Page 15 of The Deed to a Gangsta's Heart

“Well at my office they all do… except the ones that are on probation.”

That shouldn’t have been funny, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “I admire what you’ve built. How you help so many people. I really am proud of you, pooh. You’ve come a long way from the little hoodlum that I was sure wouldn’t live past thirty. I’m glad you turned your life around because I don’t want to do life without you.”

He didn’t respond right away. After putting his suit jacket on and making sure the holster didn’t stick out, Remedy turned and made his way over to me. He tilted my head by my chin and placed a tender kiss on the center of my forehead.

“I’m glad I could make you proud. I love you, Callie.”

It wasn’t the first time he’d said those words, but something about it this time felt different. Clearing my throat, I released a nervous chuckle and shifted slightly under his intense gaze.

“I love you too.”

He stared at me a few seconds more before telling me to have a good day. I didn’t move until he was out of the room, then I went to get dressed and headed to my parents’ home. Their front door was unlocked as usual, so I rang the doorbell to let them know I was coming in and made my way inside. I found them in the kitchen. Daddy’s arms were wrapped around Ma, and she giggled at the sweet nothings he whispered in her ear. For a few seconds, I just looked atthem. I prayed one day I had a love like the one they’d been nurturing all my life.

“Well aren’t you two cute.”

They both looked at me and smiled.

“Hey, baby. Come give me some suga,” Ma said, opening her arms for a hug.

I hugged her then Daddy as he said, “I’m glad you’re back home, but I would be even happier if you were staying here.”

“That girl don’t want to move back in with us. She’s been on her own since she left for college.”

Daddy huffed and I laughed. I was glad she said that because it was the truth. My parents weren’t suffocating or overly strict, but I couldn’t deny how good freedom felt living outside of their home.

As we had breakfast, we talked about things that were going on in the family and in town. They talked about how happy they were that I’d come back home. It was a full circle moment for me to be getting ready to teach at my old elementary school this fall. When Mama asked me how Remedy was doing, I couldn’t help but smile.

“He’s good,” I crooned, focusing on my lemonade instead of either of them. “He keeps telling me to act normal around the house because I’m not a guest but that’s easier said than done.”

“Well, it’s been less than two weeks so that’s understandable,” Ma said. “But if you’re not comfortable—”

“Oh, it’s not that,” I said quickly. “It’s just…” I paused, trying to figure out the best way to explain what I was feeling to them. How could I describe it? Did I evenwantto describe it? Did I want to tell them I was looking at my best friend differently and that’s what made living with him awkward? I couldn’t say that, and thankfully I didn’t haveto. My phone vibrated from a call. I quickly excused myself to answer Luci’s call. “You okay, Lu?”

“Girrrl.” She squealed. “I’m better than I’ve been in a long time.”

The sound of her smile made me smile. “What’s going on with you?”

“So, I had my first one night stand last night.”

“What! With who? I needallthe details.”

Luci giggled. “We can talk later. I’m on my way back home now. I just had to tell you because whew. The way that man fucked me last night… it makes me question if I’ve ever had sex before. I mean good goddamn. I still feel him between my legs.”

“Okay, yeah. We have to meet up for drinks later tonight.”

“We can do that. I’ll call you later. I’m about to go home and go back to sleep.”

“Okay, Lu. See you later.”

“Bye!”

I was happy one of us was getting some dick because Lord knows my sex life had been nonexistent for a while now. That was also bugging me with Remedy. The way he looked at me, the little slick things he said… maybe I was reading too much into it. Remedy was usually straightforward. If he felt something for me, he would have told me… right?

11

Remedy

This evening wasa good example of why I didn’t subscribe to the narrative that you had to be friends with your friends’ friends. I considered Armor my brother, and Germany was my best friend. Outside of his cousins Dynasty and Dali, I didn’t fuck with anyone attached to Germany.

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