Page 52 of Own It

“And still I rise,” he jested, but I could see the subject wasn’t a joke to him just yet.

“Did you though, Rakim? You seem sad majority of the time.”

Licking his lips and expelling a subtle breath, he replied, “If I seem down, Daylin, I can promise you it ain’t because of LaMia. I got over that shit the minute it all settled in. I’m not sad, I’m not happy, I’m just chilling.” He gave me eye contact momentarily.

I didn’t know what to think about that. How was he fine with not being happy nor sad, . . . just chilling?

“Well, I toyed with that bitch a little bit, and that was actually for you.” I looked his way when I heard him snicker while shaking his head. “Told her I was gonna shoot my shot with you, and homegirl did her best to try to steer me away. She’s still feeling you, if you didn’t know.”

“You ain’t need to do that either. You a piece of work just like Tarin’s ass.”

“I can be.” I chuckled. “But I wanted to mess with her. It was the only thing I could do in order to keep myself from slapping her ass. And if you didn’t know, you’re the better-looking twin. In fact, you even have the better personality though you kidnapped me.” I pinched his solid bicep. Damn. “Your brother is an arrogant, disloyal piece of shit. And I can bet he abuses women,” I ranted. “Hmph. At least you give me food and books.”

“You talk a lot.” He laughed. I loved his laugh.

“Well soon enough, if all goes well, my talking problem will be Shaun’s issue again.”

Rakim was silent for a beat, my comment clearly bothering him, as he drove for a bit before saying, “Low-key, you talking so much is comforting. I don’t say too much, usually in favor of observing shit, but also because I got so much on the brain.” He nibbled on his full bottom lip momentarily. “But hearing yo’ ass go on and on and on and on—” He paused to grin and glance my way—“is nice. Weirdly enough.”

He pinned his eyes on me again, and we both stared for longer than we should have. I fought the urge to reach up and caress the painful looking scar below his left eye.

This wasn’t good. I had a man at home, waiting for me, and I was developing feelings for a whole nother man. This wasn’t typical of me at all. I didn’t cheat or do anything I didn’t want Shaun doing, yet here I was, blushing, smiling, and flirting with Rakim.

It was hard though. The way he looked, his walk, his laugh, his aura, his cologne, his story . . . I found it all so intriguing. Shaun seemed so boyish in comparison, and I hated to think negatively of my man in favor of another.

We made it back to the ranch style house, and he walked me down to the room. I immediately hopped into the shower, and then once out, brushed, flossed, and used mouthwash.

“Trying to decide if I should continue to let you roam freely,” Rakim said as soon as I came out of the bathroom.

I could tell he’d showered as well since he was now in dark gray sweats, socks, and a wife beater. His tattooed guns were on display, and a do-rag was secured over his fade now.

“I’m not gonna try anything,” I promised.

We watched one another as I descended onto the bed, noticing the linen had been refreshed.

“I don’t wanna come back and you gone.”

Though I knew what he meant, his tone gave it an underlying meaning.

Before I could probe, his phone rang, and he answered. He spoke frantically, making me wonder what was going on.

“Everything okay?”

“I gotta go.” He rushed over, handcuffed me to the headboard, and left.

“Good night, Rakim,” I stated lowly since he was already out of the room.

TWELVE

rakim

Hopping into my whip, I sped off from the ranch house in the direction of the mansion party. I didn’t waste time putting on my fucking seat belt as I floored it, mind going crazy and swarming with all types of negative, pessimistic thoughts.

I could hear my damn heart thundering in my ears, praying my brother Zaire was aight. The way Josias sounded over the phone, telling me my baby brother wasn’t responsive had me thinking all kinds of shit. Between my mama, Talid, and Zaire, this death shit seemed to always be fucking lurking. Felt like it was only a matter of time before that muthafucka came for me personally.

Parking all fucked up, I clambered out of the car and rushed into the party that had died down since Daylin and I exited. Hurrying up the stairs, I followed the sound of Josias’s voice to a room off to the left with double doors.

“Man, I don’t know what the fuck he took.” Josias panicked, gripping a handful of his locs as his hands rested atop his head.