Page 46 of Body Language
I stayed quiet, letting her talk.
“That’s why I have custody of my brother and sister. The court didn’t even fight me on it. It was either me or foster care.” She let out a bitter laugh. “So I grew up real fast. Learned how to pay bills before I knew how to drive.”
She finally turned to me. “So yeah. That used to be my home. Now it’s just where I come to clean up messes I didn’t make.”
I swallowed, nodding slow. “You a soldier for that. Real talk.”
She rolled her eyes, trying to brush it off. “Don’t gas me up, Kendrix.”
“I ain’t gassing shit,” I said, eyes cutting over to her. “I mean that. A lotta people fold under less. You didn’t fold. You’re still standing. Shit… and still glowing.”
“Thank you,” she said. “But not just for saying that. For everything. Today was…” She let out a little laugh. “One of the most eventful days I’ve had in a long time.”
“Glad I was the event.”
She rolled her eyes, but she didn’t argue.
The GPS spoke up just in time, and I eased the truck into her driveway. The house sat back a little from the street, warm porch lights glowing against the night. Cozy. Family vibes. The kind of place you could actually breathe peacefully in.
“That’s you?” I asked, putting it in park.
“Yeah.” She glanced at the house, pride written all over her face. “I didn’t want anything too far from my mom. Just in case. But I wanted better for my siblings, so I’m renting it right now. Hopefully, the owner decides to sell.”
I took a good look. “It’s nice, Pretty. Real nice.”
“Big come-up from Gun Hill, huh?”
“Big one,” I agreed.
I hopped out before she could say anything and rounded the truck to walk her to the door. She fished her keys from her purse, glancing at me sideways.
“I’d let you in,” she said, slipping the key into the lock, “but I’ve been gone all day. Time for me to give my nanny a break.”
“I understand.” I slid my hands into my pockets, leaning a little. “But when can I see you again?”
She smiled, unlocking the door. “Your bitch, Arlette, said the club opens back up in two days. That gives you time to think about me and miss me.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s not my bitch.”
“Mhm. That’s what you better say.”
“Well,” I said, stepping closer, lowering my voice, “I got business out of town for a couple days. Handle some things. But just so you know, this is the last time I’m leaving without you.Next time, pack up the kids, the nanny, whatever. You riding with me.”
She tilted her head, trying to hide her smile. “We’ll see, Kendrix.”
I grinned. “Yeah, we will.”
She pulled me in quick, arms soft around my neck and kissed me. Sweet but with enough tongue to have me wanting more.
She whispered, “Goodnight,” before slipping inside, leaving me standing there like a simp-ass nigga, smiling at her closed door. And I didn’t even care.
13
Niveah
I woke up smiling like somebody had dropped a stack of hundreds under my pillow. Not because of a dream, but because I fell asleep with Kendrix in my ear.
That man had me on the phone all damn night, talking about everything and nothing. The type of shit that make you forget the time. By the time I looked up, the sun was peeking through my blinds and his ass was boarding his flight back.
