The next morning, I woke up to the sound of loud R&B music and Liv’s horrible shower singing and realized she’d already taken advantage of the shower. I was interrupted by the sounds of my own stomach, letting me know it was time to eat. I yawned and, for a second, could still smell the scent of Oak on my skin from our late-night session.
“Shit. I need to hop in the shower,” I grumbled before getting up to walk down the stairs and into the kitchen sluggishly. Luckily, Mama Gray had thrown down in the kitchen, seemingly before the sun came up, and left a note on the fridge that she and Mr. Gray had gone out for a nature walk. There was a spread large enough to feed an army laid out on the dining room table—from pancakes and waffles to turkey bacon, smoked sausage, scrambled eggs with cheese, and grits.
I fixed myself a plate and placed it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. As I stood there counting down the seconds along with the microwave, Oak sauntered in shirtless, wearing some gray sweatpants. My gaze immediately dropped down to the visible print between his thighs.
“Damn, I didn’t hear you get up. You scared me.”
He belted out a low chuckle. “Looks like I’m two for two.”
I laughed a little on the inside while trying to discretely pull down my flannel pajama shorts.
“What you heatin’ up?” he inquired.
“Your mama’s leftovers.”
“Oh, bet. Make me a plate.”
I scoffed. “Boy, make your own plate.”
He looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was around before stepping up behind me. “After the way I had you creaming all over this dick last night, you can’t make a nigga no plate?”
My chest caved in as I fought myself from pushing back against his print.Goddamn, this nigga is gonna be the fuckin’ death of me.The microwave chimed, drawing my attention back to my food, and I eagerly took out the steaming plate of breakfast essentials.
“Gimme some, Lex,” Oak begged, blocking my way to the table.
“No. Now move.”
“Say please.”
“Move before I bite yo’ ass,” I warned.
“Why you so damn mean?”
“I’m not. I’m just hungry,” I replied with a dry shrug as I moved around him.
I was headed toward the dining room table to enjoy my meal when the downstairs bathroom door swung open. Amidst the steam that tumbled out came Liv, filling the immediate area with scents of jasmine and lavender.
“Good morning, bestie.” She greeted me joyfully before turning her attention to her brother. “Morning to you too, troll.”
“See, I was planning on being nice to yo’ eggheaded ass today, but leave it to you?—”
She cut him off with laughter and tossed her hands up in the air in surrender as she sailed into the kitchen. “I’m kidding!”
“Yo, get your girl, Liv. She won’t fix a nigga a plate.”
She glanced at him. “Your hands broke or something?”
He sucked his teeth. “Damn. I see why you two are friends. Y’all rude asses run on coffee and sarcasm. But we supposed to be family. We’re blood, girl.”
“Okay, okay, you’re right.” She agreed with a nod.
They both walked up to me with mischievous looks plastered across their faces, and before I knew it, they started tag-teaming me for my food as if there weren’t enough for us all. Liv’s hands were quick, snatching my plate from the place setting and running with it while Oak held me against the chair. I squirmed against his grasp, trying not to become too intoxicated by his familiar scent. The scent that still marked my body. Once she’d gotten far enough away, he let me go. I shot up from my seat only for Oak to toss me over his shoulder like a rag doll and body slam me on the couch before skating off.
“Stop playin’, y’all. We not kids no more. I will fuck you up over my food!” I snapped, climbing off the couch.
I ran after Liv first, who was crouched in a corner trying to scarf down a piece of my turkey bacon.
“Really, Liv? I thought we were girls!”
