“Hey, handsome,” I sang when I connected the call.
“My favorite lady. Do you miss me?”
In my compact, I watched frown lines crease the corners of my mouth. “You know I do. Where are you? I’m sitting in my car with no panties on.”
Caleb released a strangled breath. “Please, don’t tell me that. It’ll just make me feel worse about having to ask for a raincheck.”
“Raincheck? Nigga, just say you’re flaking on me!”
“No, because that’s harsh,” he countered calmly. “I have to meet with a few professors before everyone leaves for break.”
“And that’s more important than being with me? My pussy is too good to be put on hold.”
“You’re right, but I promise it’ll be worth it. Don’t I always come bearing gifts?”
“I’m more interested in youcummingthan the gifts.” My head sank back, colliding with the leather headrest. “I’ll give you a pass this time.”
“That’s all I need. I promise, when we take our trip for Christmas, this day will be an afterthought. Call me later?”
“Nope. You put me on ice. Take me off when you’re positive you’re free.”
There was no time for Caleb to respond since I hung up in his face. Being aware of how much a feisty woman turned him on, I regretted my actions. We weren’t building a fairy tale, but even if we were just friends, I expected him to keep his word. If that was too much to ask, I knew I was too much for him.
For a second, I thought about leaving without going inside of Shiloh’s house, but considering he checked his cameras religiously, I knew the idea would lead to a long conversation about respect.
When I stepped out of my car, the city smelled like the holiday season—warm and sweet. Lights covered the outside of every house on the block, wraths christened the doors, and electric props settled on the lawns. Shiloh’s house was just as festive, resembling something out of a movie. So caught up in the sights, I didn’t have the chance to knock on the door since my niece’s voice interrupted my daydream.
“Auntie Essen! What are you doing here?” Mia, Stevie and Shiloh’s oldest daughter, looked me up and down.
“I was on my way to the library, but I decided to stop by first,” I answered, following her into the house.
“The library?” She giggled. “Yeah, okay. I’m thirteen not four.” She started up one side of the dual staircase. “Come see me before you leave. I want to show you a few of the pieces I have for our vacation. My Instagram is about to go up!”
I gave Mia a thumbs up then listened for my brothers’ wives. In the kitchen, Stevie focused on a sink of dishes. Church’s wife, Blaze, sat on a barstool with her phone in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
“Sistas!” I exclaimed as I journeyed further into the room.
Stevie’s slanted eyes spread wide. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going on a date.”
I stood still. “I never told you that.”
Blaze snickered. “Yeah, but at this point,going to the libraryis code forgoing to get dick.” She mouthed the last part.
“Whatever. I was running errands and decided to come see you guys. I have to spend as much time as I can over here since y’all are leaving me in a few weeks.”
“I know.” Stevie sulked. “Please, pray for me. I don’t know how I’m going to handle Shiloh and Durk for four days straight. They act like two bad ass kids when they’re together.”
Without warning, my lips crumbled into a ball. Though I was positive about my decision to skip the family trip, I was still annoyed at the thought of missing out.
“Girl, stop frowning.” Blaze reached out and pinched my cheeks. “You’rechoosingto stay in Silk Hills to . . . study. Nobody is making you do a damn thing.”
Despite the bond I built with Blaze and Stevie, I kept my relationship with Caleb to myself. Even though he hadn’t beenmyprofessor in years, I knew it wouldn’t change how they would react to me sleeping with an educator at my school. I had little doubt they would tell my brothers, but I was positive I would never hear the end of it. Stevie would preach about valuing myself, and Blaze would give a sermon about drainingCaleb’s pockets. Both conversations were ones I didn’t feel like entertaining.
“The study group is something I committed to two months ago,” I replied. “Flaking would be selfish.”
Stevie dressed me with a confused expression. “It was selfish for someone to schedule a study group during winter break.”
I swallowed down the second lie and combed my hair back as I thought of another. “The group is for students who don’t travel back during break. Not everyone has a meddling family in their corner like I do.”
