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“Thank you for helping me. My own personal hero. You’re like the Dark Knight, for real.” Jess had gone from being grateful to flirting.
Perfect. He asked again, “Where is your husband?”
“Umm. My boyfriend is at home.” Jess shrugged, tightening his hold on Ty’s hand. People glanced in their direction, but Ty kept his eyes trained on his safety point, which was the BP gas station at the corner. “He ain’t feel like coming out today. He works… and I shop. He makes the money and I spend the money.”
Ty didn’t comment. But he couldn’t help but think that not only did the women in his hood not hold their men down as they hustled to provide, but it seemed as if some men had problems with their men standing with them as well, and not just clinging to their coattails enjoying the free ride. Why do men pour their money and time into another person then refuse to commit to ‘em? His father had been blessed with a family because he’d made wise choices. He’d claimed his soulmate quickly, committed himself to her for life, and given her his family’s gold and diamonds; then put his seed in her womb. If Ty met his other half, he’d waste no time; just like his father.
“Call him. Tell him where you are and that you were assaulted. Tell him you need him to come get you right away,” Ty instructed, his tone leaving no room for debate. That should get your boyfriend off his ass.
“He’ll just tell me take a Lyft.”
Ty stopped suddenly and spun around, making Jess stumble over his tall heels. “What?” Ty couldn’t have heard right. A damn Lyft… a cab? “Even if you tell him you’ve been assaulted?”
Jess chuckled. “I’m not dying, I’m not laid up in the hospital.”
“You could’ve been. Does that mean nothing?” Ty looked down at Jess with sorrow. Sorry that he didn’t have a more caring partner in his life for moments like this. His man should be wrapping him in his arms and thanking whatever God he worshipped for saving his treasure. Instead of arguing that he did have a good man, Jess simply pulled out his cell phone and begin scheduling a ride. Not bothering to even send his partner a text.
“They’ll be here in five.” Jess squinted after closing his Lyft app. He stared back at Ty, who was still standing close to him. “You’re not from around here are you?”
“I am. I was born and raised in Rosewell. I’ve lived in Mechanicsville since I was eighteen.” Ty glanced down the street then back at Jess.
“You don’t talk or act like you’re from the hood.” Jess tucked his phone back into his suede fanny pack. Even that silly contraption looked expensive to Ty.
“I’m not from the hood. The hood is a mentality. A way of life and a way of thinking.” Ty stared in Jess’s eyes to make sure he got his point. “Many good men who physically resided in the projects have gone on to be doctors, lawyers, bankers and investors because they never had the hood in them. I’m not hood.”
“No you are not,” Jess whispered. “You’re amazing.”
Ty didn’t respond. Doing the right thing or simply doing what any man should didn’t make him amazing. He’d learned that when he was very young when he’d thought bringing home straight As his first year in high school would warrant him special recognition, but he’d been wrong, and his father had explained it that simply.
“So what will you do after I leave? Go back to the bus stop and see if anyone else needs your help?” Jess smirked. He set his bags beside him and began to wipe at a spot that caught his attention around Ty’s collar. “I think this is blood.”
“It’s not mine.” Ty continued to stare as Jess’s fingers lightly touched his throat and the sensitive skin just under his collar. He swallowed roughly, not sure what the fluttering feeling was deep in his belly. It wasn’t Jess. He didn’t desire anything that belonged to another. So what was it?
“I don’t know your story… or even your name for—”
“It’s Ty. Tyrell Jenkins.” Just then the Lyft driver pulled up to the curb and cracked his window.
“You waiting on a Lyft?” the man asked gruffly through the thick hair over his top lip. He was shabby and unkempt, but he appeared harmless.
Ty answered before Jess could. “Yes.” He opened the back door when Jess went to get in the front and motioned for him to sit in the back with the rest of his belongings. “Go home, Jess. No more adventures for today.”
“Only because it’s you. I’ll say okay.” He gave Ty a flirtatious smile and leaned up to kiss him on his cheek. Ty accepted the innocent gesture for what it was. A simple thank you. “I don’t usually do what I’m told.”
