Page 29 of Until the Ink Dries

She smiled, then peered back out the window. We finally pulled up in front of the house and her father was out front, mowing the lawn. I didn’t know the proper protocol when you dropped someone’s daughter off in the morning, even though we hadn’t done a damn thing and weren’t dating. I parked and stepped out of the truck to open her door, then looked over at her father, who was standing with a lift of his brow.

I did the one thing I don’t recall me ever having to do with anyone’s father, not even Tierra. I walked over and reached out to shake his hand, then introduce myself. A few seconds passed by before he took it.

“Benjamin. Sorry for getting her back this late. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, sir. It was nice seeing you again, Willow. Hopefully, I run into you again before you go back.”

He nodded, then looked over at Willow, waiting for her response. She smiled, then walked over to the steps but stopped to glance in my direction, ignoring her father’s glare.

“I’ll see what I can do. It was nice seeing you, too, and you let Charlie know she has immaculate taste in books,” she responded.

“I’m sure she will appreciate that.” I said, then jogged back to the truck.

“Benny!” she called after me.

I looked back to see her walking to me.

“What’s up?”

“Maybe you’d wanna hang out again while I’m here?”

I thought about it for a moment. “I’d be cool with that.”

She handed me her phone and I gave her mine. After exchanging numbers, we said our final goodbyes. She walked toward the house, and I watched, my eyes lingering on her figure until her father looked back at me. Clearing my throat, I averted my gaze and went about my business.

Soon as I slipped back into the truck, my phone rang and Jordan’s name popped up. I answered as I waved once more in her father’s direction, then drove away from the house.

“What’s up? You finally ready to get your shit?” I asked.

“That, and I need you to slide through to pick me up from Shirah’s spot.”

I shook my head, then told him to send over the address. Once he got it over to me, I could get there in ten minutes since I knew the area. She lived in Rose Ridge Townhomes; they were new builds with some of the best amenities, but the price on them reflected that. I parked in her driveway, then beeped the horn to let Jordan know I was outside.

I waited five minutes before the front door opened. Shirah was in a gold robe that had flowers on it with her hair piled on top of her head. Jordan was whispering something in her ear that had her grinning and giggling. I turned my head and gave my mom a call to let her know I was on the way to pick Charlie up and I had a surprise for her coming with me. I don’t know why my mom loved Jordan’s knuckle head ass as much as she did. But, she treated him as if he was her son, too.

Soon as I ended the call, Jordan was sliding into the passenger seat. I wasted no time pulling out of her driveway. I was ready to see my baby. It felt as if I hadn’t been with her in days.

“I think you missed the turn back to your shop. I’m trying to get out of these clothes. I can’t be seen in the same shit as yesterday.” Jordan said.

I chuckled. “Yeah, aight. We going to pick up Charlie first. It’s the least yo’ ass could do after eating her snacks and shit.”

Jordan kissed the front of his teeth. “Man, I only had one fruit snack and a juice box.”

I shrugged and then continued driving. “I don’t make the rules. Now sit back, talking all loud and shit with pussy on your breath.”

He pushed my shoulder. “Man, I brushed my teeth. Although, I wouldn’t mind if I was still tasting the shit,” he added with a smirk.

“Man, what you gone do? You know you signed an extension with your team, right? You plan to make long commutes to be with her?” I asked.

“Who said this was going to be more than a one-time thing? Shy cool, man. It doesn’t have to be complicated. We have an understanding.”

“Aight,” I responded.

I didn’t need to say more than that. I just wanted to give him a little food for thought. I knew Shirah was special to him and as much as he wanted me to believe this was a one-time thing, I didn’t. Shit, she was cool, and I hoped it worked out. But, the road definitely would not be easy. I had my own things to worry about, so we stayed silent the rest of the way to my parents’ house.

The moment we stepped out of the truck, the front door swung open, and Charlie came running out of the house. Her ponytails were neatly down in four, with barrettes at the ends. Her smile was wide as she rushed into my arms. I lifted her and spun her around before placing kisses all over her face. Her giggles were like a melody to my ears that I would never tire of and would come to miss when she became a teenager who wanted little to do with me.

“I missed you, my baby. Did you have fun at Grandma’s house?” I asked.

She nodded her head wildly, sending her ponytails flying around her head and smacking me. My baby had long, thick hair. It took me forever to master a few damn ponytails. At this point, I was a pro at doing different styles with her hair.

---