Page 24 of The Deed to a Gangsta's Heart

The soundof Luci’s giggles permeated the room. I’d stopped by the school to see how big my classroom would feel as an adult. I had about a month before I’d be able to get the keys and start decorating my classroom, but I was able to stop by and take pictures today. It was so exciting getting ready to buy what I wanted to use to decorate, and I couldn’t wait to actually get started and do my lesson plans for my first year teaching.

I’d taken a long journey to get to this point. A lot of people eyed me curiously when they found out I had my Ph.D. and was only teaching kindergarten. It was important to me to teach in every school in Jasper Lane, and I had specific grades I wanted to teach. I wanted to teach Kindergarten because it was foundational… and the year I met Remedy. I’d also be teaching fifth, eighth, ninth, and twelfth grade before transitioning permanently to being a college professor. People may have thought it was weird, but it was my goal, and those that mattered most understood and supported me.

“I’m too tickled. So what did you end up saying? Did you tell him that you wanted him?”

My head shook as if she could see me. I took the call off speakerphone as I prepared to head out. “No. Thankfully he got a phone call and had to leave. He’s expecting us to finish our conversation this evening.”

“Well, you will have had more than enough time to figure out what you want to say by then. Though I feel like the only thing you should be saying is yes.”

Sighing, I closed the door behind me. “Of course I’m attracted to him, but should I really say that? I mean… he’s… You know how important Rem is to me, Luci. What if we’re feeling things because I’m staying with him, and the feelings aren’t authentic?”

“Hmm… I hadn’t thought about that. This is new territory for you. I don’t know though, Cal. Remedy isn’t the kind of man to say things or do things he doesn’t mean. If he’s saying this, I think he’s been feeling it for a while. Maybe he’s just now worked up the comfort or courage to say them since you are staying with him.”

“Hmm… I hadn’t thought about that.” We snickered softly as I headed to my car. “I guess I’m just scared, Lu. I don’t want to ruin our friendship. He’s never been in a serious relationship before.”

“Yeah, well, he’s never been with you.” That truth caused me to smile. “I know you’re afraid to ruin your friendship because he’s your best friend.” She smacked her teeth, and I held in my laughter. She and Remedy were close but certainly not as close as we were, and Lucihatedhaving to share me with him or anyone else. “But think about it, babe. Remedy has handled you with a care I’ve never seen him have with anyone else. I honestly don’t think he’d do anything to intentionally jeopardize your friendship.

“You know him more intimately than me, so ask yourself… Can you trust him with your heart? I think you can. Even if things don’t work out, how many people can say they had the chance to be romantically loved by their best friend? Their soul mate. The person who knows them better than anyone. The person they feel safest with.

“Soul mates have been made into something romantic, but the truth is, romantic relationships usually aren’t the safe space they are supposed to be. You might be able to have that. You’ve always had that with him. I’m not sure why you’re overthinking it and not being as open and honest as you usually are with him. Talk to him and tell him how you feel. Whatever concerns you have, I’m sure he’ll be able to clear up.”

“When you’re right you’re right. Thank you, Lu. Serio—”

“Ah!” There was shuffling in the background before she whispered, “He’s here.”

“Who?”

“The guy I had a two night stand with.”

“Awhat?”

“I saw him and we spent the night at a hotel again. I didn’t think he was interested because he didn’t call me but he’s here.”

“At your job?”

“Yes,” she whispered loudly.

“Well, go see what he wants. Call me later. Bye!”

A smile spread my lips as I got into my car. Not justbecause she’d given me the confidence to be honest with Rem but also because of the excitement of her situation. I didn’t know who the guy was, but she seemed to like him more than she wanted to admit. Hopefully they would get together so we could go on double dates.

16

Armor

Since Remedyand I didn’t send out our own payments, I stopped by the office to sign off on the maintenance service fees he was racking up today. I respected and appreciated him taking the initiative to personally handle the influx of calls we were getting in today because of the storm since our maintenance team was swamped. I added an extra bonus just out of appreciation since he was going above and beyond his broker duties to keep our tenants happy and safe.

As I signed off on everything for him, my phone vibrated on my desk. I didn’t bother answering. Not long after, the office phone rang, and Amy’s voice buzzed through the speakerphone to say, “Mr. Mitchell, your mom is on line one.”

“Thanks, Amy.”

I rolled my chair over to the corner of the L shaped desk and accepted Mama’s call.

“Hey, Mama. Everything good?”

“No. That damn brother of yours is trying to send me into an early grave.”

I chuckled. “Ma, you’re what? Fifty-two? You’re too young to be talking like that.”

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