The brightest smile appeared on his face. He snatched me back into him before gripping my chin. He tilted my head up, and I could only see him. “I love you too, Shirley,” he teased me seconds before he kissed me. “Been in love with you.”
Every time I thought I couldn’t be more for this man, he proved otherwise. “Please hurry. I need you,” I admitted.
“Don’t have to tell me twice. I’ll be as quick as I can be.”
I nodded. “Alright.” He released me, and I walked toward the open door. Sliding on the back seat, I took a deep breath and sank into the buttery seat. I watched Ketai on his phone and could only feel gratitude for him. Nothing felt better than knowing he would come running whenever I called.
Ihad the longest day ever. Between deals falling through and my mama calling me about the fight she got into with Aunt Pam last night, I had my hands full. The business stuff wasn’t a worry of mine for real. It was part of the game. Not everything worked out, because it wasn’t supposed to. I was a businessman, but I wasn’t thirsty for money. If any parts of a deal looked illegitimate to me, I quickly withdrew my hands. I didn’t get tied up in anything that could jeopardize the legacy I was building.
The family drama was what really had my head thumping. It was always something with those two every other month, it seemed like. One month, they were cool, and then the next, they were trying to bash each other’s heads in. I was going to ridefor my mama either way and had to go put hands on my little cousin, Harlem, because he so-called himself jumping into the fight. He wasn’t going to lift a hand to break up another fight after the way I’d done him.
In private, I had to check my mama, though, because she was too damn old for the drama. Ever since my father passed away, it was like she was slowly losing her mind, and no one seemed to notice it but me. This fighting stuff wasn’t her. She was taking her anger out on people who didn’t deserve it. Well, everyone except for Pam. Pam definitely deserved it because she was always picking and saying things she knew would trigger my mama.
I walked in the house and kicked off my shoes. When I reached to close the door behind me, I cringed from the ache in my hand. Harlem’s big ass teeth had impacted my hand, and my shit was throbbing. I shook my head after locking the door and shuffling deeper into the house.
Laughter drew my attention to the kitchen. I leaned against the doorway, watching Free at the stove, cooking some kind of pasta while talking to Katana. I paid my sister no mind as I closed the distance between my woman and me. After the day I had, all I wanted to do was curl up under her.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my nose in the crook of her neck. “Hey, Stanley,” she cooed, placing a hand on my cheek.
“Hey, baby,” I replied. She spun to me and tossed her arms around my neck. For a minute, I didn’t even move. I just held her in my arms and inhaled her marshmallow perfume. Her presence centered me in a way nothing else could, other than service to my Lord and Savior.
“Damn, you just going to act like you don’t see me sitting over here?”
I tightened my grip on Free, making her squeal. I eased up, only to place kisses all over her face. “Why are you here?” I asked Katana when I released Free.
She rolled her neck and sucked her teeth. “He so rude to me. You see this, right, sister?”
When I turned back to Free, I found her studying me. She lifted my hand, taking note of the open wound. “You almost done cooking?” She nodded. “Aight,” I whispered before walking out of the kitchen. I heard Tana talking shit about me, but it was nothing new.
I headed into my bedroom and went straight toward the bathroom. I turned on the shower, then started undressing while the water heated up. I was so lost in my thoughts the entire time I washed off the day. I ignored the sting of the hot water hitting my cut until it became numb.
When I stepped out, my eyes fell on Free leaning against the counter, holding the first-aid kit. After securing my towel around my waist, I walked over to her without a word. She didn’t say anything at first, either, as she started tending to me. I watched her clean and then bandage my wound after she placed some Neosporin on it.
She glanced up at me, palming my cheek. “Are you okay?”
I shrugged, pulling her into me and resting my forehead on hers. She took my hand and pulled me into the room. I allowed her to lead the way to the bed. She made me sit down, then went to get her shea butter. We were both silent while she moisturized my body. When she made it to my back, she started to massage my shoulders.
When I sighed, allowing myself to sink deeper into the moment, she asked me a question. “You want to talk about it?”
I ran a hand down my face. “I mean, it ain’t much to talk about. I just be over the bullshit, and I’m always the one they call since my dad’s gone now. I’m seen as the man of the family, andit can be a heavy load to bear, trying to be fair, understanding, and compassionate with the women in my family. Even my uncles look to me because they think I got it all together.” I shook my head, allowing my voice to drop an octave. “But I don’t. I be figuring life out as I live it too.”
Free walked around me and straddled my lap. Her arms circled my neck while mine went to her waist. I began to knead her ass cheeks as I rested my chin between her boobs. “Your aunt Pam needs to heal. As long as she keeps bringing the past into the present moment, she’s never going to have a good relationship with your mother. It’s not Mrs. Paulette’s fault that she found favor from everyone, and she shouldn’t be punished for being God’s favorite. It’s not fair. She basically wants your mama to dim her light so she won’t feel like she’s not shining bright enough.”
My head jerked back as I eyed her suspiciously. “How you know about their rivalry?” I had never mentioned it to her over the course of our relationship. But she spoke like she knew all the facts and had an unbiased opinion of the beef between my mama and her sister.
She smiled widely. “Oh, they told me everything at your mama’s birthday party. Your family literally loves me, Stanley. Ya mama called me after you whupped on your little cousin.” She covered her mouth and giggled. “You not supposed to be dog-walking your family, babe.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t even want to do him like that, but he kept running his mouth. If I would’ve let it slide, the little nigga would think he could punk me. I don’t even play like that, so I reminded him. We good though. He just needed a little straightening.” I remembered what else she said and began kissing on her breasts. “And I love you more than them.”
She palmed my face and licked her lips. “Yeah, you do. You don’t have to carry the weight alone anymore, baby. I’m here foryou the same way you’re here for me. You can breathe around me.”
I puckered my lips, and she kissed me. “I know. That’s why I came straight home after that.”
“You ready to eat?”
I nodded. “You? Yeah.”
Free mushed my head with a laugh. “I’m being for real. I cooked for you.”
