Page 47 of Make Me Remember

He kissed my cheek then my neck. That shit felt so good, but I had to stop him. “If I let you keep going, we won’t be talking.”

He nodded and bit his bottom lip. Damn, I wanted his sexy ass. He put his feet up on the ottoman and gave me his undivided attention.

“When I saw my mama close to you, it made the old Mekayla resurface. Although I’ve forgiven her for everything, this is a new situation for me. Back when I was younger, Mercedes didn’t give a damn who she flirted with. She’d even flirted with Keonshay’s boyfriend… Kace. Had she flirted with you, I would have beat her ass right there at the hospital. I would have gotten put out before seeing my dad.”

I took a deep breath. “After that, it was like I was in the wrong frame of mind. I was emotional, confrontational, angry, defensive, and loud. I’m so sorry I yelled at you. My mama has never been alone with LaTee. Not many people have… only two of my sisters. Because I was raped by my mama’s boyfriend and later by Kace’s frat brother, whenever LaTee is out of my sight, I get nervous, thinking someone is doing things to her. When you picked her up…”

I dropped my face to my hands. I knew Jacob would never hurt LaTee, but seeing him hold her that way while I was losing it took me back to my trauma. I never wanted to think that way about him unless he gave me reason to. He had been nothing but understanding, patient, and kind to my daughter and me.

“I get it, baby. I would never hurt you or LaTee, but I can understand where your mind went. I’ll be mindful of that.”

“No. I want you to be comfortable. I don’t want to ever feel triggered by anything you do. I know what I feel for you, and I know you are a genuine soul. I don’t want to dim your experience with our daughter because of my past. I’m trying to get past all of that. I could tell Mercedes was hurt. I have to talk to her too.”

“Zhori had said to be patient with you. What did he say in your ear?”

“He said that I no longer had to be that Mekayla.”

He nodded.

“That was why I didn’t want to leave you or LaTee alone with Mercedes. I suppose, deep down, I still don’t trust her. Then again, it’s not so deep down. I have never let LaTee be alone with her. That shit is intentional. While I believe I forgave her, I haven’t forgotten. Whenever I behave this way around her, it doesn’t allow her to forget either. She knew her boyfriend raped me, but she kept him around. My biggest fear is that my daughter will suffer the same fate.”

“I understand, baby. I’m going to do my best to help you work through it.”

“I could tell you were getting frustrated. I’m sorry for lashing out at you. It’s like I can’t control it when I’m that worked up.”

“Shh. We’re good. I got’chu. Maybe you can talk to the family counselor, too, since she’s back to stay.”

I knew he was speaking about Karima. She and I had talked a little more before she left. She was an angel of God… had to be. She could see things I wasn’t saying. I glanced up at him and said, “Maybe so. She’s a sweet soul.”

“Yep. Well, you ready for bed? We’ve had a long day.”

“Yeah. I’m gonna sleep with my baby.”

He nodded. I could tell he wasn’t happy with that arrangement, but I had to make sure she was okay. The loss we’d suffered today was just as bad for her. She only knew how great of a person he was. Knowing that he left this world with her lying next to him was hard for her. Jacob stood, and he led me to the room she was in. I noticed he was limping slightly. He’d done too much today.

“We can have a session tomorrow, if you want.”

“Naw. I’ll wait until Monday. I’ll just rest it a bit. I love you so much already.”

I slid my hand to his face then pulled it to mine and kissed his lips. I loved him more than I’d ever loved anyone. He pulled me closer and slid his tongue to mine. He was gonna have me sneaking to his room later.

“I love you so much too. Thanks again for everything.”

“Mm hmm. I’m your man. It’s my job to be here for you… even if you need me to pay for the funeral.”

My eyes widened because I didn’t know how he knew. He kissed my forehead and said, “Get some rest, beautiful.”

I watched him walk down the hallway to another bedroom in awe. I slowly shook my head and went inside the room with my daughter, wishing I could have followed him to his.

CHAPTER 17

JACOB

Ihad to have fucking blue balls. Whenever I was around Mekayla, my dick was ready for action. Last night was hard as fuck, knowing she was in my house and not being able to have access to her. I understood her dad had passed, and I surely didn’t fault her for sleeping in the room with her daughter, but my dick had no fucking understanding. He was like a spoiled child and just wanted what the hell he wanted right then. He threw a damn temper tantrum and had me jacking off at four in the morning.

Her explaining her behavior had hit me right in the chest. Any child having to deal with molestation… it just wasn’t right. Her mother knew what was going on and allowed it to keep happening. That didn’t seem to be the same lady I met yesterday. But again, like Zhori had said referring to Mekayla, I’d met the new and improved version of Mercedes. She’d healed from her trauma and was trying to support Mekayla through hers. I had to applaud Mekayla for even allowing her to be in her life, because I would have been done.

This morning, Jess was coming to cook breakfast. She was out of town yesterday evening for a meeting with Shylou and didn’t get back until an hour ago. Mr. Berotte and Mrs. Taylor were also coming this morning to talk to me about my case. Those fuckers were adamant about trying to make me do time. I shot that muthafucka in the head because I didn’t want his ass breathing no more. He was trying to kill my cousin, and only death would keep him from continuing to fuck with us. Of course, I couldn’t say it like that to a judge.

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