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“Uh oh, no man likes to hear those words,”
“I don’t think this will be a bad conversation. It’s probably a conversation you’ve been wanting to have,”
“Um okay, but it might have to wait after the graduation and party. You know my family parties until the sun comes up,”
“Yes, I am aware. Whenever you are free is fine. What time will you get to the party?”
“It depends. If I leave there without making sure no one needs me to do anything I will be homeless,” he says, making me laugh.
Jabarri
Of course, my family threw a hell of a party for Brooklyn, and we didn’t go to bed until the sun was up. I spent a couple hours at Natalie's party, and I just about ripped all of my hair out. I don’t know how Camryn and Natalie came from their parents; they are nothing alike. I started to come to the party in ripped jeans and a tee shirt, but I wore my signature black with my “hippie” hair down. That’s what her grandparents called it the one other time I went around them, and it was down. I practically ran when Natalie said I could go, but now that I have partied, passed out, and then stuffed myself at breakfast. I am heading to Natalie’s house to talk about whatever is bothering her. I have made this drive so often I can do without giving it any real thought allowing me to think about Skai at the party. She looked a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw her, but she went out of her way to avoid me, and I didn’t push her. I pull into Natalie’s driveway, and I didn't even realize I was so close.
I use the key, “Natalie!”
“Back here,” she yells, and I walk towards the back of her house.
“I hope you’re not back here trying to cook,”
“No, smart ass, I am not,” she says with humor lacing her voice. I find her sitting at the kitchen table enjoying leftovers from last night’s party.
“As ‘traditional’ as your parents are, I am still trying to figure out why your ass can’t cook.”
“I just never took to it. Now Camryn did, but my parents almost gave him a lobotomy, so he stopped cooking for them.”
“Your parents are weird as hell.”
“I never thought so. I always thought everyone’s parents were like mine until I got older, and then I realized my parents are crazy as hell.”
“Okay, so let’s talk,”
“I met someone,” she says, and time stops.
Three words. Three words changed everything. Three words I had been waiting to hear and finally Natalie said them. But with the revelation a new set of challenges presented themselves. Not for me, but for Natalie and I plan on being there to help her through this. But for the first time in almost a decade I am free to go after her, and I hope she’s ready for me.
CHAPTER 5
Jabarri
Even though for the first time ever, I am able to pursue Skai, but I have not made a single move. The last thing I want to do is make a move and ruin things before they ever get started. She is not an easy person, and she is not going to make anything easy on me, so coming to her half-assed is not an option at all, so I need to be strategic about things.
“I have a suggestion for you,” Natalie says.
“What’s the suggestion?”
“Just go to her and be yourself.”
“Oh, is that all?”
“Yes, Jabarri, you are an amazing person. You are definitely not the same man you were when you first met. Let her see that,”
“You don’t know her,”
“Maybe not, but I know you, and I know what you told me. Go to her and actually talk, no smart-ass comments or remarks, and go from there,” she says before walking away.
I met her for lunch, but I wasn’t much company since my mind was somewhere else. I watched her get into her car and pull away from the curb. I slowly make my way back to my car, thinking about the conversation I overheard about Skai, moving back to the house we remodeled and turning into herself. Savvy said if Skai continued to isolate herself, she was going to move her back to the pool house. I pull into the restaurant parking lot, park, and head inside; fifteen minutes later, I carry the bag with birria tacos, rice and beans, and chips and salsa. I make sure her food is good and head to her house. There is no telling how she is going to react to me showing up on her doorstep, but I have never been a coward, so I prepare for the fight I know she is going to give and head toward her.
Skai
