Page 24 of Divine

My detail was soeasy that I almost felt like I was stealing. For my first month of working with Divine, she had dinner waiting for me when I came in. Eventually, I told her to wait until I came in for my shift so we could cook together. I didn’t like her thinking that she had to do things for me.

She explained that all the men in her life thought she was fragile and couldn’t do anything for herself. She liked that I wasn’t like that and let her do something for me. As long as she didn’t mind doing it, I stopped arguing. She could probably get me to do anything she wanted. She was a little spoiled, but I liked it.

As I sat on the front row of the Georgia Tsunami’s basketball game, I thought about the decisions that led me here. Just a few months ago, I was thinking I was about to get a promotion. A heated moment caused me to quit, and now, I was at an NBA game making sure no one hurt a beautiful woman, who happened to be able to make me laugh and smile at the drop of a hat.

“I’m sure you get this a lot, but you’re pretty as fuck.”

Without looking up, I knew the man was talking to Divine. I was salty as fuck before our eyes even connected. Didn’t he see me sitting right here? There was no reason that he didn’t think I was her man. I felt slighted that he had the audacity to approach her with me sitting right next to her. The scowl on my face must have deflated some of that bravery because he back pedaled.

“My bad, bro. I didn’t mean no harm,” he said, holding up his hands in defense.

Divine’s eyes shot to me, and a smile softened her face. “Oh, it’s cool. This is my bodyguard.”

The fuck?

I mean, yeah. I was her bodyguard, but that clown didn’t need to know that. All he needed was ammunition to move the fuck around.

“Oh, word? I’m not gon’ hold you though, ma. Take my number. We should link some time,” he suggested.

Was it crazy that I was salty about her giving that dude her number? His face was vaguely familiar, but I didn’t follow these young dudes. I was pretty sure he called himself being a rapper or something. The unkempt locs and gold grill he sported made him look just like the rest of these cats. He wasn’t right for Divine. There was no need for him to have her number.

“I’ma have to report that to my boss,” I teased. I would never betray her trust like that. Still, I didn’t like it.

She giggled. “Oh, wow. Really? I didn’t take you for a snitch.”

“Yes you did. I’m pretty sure you referred to me as an opp.”

“And you’re determined to earn that title.”

“You good. Just make sure you move smart, Cookie,” I advised.

“Yes, sir.”

Those simple words almost made me burst into flames. I was so crazy about her that sometimes I forgot she wasn’t my girl when we were together. As far as I was concerned, she was mine. I just didn’t know how to deal with that minor detail yet, so I was playing things by ear. Her giving niggas her number wasn’t part of the plan.

Although I was sure the tickets had cost a grip, Divine was more interested in her phone than watching the actual game. Finally dragging her nose out of her phone, she looked over at me.

“Hey, you remember me mentioning a guy named Roger that used to be on my detail? You probably don’t. Anyway, they found him badly beaten. The article I just read said he doesn’t remember anything.”

“How long has it been since he worked for you? Was he there since I got hired?” I quizzed.

“Nah. He had been gone a few months when you came. He was so creepy there’s no telling who finally got to him.”

Divine’s response showed that my response kept her off my trail. He deserved more than a few broken bones for making her feel so uncomfortable in her own home. I’d heard her express not wanting to get him killed by telling Syre how he made her feel. It was the only thing that kept me from sending him to glory. He could thank the angel sitting next to me for his spared life. I couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t finish the job. Fuck him and anyone else that dared to fuck with Divine now that I was in the picture.

* * *

After a few months, I was still in awe at the excitement I felt when I was headed to wherever Divine happened to be. I was scheduled to work four twelve-hour shifts a week and to be on call until midnight on the other three days. I loved working four on and three off because it gave me more time to decompress. This time, it was different.

I couldn’t put my finger on the strange feeling that plagued me each week on day number five, but I didn’t like it. My first day off was usually my favorite day of the week. Usually, I treated myself to some much-needed rest. Now, I hated being off for a lack of a better word. I wanted to see Divine, but there was no way to justify it. Instead of enjoying my days off as usual, I found myself thinking about Divine.

It was noon. So, I knew she was at her store, Divine Smoothies. Just for a second, I considered going to her shop for lunch. I didn’t want to raise any red flags by showing up at her job, but the truth was I missed her. I was almost afraid to admit it, knowing what my growing feelings for her might mean in the future. I already knew she was mine. I’d also accepted that sometimes people didn’t get what they wanted.

Instead of following through with my plan to torture myself for the next three days, I grabbed my phone and keys from the table and headed out. There was nothing wrong with going to get a smoothie.

I hadn’t even made it to my car before my phone rang. Seeing Renatta’s name on the screen almost made me stop in my tracks. I could use some good head right now. Instead of bailing on my plan to go see Divine, I answered the phone as I hopped into my ride.

“Hey,” I answered once the phone connected to my car speaker.

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