“So, I’m guessing you and your roommate have settled in pretty nicely, huh? It looks nice, manly, and set up for permanency in there.”
I swallow and close my eyes momentarily while I try to gather my words to have this conversation. Yes, she knows about the mix-up, but things have changed since our last discussion.
“Hm. I sense that we need to have a story time. Let’s go grab some wine from that little market nearby. Any good pizza places around here?” Korrena’s voice causes me to open my eyes and see that her eyes are on me.
For countless seconds, I just stare at my cousin like she’s lost her mind before she starts laughing.
“The wine is for you. It’ll loosen your tongue.”
“Oh, okay. I thought I was gonna have to call your man to let him know I whupped your ass. I need to get to my purse, and we can head out. I’ll order pizza when we come back. The company I’ve had doesn’t take a long time to deliver.”
The memory of the pizza Alijah ordered not long ago and its delicious flavors come to mind. It takes me no time to get my stuff and meet Korrena at the door. The trip to the market is uneventful, and we’re back within twenty minutes. I’m on my second glass of truth-inducing wine before my mouth opens, and I let go of the first piece of tea for Korrena.
“He’s staying for the long haul. I . . .” My words trail off as I try to unscramble them so that they’ll make sense to both of us.
“Damn. Let me find out that more than sleeping arrangements have changed since our last conversation.”
“No. But something did happen, and I’ve been in a heated chokehold every night since.”
“Ooh. Tell me more. This sounds juicy.” Korrena scoots closer and crosses her legs Indian style like we’re campers listening to a scary story in the middle of the woods.
I sigh and jump into the details that have taken place up to this moment, and with each detail, my body heats, and my thoughts become raunchy.
“Cousin, he stepped out of that shower with water droplets running down his body, and my eyes followed the drip downward. The dick, oh God . . . his dick is a work of art. It could have its own area code, residence, hell, it will have me if I’m not careful.” The hairs on my arms rises when Korrena’s eyes shift to something behind me, and the clean, earthy yet dangerous scent that has become ingrained in my mind penetrates my nostrils.
Jesus! Please tell me he didn’t hear what I said.
When a bronze arm stretches out beside me toward Korrena, my breaths stall in my throat. “Alijah.”
“H-her cousin . . . Korrena. Nice to meet you, Alijah.”
Since when did this heffa get tongue-tied while talking? Damn. The Alijah effect is real, not just in me.
“Likewise.” His eyes shift to me, and he winks before he walks off in the direction of his bedroom.
“Ooh, cousin. I would be riding the fuck out of his dick morning, noon, two o’clock, dinnertime, and three times before midnight. That man is fine as sin. Whew. No wonder you’re over there all starry-eyed and shit. My goodness.” Korrena gushes.
My eyes land on Alijah just as he reaches his door, and his smirk widens as he bobs his head and enters his room. Meanwhile, my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth, unable to decipher what just happened. Alijah not only heard me talking about his dick but my thoughts on the subject matter and my cousin’s loudmouth ass. What’s worse is that I was so caught up in my story that I didn’t hear him come in or anything. My neck and face are hot as I hang my head.
“Girl, what’s wrong with you?”
I lift my head and stare at my cousin as she intently stares at me like nothing out of the ordinary happened.
“He-he overheard the conversation or at least the parts I wish I could snatch out of the air and his psyche.”
“Not only did he hear, but he didn’t seem bothered by it. I would love to be inside his mind right now to know what he’s thinking. From his little wink your way, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“Says the woman who will go home tonight and not have to deal with another awkward exchange.”
Korrena laughs, and all I can do is stare at her because I’m serious. I’m unsure what the fallout from the last few minutes will be for me. Alijah seems cool as a cucumber now, but will he torment me about this like he did my bad sex encounter with ole dude? It’s the thought that will have me up all night with my ear to the wall that is closest to his side of my room.
Girl, you’re too grown to be sulking and hiding like a punk. You better face that man and let the chips fall where they may. Who knows, you might land on Alijah’s dick, and then all’s well that ends well,my conscience says, and I nod subtly as I realize that there’s nothing that I can do but wait to see what the aftermath will be. Besides, the thought of getting the chance to sit and spin on Alijah’s dick has me squaring my shoulders and releasing the worry that’s in my body.
Several Days Later. . .
One of the inconveniences of my relocation is having to establish care with new providers. But here I am leaving the apartment instead of logging in for work, to head to my new gynecologist’s office. I also used this one appointment as an excuse to take the whole day off, because I know I’m not going to be up for logging into my computer when I get back home. SinceI haven’t been out to navigate the city much, I’ve given myself an extra thirty minutes to arrive. No words have been exchanged between Alijah and me since Korrena’s visit, and I’m grateful for the reprieve.
It takes me no time to reach the garage where my SUV is parked, and my stomach drops to my butt when I get in, and nothing happens when I insert my key. I frown, try again, and all it does is click.
