Page 51 of North
“You like my hair curly?” Her eyes were big and brilliant like a thunderstorm on a sunny day. They were storm cloud gray and sky blue. I loved watching them twinkle with wonder.
“Yeah, I do.” I guided her to the mirror with my hands on her hips. The top of her head only reached my chin.
“I like it straight.” I noticed the uncertain wobble in her voice.
“I love you the way you are. Curly red hair, freckles on your lips, long slender lines.” I dragged my finger down the slight curve of her waist through the towel. “Perfect pale skin.” I swept her wet hair to the side and bit her neck eliciting a sharp gasp. I watched her eyes close as she soaked in my words. “Open those eyes, beautiful. I want you to see all this art.” I stroked her high cheekbones, her chin, her forehead, and the bridge of her nose. “You are flawless, North Fitzgerald. God hasn’t painted anything as beautiful as you since he put you on this earth.” The longer her hair dried, the curlier it got and it reminded me of why I called her Shortcake.
Downstairs, the doorbell rang breaking apart my worship at the Church of North. I tapped the tip of her nose and smiled. “I’m gonna answer the door. Take your time getting ready. I’ll set dinner out.”
“Kane, what is that in your pocket?” North laughed a little gesturing to my pants. I looked down and laughed, running my hand over my beard.
“What? This?” I pulled her cute pineapple panties out of my pocket, dangling them on my pointer finger. “This is my trophy from earlier.” I bunched them in my palm and buried my nose in them.
“And what exactly did you win?” She laughed.
“I won your cum all over my cock.” I winked at her and she pressed her hand to her chest before swallowing. The way she reacted to me was a drug. I had to pull myself out of the bedroom before I took a hit and got high on her.
Before I opened the front door, I shoved North’s panties in my pocket again and found my composure. I welcomed Elijah and Melanie inside and into the kitchen.
“Where’s North?” Melanie asked, looking around.
“She just got out of the shower so she’s getting dressed. Did you have a chance to talk to her today?” I asked, grabbing beers for all of us.
“I did and she seemed like she was listening. I do think she needs more girl time though. She’s craving it. That’s one of the reasons she wants to make this friendship work. Honestly, Kane after speaking to North today…I don’t think Sierra deserves her as a friend. She’s a sweetheart.”
A genuine smile curved my lips. I was glad someone else saw how big North’s heart was. Sierra saw it too and that’s why she walked all over her.
“There she is,” Elijah stood and hugged North when she walked into the kitchen. “What’s up girl? Where is my mocha?”
“At Starbucks.” She smiled sweetly then moved to hug Melanie.
We settled into dinner with the same easy laughter we were used to. Elijah teased North until she flipped him off and Melanie offered to represent North if she had to kill him for being too annoying. I was around my people. They poured into North and me. I wondered if she noticed that she didn’t need to chase Sierra’s friendship because she had friends of her own.
At the end of the night, North and I stood side-by-side at the door waving to Mel and Elijah, watching them get into the car. Once they pulled off, we retreated into the house and cleaned the kitchen.
“This is like a dream,” she said before closing the dishwasher. “I never thought I’d ever feel this level of joy.” She blinked, her lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
“Why not?” I asked. I put away the leftovers and closed the fridge door. She answered with a shrug. “Come on, Shortcake. Talk to me.” I leaned against the wall and crossed my legs at the ankle.
“I always thought life would be hard and toxic.” No matter how much she tried to blink away the tears, they still rolled down her cheeks. “I felt like there was no way to escape it. Fate is fate.”
“North, come here.” She walked over and leaned against me while I wrapped her in my arms. “Your mother’s life is not your fate and it never will be. She sentenced herself to a toxic life but you’re not her. You’re a blank canvas. You can have whatever you want. That includes happiness. That includes friends. It includes you pursuing your dreams. Like maybe culinary school.” I curled my fingers around the back of her neck and held her gaze. “Whatever you want, you can have it and I’m going to help you get it. We’re in this shit together.”
Tears trembled in her eyes.
“You think I could go to culinary school?”
“Fuck yes. You’re the most amazing cook. You’ve spoiled me and put a few pounds on me.” I patted my stomach and watched North laugh through her tears.
“Thank you for believing in me, Kane. It’s a weird feeling but I like it.”
“I’ve always believed in you, Shortcake.” I wiped her remaining tears and she nuzzled against my hand.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you but I’m more than grateful. I don’t know how Mom mistreated you.”
“Your mother was fighting demons bigger than our marriage. She couldn’t give me anything because she didn’t have anything to give.”
“Kane, I know how this is going to sound but…” Her hands slid over my shoulders then down my arms. “Do you love me like you loved Mom?” I saw the regret in her eyes the moment the question left her mouth.
