I exhaled slow as I leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling while my thoughts ran crazy about all the different things Love could be doing.
As I looked down from the ceiling, I caught the time on the TV and jumped out of bed and went into the bathroom to hop in the shower to get ready for work.
Throughout my whole morning routine— showering, brushing my teeth, doing my hair and makeup, and getting dressed—I was thinking about Love and Gio being face-to-face, Love telling Gio what it is, and Gio telling him what it was.
I was scared for both of them. I didn’t want Love to get caught and locked up over a nigga we could have ignored. And I wanted Gio to fall back with grace. But I knew that wasn’t going to be the case.
By the time I left the house, my mind hadn’t calmed down. In fact, I was more worried about calling Love and him not answering.
I held my phone tightly in my hand, trying to figure out the best time to call him. I made it out of the elevator, after having small talk with some of the neighbors through the lobby, and out to my car. As I pulled out of the parking lot, ready to call him, my dash lit up with his name. I exhaled hard before I picked up.
“Hey, baby,” I said as I picked up.
“Wussup, wifey, you good?” he sounded so damn good and calm, like he wasn’t up to no good.
“Yess,” I responded, trying not to smile, but it was hard not to.
“Good, I wanted to make sure you were good?—”
“Did you find Gio?” I blurted out. I didn’t even mean to.
The line went silent for a second.
“I left you a note on the pillow that said I was goin’ to the gym.”
I sucked my teeth. “Love, baby, when the fuck have you ever left me a note that didn’t have flowers attached to it?”
He laughed. “Damn, girl, you got me.”
I laughed along with him. I knew my man already.
“Did you find him?” I asked again. I really wanted to know.
“I can’t tell you that, baby...”
“Why?” I asked before he could even finish his sentence.
“Because I don’t want you involved in shit.”
I didn’t know what to say or how to take his response.
“You at work yet?” he asked.
“Yeah, baby, I’m pullin’ in now.”
“Well, have a good shift. I’m finna hit the store. I’ll see you tonight, and your lunch will be there for you like always.”
“I love you, Love,” I responded soft but quick.
“I love you more, mamas.”
I got to work shortly after hanging up, checked my surroundings, and made my way inside with a group of other nurses.
Once I made it to my floor, I was a bit more at ease. I was known throughout the hospital now, and people fucked with me. I got to the locker room, and my girls greeted me like they hadn’t seen me in years.
“Girl, let me see that ring!” Deja yelled as she yanked my hand.
Renee leaned over hard to look at it as well.
