“No, I can’t… I can’t ask you to—”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering.”
My entire body quaked with unshed tears. “Thank you, but no. I have to do this… by myself.”
“You’re not by yourself. I’m here.”
A few seconds passed, and there was a knock at the door. When I opened it and saw it was him, warmth coursed through my entire body. He didn’t waste any time scooping me into his arms and hugging me. I felt his love, his protection, and his empathy. Overwhelmed, I clutched him just as tight as he clutched me.
When our eyes met, he didn’t say anything. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss against my lips, and then he searched my face.
“I got you,” he whispered.
I felt so seen, so loved.
Just that acknowledgement sent my emotions into overdrive.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
I tried to blink the tears away, but that didn’t work. I felt myself getting weepy, and I didn’t want him to see it. I didn’t want to explain that the tears were for my aunt recognizing I was in love before I had. I didn’t want to explain that I was crying because I felt loved by him. I didn’t want to say that his kiss was a bandage over the hole that pierced my heart and soul. So I tried to look away. But something about his stare had me locked in. I needed to put distance between us, but his hold on me had me securely in his grasp.
I was trapped.
I closed my eyes, and the tears streamed down my face. I didn’t want to be out of his arms, but I also didn’t want to break down in from of him. When I felt his forehead press against mine, I opened my eyes, and my heart skipped a beat.
Most people looked away when they saw someone else’s pain… but not him. He stared at it and faced it with me.
We stood like that for at least ten minutes before I found my voice and broke the silence.
“You talked to Aunt Addy behind my back?”
Kissing me, he let out a light chuckle. “I was wondering when that was going to come up.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“She said she would when it was time. She told me not to say anything until she did, and I respect my elders.”
At least I know he can keep a secret.
I pulled him down to kiss him again. “Will you cuddle with me?”
He put his face squarely in front of mine. Looking deep in my eyes, he said, “Anything you want. You know that. You don’t even have to ask.”
He followed me to the bedroom, and we stripped off our clothes. We climbed into bed, and he spooned me. I was so tired. Kissing my shoulder, neck, and head as he held me, he whispered words of comfort against my bare skin.
With my back to his front, I cozied up to him as I started nodding off.
“I’m here for you, baby.” The deep, soft tone of his voice lulled me to sleep. “Anything you need, I got you. I hate seeing you hurting. I’ll do anything for you. I love you. I…”
Did he just say…?
Sleep took me under before I could process what I thought I’d heard. Hours later, he roused me awake.
Cradling my face with his hands, Lamar hovered over me. “Jazz, I need to head home so I can make it before curfew.”
Groggily, my lashes fluttered open. “Hmm?”
When we locked eyes, he searched my face. “You need anything?”
