“And Meadow? I didn’t stop talkin’ to you. I was givin’ you space ‘cause you looked like you had the weight of the world on your back. I know how that feels, baby.”
Meadow’s throat tightened.
“I hate how they make you feel,” she whispered, her blood boiling at them putting him in a box like they didn’t know how amazing he was. On and off the green.
Zaire leaned in a little more. “But I’m right here. So, if you want me to back up, say that. If you want me close, say that too.”
She let the words settle, let the truth settle, let the last few days melt off her shoulders.
“I want you close.”
Zaire’s smile spread, lighting up his whole face. “Say less.”
He shifted beside her, his shoulder brushing hers, warm and grounding. Meadow leaned into him without thinking. Zaire let out a breath and slipped his arm behind her, not pulling her in, just making room in his body for her.
The sun dipped even lower. Fireflies blinked across the field. Magnolia’s voice drifted faintly from the house, but for once, Meadow didn’t jump up. She didn’t rush. She let herself stay still.
Zaire glanced down at her again. “We good now?”
She nodded. “Yeah, we good cuh.”
“Good,” he said, settling deeper into the grass. “Now tell me why the hell you dumped water on me.”
Meadow burst out laughing. “You know why…”
“All that instead of just talking to me?” He looked down at her while she looked up into his eyes. “I know you ain’t never fucked with a real nigga so I try to give you grace but I like to talk. I don’t like all that reading between the lines shit. You got something to say, say it with your chest. You need some understanding, I’m the best nigga to get that from. You understand?”
Her whole body buzzed, answering for her. The way he talked to her made her feel like she’d morphed into one of those fireflies that flickered around them. Her eyes didn’t leave his, even though every nerve in her body wanted her to look away. Zaire had her pinned down without even touching her.
His calloused thumb nipped her lip. “You hear me, baby?”
“Ye— yes, Zaire.”
He stood up from the ground, holding his hand out for her to do the same. “This cute and all but I’m a city nigga and these bugs ‘bout to drive me crazy.”
Meadow laughed. “You got your gun on you, don’t you?”
He chuckled. “Watch out, cuh.”
“I’m just saying, shoot them like you almost shot me.”
“Like I almost shot up the club,” he growled, his hand coming down hard on her ass. But he didn’t stop there. Zaire pushed his hand down lower to feel the heat from her pussy through the leggings she had on.
“Zaire,” Meadow blushed.
“Aye,” he got serious. “We got an understanding right?”
She chewed her lip, stealing a quick glance at him. “I just…didn’t know where you stood.”
“In front of you,” he answered simply.
“Zaire.”
“What?”
“Be serious.”
“Shit, I am being serious,” he told her. “On the gang.”
