Page 52 of Heavy Is The Crown

She turned back toward the counter, pretending to be focused on her wine. “Well, thanks for playing your part,” she muttered.

Kenyatta chuckled under his breath. “What if I wasn’t playing?”

Krys froze for half a second before shaking her head. “You full of shit.”

Kenyatta smirked, stepping back, like he’d had his fun and was done with the game for now.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Bae.”

Chapter 12

They left the Airbnb just after midnight. Krys, behind the wheel, staring straight ahead like the road was the only thing that mattered. Kenyatta, on the other hand, sat stretched out in the passenger seat relaxed like he’d been riding shotgun in her life for years.

Like this was normal. It wasn’t. It shouldn’t have been. Yet, here they were.

The Porsche purred down the nearly empty streets of Trinity Bay, the streetlights casting fleeting shadows across the sleek dashboard. The night air carried a warmth that matched the lingering tension in the car, thick and unspoken.

After some time passed, Kenyatta let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “So…ol’ Zahir, huh? How bad did he fumble you?”

Krys’ grip tightened. “I don’t wanna talk about Zahir.”

Kenyatta smirked, eyes still on the road ahead. “You just did.”

She shot him a sharp glare. “You real annoying, you know that?”

“Yeah.” He stretched out, getting even more comfortable. “But tell me I ain’t wrong though.”

Krys exhaled sharply, focusing on the road. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Well, that’s why I asked. I don’t want to assume nothing.”

She countered, “Why do you want to know?”

“I’m just curious; wanna make sure I don’t do whatever dumb shit he done.”

Krys scoffed a laugh. “We’re not real though, Kenyatta. Remember? This ain’t real.”

Kenyatta didn’t argue. He just sat there, his presence taking up way too much space. He let the silence stretch between them; let them stew in it.

Then, casually, he asked, “So this my only gig? Or you gon’ need me on call?”

Krys glanced at him, expression unreadable. “What?”

“You heard me.” His brow wrinkled. “Is this a one-time thing, or am I officially your pretend man whenever you need backup?”

Krys scoffed, shaking her head. “You should always be prepared.”

Kenyatta chuckled, low and knowing. “That sound like a yes.”

She didn’t confirm or deny; just kept driving.

Krys tapped her fingers against the steering wheel, still irritated at how well he played his role. It wasn’t supposed to feel this smooth.

“You ain’t have to be that good at it though,” she muttered. She couldn’t let go of the thought. It really amazed her and shook her to the core all at the same time.

Kenyatta smiled with satisfaction, looking out the window. “That sound like a compliment.”

“It’s not.”

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