She pats her chest proudly before leaning in to peck my lips. “A me do that!”
“Arite, Zara. Sit down,” I say, and she laughs, then flops onto the couch.
“That’s so rude,” she says, still giggling.
I chuckle and reset the game. “Ready fi di next round?”
She sits up straight like she really think mi a go let her win again. A wicked laugh slips from my lips as I start the game. No mercy.
The moment the race begins, I take the lead, cutting every corner smooth, handling the car like a pro. The gap between us widen quick; mi not even a see her car on the screen anymore. I laugh low to myself while she complains beside me.
“You unfair enuh, babe. Mi nuh think mi get a good start,” she says, tone sharp with frustration.
I glance over, grinning. “Lies.”
She huffs. “Start over nuh!”
I restart the game with a sigh. Always trying to please her. Nothin’ wrong with that still, she’s mine. We start over and this time, she shifts closer, brushing up against me. I’m still leading of course but when I glance at her, I catch her pouting while locked in on the screen.
I laugh under my breath. Zara looks over at me and smiles. “Babe, slow down nuh.”
I ignore her, eyes locked on the screen, fingers moving fast over the controls.
When she realizes she’s not catching up, she slips her arms around me, holding on tight like she can throw me off. She squeezes gently, then turns back to her controller, still holding me as she plays. Anuh like she can pass mi still.
That mi a say, too.
She looks at me again, brows tight with attitude. “Nickoi, mi seh slow down. A so yuh treat a lady?”
Bullshit.
“And yuh still playing? Mussi sick,” I laugh, barely looking her way.
She leans in again, arms curling around me before she sinks her teeth into my cheek, trying fi throw mi off then presses hard on the controller.
Her car fly past mine on the screen. She starts screaming like she win some championship. I hiss.
“Yuh nuh win nutt’n,” I tell her.
She throws up her hand, smug. “Blah blah blah… mi win and yuh lose. Gweh,” she laughs, loud and proud.
That’s when I spot my phone vibrating on the kitchen island. I start a new game while walking over to answer it. Still got aclear view of the screen from here. Zara stays put, controller in her hand, goofy smile stuck on her face like she certain mi a go lose now that mi nuh close. She don’t know mi know every shortcut in the game.
It nuh look so.
“Mamz, wah gwan?” I answer.
The fact she’s already chatting with someone in the background. Typical. Why would she call when she’s already talking with someone? Why are mothers so annoying sometimes? It’s like their specialty.
“Mommy?” I say again, this time a little sharper. She finally tune in.
“Nick… dem find Adonis dead, enuh.” Her voice measured. Like she already know I did it but want mi to admit it. I stare at the screen.
“Yeah… Mommy, wah yuh really a try seh?” Cause mi know she not calling just fi confirm what mi already know.
She goes quiet. The background noise cuts instantly. The game starts again. Zara doesn’t say a word, but mi know she watching. She think mi nuh notice the match start?Think yuh slick?I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s lit up, smiling wide, energy crackling like she just won the whole world. Her hands tighten on the controller, fingers quick and sure. She’s in the lead, talking trash, hyping herself loud enough to fill the room.
“Mi did just affi a’ act like mi miss the idiot cause everybody inside,” she whispers.
