“You good, Zee?” she asks, and all I could do was nod.
“H-How did you know I was here?” I ask, still confused about how she just materialized.
“Coincidence,” she shrugged, glancing over at her cousin and sister. They shake their head, before snickering at something only they knew.
“Coincidence, my ass,” Morgan continued to laugh. She walked over to where I was and slung her arm over my shoulder. I caught the annoyed look that Kay flashed her, and I giggled. “We were deliveringan order across the street, and Kay saw you pull up, so she wanted to come over here, claiming that she needed to get something for tonight.”
“I…I…” Kay said, but I continued to giggle as I stepped closer to her. I hugged her around the waist, looking up at her.
“Aww, did you miss your bestie?” I teased. “You were gonna see me tonight, but you couldn’t wait? You’re so obsessed with me. It’s cute.”
“Whatever, big head,” she chuckled, palming my face and pushing me away from her. She glances down at my cart, and I notice that big ass Kool-Aid smile on her face when she looks at me. “You cooking good tonight, I see. Hell yeah!”
“Hell yeah is right, because that looks like just enough for us to get a plate, too,” Morgan says, peering into the cart too. “Are Warren and I invited too?”
“Yeah, we want some good cooking too,” Warren smirked, looking at Kay, who looked like she was ready to kill them. “Don’t be looking at me like that, Kayla. You can’t behogging all the good eating. You know Zee be throwing down.”
“Y’all make me sick, you know that, right?” she replies, causing them to fall out laughing.
“It’s okay, Kay,” I assure her. “I don’t mind. I just need to get another pack of chicken.”
She tried to argue with me that I didn’t have to cook for them, but after I told her that I wanted to, she reluctantly gave in. They trail behind me as I get the last of the ingredients I need, and when it’s time to pay, they’re all arguing over who’s going to pay. It was like this any time I did anything with Kay and her family. Even though I didn’t mind paying, I was never allowed to, not even for a pack of gum or an extra barbecue sauce cup.
They would nag me for hours if I even reached for my wallet, so I learned years ago to just stand to the side and wait for them to finish arguing. I wasn’t complaining, though. Because of how well supported I was, I was able to stack my money and eventually buy a house for my daughter and me. Four bedrooms and 3 ½ baths with a spacious backyard. It was beautiful, and I loved having a comfortable place with lots of space for her to grow.
I focus back on the ruckus in front of me in time to see Kayla swiping her card and the other two grabbing the bags to load them into the cart. Warren pushed the cart out as Morgan munched on a candy bar she’d slid onto the counter. Kay took my hand and led me over to my car, where she opened the passenger side for me. I didn’t even question it as she walked over to the driver’s side and got in. I could see Warren and Morgan loading the groceries into the back oftheir truck, and I didn’t fret because this was also something I was used to.
When we got to my place, they unloaded the groceries as well as the bags of clothes I’d purchased earlier, and I began to prepare dinner. Kay helped me and even enlisted the other two. They complained at first, but she told them that if they didn’t help, they weren’t gonna eat. That got them to work quicker, and all I could do was shake my head because the whole Collins family was a mess.
The dinner came together in no time, and soon we were sitting around the table laughing and joking as we enjoyed the meal. After dinner, Warren and Morgan helped with the cleanup, and then they said their goodbyes. Kay and I called to check on Serenity, but my sister said that she was fast asleep, worn out after a day of playing at the park. I told her to give her a kiss for me, and she assured me that she would before telling me goodnight.
After disconnecting the call, I looked up to see Kay standing there with a bowl of popcorn. I smiled, motioning for her to join me on the couch. We didn’t say anything as we watched the movie we were supposed to watch the other day. It was the perfect ending to the day.
CHAPTER 4
Unwanted Surpises At Practice.
Jakayla - October 6th, 2023
“Okay, keep going,” I call out to Morgan as she backs the truck up to the loading dock. “Okay, stop! You’re good!”
She stops the truck, putting it into park before cutting the engine and hopping out. My cousins get to work loading today’s deliveries into the back. There were about 20 or so stops to make today, all bulk orders of hundreds of products. I loved working here, but I didn't like the delivery part of the job. I preferred to work out in the orchards, but I came to help out here when we had big orders to fill.
And today was one of those days.
Aside from an apple orchard where visitors could tour and pick fresh fruit, we also tended a few orange groves. There was an onsite factory where we produced all kinds of apple and orange products, from jellies and pastries to ciders and even soaps and body butters. One of my favorite pastimes was visiting the testing lab and helping them develop new products made from our fruits.
I’d recently worked on a honey cinnamon apple bar soapthat had been our best seller at the farmer’s market last month. It became so popular that people were begging us to add it to our site. Some of the local shops had even placed orders to stock their shelves. I felt so damn accomplished knowing that something I’d created was a total hit. Even Zseyah loved it! She complimented me on my use of natural oils, which helped maintain moisture and nourish the skin.
Additionally, it was a plus that it smelled good.
“Aye, stop daydreaming and come help us,” Morgan calls, knocking me out of my thoughts. I roll my eyes.
“I’m just surprised you’re actually up on time today,” I taunt, grabbing two boxes before moving towards the truck. “You must have some girl you’re tryna go see.”
“Man, whatever,” she waves me off. “Just because I have plans, that doesn’t mean that it involves some girl.” She pauses, looking at me. “And even if it did, so what? I’m grown.”
“You’re right. I’m just teasing.” I shake my head. “Just be careful of who you’re entertaining, Mo. A lot of people know who you are and who your parents are. I don’t want anyone thinking they can take advantage of your kindness just so they can get close to your pockets.”
