“I did hear her! I wanted to know who she talks to all the time, so I acted like I was still eating and then followed her after she went in the bathroom.”
Jahleel snitched on himself, making Kennedy gawk at his confession, while Relic spit out a dramatic laugh.
“Good fucking job, pitit gason.”
“That’s not a good job, Jah. It’s an invasion of privacy! I can’t believe you did that. So, I have two stalkers instead of one,” Kennedy complained, but Jahleel nodded like he was assured he’d done the right thing.
“I like you, Ms. Kennedy, but I can’t let you cheat on us. My Uncle Shabu said I have to protect Relic ‘cause he’s not used to having a girlfriend.”
“When the hell did he say that?” Relic inquired, and his son smiled.
“When you and Ms. Kennedy was whispering, so we couldn’t hear y’all after you kissed her. We know how to whisper, too.”
Relic paused in thought before he chuckled, noting it was after they’d gone fishing. Shabu had obviously taken their conversation about Kennedy that night on his porch to heart, and Relic couldn’t get mad about it. He’d fish for whatever else Shabu had told Jahleel once Kennedy was out of earshot.
“Are you mad at me?” Kennedy whispered, claiming the stool beside him before scooting closer. She batted her mesmerizing eyes he revered. “I should’ve told you about the kiss, but you were so pissed off that day at my parents’ house, I withheld it because I didn’t want to make matters worse. I apologize, and I hate that I brought Jah into it.”
“We both brought him into it. He clearly thought you were cheating because I leave y’all alone so much. Shit, I was thinking I’ve been doing better at being present these days. Kids will humble you, huh?”
“It’d be nice for you to be here more, but I get there’s money to be made. Gotta take the good with the bad,” she said, grabbing another bag before passing him a gift box to open as well. Relic dusted his hands clean and accepted it.
He tugged at the neatly tied white ribbon, unraveling it to open the medium sized box. Another box made from Mahogony wood set inside of it. Relic flipped it open, and a corner of his mouth quirked at the premium cigars lined in the center with a cutter on one side of them, and a metal lighter engraved with his name on the other. The box’s lid also had his name carved into its wood.
“It’s lined in Spanish cedar. The man at the cigar shop said it’s the best wood for humidors,” Kennedy relayed as she studied his expression, hoping he liked it. “Hopefully, he didn’t lie to get more money out of me.”
“He didn’t. It has the best moisture control and insect resistance. What made you get me this?”
“I figured it was a more calming habit than drinking. You looked so relaxed on the trip when you were smoking by the pool, so I brought you a slice of peace home. It’s a small slice, but still.”
Relic ran a finger over the engravings, knowing she’d bought the humidor and then had it custom designed. She had put thought behind it, and nothing about the gift was spur of the moment.
“How long have you had this, Larenn?”
“Dang, you’re a stalker and a detective, too! I bought it the week we got home, but it took a bit to find a spot to engrave everything. I was waiting on the right time to gift it to you.”
“I think this might be the second most thoughtful gift I’ve gotten. My necklace was first,” he said, finding a plain bag in the haul of designer items. “Open this one.”
Kennedy tried to pick up the bag before she grunted with her eyes widening at its heaviness. She tipped it on its side and slid the heavy duty, pink case out as a squeal burst out of her in sheer excitement. Her thumbs flipped the locks open with haste before she gasped at the beauty nestled inside it. Kennedy picked up the pearl pink Glock with roses engraved on its grip and barrel. She switched it from one hand to the other, getting used to its weight.
“A bad bitch for a badder bitch,” she said, lifting it to aim at Relic. “I think I will call her Glock and Roses. Rosie for short.”
Relic chuckled and rested an arm on the island. “Are you ready to do it, Larenn?” he tested, causing her head to tip in question. “You ready to finish me off yet?”
“And put you out of your misery? Of course not.”
She winked and then packed up her pistol to securely lock in its protective case while Relic watched, stunned to silence byher rebuttal. In a rare occurrence, Relic couldn’t think of a single comeback for that shit.
“Did you see what she got me?” Jahleel said, pointing at his football gear. He lifted his necklace and said, “And I got this! She said we’ll match.”
Relic smirked and reached for his neck before stalling, forgetting he didn’t have his because she’d broken it.
“I got it fixed,” she told him, catching the move. “It’s in one of the boxes.”
“Good. Now, if I told you I wanted that second phone as a gift, would you give it to me?”
Kennedy stilled at the abrupt turn he’d taken in their gift exchanging moment. She glanced at her bag and then back at him.
“I gave you a chance to figure out whatever you were trying to do, Kennedy. Now, the shit is interfering with us, and that’s a problem for me. Tell me why.”
