“In the dark?”
“In the dark,” he repeated “helps me think.”
“How you feel about tomorrow?”
“I’m ready.” He paused. “Wasn’t focused earlier though.”
Meadow bit her lip. “Why?”
“You.”
She swallowed. “Zaire…”
“What?” His tone was teasing. “I can’t be honest?”
“No, you can… I just…” She sat up, fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. “I gotta tell you something.”
He hummed, suddenly more alert. “What’s that?”
“So, um…” She cleared her throat. “Brent is here.”
Silence.
“For what?”
Meadow shrugged even though he couldn’t see it. “I don’t know why he’s here, Zaire. Tia is married to his brother.”
“You left that out.”
“I didn’t think it mattered like that!”
“It matters now.”
Meadow exhaled through her nose. “Don’t start.”
“I ain’t startin’. I’m askin’ a question, cuh.”
“Well, ask it with a nicer tone.”
He laughed quietly. “Meadow.”
“Zaire.”
“You know he likes you.”
“He likes everybody.”
“I don’t give a fuck about everybody.”
She chewed her cheek. “You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m bein’ a man...one that knows what it feels like to be with you.”
Meadow shifted, pulling her knees up. “Look…I didn’t plan on him being here. I didn’t invite him, and I’m sure as hell not checkin’ for him.”
“Aight,” Zaire replied. “Just needed to hear you say it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Zaire, please. You think I flew out here to flirt with Brent?”
