“No, she comes over sometimes on her break. Just like you, she pops us. Must run in the family,” she jested, causing me to break out in a chuckle.
Sure enough, the knock came before the front door opened without waiting for permission.
“What the fuck is Zyro’s truck doing…” Mahlia hollered out, and her voice trailed when she saw us standing there. “What are you doing here?”
“Shit,” I answered. She had grocery bags in her hand.
Mahlia began to smile mischievously. “I like this.”
“There is nothing to like, Mahlia,” Eriss yapped. “He was just leaving.”
“Was I?” I challenged.
“And don’t you have something of mine you need to return?” She pushed off the couch and held a dainty hand out.
“I know you’re not talkin’ ‘bout that damn eye patch. I tossed that shit down the highway,” I told her. In reality, it was in my truck’s console.
Mahlia snickered. “What the hell y’all got going? Should I leave?”
“No,” Eriss said.
“Yeah,” I replied. “Leave.”
Mahlia giggled and shook a finger at me. “Let me put this ice cream for my nephew in this kitchen. I might need to sit here and eat because I am very entertained.”
She dipped into the kitchen while Eriss and I held a stare-down.
“You don’t need that patch, but I see you have extra.”
“Sometimes the sun hurts my eye, and I cover it too. It’s not always about me hiding it from the world,” she said in a soft tone.
I tucked my lips in and nodded. “I’ll give it back. Since I’m here, I can chill wit’ you for a moment. I did that long drive just to check on you and see my nigga, he ain’t even here.”
“Should do like normal people do and text first,” she mustered. “Why do you want to chill wit’ me? We both don’t want a relationship so…and Mahlia, it doesn’t take that long to put some damn ice cream up.”
Mahlia tiptoed back out of the kitchen with her shoulders up to her ears. “Y’all were having a moment. You know Leek tryin’ to figure out who Eriss is? He said your nose is so wide open…”
I waved that shit off. “He has his own problems to be worrying ‘bout my shit.” I looked back over to Eriss. “You gon let me chill?”
Mahlia’s brows rose, waiting for the Eriss’ response too.
“I…” Her eyes shot to my cousin, who bugged her eyes. “I…I guess.”
Mahlia squealed. “Well, I must go back to work. You two…have fun.” She wrapped her arms around me, and I kissed her forehead. Before leaving, she blew Eriss a kiss, who rolled her eyes.
Sighing, Eriss asked, “Can I get you anything to drink?”
7
ERISS JACKSON
CHILL? THIS NIGGA WANTS TO CHILL?
I’d just finished cleaning my kitchen and was about to curl up in bed with a book after taking the trash out. I have the day off tomorrow, and with Ermias gone with Delion, I was starting my relaxation early. The last thing I expected was Zyro standing in my living room, saying he wanted to chill…with me.
“Nah, I’m straight.” He sat down on the edge of the couch, feet apart and hands laced. “Come have a seat.”
I narrowed my eye at him. “Don’t you have work in the morning?”
