Page 21 of Only You

Brice

My body was tired. I’d just completed my night shift at the hospital. I entered the locker room immediately, scanning the area to ensure I was alone. Once I was sure, I opened my locker and took out my extra change of clothes. I didn’t fuck around with communicable diseases. I stripped off my scrubs, quickly pulling on the sweats from my duffle. I used a sani-bag to store my soiled clothes. They were generally used for bed pans. They worked for what I needed, so I kept a supply in my bag.

I sat down on the bench, balancing my elbows on my knees. I closed my eyes and let my shoulders sag. My last shift had been brutal because it seemed like everyone’s child was sick. The waiting room had been packed since I walked in, and I was sure it still would be when I left. I thought about everything I needed to do. Sincere was still bringing guns into my fucking docks and I had no idea where Nina’s ass had disappeared to. I’d had Stephon hack into the surrounding hospital’s systems to see if a female of her agehad been treated for gunshot wounds. However, none showed up. Stephon told me he had other ways of finding her, but I told him to hold up until Tayla was at one hundred percent.

I need to pull up on Sincere’s ass.

After leaving here tonight, I would ride to the address that Sincere had on file at the docks. I wanted to know if he lived there or if it was a front. As I sat, a hand wrapped around the nape of my neck. Without thought, I abruptly stood, grabbing the hand and throwing the body that accompanied it against the lockers. Next, my hand went up to wrap around the front of their neck, where I began to squeeze. I’d shifted into Ice as my mind had drifted to my other job. It wasn’t until I heard the moans and smelled her arousal that I snapped out of it.

I focused on where I was. I stood before Ivy, my sweats hanging low and shirtless, as our breaths heaved up and down for different reasons. I was about to snap her neck, and she was aroused. I quickly separated from her and apologized.

“Ivy, I’m sorry, but you can’t sneak up on me like that,” I said as I tried to control my voice and calm down. I snatched the white t-shirt out of my duffle and threw it over my head so there wouldn’t be any confusion about what had just happened. It was too late because I’d just choked her out, called her by her name and she was into the shit because her nipples where about to burst through her scrubs.

Fuck!

“It’s fine. I’m sorry, too. I should have announced myself before I touched you. What are you doing when you leave? My shiftis over, I was thinking maybe we…” I cut her off before she could finish her statement.

“I’m tired, Nurse Smith. I’m going home to my wife and son,” I said to reiterate that we would not be fucking tonight or any night. The fire in her eyes let me know she would let it go for now, but this wouldn’t be the last time she propositioned me. When I told her my false marital status, she hadn’t even batted an eye.

“Have a good night,” I said as I closed and locked my locker. Then, I grabbed the sani-bag and put it in a separate duffle. I walked out of the locker room, leaving Ivy where she stood.

I drove into the parking deck of Haven Computer Sciences. HCS was one of two twin skyscraper buildings that Devin owned with his two brothers. A floor inside the deck housed cars that could be used when discretion was needed. Devin had a hard time fully letting go of his past lifestyle, so some aspects of it remained. These cars placed throughout the floor were one of them.

I pulled up beside a blacked-out Nissan Altima. I cut the engine and got out, going around the driver’s side to find the key that Steph and I had stashed under the wheel well. The deck was off limits without a fob, so we didn’t have to worry about anyone stealing them. I reached under and retrieved the key, popping the locks on the doors before getting in. I didn’t even let the car warm up before I backed up and drove back out of the parking deck.

The streets were quiet as I drove through the downtown area. I was once again stopped at another red light which further added to my irritation because there wasn’t a damn car on the road but me. I was seconds away from running the light before it changed to green.

About damn time!

After about fifteen red lights, my irritation was raging. The address had led me to an old black neighborhood called The Grove. The sign leading into the neighborhood was lit and surrounded by a freshly manicured flower bed. Back in the day, The Grove was a drug capital, driving through now, you would never be able to tell. House after house had been remodeled to the point where they looked brand new. Some homes had been torn down, and new two-story houses now stood in their place. I wouldn’t say the area was gentrified because it was still all black. However, it looked like a nice place to live, where you couldn’t imagine it any other way.

I slowly drove past the house. It was definitely where he lived.

Did I not teach this nigga anything?

His car, as well as another, was parked in the driveway. I’d seen that car somewhere before, but was too tired to recollect where. A light was on, but I wouldn’t make any moves tonight. I needed to get home, so I drove straight past. Unlike on my way there, I’d caught every green light as I sped back through downtown. I entered the deck in no time, returning the car to the spot where it had been parked before, and left the key.

This time, when I hopped back into my Tahoe, Tay’s sweet perfume hit my nose. I must have been so wound up before that Ihadn’t smelled it. Now, I was wound up for other reasons. It didn’t help that Floetry’s Say Yes was playing in the background. Marsha Ambrosius’ sensual voice filtered into my psyche. When she started moaning on the song, I became aroused.

“Yes. Yes, right there, Brice, mmmmh,” she moaned, her breath tickling my skin. Suddenly, my mind had gone to me stroking everything I had between Tayla’s legs as she bit into my neck.

Shit! On my dead homies, these flashbacks are a motherfucker!

It wasn’t just the sex that had me gone; that was a bonus. Tayla was everything: beautiful inside and out, a best friend, confidant, anchor, and soul mate. It didn’t matter the title. I found it harder each passing day to restrain myself from her. I wanted to claim all of her and that shit ran deep. I wasn’t sure she was ready for how I would act about her. I’d been a fool when I let that situation happen. It would never happen again, my sister be damned because it left the trust even more fucked up than before.

I was so far in my head that I hadn’t realized I arrived home until I unconsciously reached up to hit the garage opener. Cutting the engine and stepping out, I had hoped that my family would be up to greet me. Unfortunately, the house was quiet and only lit by the nightlights when I entered. I’d check in on them once I showered. But first, I stopped by the laundry room and threw my work clothes into the washing machine I used only for them.

Tayla told me that she’d been having difficulty getting Bryson to sleep on nights when I wasn’t here, so I figured she’d put him down and had gone to sleep herself. I went about my night routine of showering, moisturizing, brushing my teeth, and throwing ona pair of basketball shorts. After I was done with that, I walked down the hall and peeked in on Bryson, who, like I’d thought, was fast asleep.

Continuing, I decided not to wake Tayla and headed towards the kitchen. However, I was caught by surprise when I stepped in. Tayla sat atop the island when I rounded the corner, eating a frozen fruit bar. She had the lights dimmed, giving her a glow as my eyes traveled down her body. She sat wearing only an A-shirt and panties. I could see the dark circles of her areolas and pert nipples through the thin fabric. Her legs were spread wide as they hung over the side. Beside her sat the baby monitor. I already worked up a substantial sexual appetite, and there she was, looking like my next meal.

“I didn’t think you were up,” I said.

“I can’t sleep when you’re not home. You’re late. Where were you?” She asked. I stood before her, leaned my back on the refrigerator, and crossed my arms. I let my eyes peruse her body unapologetically, taking her in.

“I remember that time back in high school when I was hype because I’d gotten that date with Kennedy.”

“Yeah, I remember that ho,” she said, and I laughed.

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