Page 62 of Beautiful Beginning

I winced as I tried to look up into the mouth it came from. With an arm stretched over my eyes I still had to squint to see him.

“Iced Mocha,” his lips grew into a grin. “Mind if I sit beside you?” With a tank top, shorts, and no shoes, he looked ready to jump into the pool.

“I don’t mind at all.” Then my nose scrunched. “You know, all these times I’ve been in the coffee shop you’d think I’d remember your name. I mean you do wear it on your shirt.”

He laughed. “It’s cool.” He hunched his shoulders. “I mean, in that, you don’t pay attention enough to remember type of way. Or that I’m not memorable enough for you to care.”

I couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic, or dead ass serious. My mouth opened to a thin slit before responding. “Was that a joke?”

“Depends. Was it funny?”

I shook my head. “I’m not buckled over or anything.”

“Hmm… you crushed my hopes and dreams of being a stand-up comedian.”

My eyes popped open. “Good thing you’ll have your degree to fall back on.”

“Thank God for ol’ Hillside.” He stretched his hand out. “I’m Malachi.” His lips formed around each syllable of his name. “Malachi Moore.”

Our hands touched and lingered for a beat too long. I pulled it away, tucking it under my leg before I offered, “I’m Journey. Journey Thompson.”

“Journey Thompson,” he repeated. “Nice to formally meet you. But this means I can no longer call you Iced Mocha.” There was a noticeable frown on his face.

“Do you call everyone by their order?” I tried to think of Lauren’s order but it failed me. “Like is there someone out there you call Black No Sugar No Cream?”

“Don’t know if I’d want to know anyone strong enough to drink their coffee like that.” This time the look on his face was softer, a lift of his lips as he snickered. “But iced mocha coffee…” he subtly licked his lips. “I like that.”

I wiped the back of my neck and made images of Chaz flash in my mind. I needed thoughts of his arms holding me, his lips caressing me, his dick invading my most intimate spots. I couldn’t be four hours away and have him out of sight out of mind.Right?

“So, who’d you come with?” I needed an escape from Malachi.

He pointed over his shoulder. “Denim and Eric. Know them?”

I’d heard of them before. “Denim is a memorable name. But Eric, that could be any number of people.” I assured him, “My roommates gave me a brief rundown of the people joining us though.”

“I’m curious.” He asked, “What’d they say about me?” There was a mischievous grin on his face.

“Said you were the guy who helped me when I was drunk.” I hurried, “But I could neither confirm nor deny because, well—”

“Exactly. I guess I was the invisible knight.”

Our eyes danced over each other for a minute before he said, “The guys insisted we couldn’t stop. But I’m hungry as hell. You?”

“Somewhat. We had a car full of snacks.” Courtesy of Nia who would never dare be on a road trip with no snacks. “I’m good for now though.” As he stood my phone vibrated against my seat. If it was Chaz I’d be one pleased person with the universe. When I lifted it, I frowned. “I should take this.”

“Sure.” Malachi stood and disappeared somewhere behind the sliding door.

“Monroe?” My voice quivered. The last time she made a random call, it shook my world. I didn’t suspect she’d call me in the middle of the day to wish me a happy spring break. Not my sister.

“Hey, ugh…” then her manufactured delay. Like she didn’t know how to proceed didn’t make it any better. “I should have let Dre call you.”

“Dre?” I barked, “Why?”

“Or Daddy. He needs to own up to this shit. Take some of the weight of the rest of us.” Monroe was malfunctioning. “When’s the last time you spoke to him anyway?”

I didn’t want to yell, but I had to. “Monroe. What the hell are you talking about?” I looked at the still pool water and considered diving in. Staying a while.

"The house sold. We no longer can call 514 Berry Avenue home.” Monroe on her best day would still be the most dramatic person I know. She missed her calling for being in theater. She should have been on someone’s big screen. If it wasn’t my life playing out, I would have been at the premiere of the movie she acted out now.

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