Page 52 of Nobody But You

Steph, you’re tripping. That’s wild. Besides, if she were, you’d fucking know. Not to mention, she hates drug dealers.

“Jourdan, wake up, Baby. We’re here.” I said as I gently shook Jourdan to wake her up. Our flight had just landed, and it was time to deboard.

“Damn that was fast. How long have I been asleep?” She asked while she came to. I wanted to tell her nearly the whole trip, but didn’t want to alarm her. She came across as the type who didn’t like to sleep much, fearing she might miss something. And I know she would’ve wanted to keep her eyes on all the flight attendants.

Nosey ass!

“Not long,” I said, chuckling at my last thought. Her hands reached the ceiling as she stretched her body as best she could.

“I know your damn neck is stiff. After that performance last night.”

“If mine is stiff, then so is yours,” she said as she swiftly punched me in my dick, then proceeded to stick her middle finger in my face. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but I still felt the sting while I laughed it off.

“And I would do it again, too. Let your ass act up like that again. You’re pushing it right now. Come on, Mike is waiting,” I said and smacked her ass hard through her jeans. Our little back and forth gave me the break I needed to take my mind off all the bullshit momentarily. We went through the process of getting off the plane, and because we had no luggage, we went through it quickly.

Outside, I saw that Mike had already pulled to the curb, so I guided Jourdan over and placed her in before sliding in beside her.

“Aye, Mike, take us home. I need to pick up my truck.” He nodded through the rearview before pulling off. As we left the airport clearing, all of Cypress’s trees began to reappear. A plane appeared over them in its takeoff, and I wished it could take mymind with its ascent. After a while, all the cars on the road and everything we passed became blurry as I zoned out.

“The trip was good, I suppose. I’m not sure how much work you two got done, though,” he said as he laughed and gestured down to Jourdan lying on my shoulder.

Is she sleeping again?

A light snore could be heard coming from her mouth. I hadn’t realized that she’d fallen asleep again. I tightened my grip around her shoulder and kissed her forehead.

“Yeah, you know how those conferences go. You gotta find something to do between each seminar, right?” I said, and he laughed. Mike got us back to my house in record time. When I woke Jourdan up this time, I ensured she was good.

“Jourdan, wake up,” I said with concern as she stirred.

“You’ve been sleeping a lot. Are you good? Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I feel fine. I’m just exhausted. Did I mention that I hate traveling? You should see me when I switch time zones.”

“I’m not coming in; I’m going straight to my mother’s house. Go inside and get some rest until I come back.” I spoke.

“No. I’m going with you,” she hastily returned.

“You sure?” I asked as I took her chin to study her face.

“Yes, Stephon, now let’s go,” she returned.

Somewhereon the drive to my mother’s, I’d found too much bravado. I’d hyped myself up so much for answers, I barged straight into my mother’s house without the typical bell ring. Adding to my newfound bravery, I brashly yelled out for my mother as I walked through her house looking for her. I also noticed that, once again, she’d rearranged the damn furniture.

Her ass is hardheaded.

“Maaa, Maaaa.” I yelled again.

“Little boy, I know damn well you didn’t come into my house yelling like you have no sense. Now tell me what the hell has you on the verge of going to the hospital because I’m about to send you there,” she said. I took several deep breaths. I turned and searched for Jourdan and saw that she had sat on the couch. A voice behind my mother made me turn my head swiftly and draw my weapon. It was a voice I’d committed to memory.

“Adri, is everything ok?” He asked. It was Julius Miller. While we’d slept he must have caught a flight straight here just to fuck with me. He had waltzed into the room with an air of confidence. I was already teetering on the edge, and he made me jump off the cliff. In my rage, I must have missed the foreign car parked by the curb.

“Miller, I don’t know what business you have with my mother, but you need to get the fuck out right now,” I said. I pulled back the safety to ensure he understood. He hadn’t flinched as he held my menacing gaze with one of his own. I was trying to hold back, Rock, the drug-dealing killer I’d kept hidden from my mother.

“Adri, I will call you later,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek twice, one landing too close to her mouth for my liking. Then he walked coolly away, smirking at the inner rage he’d caused me to have.

“Stephon Angel, what in the hell has gotten into you?” I didn’t speak again until I heard the door close. I tucked my gun and finally gave my mother my attention.

“Tell me how in the hell you know Julius Miller,” I asked. My mother stalled as if she didn’t want to answer me.

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