Page 8 of Krist and Moanie
It took Sazzy entirely too damn long to do my hair, but when she was finally done, I paid her and put her ass out. I hated for a motherfucker to be all in my face talking. Shit annoyed me. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, lil honeybun immediately appeared in my thoughts. Nah, that wasn’t her name, but it was what I thought about when it came to her. She was a cute something, with the type of personality on her that made mewanna know more about her. She came off quiet, but as soon as she opened her mouth, it was obvious she was selective about who she shared anything with. I was feeling her, but didn’t act on it seeing as how I didn’t need anything serious in my life right now. I needed to focus on Jru, keeping a positive cash flow, and staying the fuck out of the way. Something about her screamed danger. Shit, it invited me in and there was nothing I wanted more than to enter. Danger because at first glance I could tell she wasn’t like anything a nigga like me was used to. She was the type to have a nigga striving outside of a self-contained box because she was more. Yeah, I could tell all of that just from talking to her for an hour and taking her home.
Chapter 4
Moanie
Iwas finally off a shift and moving toward something to eat and some sleep. Twelve hours of nothing but raw, unfiltered trauma had me ready to crawl into my bed and never leave. The world was so dark, and so many people actively made it darker. Working in the trauma center gave me a sense of awareness I never knew existed. Each situation and definitely the moment was different. I absolutely hated it, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I loved being here for people in their darkest moments and helping them through… I loved helping, but sometimes it took a toll.
It was two in the afternoon and all I wanted was to sleep, but I was hungry. I decided to get something from Pancake House, so during my rideshare I ordered my food. My plan was to grab my food and order another ride home.
What I didn’t expect when I walked in was to see him. He was standing at the far end of the counter, glaring down at his phone. He always looked so damn mean, even when he was rapping.
I didn’t walk over near him, but instead stood near the door after I let the lady know what I was picking up. She assured me it would only be a few minutes, which I was grateful for becausemy feet were literally barking. The sooner I came out of these shoes, the better my feet would feel and happier I’d be.
I was staring at my phone when I smelled him. How was I familiar with the scent of a man I’d only encountered closely one time?
“Damn. You ain’t speaking, sweetheart?” His voice was pure sex. He had to know his effect. There was no way he was oblivious to any reaction to him.
“Hello, Krist,” I greeted, tilting my head to the side and taking him in. He was in a black T-shirt and gray sweats. On his feet he wore a pair of slides and black socks. His hair was freshly braided in his signature ten into two. The man was sex.
“Damn, you saying that like I wronged you or something? You good with me, Honey Bun?”
I was taken aback by the nickname. “Who is Honey Bun and why wouldn’t I be good with you?”
“You and ’cause you acting like you didn’t see me.”
“I didn’t act like I didn’t see you. I saw you.”
He grinned. “Damn. You just got off work?” His eyes glossed my body before they found my eyes again.
“Yeah.”
“Where you work?” His eyes rounded the diner before he leaned back against the wall and gave me his undivided attention.
“Highland Regional. I’m a trauma resident.”
He nodded. I could tell he was about to say something, but the old woman behind the counter saying his name broke up the moment. Then, about five seconds later, she said mine.
“How long you been into that?” he asked as we both stepped to the side.
“What? The hospital?” I asked, setting my food down and sliding into the booth near the counter.
“Yeah. What, you eating here?” His disdain for my taking a seat in here evident.
“Um, no. I’m gonna wait for my ride in here.”
“What, shorty? Yeen got no car?” He looked around again then back at me.Why did it seem to bother him that I might not have a car?
“I do, but I worked a twelve-hour shift. I don’t trust myself to drive after those long ass shifts. I’m good though, boutta request a ride an?—”
“C’mon. Let’s go. How the fuck y’all be trusting random strangers with your safety?” He was truly bothered by my transportation choice.
“I don?—”
“C’mon.” He grabbed my food and book bag from the table and waited for me to stand. I followed him out of the diner to his truck. There, he opened my door, and I got in. He set my food and his on my lap before closing the door. The door behind me opened a few seconds later and he set my backpack on the back seat.
Once he was inside, he started the car. “Same place I dropped you off at before?”
“Yeah.” His seats were comfortable.
