Page 38 of Until the Ink Dries

I glanced up and lifted a brow. Out of all people to ask me, I didn’t expect him to be one of them. He had to have heard it more times than he would have liked to bring it up.

“Man, not you, too.”

He held his hands up. “You know I’m not the type to get in other folks’ shit and this town doesn’t have nothing else better to do than be in someone else’s business. I had to hem up a few muthafuckas behind gossiping about yo shit in the bar. I’m not interested in the details, but do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” he asked.

I turned to face him fully and stuffed my hands into my pockets.

“It’s not like I’m trying to add anything new to my plate, but it’s something about her. It’s something that feels like if I ignore it, I’ll regret it. Not to mention, I’m not seeking her. We just end up in the same place all the time.”

“It sounds like you’ve decided how you’re moving behind this. Well, I’ll have your back if you need me. Now, you might need to check on my niece. Her ass might need a new outfit after that popsicle.” Duke pointed towards Charlie.

I looked over my shoulder, and she was licking the juice from her hands. Charlie’s shirt was covered in green juice, and all I could do was laugh and shake my head.

“Let me grab this child. Y’all good?” I asked.

“We good. We’ll see you later. Thanks for coming through and lending a hand.” He said, while pulling a bag of Skittles from his pocket.

I nodded and dapped him up before walking over Charlie, then lifting her from the tabletop. I held onto her and headed for the car.

“Daddy, we coming back?” she asked.

“Yeah, you think we did all that hard work for nothing? I at least need to get something to eat?—”

“And to see Ms. Willow!” she interrupted.

I lifted a brow with a smirk. “Who said Willow would be out here today?” I asked.

She gripped her chest in her usual dramatic fashion.

“I can feel it!” she responded with a giggle.

I shook my head and continued toward the car.

“I hope so, baby.” I said.

Willow Dawson definitely had my interest piqued, and I couldn’t wait to find out what that meant.

Iclosed my laptop and slid my chair back from the desk.

I’d spent the earlier part of the morning handling business, so my afternoon and evening would be free. Shirah hit me up about going to a block party hosted by the Black Thorns Motorcycle Club. I didn’t know much about them from being away so long, so I decided to look them up. Most people associated motorcycle clubs with gang activity and in many cases, that was the furthest thing from the truth.

They did fundraisers, food drives, back to school bashes, and they provided holiday dinners to families in need amongst other things. Their socials were filled with nothing but positive things. It was beautiful to see a group of men who probably were labeled as tyrants giving back to the community. I’d already written out my check in lieu of my support.

Benjamin and I had been making conversation all week through texts. We had a few FaceTime calls, which usually ended with me talking to Charlie at some point. As soon as she found out I was on the phone, she came sticking her little head in the camera to speak to me.

She was so adorably cute and sweet. I loved talking to her and was surprised that she could carry a conversation like an adult. Then again, no, I wasn’t because Benjamin didn’t talk to her like a typical child. She was so smart and vocal for her age, and I knew it was because of the way he spoke to her.

Just as I went to stand from the desk, my phone rang with a call from Ellis. It had been a week since he reached out to me and what a peaceful week it had been. I sighed as I answered the call.

“Ellis, didn’t I tell you I was going to block you if you called me again?”

“I know, I know. I was just calling to check on you. I promise, I won’t bring up anything you don’t want to hear.”

“I’m fine.”

“How was the class reunion?”

“Fine.”

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