“You know how to drive it?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“You know where he lives?”
“I do.”
“Then what’s stopping you from going over there?”
He was right. Nothing stopped Kareem from busting up into my house and telling me how he felt. It was my turn to do the same.
I laid my head on my dad’s shoulder. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“Anytime.” He patted my hand lovingly.
“You want me to sit with you until Mama gets back?”
“No, I want you to go fix things with that young man. Don’t keep him waiting.”
I nodded and stood to my feet. “Come lock up. I forgot my keys.”
We walked to the door, and I embraced my father one more time before I headed to my car.
Tears still pooled in my eyes as I drove. A few dropped as I thought about how Kareem must have felt right now. The thought of hurting him or letting him down gutted me.
By the time I pulled up to his home, I was a miserable mess and feeling really down on myself.
I rang the doorbell, and it only took a minute for him to open the door for me.
His brows furrowed as he took in my appearance, and he reached for me.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry,” I wailed. “I’m sorry, baby.”
He pulled me inside and set me down on the bench just inside the door. His hands ran up and down my arms as he crouched in front of me.
“Sorry for what, mama? What happened?”
“I love you,” I blurted out. “I love you, and I’m sorry I didn’t say it earlier. I was caught off guard, but I should have said it. Kareem, I love you so much, and I’m freaking out because this is all happening so soon, but I swear I would lay my life down for you. I breathe you. I want to be in your damn skin. You mean the world to me, baby. I think the world of you. I don’t ever want there to be another second where you think I don’t love you, because that is what I exist for. My love for you consumes me. You have to believe me.” I sobbed as I stared into his eyes.
“Baby . . .” he muttered as he grabbed both of my cheeks.
I shook my head. “No, tell me you believe me. Please?”
“I believe you.” His voice was so gentle, it somehow relieved all the pressure in my chest.
I relaxed into his chest and cried. I didn’t know why I was so emotional, but I was thankful that he knew exactly how to soothe me.
His hands rubbed up and down my back for several minutes, until my breathing returned to normal.
“Look at me, love,” he whispered. Reluctantly, I pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. He kissed my nose before he carefully took my shoes off. “I love you too, girl. I ain’t really say it right earlier. I was nervous. Yo’ lil ass makes me nervous, but I love you, and I ain’t goin’ nowhere. Never.”
I smiled through my tears and nodded. He leaned in and kissed me, and I swear it felt like my life was complete.
Suddenly, I was in his arms, and he walked toward the steps. My core tingled because I knew what was next, and I couldn’twait. I tugged his shirt up and pulled it off before latching onto his lips again, tangling my tongue with his.
In his room, he laid me down on the bed and undressed me before he undressed himself. He hovered over me on the bed and slowly entered me. I moaned and arched into him.
