He looked away. “What time did Eris leave? I’m thirsty.”
“Twenty minutes, maybe.” I didn’t miss how he ignored my question, but I left it alone.
A few minutes later, Eris came in with a brown paper bag.
“I got you a six-pack,” he announced. “And some pork rinds, ol’ country ass nigga.”
“Preciate it, bruh. I been lowkey feenin’ for them shits lately.”
I turned my nose up at the sight of the bag. “You eat pork rinds?”
“Shole do,” he said with a grin. “I ain’t like the little prince over there, eatin’ crudites and lobster bisque and shit. I eat like my ancestors.”
“Granddaddy didn’t eat no damn pork rinds,” Eris said. “Swine’ll kill you, bruh. Well, that and getting shot.”
“Seriously?” I said, but the two of them were laughing their asses off. Frankly, I didn’t find it funny, but I realized this family’s humor was kinda dark. I was gonna have to learn how to speak their language.
After Eris left, I reclaimed my spot next to the bed and put a hand on Jakari’s forehead. Not to feel for temperature. Just to be touching him.
“So, I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
He looked away from the tv and brought his eyes to mine. “Which part?”
“The things you asked me to do.”
“Oh. I mean, if you feel like it’s too much—”
“No, not at all. I was actually thinking it feels right being here in your world. Riding for you. Taking care of you.”
“For real?”
“Yeah. I just…I think I could be better at it if I was really part of everything.”
“I don’t mind bringing you in on the business, but are you sure that’s what you want? Because that would make you a co-conspirator if some shit went down. You ready for that?”
“I think so.”
He peered at me. “You got feelings for me, Malika?”
I nodded.
“Okay, good, cuz I got ‘em for you.”
He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. We shared a smile, and then we turned our attention back to the tv and watched like an old married couple.