.