Ria was silent for what felt like forever before she finally spoke. “You’re right. That’s why I called you. I knew you would be straight with me.”
Joi rolled her eyes. “You called me because you don’t have anyone else to call and you knew I would give you the real.”
Ria smiled and rolled her eyes. “You’re right. I appreciate you and I might need your help soon. Looks like I might be moving.”
“Oh hell no.”
“Why not? You just said you’re all I have. Who else is supposed to help me move?”
“Check Google, boo. I’m sure you’ll find a list of certified people who do that for a living. I do brows and lashes. If you need me to hook you up, fall through.”
Ria burst out laughing, rolling her eyes again. “I hate you.”
“Love you too. Now go figure out your life and get off my line.”
“Whatever, hoe, and thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Joi shook off the thought of her insane friend before heading back inside where she found East sitting on the side of her bed, looking uncomfortable because it sat so low. His face was hard while he had his phone to his ear. Even as bothered as he appeared, East was still ridiculously handsome. His rugged features mixed with his handsome face were a huge turn on to any woman blessed enough to experience them. Joi’s eyes traveled from his profile, noticing his beard had grown out alittle more, down to his bare chest, arms, and shoulders down to his waist. Unable to help herself, Joi’s eyes dipped lower to the area covered in a pair of briefs exposing his long muscular legs which were damn near at his chest because her platform bed was only about two feet off the ground. Following their angle caused her eyes to pause momentarily where his briefs hugged his thighs. Even a quick glance blessed her with a peek of the heaviness between them and Joi’s body reacted. Feeling guilty about her lustful thoughts because she was well aware East was in a bad headspace, she elected to give him privacy. Fighting the urge to be near him, Joi moved to her kitchen instead. That didn’t, however, stop her from listening while he spoke.
“Not today, can you give me a couple days? I will, I promise. Are you good though? Word, that’s good. I’ll tell her. How’s Kelsey? Good. He been back? Aight, good. I have to go but give me a few days and I’ll be by there so we can talk. I know, I love you too. Ma, I know. I’ma see you in a few days.”
East raked his hand over his hair then down his handsome face, attempting to level the stress before he tossed his phone on the bed and stood, stretching as soon as he was upright. The hours he spent sleeping were much needed since he had literally been up for the past forty-eight hours trying to process everything. By the time he reached Joi’s place he was exhausted and his body was shutting down. All he wanted or could do was sleep and East appreciated Joi for allowing him to do so.
His first stop was the bathroom where he took a leak then cleaned up. His face still showed the effects from the lack of sleep but there wasn’t anything he could do right now. It would take days to recoup what he missed.
“Was that your mom?” Joi asked when East walked up behind her while she finished the sandwich she was making for him. He kissed the back of her neck before leaning over her shoulder to watch what she was doing. East’s need to beconnected to Joi was just as much of an annoyance as it was a pleasure. Feelings he was still attempting to balance.
“Yeah, she said to tell you thank you for coming around while I was gone.”
“She doesn’t have to thank me. It was cool getting to know her and I love your sister. Maybe even more than you.”
East planted his palms on the counter while resting his chin on Joi’s shoulder, wanting to be closer. “So you love my sister more than youloveme?”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
East smirked and brushed his lips across her neck, inhaling the fruity scent that was faint but still present. “Then how did you mean it because it sounds like I missed a whole lot in just a few days.” His statement was simple on the surface, but underneath were the feelings East had been struggling with. While he spent the past two days parked outside the apartment he shared with his parents as a young boy, most of his thoughts circled back to Joi. He felt a need to see her and be around her, but his mind was heavy, so he stayed away.
“I mean, I really like your family and I missed you. Now move so you can eat. I hear your stomach growling.” Joi lifted the plate and shrugged him away from her body so there was enough space to turn and hand him the food. East smirked before hopping onto the counter and accepting the plate but he placed it next to him and reached for Joi instead, pulling her between his legs. The anxiousness that battled a feeling of comfort from being close to East kicked in. Joi felt at home with him but there was no denying he also had her pulse racing with every touch, look, or sound he blessed her with.
“I appreciate you checking on them. You didn’t have to, and considering the situation, you should be running from me and them.”
“I wouldn’t do that. I hope you don’t think I would.” East’s eyes swept over her face. He was always surprised by her beauty. None of her features stood out in a profound way, but they all blended together to create a face he never tired of experiencing.
“You challenge my logic.”
Not sure of what he meant, Joi’s face balled up slightly, causing East to smile before he moved her closer and leaned in for a kiss. “You could tell me the sky was purple and I would consider it the truth. You’re about the only person I put that much faith in and that shit still fucks with my head because it makes no sense.” He laughed under his breath before continuing. “I trust you, with everything about me. Even the parts of me that I don’t really trust myself. Don’t make me regret it.”
Joi’s smile popped up faster than she could control so her teeth sank into her lip right after in an attempt to gain some type of control. She was helplessly drawn to East in ways she was sure she would never escape. Even if for some reason, she no longer had him at her leisure. The good thing was she wasn’t alone. East couldn’t explain the energy that drew him to Joi, but he couldn’t deny it either. She made him feel vulnerable and that was something he battled with. In the same right, she provided him with a newfound confidence that came from knowing her presence in his life made him better.
“I won’t.” Joi’s response flowed in the manner that a giddy child would respond and it caused East to smile while lifting his sandwich at the same time. After a bite that damn near consumed half of it, he swallowed hard and said the words that had been taking up occupancy in his mind for the past few days out loud.
“I thought about catching a flight and beating his ass until he released his last breath.” Joi’s expression turned blank for a moment, and when East noticed, he kept going. “My father. Iknow where he is. I’ve known for years. You know what fucks me up the most?”
Joi waited with soft eyes she hoped gave East what he needed.
“When he left, I was mad as hell. That shit hurt me so bad, but I was a kid, so I still loved him. Even as an adult I hated his ass, but he was my father, so I cared when I shouldn’t have. To know what he did…” East’s jaw tightened and he paused thinking about it. “That shit just changed everything but it’s like I still feel a sense of obligation to the fact that he’s my father. I’ve done it so long it’s like I can’t erase the shit. I know I could empty an entire clip in him, watch him take his last breath, but then a part of me, even if it’s the smallest part of me, would feel something for killing that muthafucker. That really fucks with my head.”
