He glanced behind us to where Dior was socializing with some CCB members. Turning back to us, he rolled his eyes with a small scowl. “I mean not completely. Qua ain’t a bad dude. If you gon’ be with anybody, I’m cool with it being him. He always gon’ make sure you’re straight, and that’s all a brother could want.”
My sisters both nodded in support of this new development, but Angel did have a question. “You don’t think it’s too soon to be so serious with someone else?”
I could tell her question came from a genuine place of concern. She wanted to make sure I was okay, considering I’d been through hell with my first choice. “Sometimes I do, but then like, Dior will do something like buy me a new sudoku puzzle book because he knows I finished the last one. Not because I told him but because he pays that much attention to me.”
I glanced over at him again, and even from across the parking lot, his gaze could put a spell on me. If it wasn’t for my sister’s voice, I would’ve followed it right over to him. This connection with us was building fast, but maybe it was us making up for lost time. Not even my sisters knew about our past, and we decided to keep that between us. Because to everyone else, us becoming a couple was fast when really it was a long time coming.
“Damn, . . . you really deserve that, Sister. Especially after having to deal with that other one.” Lee made a gagging sound, and I completely understood her sentiments. I didn’t like the nigga either, and I was still legally married to him.
“Well, let’s hope I can get free from Emir first.”
Keem sucked his teeth and waved me off. “Don’t even worry about that, Sis. I promise it’s being taken care of.”
I noticed that anytime the men in my life spoke on Emir, they always spoke with certainty like his future was already written, and it was only a matter of time before things began to unfold. Before I could reply, I felt arms wrapping around my waist andknew exactly who it was. Of course, he couldn’t stay away, and since I hadn’t walked over to him when we made eye contact, he had to be the one to cave first.
I smiled as he snuggled his nose in the crook of my neck. “You good, mama?”
I nodded, allowing my head to rest against his shoulder. “Always when I’m with you.”
“Damn right.” He kissed me on the cheek before falling into a conversation with Laprada. She’d just interrupted our huddle to get to Lee. Their flirting was instantaneous, and we were all thoroughly entertained by it, until Drez started to round everyone up to ride out.
Dior grabbed my helmet and helped me put it on. “Stay close to me, mama. If I move, you move.”
“Just like that,” I joked back with a little dance.
He started laughing, and seeing his smile made the world fade away. “You goofy, man.” He continued to snicker, and I felt proud of myself.
“But, no worries, handsome. I will stay close,” I assured him giddily before I accepted his hand to help me on my bike. He waited for me to start it up before going to his. The sweepers blocked off traffic at the intersection as all the CCB members began to file out until we filled the avenue.
I stayed toward the front with Dior as everyone fell into place based on rank. They allowed the guests and prospects to ride in the middle, with the other high-ranking members, like Keem and my father, taking up the rear. My entire body hummed with adrenaline when the ride began. I had so much fun riding in formation and had even ended up by my father a few times, which reminded me of the old days. And I felt so free that I forgot Emir existed.
We ended the ride at the clubhouse, and I knew there would be drinking, food, and good music to follow. Dior helped meoff my bike when we arrived safely. “You still ride pretty good, mama,” he complimented me.
I grinned. “I guess it’s like riding a bike. You never truly forget how to do it.”
He chuckled but kept quiet. After setting our helmets down, he took my hand and led me inside. I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and pulled it out. My eyes scanned the screen, completely unaware of my surroundings because of who was leading me. I knew I was safe with him.
My steps slowed when I opened the message on the screen. It was a picture of me and Quadior hugged up at the Citgo. But it was the text that made me completely stop walking as my heart rate spiked.
8032459854:
*one attachment*
I’m going to kill you.
My eyes were glued to the screen because I didn’t recognize the number, but it was very clear who the message was from. I tried to rack my brain on how he could’ve gotten my new number but kept coming up with only one conclusion above all else. I would never be free from that man.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Dior asked when I remained planted in place like a statue.
I swallowed the cotton lodged in my throat as I locked then repocketed my phone. “Nothing,” I squeaked before clearing my throat so I could sound more convincing. “Everything is okay,” I replied, even though I knew that was so far from the truth. Nothing was okay, and now I was back to believing it never would be.
I would always be haunted by my mistake of marrying Emir, thinking he was a good man. He always ruined everything, andtonight was no different. I hated that for me after the way I connected with CCB on the ride-out, because it had me in good spirits and feeling good about my life for once.
Harlo had disappeared into the guest bedroom when we made it in from the ride-out. I noticed she was awfully quiet at the clubhouse, barely talking unless it was to anyone who addressed her. Other than that, she easily faded into the background, and I immediately picked up on it. Not to say she was this super wild party girl, but she was distracted, and I’d seen that look in her eyes before. Something spooked her, and I was about to get to the bottom of it.
I went to my bedroom to undress into my briefs and sweatpants that hung low on my waist. Bare chested and confident, I strolled right into the open bedroom door of the guest room, only to find it empty. I paused only for a second as the soft jazz playing from down the hall became clearer. Ifollowed the sounds down to her studio, where I found her sitting in front of a canvas, painting away.
I slipped into the room, one foot against the wall with the other planted on the floor. I folded my arms over my chest as I watched her try to process whatever was on her mind. She gasped when she noticed me in the room with her. “Come here, mama,” I commanded in an even tone.
