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“You’re welcome. I linked up with some of my people in Florida, and we had a whole party while watching the game. Humble told me to tell you that he can’t wait to meet you this weekend at the concert. He’s gonna be there to perform ‘Apple of God’s Eye’ with me.”
“That’s what’s up. I can’t wait to turn up with y’all.” I was quiet for a moment, then I asked the dreaded question. “How’s Kenya?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to TAZ since before the game. She didn’t say anything was wrong. Why?”
“Just checking on her. I mean, I know you know about her dude.”
“Yeah, I know about that clown. How you call your woman while she’s out of town to tell her you cheated on her? That’s a nigga with audacity right there.”
“Hell yeah. I… I mean, I just wanna know that her heart is okay.”
“Call her then. I know you have her number. TAZ told me she called you earlier.”
“She did, but I don’t wanna bother her if she don’t feel like talking.”
“Nigga, if she don’t feel like talking, then she won’t answer. I think this is more about you. You feel something for her, but you scared to get caught up again.”
I remained quiet, silently confirming his analysis of me. I didn’t want to put too much effort into this if she wasn’t going to put forth the same effort. I expected her to reach out since I’d had an amazing game, but I supposed I could reach out this time. “You right. I’ll text her.” After a brief pause, I said, “Jess had her baby.”
“I know. Jakari told you?”
“Yeah. For once, I didn’t ask how she was. He volunteered that information. I’m truly trying to move on.”
“That’s good. Well, you don’t ever have to worry about me bringing her up in your presence or in conversation with you no time soon. Maybe you should tell Jakari to do the same.”
“Yeah. I’ll let him know next time we talk. Well, let me go find something to eat. A nigga is starving.”
He chuckled. “A’ight. I’ll see you Friday.”
“A’ight.”
I pulled some steak and cheese wraps from the freezer and threw them in the air fryer, then sent Kenya a text.What’s up? I hope all is cool on your end.
I didn’t want to be too personal, because I didn’t know if she officially ended shit with her dude or not. I remembered what she said on the phone earlier… or rather what she insinuated, but that didn’t mean she’d actually done it. There was still a conversation that needed to be had.
I started a playlist on my phone as I waited for her response. I mostly listened to R&B music. When “Calm & Patient” by Jhené Aiko came on, I closed my eyes, thanking God for His love. It was a song that always lifted me when I was feeling a way. I’d listened to it a lot since I’d withdrawn from the party scene. I listened to Houston rappers, occasionally, and Noah. I grew up on Slim Thug and Z-Ro. My mama used to love those niggas.
When my phone chimed, I grabbed it from the countertop to see a message from Kenya. I saw the sad faces, and I braced myself for what the message would say.I’m so sorry, Nate. I missed the game. My ex showed up acting an entire fool because he saw me taking the last set of flowers to the dumpster. Then he refused to accept that I was breaking up with him. I thought I was going to have to call the cops. Had my mama not shown up, I would have.
I took a deep breath. That sounded like a lot of drama that I didn’t want to be involved in. I was more than sure he probably noticed the flowers I sent. Instead of responding to what she said, I sent,Call me if you can.
Give me a few minutes, and I will.
I blew out a heavy breath then got a plate to get my cheesesteak wraps from the air fryer as Noah’s track, “How It Feel” came through. I bobbed my head and placed my food on my plate. That nigga knew he was talented as hell. I couldn’t wait to turn up at the concert. I just hated that he would probably never perform two of my favorite songs from him again. “Dear Queen” and “Forever Mine” were the shit in my book. They were about his exes though.
His decision to take them out of his performance rotation was out of respect for TAZ, since one was written for his ex-wife, Jah, and the other was for his ex-girlfriend, Sonya. He’d loved both women with his life at one time. I didn’t think TAZ would trip on that, though, since both songs were pretty big in his career.
I took a bite from the wraps I’d ordered from Sam’s, and they were pretty good. Cooking wasn’t my forte, so I tried to find shit that was easy for me to heat up. If it could be thrown in the air fryer, I was all for that shit.
When my phone started ringing, I rubbed my hand down my face, not knowing how this conversation would go. I grabbed it from the countertop as I swallowed what remained in my mouth. “Hello?”
“Hi, Nate. It’s Kenya.”
I slightly rolled my eyes. “You know you don’t have to tell me it’s you, right? Your number is saved in my phone, and I know your voice.”
She chuckled nervously. I could hear the tremble in that shit. “Right. I’m so sorry I missed the game. I looked up the highlights, and you’re trending. You showed out for me, and I didn’t even get to watch. I’m going to watch tomorrow when I come back from the studio. I have to record some background vocals for TAZ.”
“Are you still at home?”
