I slowed down to see his big ass on the ground, holding his knee. He was lying in front of two cars.
Shit. I know I made the situation worse, but oh well, I had lived to see another day. I raced back to my car and hurriedly sped away once I made it inside. My heart raced out of my chest, and I was out of breath.
My palms were sweaty as hell, and I sat uncomfortably behind the wheel with my backpack still on. Regardless of all my discomfort, I flowed my car to Trek's house. I was scared as hell of Mook, but what frightened me even more was what Trek would do if he found out about tonight. I didn't want him to kill Mook, so I'd keep tonight to myself for now.
Chapter 4
Trek
It pained me to hear how hurt my bestie was. Travel just didn't know how rare and special she was. She shouldn't have had to deal with Mook's shiesty ass all that damn time, but I guess it was a lesson that she had to learn the hard way.
I had to learn shit the hard way with June as well. When I did, I got up outta there. Now that I have Travel in my home for a long period of time, Mook's ass would soon be a distant memory for her. Travel's situation was fresh, so I wouldn't rush anything. I knew once she saw how I showed up for her, wanting nothing in return, I hoped her image of me as her bestie would change naturally. Once I started to see the signs, I'd act. Until then, I'd continue to show up for her and Deshoni.
We cruised around the mall, stopping in store after store. Junior had no problem grabbing what he wanted, but I observed Travel pick up something, then put it back once she glanced at the tag. I'd grab it and hand it back to her.
This was the third store, and I was already exhausted from our dance. Travel went to put back some sneakers, and then she grabbed some thigh boots. There was no way I'd let her put them boots back. She looked good as hell in them when she tried them on.
"Aht!"
Travel turned and looked at me with her brows furrowed. "What's wrong?"
I exhaled. "Travel, stop playing with me. Get the boots and sneakers. You're a shoe head just like me. That will not change because you have to start over."
"Trek, they're too much."
I nodded. "Oh, I see. You tryna call me a broke nigga. It's cool, I got something for you." I signaled for a salesperson to come over.
Junior's chuckle filled my ears. He understood his pops. I always told him to stand on business when it comes to the ones you love. I looked at him, and he tossed me a smirk before he went back to entertaining Deshoni.
The brown skinned, short, and happy-looking middle-aged woman walked over to us. "How can I help you, sir?"
"Yes, ma'am. Can I get this row, the lower row, and the top row, all in a size seven, please? Oh, the shoes in her hand as well."
Travel's eyes widened in shock as she quickly stood next to the woman. "Ma'am, that won't be necessary. These are just fine." She raised the boots she'd tried on.
The saleslady looked at me for confirmation.
"We'll take all the rows I asked for, please and thank you."
"Very well," the saleslady replied.
My brow rose as Travel rushed over to me. "I don't wanna hear it, Travel. Do I tell you how to show up for me?"
She looked down at her shoes. "No," she softly answered.
I placed my finger under her chin, so she knew I was serious and intentional. Our eyes peered into each other's eyes. "Exactly. Let me show up for you the ways I want to and need to. Are we on the same page?"
Travel nodded. "Yeah, you got it." She walked away and took a seat on the bench.
I knew she felt like she was forever inconveniencing me, but that's because that punk ass Mook made her feel that way. She'd eventually see that with me, shit was different.
Travel watched as the saleslady and her associate brought out stacks of shoeboxes. Without looking, she tapped Junior's thigh because he laughed at her facial expressions. There were times she leaned forward to stop them, but she caught herself and looked up at me. I mouthed, "Good girl," to her. She'd get the memo soon.
Once I'd paid for everybody's shoes and clothes, Junior and I loaded up my XL truck while Travel and Deshoni grabbed us a table for lunch.
"Dad?"
"What's up, son?"
