Page 47 of Body Language
I found myself wishing time would speed the hell up so I could see him at the club later. But first, family.
I stretched, pulled my bonnet off, and rolled out the bed. Heidi was already in the kitchen, legs swinging at the bar stool, eating cereal. Hux was sitting across from her with that same sour ass look he’d been rocking the last two days.
I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “What’s the problem now?”
He just shrugged, stabbing at his eggs.
I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t play with me, Hux. You got two options. Fix your face, or I fix it for you.”
He sucked his teeth. “I’m straight.”
“Mhm.” I grabbed a mug and poured some coffee. “Keep on with that attitude, and Ima call Coach. Have you running suicides until you throwing up at practice.”
His fork froze mid-air. He cut his eyes at me, then muttered, “That’s foul.”
“That’s sisterhood,” I shot back, sipping my coffee. “Now finish your food.”
Over the last few days, I’d taken them to the movies, let them loose in the mall, even let Heidi spend a good thirty minutes in Claire’s shopping. I loved every minute, but Lord, Hux’s mood swings were about to test my salvation.
Heidi, on the other hand, was grinning at me with milk on her chin. “Can we get ice cream after school and my practice today?”
I slid my keys into my bag. “Rita’s taking you to practice today, superstar. I gotta go practice with Ms. Ty.”
Her little face lit up. “Tell Ty I miss her! And tell her I want her to come paint my nails again.”
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I will. And I’ll tell her to bring the sparkly polish, because I know what you like.”
She giggled, swinging her legs.
I glanced over at Hux, who was slouched in his chair, eyes glued to his phone. Same blank look he’d had all week.
I walked over, slipped my arms around his tall-ass shoulders, even though I knew he didn’t want it. He stiffened for a second, then let out a sigh.
“You love annoying me,” he muttered.
“Yup,” I whispered against his ear. “And I’m never gonna stop. Now, tell me what’s really up.”
He set his phone down slow, finally looking at me. And just for a second, that hard shell cracked.
“I’m good, sis,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry. I just… got a lot on my mind. Trying to balance school, practice, games… everything.”
I cupped his cheek, forcing him to look me dead in the eye. “Listen to me. You got this. And you got me. You hear?”
His lips curved into the smallest smile. “Yeah. I hear you.”
“Good.” I straightened up, grabbing my bag. “Now eat, baby boy.”
He groaned, rolling his eyes, but his smile stayed.
As I headed for the door, I called back, “I’m going to check on Ma since it’s been a few days.”
“Keep me updated,” Hux said, finally sounding like himself.
“I will.” I blew them both a kiss. “Love y’all!”
“Love you too!” they yelled in unison.
I pulled up to Gun Hill slow, and the porch politicians were everywhere. Old heads and hustlers, sitting around like they ran the block when all they really ran was their mouths.
