“See, I almost cursed your ass out. I had a situation at my last place, so I moved out. I haven’t found anything I like yet, so I’ve been staying with a friend.”
Kennedy left it at that instead of elaborating on killing someone in her apartment and then moving in with a man who was her man but also the man who had played a part in settingher last job on fire with her in it. If she did, she’d sound like she attracted just as much drama as Sonny did.
“Well, who is this friend? Is it the man Zeke asked me about but then tried to backtrack once he realized I didn’t know who he was talking about?”
“What?” Kennedy played dumb. “Zeke should be the last one in my damn business, but who’d he ask about?”
“He asked if I knew your friend who helped you out, but when I asked him what friend and help with what, he said forget it.”
“When was this?”
“Girl, a couple of days ago, which was another reason I asked can I call since I didn’t want to text it. He said he’s tried calling you, but you won’t pick up for him. I thought things were cleared up after y’all talked in his office. What changed?”
“Nothing changed, and that’s the thing. I don’t hold a grudge, but we will never be cool. I have no kick it for his ass, so please relay the message for him to stop calling me. I’m tired of blocking unknown numbers.”
Sonny laughed. “So, you came home just to shake shit up, like my brother said.”
“What does that mean?”
“That you knew it would fuck Zeke’s head up, seeing you again. Sarge said Zeke has been off his square since he talked to you. Zeke and his wife have even been on shaky ground since then because Zeke disappeared for two days last week, and Sarge thought the nigga had snuck off with you. His wife was worried sick.”
That made Kennedy perk up in her seat on high alert, scouring the field for a face she knew wasn’t above tracing her whereabouts if he cared to. She meant it when she said she had a type. Her eyes drifted to the parking lot, stalling on a wolf gray sedan before she turned to face forward.
“He wasn’t here, and if he was smart, he wouldn’t try that shit either,” she sneered, her studious survey coming to a halt once she noticed Jahleel’s grandmother and sister strolling onto the field from the opposite side. “Sonny, I’ll call you later,” she stated and ended the call she was done with at the mention of Ezekiel.
She tossed her phone in her purse and stood, folding her chair to slip in its cover before flinging the strap onto her shoulder since Jahleel’s practice was coming to an end. Kennedy rarely ran into his grandmother since he’d let her know when Kennedy or his dad was picking him up, and his grandmother avoided coming out because she made it a point to avoid Relic. Kennedy hadn’t told Jahleel that she was coming because she figured it was time for either her or Relic to grow some balls and have a discussion with the lady who was taking great care of Jahleel. Once Relic was arrested, Kennedy was aware her relationship with Jahleel would rest in that woman’s hands, whether Relic believed so or not.
She strutted toward his grandmother in heels and an amiable smile, watching Jahleel’s sister as she ran toward her brother in her pink tunic top and leggings. Kennedy’s inspection of the brown skin, adorable young girl went to her untied sneakers. Before she could call out a warning to her, Jahleel’s sister went tumbling to the ground, causing Kennedy to gasp before she rushed over to help her up.
“Are you okay?” she asked with a mild case of panic coming over her at the tears in the girl’s eyes. She grabbed her hand and confirmed, “Jasmine, right? It’s okay, Jas.”
Jasmine nodded and looked down before her bottom lip trembled while she tried wiping the two dirt stains off the knees of her bright leggings. Kennedy sighed and then kneeled to tie the girl’s shoes.
“It’s not going to come off, boo.” She told Jasmine the bad news as gently as she could. Jasmine glanced back at her grandmother who was walking toward them with her face pinched in agitation.
“I’m going to get in trouble. My grandma told me not to get dirty, stop running, and tie my shoes!”
Kennedy tried to hold it in but busted out laughing at the frantic tone Jasmine used, knowing she hadn’t listened to a single one of her grandmother’s rules. She could only imagine how Jasmine gave the older woman a run for her money and patience on the regular.
“You see what happens when you don’t listen?” Their grandmother started as soon as she was within earshot. “I told you not to get out here being wild ‘cause we got bible study. Now, I have to take your butt home to change. You just refuse to listen, Jasmine!”
“Sounds like me when I was her age,” Kennedy said, dusting off her hands as she got up. “I probably should’ve introduced myself a while ago, but I’m Kennedy. A friend of Jah’s dad.”
Jasmine gasped and stared at Kennedy like she was a wonder of the world before tossing her tiny arms around Kennedy’s waist.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Kennedy! I’m Jahleel’s sister. Did he tell you about me?”
“Of course, Jas! Jah talks about you all the time,” she gushed, hugging her back. “Oh my gosh, you are just the cutest thing, and so sweet like Jah. You’ve raised them so well.” Kennedy aimed that compliment at the lady who’d yet to introduce herself.
She didn’t miss their grandmother giving her a once over, and she wondered if she should’ve swapped out of her semi-cute outfit of hip hugging distressed jeans and a quarter sleeve shirt she’d tied in the back for a bit of belly action. Her schedule at the salon was light since she had a doctor’s appointment thatmorning, so she’d even worn heels instead of her comfortable sneakers. Kennedy noted the woman’s caramel, round face scrunching before finally deciding to speak up.
“I see that Jahleel’s dad has a type. My daughter liked to dress up wherever she went too. Tight dresses at award ceremonies. Heels at a park. I used to think it was for men until she started doing the same thing to the kids. If Jessica saw Jasmine’s outfit ruined like that, she’d have a fit.”
“It is a cute outfit,” Kennedy agreed, making a mental note to purchase Jasmine a few more of the two piece sets she could easily find in any department store. “Jahleel has a nice wardrobe, too.”
“Mhm, Jessica cared about appearances and whatever people could see on the outside, so they’d overlook what was on the inside.”
Taken aback by the statement she couldn’t decide was general or a slug at her, Kennedy simply smiled. She could tell the lady was a tough cookie to crack.
