Page 74 of Body Language
He looked at me like I’d just declared war and won. “Let’s go, baby.”
I glanced at her mom one last time. “Sixty days, ma. After that? Pray Jesus get to you before I do.”
We pulled up in front of my house. I felt like my body was running off pure adrenaline and my brain hadn’t caught up yet. Kendrix parked, cut the engine, and the sound of the world finally came back.
I turned in the seat, looking at Zejah, who was staring out the window like she’d aged five years in one night.
“How old is your sister?” I asked, my voice low, steady.
She blinked, then looked at me. “Yanna? She’s twelve.”
“Does she got a phone?”
Zejah nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been texting her.”
I leaned back against the headrest, letting out a slow breath. “Good. Tell her to keep an eye on my mamma… the way you used to. And I’ll make sure she stays with money and whatever else she needs.”
Her lips parted, surprise flashing in her eyes before tears started forming again. She pulled her phone out quick, thumbs flying. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Can you go wait on the porch for me?” I asked her. “Kendrix and I will bring your bags.”
She sniffled, grabbed her purse, and slid out the truck.
As soon as the door shut behind her, I finally let my chest collapse. Leaned back in the seat, closed my eyes, ran my hands down my face and whispered, “What in the entire fuck?”
Kendrix leaned back in the driver’s seat, watching me with that same calm look he’d had since all hell broke loose earlier. Not once did he flinch. I stared out the windshield at Zejah sitting on my porch, kicking at the concrete with the toe of her shoe like a kid that didn’t know whether to cry again or breathe easy.
I finally let the words slip out. “I don’t even know if I handled that right.”
Kendrix laughed low, shaking his head. “Pretty… you didn’t just handle it, you body-slammed it, drop-kicked it, then put it in a chokehold until it tapped out.”
I shot him a side-eye, trying not to laugh. “You so damn stupid.”
He grinned. “Nah, for real. I don’t think I ever seen nobody mama get her ass beat and get a TED Talk at the same time. You the first.”
I couldn’t help it, so I laughed.
I shook my head. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”
He smirked. “Nah. Half the time I just be winging it and praying I don’t sound like a dumbass.”
That made me laugh again.
I sighed, letting his hand go, but not before squeezing it. “You know… I would let you meet the kids.”
His whole body stilled, like I’d just handed him a key to something he didn’t expect yet.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “But… I got some important things to talk about with my brother first.”
“I can only imagine,” he said softly. Then he leaned in, brushing a kiss against my lips.
“When you’re done with him,” he added, “Call me.”
“I will.”
I kissed him once more, a little longer, before pushing the door open.
