Page 58 of See No Evil

“I know it took guts for you to tell me this. Now I understand why you didn’t want to do what Mrs. Florence asked you to do. That was toilsome. I’m glad though that you had Desiree to help you through. Seems like she showed up right on time.”

“You know that was by design.” Legend looked out the window. “Ms. Florence did that—just like you believe she brought English yo’ way. It’s no coincidence that we met these women during the times we were being hounded to fulfil these promises. Ms. Florence got tired of waiting. Every excuse I came up with as to why I couldn’t satisfy my promise, she provided help or an answer. She left me no outs. No excuses. I couldn’t have found a better lady if I tried. Desiree is exactly what I wanted in a woman… what I needed. I wasn’t trying to get involved with anyone right now, you know that, but when the right one comes, the right one comes.”

They smiled at one another, understanding each other loud and clear.

“I wasn’t about to let that go, all ’cause I said I didn’t want a relationship right now. I wasn’t ready, butlovewas ready, man. Take it or leave it! Physically, mentally, sexually, emotionally, spiritually, Desiree meets all of my requirements.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Axel, she got me. I ain’t goin’ no-damn-where, man. I’ve turned in my playa card. She’s funny. She’s gifted. Crafty. Street smart. Book smart. She can cook. She don’t get overly sensitive when I’m tryna tell her something I need addressed in the relationship. Keeps a clean house. Takes care of her kid! Is an excellent mother… Very protective of that little girl, as sheshouldbe. She isn’t a cheater and a liar, either. I don’t feel like I need to check her phone, things like that. She doesn’t take any bullshit. Works hard. A goal getter. Still knows how to be a fuckin’ lady, believes in God and has spiritual awareness, and treats me wit’ respect even when I’ve pissed her off.

“This woman treats me like a fuckin’ king, Axel. I’ve never had this sort of love from nobody,ever.” His voice trembled, and his emotions were tearing him apart. “It can’t get no betta than that, man! She accepts me, forme.” His heart beat so hard in his chest as he thought about her, he felt as if he were about to explode.

“And she’s beautiful! Built like Megan thee Stallion. She makes me hard just thinkin’ about her. Thick in all the right places—you know how I like ’em!”

Legend’s eyes got big, and Axel burst out laughing, nodding exuberantly.

“Yeah, you’ve always liked curvy girls. You had the biggest crush on Anansa Sims and Precious Lee, those models.”

“I almost had a chance wit’ Precious! She wrote me back on Instagram that time. We talked for a couple of weeks. Casually, of course. Real talk.”

“I got so fucking sick of hearing about her. You kept insisting you were going to get her to go out with you.”

“Shiiiid, if Desiree dumps me, I’ll be right back on Instagram, sending dick pics to Ms. Lee, just like I did before she blocked me.” Axel guffawed at that, shaking his head. “I’ve got more than one Instagram account. I’ve been blocked by plenty of bitches over the years! She isn’t the first! BLOCKANDA FOREVER!” That had them both cracking up.

The feeling of camaraderie had returned between them, and it felt good. Axel beat on the dashboard when he couldn’t stop laughing.

“You… you sent her… a… dick pic?” Tears of mirth came out of Axel’s eyes.

“Nah, I was just kidding. I didn’t send her any dick pics, but I did offer. That’s when the Block party got started.”

“Oh, man, you gotta stop…” It took a minute for Axel to regain his composure. “Legend, all jokes aside, you deserve a woman like Desiree. I need you to believe that, too.”

“You’re right. I do deserve this. I deserveher.I’m not going to mess this up. Sabotage it. I’ve been a dog in many relationships, but to her? Nah. I treat her like gold. I would NEVER try and hurt this woman, or disrespect her by fuckin’ around on her, Axel. This isn’t to say we don’t beef every now and again, but she just gets me. We have so much in common, good and bad, it’s scary. You know what?”

“What?”

“You and me, Axel, we both needed help, so Ms. Florence stepped in. She took care of her part, so we could take care of ours.”

They looked at one another, and gave each other a pound. Legend turned the radio back on, and they listened to Jaheim’s, ‘Anything’ as Axel started the van, and off they went.

Secrets were buried no more. He’d no longer bear the burden of a secret that was never intended to be kept.

“Tell the truth. Shame the devil, Legend.

You told your brother your story, and now, the devil weeps…”

– Ms. Florence

“I’m going tokill you.” Desiree tossed the towel aside and sat back on the bench, flushed with angry heat.

Legend stood there holding the weight, looking at her as if she was crazy.

“Look, girl, this wasyouridea. You told me you felt like you were putting on weight since classes started. I told you that youlooked fine. You brought it up again, saying you were getting out of shape, and that it’s my fault because I cook for you too much. So, I said come to the gym with me then, and I’ll help you shed a few pounds. Now, you accuse me of tryna murder you by trying to show you how to lift the weights the proper way, and you want to threaten my life. You need to either do the exercises the correct way, or chill.”

“How ’bout I take that dumbbell over there and shove it down yo’ throat? I’m tired of hearin’ you talking to me.”

He burst out laughing. “If anything ever happens to me, I’ll make sure Axel knows that you should be the number one suspect. You ain’t comin’ with me no more. Trust and believe it.”

“Good!” she snapped. She huffed and puffed, watching him show off as he did his workout routine. Legend had on a pair of red shorts, sneakers and socks. His earbuds were jammed in his ears, and that was it—no shirt. The shorts kept sticking to his skin from all the perspiration, and his big eggplant dick print was showing clear as a bell. He kept popping and hopping along from machine to machine, his big muscles ripped, flexing, and glossy with sweat.

She wanted to, but also shove him down a giant black hole, too.

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