“I’m good,” I lied.
He turned me around slowly and placed his finger beneath my chin to lift my head. “Talk to me. It’s been a crazy ass night. I know you’re not good.”
He was right, I wasn’t good.
Now that everything had calmed down, my emotions were all over the place.
“I feel...weird. I feel stupid.”
“Why?”
“Because...I let my guard down. I thought this shit with Mecca was over. I thought I could relax in my own home. But again, I was attacked and?—”
“That shit wasn’t your fault. What went down had absolutely nothing to do with you, and everything to do with those bitch ass niggas. Your crib is supposed to be your safe space. The fact that they took that away from you is on them, and trust me, I’m going to make sure they pay for it.” He shrugged. “Well, I already handled one. As soon as I get a chance, I’m going to handle the other.”
I took in a deep breath, my body melting from the lingering threat behind his words. Every time I was reminded of how easily Ocean was willing to fight for me, it made my heart ache. Because why couldn’t this kind of care come from someone who could actually love me the way I deserved?
I cleared my throat. “I should go shower. I feel dirty all over again.”
Ocean dropped his hand to grip mine. “Don’t let that bullshit get to you. I don’t want you to worry about them or any other nigga walking up into your space again. In fact, I don’t think you should go back there. Too much has happened.”
I sighed. “Thanks for the suggestion, but where am I supposed to stay? The only other person I would even consider living with is in her own little love bubble, and I’m not interested in being a third wheel.”
“Shit, just stay here.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I leaned closer to make sure I heard him correctly.
“I said, stay here. There’s more than enough room, and I know you like it here. You can get comfortable in your cozy socks, drink hot chocolate, and people-watch as much as you want.”
I smiled.
People-watching was one of my favorite things to do, and from Ocean’s balcony, I could see it all.
His condo sat in the perfect spot, and he was right, I did love it.
But that was beside the point.
“Ocean, I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?”
“Because this is your place, and the last thing I want to do is intrude on your personal space.”
“You wouldn’t be intruding. I’m hardly ever here to begin with. You would literally be doing me a favor while I’m going between here and home.”
“Oh, so you want me to be your maid and keep house?”
He poked me in my hip. “Quit playing. You know damn well that’s not what I’m saying. I saw your crib. You don’t dust enough for my liking.”
“Oh, wow. Damn.”
He laughed. “Nah, I’m just fucking with you. But for real, you’ll be safe here, and that’s all I care about.”
I slid out of his grasp and walked back over to the railing. It was definitely a good suggestion, and everything about this place was amazing.
But I couldn’t. It was too much.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to have to decline. I’m sure once the security system gets all set up, I’ll be fine.”
