“I’d rather you call me a grinch,” I jest. I let out a low chuckle, tossing one last log onto the fire. The flames licked at the fresh wood, crackling and popping, casting shadows that danced across the living room. I stood up, brushed the dirt off my hands, and watched Daee’s hips sway as she headed toward the kitchen. I licked my lips at the dirty thoughts running through my head.
I followed Daee into the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe with my arms across my chest. I watched her pull open the refrigerator door, the light washing over her face, and making mt t-shirt she was wearing damn near see-through. My eyes dropped, and I could make out the dark shadow of her nipples. I had to glance away, focusing on a crack in the ceiling tile. Anything to keep my dick from stirring right here in my own kitchen.
“See anything you like?” I asked her, my voice a little rougher than intended.
Daee glanced over her shoulder at me. “Maybe…” she responded, pulling out a carton of eggs and a package of bacon. “Maybe breakfast food. You cook?”
I scratched the side of my face and said, “Course I can do a lil’ one-two. I pushed off the doorframe and ambled over to her. I took the bacon and eggs out of her hands, my fingers brushing against hers. A jolt went through me, straight to my dick. I had no choice but to ignore it. “My T-Lady used to say, “A man that can’t cook, is a man that can’t provide. That’s how I was raised.”
“Smart woman. Why she ain’t teach you to have manners and to not be so damn rude?”
I snickered, licking my lips. “My Ma actually hates that I’m like that. I just don’t give a fuck sometimes.” I put the bacon and eggs on the counter. I saw Daee cross her arms over her chest and the shirt rise.
“So apologize,” she said.
“Apologize?”
“Yes,” she smacked, snaking her neck wit’ her ghetto ass. “Apologize.”
“For?” I laughed, knowing damn well what she wanted me to apologize for.
“Nigga, the way you acted atmyjob!” Daee squeaked out.
“Maaan,” I stressed. “You popped off first.”
“Because you threw your shit on my belt instead of placing it on it like a normal person!”
I gave Daee a look when her voice began to go up a few octaves. She bucked her eyes at me instead, like she didn’t give a fuck aboutthat look. The corners of my lips twitched, fighting back a smile. Feisty ass.
I wasn’t apologizing for shit though.
“Account-a-fuckin-bility,” I heard Daee mumble.
I let out a short laugh and turned to face her, leaning my back against the counter. “Accountability? You want to talk aboutaccountability, nigga? How ‘bout you take into account the fact that you were having a bad day and took it out on me?”
“Nigga?”
“You heard me.”
There was a long pregnancy pause as we had a stare-down, neither one trying to back down from the other. I could hear Kasim now.“Be the bigger person, nigga.”
Breaking the stare, I ambled over to the sink to wash my hands. I still wasn’t apologizing. That’s the biggest I was gon’ get.
After I washed my hands, still with neither of us talking, Daee washed hers. We silently cooked eggs, bacon, and biscuits, moving around the kitchen, staying out of each other’s way. It was weird as hell. I’ll grab something, and Daee will move to the side. She’d reach for something, and I’d hand it to her without a word. The only sounds were the sizzle of the bacon, the clatter of utensils, and the damn wind outside.
We even plated our food quietly when everything was done. I stacked the fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon next to golden-brown biscuits. Daee sat down at my table, which sat four. With my plate, I trekked back to the living room to eat and hop on the game since I was up, and smoke.
The silence persisted. I placed my headset on and wasn’t surprised when I didn’t see Kasim on at this time of night. Sneaux probably had that nigga in the bed with her, cuddling ‘n shit. That grown-ass man had a bedtime, and it was whenever Sneaux said so. It was coo’, he was in love, but I don’t ever want that shit.
When I finished eating, I placed the paper plate beside me, drank my orange juice, and focused on the game. I was deep into a solo mission, the sounds of digital gunfire and explosions filling my ears, when I felt her presence. I didn’t have to look. I kept playing, trying to ignore her, but it was like a damn itch in the middle of my back that I couldn't reach. Finally, I turned myhead slightly to see Daee cuddled back underneath the blanket, and on her phone—ignoring me, too.
“Aye,” I called out to her.
“What?’ she asked flatly.
I sighed, running a hand over my durag. “Come over and play.”
A perfectly arched brow rose. “Do what?”
