“Yeah… I see,” he chuckled as his eyes once again wandered between Chase and me.
“Uh,” I said, clearing my throat. “Chase, this is my brother, AJ. AJ, this is Chase.”
“Nice to meet you,” AJ said, still stayed planted in the doorway. I assumed he opted out of the handshake which was good because Iknewwhere those hands had been.
“Likewise,” Chase said. “I wish we could have met on a… less awkward occasion, but nice to meet you too.”
“So… y’all fuckin’?” he blurted out with his eyes narrowed. He wouldn’t bemybrother if he didn’t shout out the first inappropriate thing that came to his mind.
“Andre!” I snapped.
“What? That’s a valid question! The nigga in here half naked, you look like somebody put you through the spin cycle. So,thisiswhy you dropped his case!” he said, pointing an accusatory finger at me like he and the Mystery Gang had just foiled my evil plan.
“Yes, and that’s why we’re trying to keep it quiet,” I said through tight lips with a warning in my eyes. I knew he would keep our secret safe from the world, but my family? Oh, they would probably know by the time he made it to the fucking car.
“I’ll try my best, but youknowMama is part bloodhound. It’s just a matter of time until she finds out on her own. Wait… That’s you in that lil’ ass Altima outside?” he asked, his eyes darting back to the door. I shot Chase the most asshole look I could as his face dropped.
“It’s a rental…” he mumbled. “I came up last minute, and it was all that I could get.”
“Cool… Well uh, it was nice to meet you. I’ma get out of y’all’s way… Amaya, call Mama, please,” he said as he backed towards the door before slipping out of it. Chase didn’t say much as I retreated to the bathroom so I could go get my ass in the shower while he reheated our food that had grown cold.
When I came back to a perfectly reheated plate of shrimp tacos for me and shrimp, rice, and veggies for him, he was still being quiet. I glanced at the counter to see that he had his tablet unlocked on a page open of trucks for sale.
“You know you don’thaveto get rid of the car,” I huffed and rolled my eyes. I wasn’tthatsuperficial.
“Nah, I just don’t want your people thinking I’m not capable of taking care of you,” he said bashfully. “I’ll take the car back tomorrow. Plus, it would make more sense for me to have something more long term for the time I plan on spending here in between work… if you don’t mind.” My mouth hit the floor as I looked at him in awe.
“What now, Amaya?” he dragged out, rolling his eyes at me.
“Nothing,” I said, smiling into my plate of food. The fact that he was thinking more long term had me giddy like a fiend in a traphouse, but I could never say that to him.
Mom
Amaya, who is this man you got holed up over there in that house?
Me
AJ! You literally promised!
AJ
It wasn’t me! You know Mama be doing Jazzercise with that nosey lady down the street.
Mom
It’s a spin class!
Me
Get it right, sucka!
Mom
No ma’am. Still waiting on an answer on who the hell you got hostage over there.
Me
Not hostage! This man is free to come and go as he pleases… He just don’t wanna leave.
