The morning light peering through her curtains hit her brown skin just right. Even her scars looked beautiful. I reached over, rubbing my finger across one gently. I wasn’t expecting to see her body littered with dark-brown patches last night when I undressed her. I didn’t even have to ask. I knew it was her lupus. I’d done some research on the disease the moment I found out it was her diagnosis. I knew that lupus could leave scars all over the body, but seeing the marks on her, seeing her battle with the illness in real time, that hit different.
The sound of my phone vibrating in the front room shook me from my thoughts and had my eyes flicking toward the door. I was sure it was Jess. I hadn’t spent the night outside the house since I’d been home. I sighed as my eyes darted between Noa and the door. As much as I wanted to stay wrapped up in her forever, I knew I couldn’t. Sliding to the edge of the bed, I grabbed my boxers off the floor and put them on one leg at a time before heading out of the room quietly to grab my phone off the couch. The moment I tapped the screen, it lit up with notifications. I had multiple missed calls—four from Jess, one from Zy, and two from Ron. My eyes darted to the time plastered across the screen. It was 10:17 a.m.
“Shit,” I blurted, swiping a hand down my face. I was due to be at work two whole hours ago. I never slept this late. Noa must’ve sprinkled some damn sand in that good shit she’d put on me last night. I shook my head and shot Jess a text. I didn’t want her worrying about me. Her extra ass was probably contemplating calling the police.
Me:
I’m good. Be home in a bit.
Jess replied damn near instantly.
Jess:
Boy! You had me worried sick.
I sighed and tapped over to Ron’s thread. The last message sitting there made me smile.
Ron:
Guess your date was good. Don’t worry about coming to the office. I sent the crew out already. You can meet ’em there.
Oh, wait, you’re probably already there. Just so we’re clear, I ain’t paying you for them overnight. hours
I smirked and shook my head as I texted him back.
Me:
Overslept heading out now.
Ron:
Damn! That good, huh? Call your sister, she thinks you’re in a ditch.
Me:
Already on it.
I dropped the phone face down on the couch, ignoring Jess’s next message lighting up the screen. She’d be fine. Right now, I needed to move before work piled up on me. Almost as if right on time, the rumble of a truck pulling up out front caught my ear. I peeled back the blinds to peek outside.
“Of course, y’all niggas had to pull up before I left,” I whispered under my breath. Shaking my head, I put on my pantsand shirt and walked back into Noa’s bedroom. There was no way I was about to dip on her before saying goodbye.
I made my way back down the hallway and into her bedroom. She was still curled up in the covers, sleeping peacefully. Walking over to her bed, I leaned down and brushed a kiss across her cheek, then her collarbone.
“Noa,” I whispered with a soft nudge and then waited for her to stir. I ain’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if she was going to wake up with a ton of regret. I wouldn’t blame her if she did, but I was hoping she was just as content about what had happened as I was.
“Mmm.” Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at me. “Good morning!”
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” I searched her eyes as I placed one more kiss on her cheek. “Just wanted to let you know I was about to head out.”
“You leavin’ already?”
“Yeah,” I said lowly. “I’m two hours late for work.”
“Aren’t you already at work?”
I chuckled, my fingers grazing the curve of her hip. It was taking everything in me not to climb back into bed with her and stay there forever.
“I am, but my Foams ain’t gon’ quit, do it?”
