Page 9 of Follow Me to Your Heart
“Nah,” I replied and looked up at him. “I’m still not ready.”
“What’s holding you back, Cage? Anyone with eyes can see the two of you belong together. It’s been that way since I’ve known y’all.”
“I’m not the right type of man for her. KoKo deserves someone like you, Keith. She doesn’t need to be tied to the streets any more than she already is through me. I’d hate to paint the city red if someone tried to fuck with her to get to me. The streets come for our girls before anything. I’ve witnessed it too many times. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if Korren was caught in the crossfire of my life. I already worry every day for my mama and sister’s safety. That’s why I moved to Harley Grove. Adding Korren to the list would make me go crazy.”
Keith came over and stood next to me, leaning against my car with his arms crossed. “You know how to fix that, right?”
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that either.”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with it, but don’t drag your feet with anything. You already have a plan to leave the streets. Put it into action, man. You know I’ll back you up all the way, and so will Sabrina, Symone, and Korren. That’s your ticket to everything your heart wants. Stop being scared and go for it.”
Leave it to Keith to call me out on my fears. He was right. All I had to do was take the first step. I had one foot in the door and the other out. The thought of failure was the only thing keeping me from moving. That and losing Korren.
“Damn, Symone. My pockets dry fooling with you,” I joked as I carried her many bags to the car.
Symone tossed her burgundy soft locs over her shoulder and snickered. “Your pockets are far from dry, Cage. I barely put a dent in them. On top of that, I grabbed a few things for Mama as well.”
We’d been at the HG Shopping Center for three hours. I surprised Symone and checked her out at twelve. We ate thenwent shopping, and I was ready to call it a day. Since her nail appointment was at four, I got everything in my trunk and headed to Korren’s apartment.
“I’m so excited to see Korren. I haven’t seen her in months,” Symone expressed, dancing in the passenger seat.
“She’s excited to see you too. I already told her don’t give you no long nails either. You don’t need all that extra shit.”
“Whatever. I can get what I want. Besides, I don’t like long nails. I should get them just to spite you.”
“And I’d take everything back to the stores to spite you.”
Symone’s jaw dropped. I laughed at her dramatic self. She knew I wouldn’t do that. I wasn’t about to go back to every store she dragged me through. She would never let me hear the end of it.
We pulled into Korren’s apartment complex, and Symone hopped out before I could fully get the car in park. All I could do was shake my head. I loved their bond. Korren was three years older than Symone at nineteen, so Symone tried to mimic everything Korren did. The only thing I needed Symone to mimic was going to college and making something of herself. Money wouldn’t be an issue for whatever she desired to do. I’d been saving for her since I stepped foot in the streets.
Once I got out the car, I popped the trunk, grabbed the Louis Vuitton bag, and headed inside. When I walked in, Korren and Symone didn’t pay me any mind as they continued their conversation. I let them be, dropping the bag by Korren’s side and pecking the top of her head before going to relieve my bladder.
“Oh shit!” I croaked when I opened the door, and Korren jumped into my arms. “You gotta warn me first, KoKo. I almost dropped your ass.”
She kissed my cheek and ran her finger over the glossy mark she left. “You wouldn’t do that, but thank you so much for my purse and wallet. It’s the set I’ve been eyeing.”
“I remembered. You were scrolling the other day when we went to Fatty’s, and I saw it. It’s another gift to let you know how proud I am of you. You’re doing great.”
“I appreciate you, Cage. How was your day? You look tired.”
“I am. How long is it going to take you to do her nails?”
Korren twisted her mouth and shrugged. “I don’t know. Depending on what she wants, but I’m thinking about two hours. You know we’re going to be talking which will take me longer.”
“I’m cool with it. I’m about to go lay across your bed and take a nap. Wake me up when you’re done.”
“Okay.”
We went our separate ways. In her room, I spread a separate blanket across her comforter and lay on it. The fan blowing provided the coolness I needed to knock out. Just as I was dozing off, my phone vibrated against my chest. Lorie was calling. She only wanted one thing, and I didn’t have the energy to give it to her. I ignored her call and closed my eyes, only for her to call again.
“What, Lorie?”
“Damn. That’s how you answer the phone now?”
“I’m trying to take a nap. What’s up?”
Her voice changed as she whined. “I’m stuck on the side of the road and need you to come help me.”
