Page 48 of Juke
“I missed you,” he murmured against my lips.
That made me pause and think about what the girls were saying earlier. All the signs were there, but nothing was ever verbalized.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked.
“You can ask me anything you want, mama.”
“Are we together?” I held my breath waiting for him to respond. His face had an unexplainable expression on it that made me regret asking the question.
He pulled back just enough to look at me, with his brow raised. “Why you asking me that?”
“Just wondering.” I shrugged.
“Nah,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Don’t do that. You ain’t just wondering. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
I hesitated before saying, “I just… wasn’t sure. You never said anything about it, and I didn’t want to look more into it than it was.”
“I didn’t think I needed to say it. I thought my actions were enough to show you that shit.” He tugged me closer, one arm sliding around my waist. “But since you need to hear it—yeah, Lovie. We’re together, and I dare a muthafucka to go against that shit.”
“Okay,” I simpered.
“Okay?” he repeated, smirking. “That’s all you got for me?”
I leaned up, giving him a soft kiss. “Okay, Rashad.”
His smirk deepened, and I could see where his mind was going by the way his hand trailed down my back. I laughed and backed away. “Nope. We gotta get ready.”
“Get ready for what?”
“My parents are coming today. Remember?”
“You’re lucky I wanna make a good impression on yo’ people or we wouldn’t be going anywhere.” He slapped my butt before swaggering off to the bathroom while I went to the closet to find something to wear. As bad as I wanted to follow him into the shower, I knew if we did, we’d never leave… at least not anytime soon.
***
We pulled into the gate of my aunt and uncle’s estate and circled the circular driveway before Rashad found a parking spot near the fountain. Once he parked, he looked over at me with that smoldering look that always made me shy away from his gaze. He got out and circled his truck before opening the passenger door for me and helping me out. Before we even made it to the porch, I could hear music playing, laughter, and somebody yelling for one of the kids to stop running. I’m pretty sure that they were talking to Benny’s bad ass. Rashad knocked once, and a moment later, Aunt Shaunie opened the door with a smile on her face.
“So, it took your mama to come into town before you came to see me?” she smirked before pulling me into a hug.
“Auntie…”
“And I assume you’re the reason why?” She eyed Juke.
“If it takes the heat off of her, then yes, ma’am… I am.” I looked over my shoulder at Rashad and simpered.
“Okay, then. I’on care what that son of mine says… I like you,” she countered, causing both me and Rashad to laugh because we knew she was talking about Buck.
Aunt Shaunie pulled the door wider, and we stepped inside where it seemed like everyone was talking at once. Mamaspotted us first, weaving through the people like hadn’t seen me in decades.
“Hey, baby,” she said, hugging me tight. She looked Rashad over like she was checking him out. “Well, it’s nice to finally meet you in person, Rashad.”
“It’s good to finally meet you too, ma’am,” he said.
“Uh…uh. Didn’t I tell you to call me Neicy?”
“My bad, Mrs. Neicy.” He smirked.
My daddy came right behind her and extended his hand toward Rashad. “How you doing, son?”
