She was more like me than I thought.
I wanted to trust her just as much as I wanted her to trust me. I wanted us to trust each other. We had to, to make this thing work. And I was convinced it would.
I wasn’t bothered by Hyphen’s denial. It only delayed our union. It didn’t destroy the idea of it. With time, she’d let that guard down. And, I’d be right there to pick up the pieces other motherfuckers left behind. She deserved to be herwholestand healthiest self with me.
This is life.
The brokenhearted girl laid out on the deck reminded me of my dreams. The things I am trying to obtain in life. The woman I wanted. The way I wanted to do things. The plans I’d made.
This trip to Miami would set me up for life. Not to continue pushing green in Dooley and neighboring hoods, but to finally hit my mark, gain ownership of my father’s shop, and kiss the game goodbye.
Tire shops.
Car washes.
Laundry mats.
Body shops.
Paint shops.
I didn’t mind getting my hands dirty to keep them clean. Securing the shop my father had put his blood, sweat, and tears into was the first step.
“How long have you been standing there?” Hyphen asked, now standing in front of me on the tips of her toes.
She kissed my nose. She kissed my lips. She kissed my chin.
As bitter as she is sweet.
“I’ma nigga, Hyph. Don’t be kissing me on my nose and shit.”
“I can kiss you wherever the hell I want,” she countered, rolling her neck.
Chuckling, I pulled her closer, tonguing her sassy ass down. She was breathless when she finally pulled away.
On the boat, in her best, looking good in the sunset, and kissing my damn nose was where Hyphen was supposed to be. Only we wouldn’t be renting a boat. It would be ours. Hers.
“Fucking right.” I validated her claims. They were true.
“How long have you been here?”
“A bit, baby. You ready to eat?”
She nodded.
“Food is ready. The chef just finished up.”
“Carry me,” she demanded.
Before I was able to respond, she was jumping into my arms and I was catching her.
“You’re crazy, lady.”
“Mmm hmmm. You should keep reminding yourself of that when you talk about being with me and loving on me and treating me right and all of that good shit.”
