“The bullet went through a shallow piece of his arm, so I was able to stitch it up and stop the bleeding. I gave him some of the Vicodin I got from my friend at the pharmacy, and he justtook one of them for the pain. He should be out like a light soon if his tolerance for medicine is low.”
“Appreciate that, Aunty,” Hov replied, pulling Tracy in for a hug, kissing her on the forehead. She gathered her supplies, and he helped her carry them to the door, and they both disappeared down the hallway for a moment.
Hov’s gentleness with the ones he loved had always been attractive to me, the way his voice softened when he talked to them, and the way his hands moved carefully when touching them. But I can say now, for the first time in a long while, it wasn’t just his presence I wanted to be wrapped up in. It was the presence in the nearby bathroom that was also drawing my attention. I didn’t even have to turn my head to know when he came out. It was just something I felt in my gut. Then, of course, his scent hit me, and I knew it was him. That mix of his cologne, and the alcohol Tracy had used on him.
Since he walked out of the restroom, I knew he was fine and that took a little stress off of me. If Amir had died protecting us, I'm sure I would've felt a way.
“If you guys are hungry, I made spaghetti and garlic bread for me and Hov earlier. I can go and fix a couple plates and then bring them back here if y’all would like,” Ciara spoke up, standing so close to Hov I’m sure they could breathe with the same lungs. She was always inches away from that man anytime he was around. I mean, I get it, that’s her husband, but damn, have some strength of your own. I don’t get completely putting your trust in a man that way. Even Pernelle seemed like she could stand on her own if Crew wasn’t around. Ciara just seemed way more dependent on him, and I know that’s not just me hating.
“How about everyone just comes to the house, and we can eat there in the dining room, so we don’t have to carry all that shit back over here. Does that sound like a plan, mama?”
“Yeah, I mean, if they want to. Faith is downstairs with Grandma, asleep, where she will probably be for the night, so we don’t have to worry about waking her up. P, what you think?”
“It’s cool with me, babe you ready to go?” Pernelle asked Crew.
“I’m just ready to eat. There is something about running for my life that always makes me hungry as shit,” Crew added, rubbing his hands together.
“Amir, you’re more than welcome to relax here, and we can bring you back food if you’d like,” Pernelle offered Amir, who had been quietly standing against the fridge.
“Nah, I’m good on the food,” he replied, voice steady.
“I’ll just chill here and rest off that strong-ass pill Tracy gave me, if y’all don’t mind.”
“Of course, we don’t mind. You helped save my family not once but twice, so your ass has no choice but to be family.” Crew replied, and Amir touched his chest and nodded his head.
Everyone started filing out of the room, chairs scraping lightly against the floor and conversation trailing toward the front door. Pernelle paused when she noticed I hadn’t moved out of my seat.
“You’re not hungry, sis?”
“Not at all, actually. My adrenaline is still high, so I can’t even think about eating right now. I will just stay here too and grab a bag of chips or something if I get hungry.”
“Okay, call us if you need anything or decide you want food,” Pernelle replied, before stepping out behind the others.
Amir walked into the nearby living room, moving slowly now that nobody was watching. I got up from the stool too and followed him in there, watching as he eased himself down onto the couch with a low grunt that he didn’t bother hiding this time since the men weren’t around.
I was unsure of what I planned to say, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to lie down and sleep tonight if I didn’t say anything. I was never a worry about something tomorrow, or an " I’ll sleep on it type of person. If something was on my mind, it needed to be addressed right then.
I let my presence be known as he stretched out slightly.
“What’s up? You good?” he asked once he settled.
“Of course I’m good, but are you?”
“Yeah, I’ll make it. This time ain’t nothing compared to the last time I got shot. This shit feels like nothing.”
“Oh, you’re so tough,” I said, rolling my eyes with a soft laugh.
“But for real, though, Amir, thank you. You really saved my life out there. Had you not tackled me.” I paused
“I would be on my way to the morgue right now.”
“Yeah, a lot of people freeze once bullets start flying through the air. It’s second nature to most.”
“What made you come to my rescue, though?”
He looked up at me, pausing for a moment before answering.
“I guess, instincts.”
