Page 46 of Juke
When I hung up and turned around, Rashad was still leaning against the dresser, watching me like a hawk. “I’ll walk you down.” He offered.
“I can make it to the car without an escort, Rashad.” I teased.
“Yeah, but you’re getting one, anyway.”
We took the elevator down, with me tucked into his side the entire time. When we made it outside, I spotted Nic’s SUV right at the curb with Mel in the passenger seat and Kasha in the back.
“Wassup, ladies,” Rashad greeted, before his eyes scanned the street like he always did.
“Hey, Juke,” Nic said with a grin. “We’re kidnapping her for the day.”
Mel smirked, her eyes flicking between us. “Don’t worry, we’ll have her back in one piece.”
He smirked, but then his attention shifted past them. Parked about two spots back was a black truck, engine running. “Ayr, that truck with y’all?” he asked.
Nic glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “Yeah. That’s our detail for the day. You know that husband of mine and his brothers don’t play that free balling shit, as he would say.”
Rashad gave a quick nod, like that answer satisfied him, and opened the back door for me. Before I could get in, he caught my chin in his hand and kissed me one more time like he didn’t care that we had an audience.
“Well, okay then.” Mel teased.
“Call me when y’all done,” he said against my mouth.
“I will.”
He stepped back, giving the girls a parting nod before I slid into the seat. The door shut, and as Nic pulled off, I glanced back to see him still standing there, watching until we turned the corner. I don’t know what this was we were doing, but I prayed it didn’t stop anytime soon.
***
The mall wasn’t as packed as I thought for a Friday. There were a few people, but it was still not enough to cause my anxiety to erupt.
“Okay,” Nic started as she adjusted her bag, “we’re finding you something that says… my nigga knocks niggas out for fun.” She smirked.
I frowned. “I’m not with Rashad.”
Three pairs of eyes cut to me at the same time.
“Tell that to the man who walked you down like you were royalty and kissed you in front of the whole damn parking lot.” Kasha smirked.
“Who you tryna convince? Yourself? Because we know better, boo.” Mel laughed.
I shook my head, but my mouth betrayed me with a smile. “He’s just?”
“?Your man,” Nic cut in. “And you’re just his girl. So let’s dress the part. Besides, didn’t I hear him call you Lovie or something like that?”
I simpered because he started calling me Lovie or L when we had sex. I thought nothing of it, but now that Nic mentioned it, I couldn’t help but wonder.
“So, how are things between you and him for real?” Mel asked as she browsed the racks.
“They’re… good,” I admitted, feeling the heat creep into my face. “Better than I expected.”
“Better how?” Nic instigated. Buck was definitely rubbing off on her.
“Yeah,” Kasha added, leaning closer. “Don’t be holding out on us. We don’t do that.”
“Oh, my God.” My face flushed.
Mel’s eyes widened, then she squealed. “You had sex with him, didn’t you?”
