Page 17 of Can I?

“That’s by choice though, right?”

“Yeah. I will get access to my account from the family business when I turn twenty-five. I figured there was no reason to have my own place until I can build a house.”

Shit.What was I thinking telling this man I had money like that?Ugh!

“That makes sense, especially since you get along with your parents. I can see how close you are to them, especially your mom.”

I lowered my head for a moment, thinking about how we didn’t talk for nearly a month. “Yeah. We’re extremely close. I spend a lot of time with that woman. I’m their only daughter and their first child.”

“Are you trying to tell me you’re spoiled?”

I giggled. “Mm-hmm. You got a problem with that?”

“Only time will tell.”

He gave my hand a squeeze and smiled at me. “So how many siblings do you have?”

“Just a younger brother. He was up there sitting next to my dad. What about you?”

“I have a brother and a sister. Both older than me.”

“So are you telling me you’re spoiled too?”

“Mm-hmm. You got a problem with that?” he said, mimicking me.

I giggled as he smiled. We continued walking in silence, observing everything around us. However, my mouth watered when I saw a concession stand selling fried chicken. I stopped walking. “Don’t let my slender frame fool you. I like to eat, and that fried chicken is calling my name.”

He chuckled. “Girl, we gon’ get along well. I was tryna ignore it, because I didn’t want to eat if you didn’t. You ain’t said nothing but a word.”

I laughed as we got in line. Ferris seemed so cool. We were still holding hands, and I liked the way his touch felt. “So what’s your last name, Ferris?”

“Botley. Oh, and so you know, I’m kin to Asad on his biological mother’s side. Mister Red would allow me to go overto their house when Asad was there to kick it, though, since I live in Beaumont. It was closer to get to Nome than Liberty.”

“Oh, okay. I thought you were related on Mister Red’s side. My mama said he helped her tremendously by quoting scriptures when she was barebacking. I’ll probably need him when I start.”

His eyebrows lifted. “You’re gonna bareback?”

“Yeah. No woman has done it since my mama. We’re well overdue for another black woman to come in and sweep shit up.”

“I know that’s fucking right,” he said, releasing my hand and sliding his arm around my waist. “I’m enjoying getting to know you a bit, Milana.”

I gave him a slight smile. “I’m enjoying it also. You seem pretty cool.”

He smiled slightly as we approached the counter. When I ordered a three-piece with fries, I saw his playful glance before he ordered the same. His pockets had better been heavy if he was gonna be feeding me, because I didn’t cut any corners when it came to food. Once they boxed our order and handed it to us, he took out his wallet to pay for everything. I never even offered to pay. I hated spending money. Had he not pulled me out here, I probably wouldn’t have eaten until tonight.

After walking away, he said, “I hope it tastes as good as it smells.”

“Right. Me too. So what do you do?”

“I’m a game tester.”

I frowned in confusion until a lightbulb came on in my brain. “You play video games all day?”

“Mm-hmm. I get paid pretty good to do it too. The schedule is flexible, and I take on the games I want to take on, unless there is a shortage of them coming out. I don’t pass up no coins.”

“That’s cool. I don’t make a lot of money from barrel racing. Plus, females make less in this business, because our eventsaren’t as ‘risky’ or ‘dangerous,’” I said, holding up a one-armed air quote. “Now when I get into barebacking, I’ll get to see the same pay because it’s a male-dominated event.”

He nodded. “I think it’s cool that you are going after that. You a go-getter like your mom.”

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