“What do you mean?”
“My mother’s parents don’t give a fuck about me either.” Her voice cracks.
“Why?” I softly caress her back, returning the comfort she has freely given to me.
“Because I’m half Black.” She inhales a shuddering breath. “They wanted my mom to marry a white man. Racism still runs deep in this country.”
“Fuck, I’m so sorry for calling you names and being a douche since we met.”
She straddles me and clasps my face. “I forgive you, Maverick. It’s not your fault you were raised to hate.”
The things I’ve said to her are unforgiveable, but she forgives me anyway. I capture her lips in a scorching kiss, pushing my tongue into her warm mouth. Cocoa grinds against my hardening dick and I tear at the closure of her jeans.
She pulls back. “We can’t, too many people here.”
“I’ll be quick.”
“No, you hound dog.” Cocoa leaps off the bed. “I’m going to get us some cherry cheesecake, banana pudding, sweet potato pie, and peach cobbler.”
“We’ll be in a sugar-induced coma before the night is over.”
“It’ll be so worth it, though,” she says, bounding towards the door.
“Cocoa,” I call.
She cranes her neck. “Yeah.”
“Are you opposed to a quickie in my Jeep?”
“Nope.”
“Take a ride with me after dessert then.”
“’Kay.” Cocoa grins, frolicking from the room.
It’s hard to believe Christmas is next week. The three amigos and I traipse through the busy mall, doing some last-minute gift hunting.
Poor Kayla had a fever this morning and stayed home, which freed up my Thursday afternoon. I called Maureen, and she assured me Kayla’s feeling a lot better. Still, I plan to drop by and check on her. In other news, Maverick and I are great. We’ve had a couple hiccups here and there but have found a delicate balance. Though one wrong move could tip the scales.
Seeing a different side to him is jarring. He can be really sweet, but in the blink of an eye, the old him emerges. Maybe that part of him will always lurk just beneath the surface. I suggested he seek professional help, which did not go over well.
Maverick has unresolved issues regarding his mother’s suicide and abusive childhood but keeps insisting he’s fine. I dropped the subject for now but plan to rehash it after the new year. If Maverick’s going to overcome his past, he needs to face it head-on.
The kids at school were shocked by our new status. Well… except Victoria. She was livid and spews disparaging remarks my way every chance she gets. It doesn’t bother me, though, my comebacks are classic and leave her fuming.
Maverick meets me at my locker each morning and we walk to first period. We eat lunch together too, sometimes alone and other times with friends. Occasionally, we sneak into the janitor’s closet or an empty classroom and fuck until the bell rings.
He comes to my house after school most days and stays for dinner, much to the excitement of my mother. He pretends to leave and slips back in through my window. We’re practically glued at the hip. Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, his place is off-limits to me.
Mom and Michael are finally going on a well-deserved honeymoon in Aruba for the two-week winter break. I was supposed to visit California but opted to postpone my trip and go during spring vacation instead. The reason being Maverick. We’re anxious to spend some alone time together without adult presence. My mother thinks I’ll be crashing at Kate’s.
“Girl, what the hell you smiling for?” Jamal asks, side-eyeing me.
“You talking to me?”
“Umm… yeah,” he replies sarcastically. “You’re the one I’m staring at.”
“I was not smiling,” I deny.
