“Aight. You can have my bed if yo ass is ready to lie down.”
“You’re mean as fuck just from how you talk to me, and…” I looked around his place. “…there is no sign of Christmas here.”
His neck jerked back. “I’m a nigga. I don’t decorate. My mama did this shit. I don’t care ‘bout no damn Christmas to be honest. I go to my parents’ crib, eat, and come back home to sleep the shit off. The gifts I do buy, I put them undertheirtree. You want to hear jingle bells or some shit? Rudolph’s bitch ass? Mariah Carey screaming?”
My eyes stretched because this fool couldn’t be serious. When I saw that he really was, I laughed a laugh that came from the bottom of my belly.
“What the fuck is funny?” he asked, sitting down on his bean bag, placing the headset back on his head.
“You, and I’m not sleeping in that damn bed. I might need to sleep standing because I don’t even think the sofa is safe. Niggas fuck anywhere,” I mumbled, the last sentence a little lower.
“Shit, suit yo’self. I ain’t fucked in that bed in months, baby. I go to them hoes house, and you don’t see no damn cum stains on my gah damn couch.”
My face scrunched up instantly. I turned to the side and got comfortable on his sofa, pulling y knees close to me. I sighed loudly, and Shad turned his head to the side.
“What now?” he exhaled. He’d started rolling up a blunt.
“Can I have my phone…please? My mom has my lo. If she checks it and sees that I’m not at home during this storm, she’ll panic. She’ll call and call, and then she’ll call the police.”
“What can they do during this storm? I bet their scary asses are taking cover as we speak. Them muhfuckas probably happy they ain’t gotta be out there paroling ‘n shit. Muhfuckas eating donuts and drinking coffee.” Shad dug in his pocket, pulling out my phone, and tossed it on the couch near my foot. “Here.”
“Thanks,” I muttered. “Can I um…get a blanket?”
“Go get in my bed.”
“No.”
Shad shook his head with a chuckle. It was warm enough, but I wanted a blanket just in case I fell asleep. The lights flickered.
“Ahhh, fuck,” Shad grumbled. He removed his headset again, stood, and pulled his pants up. My eyes followed him to the fireplace.
“What’s going on?” I quizzed.
“Electricity might go out. We need to be prepared.”
I sat up. “How long do you think this storm will last?”
Shad’s brows were pinched. “Worse than last year.”
“You’re serious?” I asked in a high-pitched voice. My phone chimed, and when I looked down, it was a text from my mom.
Madre: Where are you and why aren’t you home! It’s storming Holidaee! Not a damn thunderstorm! SNOW!
I was twenty-six years old, and Mama forgets sometimes. I knew she was just worried about me, but as far as I felt, I was safe…and I thiiiink I was in good hands. Shad was mean as hell, but he didn’t give me Michael Myers vibes.
Me: I’m okay, Ma. I’m at a friend’s house cuz I didn’t want 2 b alone.
My lying ass. Shad was not a friend of mine.
The fire crackled, and I looked up from my phone. Shad was very good-looking. His low red eyes glided to me, and I looked back down at my phone. My face burned from being caught gawking at him. He was fine, but that’s how far it went. I wasn’t interested in anything else.
My last relationship was two months ago with a guy named Myron. It went on for half a year until we just went our separate ways. Half a year, and we were very incompatible, and the sexwas basic. From his social media page, I saw that he was in a new relationship. I was happy for him.
Madre: Just keep your phone charged, Holidaee. I love you.
A smile tugged at my lips. She was the only one who called me by my whole first name. I preferred just Daee.
Me: I will, Ma. I love you, Dad, and Denver.
