“You protected her like any mother would so I can’t knock you for that. You won’t ever hear me giving you shit for doing that. I hate that you were put in that situation at all. Either of you. I should’ve been there to protect you from it.”
I swallowed heavily and watched his face relax when he said what he did. My heart raced and it took a second for me to gather the nerve to point out what he said because I was worried about how he would respond. “Aldrich, you just—”
He frowned before his features relaxed into his dimpled smile. “I know what I just said and I didn’t stutter, Sterling. You are the only mother she knows and I pray the only one she ever knows. You love her like you birthed her and I don’t take that lightly. We’ve long since moved past your being her nanny and I know you’re too smart to ignore that. We both have…stuff with us but this right here feels good and I’m not about to let my stuff mess up the possibility of this. Are you?”
“No. But I want that shit in writing because if you fuck up I’m still getting visitation.” I laughed but even as I did I wiped a tear that had fallen from my eye.
His face was still soft but I could see he was being serious. “And I’d give it to you too. That and anything else you asked for, Ling.”
“Thank you. I don’t need security though.” No matter how sweet he was being to me or how open, I wasn’t going to be followed around like a criminal.
When he smirked and leaned back in the deckchair I knew he wasn’t joking around. The fact that I could hear Anthony snickering in the background meant they’d probably conspired with this idea together. “Doesn’t mean you’re not going to have it.”
“Aldrich!”
“Nah. You said that lady didn’t even care about Ami’s safety. She was just worried about winning. That type of mindset isdangerous. And I should’ve been more proactive with protecting y’all from the beginning. That’s not a mistake I’m willing to repeat.”
I bit my lip, wondering if I should suggest what I’d thought about earlier. “Well, I know a guy who might help.”
He sat up quickly as hell and he looked even angrier than he did before. “What nigga you know in Texas, Ling?”
I had to blink because the anger in his voice had me speechless. “Are you…are you being possessive?”
When he blinked, like he was examining his actions I wanted to laugh at him. Aldrich had clearly acted off instinct, which made me feel some kinda way. The word you’re looking for is special. Treasured. Cared for.
“I’m being territorial. Slight difference.”
I tried to fight my smile but I couldn’t and when he shot me a wink it broke through completely. “Not much but okay.”
“You gone tell me who this guy is you know?” Anthony said something in the background and Aldrich nodded his head to whatever it was. I was gone have to talk to Aphrodite about her man putting a battery in Aldrich’s back like this.
“He’s the security guard at the baby store. I was just going to say he gave me his information because he was very helpful today. I was just going to see about getting him tickets to a game or something but maybe he wants to do security for you when he has time.”
“Coby gave me the name and number to his brother’s security agency. They have people stationed all over but if you think dude is okay I’ll have him see if he can get on with the agency.”
“For real?” I hadn’t planned on Louis’ whole job change but if it was a better move for him I’d be happy to give Aldrich his information.
“Yeah, he can’t be making that much money at a baby store in the mall. I know they pay well because of their clientele but this type of security is a bigger deal.”
“But I wouldn’t need him all the time.”
“That’s the beauty of it. He would be in rotation with other people for other jobs. The agency finds clients locally and keeps them booked. You would have to plan out certain things better but I can’t lie; I would feel more comfortable during the season when I’m away knowing you’ve got somebody that you can get to if there’s something going on.” He didn’t bother being forceful to get his way. Instead, he showed me his heart, his concern and his fears. And for a man who’d been so closed off it was the best thing he could’ve done to get his way.
“You’re not wavering on this.” I didn’t even bother to make it a question because the look on his face showed me that he was serious.
“Nah, I’m not.”
“If you can get a restraining order—”
When Aldrich started to shake his head I didn’t bother to finish speaking. I could tell he thought it was a terrible idea.
“It’s just a piece of paper that most people will ignore. You know how many women are lying in the dirt right now that had orders of protection against their murderers? Too fucking many. Because as fucked as this place is, it’s even more fucked up against women. And I understand that you haven’t seen the depths of bullshit that have normally happened against Black women because of how and where you grew up, Ling, but I have. And I’m not letting you or Ami fall victim to some bullshit. Their daughter is crazy and it’s clear that the coconut didn’t fall far from the tree. Give me this peace of mind at least until we can get something more concrete sorted out. That’s all I’m asking.” Another plea, even more potent than the others because it wove his fears and mine together with the reality that I didn’t wantto face. But I knew I had to yield because Ami being injured because I was prideful would destroy me. I couldn’t let my ego endanger the little one I loved more than myself.
“Okay.”
Aldrich looked as though a mountain of weight was lifted off his shoulders when I agreed and I hated that this was becoming a distraction for him. “Thank you. I know this is a lot but don’t leave my ass because of it.”
I was going to talk shit but I was sure he knew I didn’t mean a word of what I was about to say. He was technically my boss but he still wasn’t the boss of me.
