“I know,” I said steadily. “But I am.”
“Quade…”
“I’m almost done here,” I told her. “I can shoot home, throw on some clean clothes, and be back in time to get you there before the show starts.”
She didn’t answer. She just stared at me like she was trying to figure out what she should do. It didn’t matter how long she’d thought about it, because I had already decided she wasn’t missing this moment.
“You sure?” she asked, voice low.
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”
“Take the damn ride, Sis!” Teagan shouted through the phone, and Noa gave a slow nod before finally agreeing.
“Okay.”
“Alright then. What time do they need you there?”
She hesitated before answering.
“Doors open at six, but artists gotta be there by five to help set up.”
“Bet.” I pulled my keys from my pocket, backing toward the door. I could finish the shit I was working on tomorrow. This was more important.
“I’ma slide out, go put on real clothes, and be back by four-thirty to pick you up.” I offered her a smile. “You just be ready, alright?”
“Okay.” She nodded again, worry written all over her face.
“Don’t stress, mama. I got you. You just worry about looking pretty and killing this shit,” I told her, being sure to stare intoher eyes. She didn’t say anything else, just sat there looking at me as I exited the front door.
I didn’t get dressed up much. Hell, I could count on one hand how many times I’d worn a button-up shirt, not because I didn’t have the money to look decent or because I didn’t know how to clean up when it counted. I just had nowhere to be that made it worth the effort. But this? Escorting Noa to her big day required effort. I threw on my cleanest pair of jeans, a button-down that still had creases from the bag, and a blazer that smelled like the price tag was still hanging off it. Shit, I had washed my face and brushed my teeth twice. I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I was nervous.
“Unc, you going on a date or somethin’?”
I glanced up from the bathroom mirror to see Zy standing in the doorway, the PS5 controller still in his hand.
“Nah,” I said, adjusting my collar. “Just… got somewhere to be.”
“You never wear blazers, Uncle Q. Where you going?” Zy stepped further in, his eyes narrowed like he didn’t believe me.
I chuckled as I pushed past him into the hallway.
“If you must know, lil’ nigga, I’m escorting a friend to an important event.”
“This friend Noa Green?” Ron joined us in the hallway holding Nyla on his hip, like he was just strolling by. I knew his ass was being nosy. I didn’t look at him. Just kept walking.
“Might be.” I shrugged.
“Who’s Noa Green?” Zy questioned, following behind me.
“The reason your uncle be going to work at six in the morning,” Ron replied with a stupid smirk on his face. This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned Noa. All the guys at Northside had a running joke. I didn’t care. I wasn’t really trying to hide my interest in her.
“Since when is takin’ pride in my work a problem?” I asked.
“Ain’t say it was.” Ron held up his hands.
“So where y’all goin’ on your date?” Zy smirked.
“It’s not a date,” I reminded him.
