Page 88 of Disrespectfully, Relic

“What happened to finding that loophole, so you can get your way and your bitch?”

Relic brushed a hand down his waves at the reminder, glancing at his brother who wore a drawling smirk as he bopped off. His folks followed, leaving Relic to stew in his indecisiveness.

He didn’t have to debate much before his feet grew a mind of their own and led him to the line behind Kennedy. Her face was stuffed in her phone, but he knew it was a defensive tactic to avoid potential conversations with strangers. When he stepped too close, she whipped her head around with her pretty face screwed up, ready to attack. It fell flat and then went void after she registered that it was him.

“Big dog, Kennedy. Long time, no see.”

“I wish it were longer.” She pivoted on her heels to face forward, and he spit out a laugh.

He couldn’t take her slick ass comment to heart when she was rocking his son’s jersey and smelling like the best problematic pussy that he’d ever dived in. Relic bent downward, sniffing her neck as she went rigid and inhaled a shaky breath.

“You’re mad at a nigga, but you want to be like me so bad. How’d you find my cologne?”

That got her to turn around again before she crossed her arms and planted her weight on one hip, sending his eyes to her jean-stretching thighs. They darted up to her face when she snapped her fingers to gain his attention.

“Focus, Relic.”

“I’m more focused right now than I’ve been in the past month. Which one are you wearing?”

“Queening, and the fucking irony of the cologne you wear being calledMind Gamesand based off chess names is insane.”

“I find it fitting.”

“I bet you do,” she muttered, moving up in line as more customers filed behind them. “Because everything is a game to you. Strategic and logical. Relic is all plans and schemes with no room left for anything else, especially emotions like a regular human. He can never make a move without having to overthink it first.”

“I miss you, Larenn,” he blurted, making her stomach somersault while her sexy mouth gaped in sheer disbelief. His mind went straight to putting his dick in it, but it wasn’t the time to make that request. “Is that unplanned and illogical enough for you?”

She tucked her glossed lips and nodded before spinning to face the food truck since she was up next. Kennedy expelled a heavy breath, refusing to let him easily tear down the walls that she’d rebuilt in the past month.

“Girl, you’re going to turn into a damn patty if you get one more,” Judith teased, greeting her with a light smirk once she reached the window. “That’s what you want, right?”

“Yes, ma’am, and can I get the sauce with it you gave me last time?”

“Of course.”

“Do four,” Relic spoke up, digging in his pocket for some cash.

He tossed a fifty ball on the serving counter and then placed a hand at the small of Kennedy’s back. Her lip curled before she picked up the money, handing it to Judith who flicked her eyes between the two with a subtle frown.

“So, you and Relic know one another?”

“Me and who?” Kennedy feigned clueless and slapped down his hand. “Never heard of him before.”

“Funny. I bet you know the name on that damn card you keep swiping,” Relic retorted, and she cracked a smile.

“Sure do. Can I add a bottle of water to that, and you can keep the change.”

Judith stuffed the bill into her apron. “Honey, I planned to, but thanks for the confirmation.”

The scoff Relic let out behind Kennedy made her giggle as she moved aside to wait. Had she not been there, she’d bet Relic would’ve requested every unused dime back, even if the money was circling back to him since it was his food truck. She didn’t miss the fact that neither he nor Judith attempted to acknowledge one another like a normal mother and son who loved one another would. Like she’d seen Judith interact with Shabu and Titan earlier.

Her stare found its way to Relic’s stern face, inspecting his distinct features for signs of it affecting him, but none were present. He was cool as a cucumber because the slightest break in character was a transgression to him.

“Here you go!” Judith called, stealing her attention away from Relic. Kennedy pushed out a sigh when he reached for the food before she could to inspect it.

“What kind are these?”

“I know what you eat, boy!” Judith snapped on him, slamming two waters on the counter, although he hadn’t requested one. “She likes the pork patties, too. I’m sure she got that from you.”

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