"You're in love with my god mom, aren't you?"
I stopped loading in Travel's shoes and faced him. "Yeah, I am. It's been that way since I was a boy," I responded honestly.
Junior nodded his understanding. "You found your first love at a very young age. I know you got love for my mama, but I see the difference when it comes to Travel. Mama can see it too. The only person who can't see it is Travel. I think it's time you showed her."
"That's the part I don't get. How can everybody see it but her?"
"Maybe it's because you keep showing up like a friend does. I'm no love expert. I'm only sixteen, but maybe it's time you start showing up like her man instead. What do you think?" he probed, adding the last bag in the trunk.
"It honestly scares me. What if she only wants to be friends?" I quizzed. "I'd hate to ruin our friendship because she's never looked at me as a love interest."
"I get it, but the only way to find out is to show her how you feel about her. Travel has already witnessed what a toxic relationship is. I think it's time you showed her what a healthy and happy relationship looks like."
My brows furrowed together with a smirk. "When did you get to be so wise, kid?" I rubbed his head, making sure not to mess up his waves.
"I learned from the best. My pops is the best in the world," Junior answered with a grin.
"Thanks, kid. I appreciate it. Come on. Let's go to lunch. All this shopping done made me hungry."
"I'm with you."
I slammed the trunk closed and locked my truck. My kid gave me relationship advice. I still couldn't believe it. Junior made a lot of sense, though. I needed to show up as Travel's man if I wanted her to see me as anything other than a friend.
<<<
We'd made it home a few hours ago, and everybody went their separate ways for a nap. Now that it was later in the evening, we had dinner, and Junior suggested we watch a movie in the theater room. When he winked at me, I knew that was his way of setting up some alone time with Travel and me.
I laughed as I set up the room, then popped the popcorn while they all showered. My kid was something else. It appeared as if he had some intentions. I wondered what they were?
My mind filled with thoughts of what ifs as I strolled to the theater room. I plopped down in my seat. It was too soon to pursue a full relationship, but I had to figure out a way to woo Travel without adding too much pressure on her. It would help if she felt something for me. That would probably speed up theprocess. For now, I needed to take her out on dates and go from there. Once the boys decided to fall asleep, I'd ask her out.
Light shuffles filled my ears and pulled me from my thoughts. Travel was dressed in her two-piece character pajama top and pants with her long hair wrapped under her scarf. She took a seat in the chair next to me and pulled the throw blanket next to her over both of us.
The smell of her fruity and floral body moisturizer tickled my nose, and I inhaled her fragrance. She always smelled so damn good, and her skin was always soft. Travel's lips stayed moisturized and looked soft like a cloud. I'd gone many years imagining how her lips would feel against mine. Her face was all I could see anytime I messed around with other women. Travel was the only woman that I wanted, and I prayed God was on my side.
"Where's Deshoni?" I queried.
"He fell asleep during his bath, so I put him in bed right after," she revealed, grabbing a handful of popcorn and shoving it into her mouth.
Junior stepped into the room with his gamer headset on. "Uh, where's lil' bro?" he probed.
"Sleep," Travel responded, with a mouthful of popcorn.
"Is that right?" Junior quizzed with a wide grin on his face. He looked from Travel to me. Junior wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I shook my head and lowered it briefly.Why was he that way?
"Yup. Are you joining us, boo?" Travel asked him.
"Nah, god mama, I'ma let you and Pops have some time to y'all selves. Today was a busy day after all."
"Alright. Make sure you brush them teeth before you go to bed," Travel directed before eating more popcorn. She was a big stickler when it came to oral and body hygiene. I was right behind her.
"Yes, ma'am. Y'all have a good night. Pops, handle your business."
I threw a handful of popcorn at him, and he dodged it, chuckling as he darted out of the theater room.
Travel laughed at us. "My god baby so crazy. Why is he tellin' you to handle your business?"
