“Because I’m drunk. Did I embarrass you? You know I don’t get drunk. I think they slipped me something!”
“They didn’t slip you nothing,” I laughed. “I told you that moonshine wasn’t nothing to fuck around with, but you didn’t listen. It’s okay though, baby. You workreallyhard. You deserve to let loose for one night.”
“See, that's why I love you, Toni,” he whined as he buried his face in my neck and planted a kiss there.
“Shut up, Chase!” I shot back out of instinct. My brain immediately went into panic mode because why the fuck would he say that to me? I tried to wiggle out from under him, but he just held me tighter.
“I do, and I know you love me too, baby. Even though you try to act all tough and shit. I know it.”
“Shutup,Chase!” I snapped again, but he was already asleep again. I laid there, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about what just happened for at least an hour before I fell asleep.
Two days later,June, Laila and I worked diligently, pulling videos for a social media giveaway that Laila was hosting for her celebration of reaching five hundred thousand followers. She had over five thousand worth in prizes, so the turnout was insane. We were tasked with making sure everyone who was considered was qualified, and that they’d never talked shit about my girl on social media before we gave them these prizes. I had no problem pulling up to repossess this shit if I found out they were on some bullshit.
“So, the man told you that he loved you, and you said what?” June asked.
“I told him to shut up and go to sleep!” I said with an awkward shrug.
“Amaya,” Laila cackled. “Bitch, why would you do that?” The two of them howled like a full pack of hyenas. I frowned, unable to find anything funny.
“Because I wanted him to shut the fuck up and go the fuck to sleep… I don’t knowww!” I whined. “And he’s leaving for training camp next week and the house is all awkward. I don’t want it to end likethis.”
“Well, do you love him?” June asked with an annoying ass smile on her face.
“Girl, hejustbecame my man like two seconds ago, no!” I fussed.
“Yes, but you’ve been in his face since February, getting to know him. It’s not too soon,” June said. I just mugged them. They wanted me to be softsobad.
“It is too soon, so no,” I asserted this time. “Next subject.”
“So, how do you feel about him leaving soon?” Laila asked. I rolled my eyes, because this was the same damn subject.
“I mean… I made it thirty-four years without his ass, I’ll be fine when he leaves,” I mumbled, ignoring the lump forming in my throat. At that point, I had to sit and reflect on whether or not he had ever mademespaghetti because the thought of him getting on a plane and flying away again had my stomach hurting. Malcom was so busyallthe time, and I never really cared becauseI enjoyed my free time and independence. With Chase, I wanted to be on his hip at all times like a pistol.
It was gross.
Just when I thought I would make myself sick with the grief of him leaving me, I got a text.
Chase
Hey, I just got notified that the training camp facilities flooded, so they’re pushing camp back a week. I guess that means we get a few more days. If that’s okay with you?
Me
Yes! That’s fine with me!
I couldn’t even try to play it cool and wait to text back, and I couldn’t hide the smile on my face at the thought of having in my space a few extra days.
“Girl, did you win the lottery or something?” Laila joked.
“It was Chase. He said he can stay an extra week because their facility flooded or something,” I said, trying to shrug it off.
“Okay,” June said with a smirk on her face.
“Bitch, why are you looking at me like that?” I raised my brow at her.
“No reason,” she said, glancing over at Laila who wore a similar expression.
“What?” I asked with a frown. “I don’t love that nigga! I do not!” I pouted and picked up my laptop to get back to work as they continued looking at me like Thing 1 and Thing 2.
