Page 27 of Make Me Forget

Everybody chuckled. “Milana and Rylan, y’all come up here too.” As they were walking up, he said, “Milana won first place in barrel racing, and Rylan won first in tie-down roping. These people gon’ learn that they can’t fuck with the Hendersons. Carter Legend won first place in bull riding, and Lil Red won first in steer wrestling. They are like family as well. I’m sure Legend and Red had their chests stuck out and were talking plenty of noise.”

The last two he named weren’t here, but the crowd of family applauded like they were. The longer we stood here, the more uncomfortable I got. I could see people staring at me, like they were trying to figure out why I was up here and who I was.

“I would like them all to say something, if possible. I know baby girl has an announcement to make to the family, and I want to believe KJ does too. It doesn’t matter who goes first.”

He stepped away, and Karima timidly went to the mic first as everyone applauded. “Thank y’all for your support, especially my parents, brother, and Aunt Tiffany. My immediate family, for obvious reasons, but Aunt Tiff for giving me the knowledge I possess about riding and the business in general. You poured into me, and I plan to pour into others. I was umm…”

She swallowed hard. “I was offered a position teaching girls how to ride at a private school in Nashville. The contract is for three years. I accepted.”

It was like the crowds’ faces dropped. I didn’t understand what the big deal was, because that was amazing news. However, what she said next made me understand. “I know the Hendersons typically stay in Nome. This move isn’t intended to be permanent, but I have to see what’s out there for me. I love y’all so much.”

The tears were falling down her cheeks, and Kendrall’s hand was trembling. He released my hand and went to his sister, pulling her to him, hugging her tightly. Finally, Mr. Storm stood and clapped for her. Before long, everyone followed suit. Mr. Kenny took Kendrall’s spot, holding Karima in his arms. Kendrall extended his hand to me, and we went to the mic. My nerves were even more on edge.

“Thank y’all for this.” His voice was trembling somewhat. His emotions were at the forefront because of Karima’s announcement. “Karima, I love you, and I’m so proud of you. That’s an esteemed honor. We’re all just in shock that you’re leaving. I know you’ll visit and shit, but it won’t be the same without you being next door. You best believe we’ll be visiting to make sure everything’s on the up and up, and let those people know the Hendersons don’t fuck around.”

“Hell yeah!” one of his aunts said.

Everyone clapped, and when they calmed down, he continued. “This was a big win. This cemented my place to compete in the championship. This wouldn’t be possible without my dad. That man taught me everything he knew about the sport and found me the perfect mean ass horse. I have to thank Mister Zayson for training the fuck out of him too.”

There were a few to agree with him, but when he turned to me and licked his lips, the trembles took over my entire body. “Today, I had even more encouragement. It came from my childhood friend, Cassie. I want y’all to know that we are much more than friends now.”

“No shit,” Mister Storm said.

Kendrall rolled his eyes. “This is my baby, y’all. Mister Price is her father. I know y’all know him because of our business dealings. Welcome Cassie to Nome, and eventually, you’ll be welcoming her to the family. I’m not proposing yet, but I had to put it on your minds. She ain’t going nowhere if I can help it.”

He hugged and kissed me in front of everyone, and it was like they all disappeared. Kendrall Henderson was just the man I wanted. He’d matured into the man I didn’t even know I needed until now. He was right. I wasn’t going anywhere. Nome would be my home, and the Hendersons would be my family.

CHAPTER 9

KENDRALL

Icouldn’t believe Karima was leaving. I was proud of her, but damn, I was gonna miss her. She was leaving in two months. I didn’t know who would talk us out of all the bullshit we thought about engaging in. She was our voice of reason, especially mine and Jacob’s. After setting up a plan with Uncle Storm to get that girl’s mama arrested for some shit on Crime Stoppers, he called Karima to calm him down.

I didn’t know how Uncle Storm knew that woman had been robbing folks and getting away with it, but he did. That was where Courtney’s drug addicted ass had gotten the idea from, thinking she would get away with robbing a Henderson. I was sure he wanted to do that shit already after what had happened to SS.

They had to go to the police station, I supposed to provide proof of how they knew it was her. I didn’t know. We would go to Cassie’s place in a few hours. I was able to get a moving company to go and pack her shit and get it all out of there today. I’d called Mesani and let him know the company was coming and to let them inside. We would meet them there shortly after.

He wasn’t too happy about me being the one he had to talk to, but he didn’t have a choice but to get over that shit. Cassie wanted nothing to do with him. I could totally understand that shit after all that had happened. With him threatening to press charges, she’d lost all respect for him. When he cheated, she’d lost some respect for him, naturally, but this… It was like he was trying to punish her for what he did to them.

He was a punk ass nigga that she should have never gotten involved with. He sold her a wolf ticket and distracted her with gifts and affection. She didn’t see the signs that he was an imposter… a no-good ass nigga. The working late excuses never played out. That nigga was out doing what the fuck he wanted to do, and Cassie was content because he’d come home with flowers and tenderness.

She was loyal to those who she loved, but that nigga didn’t deserve her… not one single ounce of her love. Saturday night, I wanted to just go all out and propose to her. We hadn’t been together officially but a couple of days, but she was my life. Fucking around with her for almost a year helped me to learn who she was as an adult. I knew her better than I knew my fucking self.

She hadn’t changed much. She was just a mature version of who she’d always been. Having her here, living with me, was a dream come true. As I lay here staring at her while she slept, I thanked God for the woman he’d blessed me with. I gently slid my hand down her side and whispered, “You are love.”

I kissed her forehead. “Being patient paid off, because God, You rewarded me greatly when You sent her my way. I don’t know how I was even living without her. You molded her perfectly to be everything You knew I needed.”

I saw her eyes flutter slightly, so I knew she was awake. I decided to fuck with her. “Even while she’s sleeping, she’s perfect. Drool and all. That morning breath done set in during this nap, but I don’t even care.”

She bit her bottom lip, trying to contain her laughter. When she shoved me before even opening her eyes, I laughed and pulled her back to me. I kissed her forehead then her lips, proving that I was joking. I slid my tongue to hers for a moment then pulled away. “I was just fucking wit’chu ’cause I could tell you were awake.”

“I know. I love you, Kendrall. The past three days have been unbelievable. I can’t believe I let you talk me into calling out today. I never do that.”

“’Cause you love me, girl. I just wanted to take today to love on you all day and help get your mind right for what we about to have to go do.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“I know, but I’m gonna be there. That nigga is really crazy if he tries anything with me and Uncle Storm there.”

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