Page 41 of So I Know it's Real

Clover’s smile remained in place, but I could tell she wanted to question me by the way she kept looking at me then in the direction Drea had gone.

“Trust me, none of these bitches can touch what we got going on.” I approached her and wrapped my arm around her waist. I didn’t think before I placed kisses on her forehead then let my lips linger on her nose.

“Eww! That’s nasty!” Pierce yelled, forcing me and Clover to separate.

I laughed at his mean mug. “Don’t be a hater. Just take notes on how to treat a lady.”

Clover grabbed my shoulder, making me face her. “Are you all done with work? If you’re busy, I can—”

“What I tell you about doing that?” I nipped her chin. “I said I got the knuckleheads. I scheduled an appointment with my barber for three o’clock.”

“Okay. I won’t nag.” She turned to the twins. “I’m going to meet with Essen, Blaze, and Stevie for lunch. Can I get a hug before I leave?”

I cleaned up my station while they said their goodbyes. On the surface, I was cool, but on the inside, my gut was doing backflips. I offered to take the boys to get their hair cut when Clover mentioned it was on her to-do list. The words rolled off my tongue with so much ease I didn’t question myself after I opened my mouth. I had spent enough time with the duo to know their likes and dislikes, and though they picked at me, they stayed in my face.

The second Clover walked out the door, Tatum was out of his seat and rolling around the room on my stool.

“Durk, can I ask you a question?”

“I’m listening.”

“Have you tattooed someone’s butt before?”

“I mean...” I hesitated. “Just like a doctor operates on every part of the body, I tattoo all body parts.”

Pierce shook his head. “You aren’t a doctor.”

“Hater,” I replied, while grabbing my keys. “Let’s go so we can get that McDonald’s hairline fixed.”

Tatum threw a punch at me. “At least he has hair. You’re going bald, Lebron.”

On the road, I noticed Pierce had been quiet since we got in the car. I adjusted my rearview mirror so I could see him clearly and lifted my head when we made eye contact.

“What’s the problem, kid?”

“Nothing. I’m straight.”

Tatum smacked his lips. “He’s mad because the girl—”

“Let him speak, T,” I suggested.

“It’s not a big deal,” Pierce replied. “This girl I used to like played me. She pretended she liked me just so I would buy her lunch.”

“Damn, that’s foul,” slipped from my lips. “Be grateful you figured it out before she drained your pockets. One meal ain’t a big deal.”

“Yeah, but I just wish she had been honest. My mama always says all a person has is their word.”

I nodded, though my own dishonesty came to mind. “I feel you. I just don’t want it to ruin your day. If ol’ girl was on some bullshit, you don’t want her around anyway. Pick your head up. You too player to let anybody see you sweat.”

My encouragement seemed to release his tight posture, though my limbs grew tense. I squeezed the steering wheel as my deceit weighed on my conscious. I was six weeks away from the three-month deadline my folks gave me, and the more time I spent with Clover, the more guilt crept in. The nights we slept together, I would lay up watching her sleep, thinking about how she would react to the truth.

“Are y’all hyped about going to the game tomorrow?” I asked, switching the subject.

“I am!” Tatum clapped then rubbed his hands together. “I bet one of my friends The Silk Hills Spacers are going to lose.”

I smacked my lips. “What the hell? You’re supposed to put your money on the home team.”

“Nah, I cheer for the winning team. I’m trying to save up to buy a chain like yours.”

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