“We good?” Rome asked me, joining as we made our way to the exit.
“Perfect,” I answered with a nod.
“You handle what you needed to?”
“Nigga, you think I’ma hoe? Hell yeah, I handled it!” I said, looking at him with a scowl, before it softened. “Thank you for lookin’ out though.”
“Nigga, you know I got you… Now what?” he asked.
“Now I’m about to pull up on her and make sure she’s good,” I said. It was the only thing that made sense.
“My nigga,” he said with a smile as he pounded my fist. We left it at that, and I was on the next thing smokin’ to get back to New Dawn.
CHAPTER 22
LIKE A ROACH
“So, where’s your man?”AJ teased as we sat on the bleachers watching Kadence’s summer league game. She had already scored 15 points, and I was proud as hell of her, but they were dog walking the other team so bad that it was painful to watch. That’s how AJ and I ended up talking about my damn love life.
“He… had to go back home to handle some business,” I mumbled. I wasn’t lying, but I was sure that telling him, “He flew across the country to see his ex—not because he has feelings for her. He just needs to make sure she was alive,” sounded as crazy out loud as it did in my head. I was glad he wasn’t there because I was completely mortified at the way I broke down on him last night. I thought I was fine, but the moment he pushed, I broke, and now I was dreading ever having to look at him up close again. I was entirely too grown to be so shy and bashful around any nigga, let alone one who had licked all over my inside parts, but I couldn’t help it.
“I know he better be back in time for this damn cookout because I’m tired of your parents houndingmelike I had the nigga stored away in my damn house.”
“He said he would be there,” I murmured. Once again, he had gone missing and wasn’t answering my calls or texts. Somehow, Iknew he wasn’t up to anything grimy, but the fact that I couldn’t talk to him was bothering the fuck out of me.
“So, you really like that nigga? How did that happen? Because when you first took that case, I thought you were gonna end up catching one of your own,” he chuckled.
“I…” I paused. “I don’tknow. I was adamant about not liking his ass, but he was more adamant about the fact that we were gonna be together. Stupid ass.” I chuckled to myself before getting lost in thoughts of Chase with a silly grin. When I came back to, AJ was sitting there looking at me with a smart ass expression on his face.
“What?” I groaned.
“Nothing,” he chuckled, then looked off. “As long as you’re happy. It’s cool. I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Malcom’s lame ass, but I know it wasn’t good. I saw a shift in you, May. Here lately, you’re looking more like your old self every day, and I really love to see that.” He looked off, refusing to make eye contact with me which was perfect because I caught my eyes trying to tear up… what the fuck was happening to me?
“You could see that?” I asked, turning to him in disbelief.
“Yeah,” he chuckled angrily. “Your light dimmed, like you had lost hope or something. I know how bad you wanted marriage and a family and all that, so I knew it had to be bad for you to give it all up so suddenly.”
“You couldreallytell?” I asked again, mouth open in deep thought. I thought I was doing my best to keep it all to myself. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Hell yeah. I never said anything because you always try to play so tough, like can’t nothing hurt you, but youknowI got your back whenever you need me, right?” he asked. I went silent and stared straight ahead because, tears. “May,” he called again. “You know that, right?”
“Mhm,” I squeaked out.
“Good,” he said, pushing me playfully. “Because you a bigheaded ass, certified maniac, but you’remycertified maniac,and I’ll put a bullet in anybody who tries you… Even that big nigga you had chained up in your house like Django!” This time I laughed hard, wiping the tears away from my eyes. I couldn’t lie, it felt good to see the goofy grin that had returned to his face as well. Laila came through with some of her influencer friends and really put a spotlight on Willow’s. So much so that he was featured on the New Dawn Evening News—which brought even more eyes. Mona recruited Tahmir to help with some new photos and revamping the website, and June spruced up the decor. Things were going so well that he was able to hire an assistant manager, so he didn’t have to spend every waking moment at work.
“So,” I said with a sly smile, since he had been all up in my business. “When doyouplan on putting yourself back out there?”
“What you mean?” he asked with a frown.
“Dating, nigga!” I snapped back. As far as I knew, he hadn’t dated anyone—seriously or casually—since Kari left about eight years ago.
“Man, gon’ head. I really don’t think that’s in the cards for me. After everything that happened, I’m cool on just raising my daughter.” That bitch really put him through the wringer. He found out she had been sleeping with her much older boss for years, which led to their breakup and a paternity suit. When she realized that even though Kadence was his, he wouldneverbe with her again, she decided to try to flee the country.
“AJ,” I scolded. “You can’t let one bad experience keep you out the game forever. Kari wasn’t it, but I know there’s someone out there for you. You deserve to be happy too.” I damn near gagged at the words coming out of my mouth. I soundedjustlike Mona’s ass… but hell, aside from her and Tahmir’s minor setback, she was the happiest I had ever seen her, so maybe she was onto something.
“Nigga…” AJ narrowed his eyes at me. “When did you get soft like this? What is that nigga over there doing to you? Wait, don’t answer that!” he said in disgust.
“Fuck you!” I blurted out, earning a few disapproving looks from nearby parents. “Fuck y’all, too!” I said with a frown.
