Page 33 of Can I?

That only made my decision harder and riskier. I knew that if I didn’t keep the lines of communication open, though, I would never know if one started to outweigh the other. I didn’t have to commit to having an exclusive relationship with her, but we would definitely talk, even if that was to get closure. It seemed she needed that.

“Ferris!”

I turned to see Carter Legend headed my way with one of those rude ass twins. I wanted to roll my eyes. When they got closer, I said, “What’s up, man?”

I slapped his hand then he took a step back. “This my girl, Bali. Bali, this is Ferris.”

“I know who Ferris wheel is,” she said as he laughed.

I didn’t restrain my eyeroll any longer. She sounded just like her father when I’d introduced myself to him at the diner. Carter stooped to speak to the kids and got them all riled up all over again. “You helping babysit? If not, you need to quit getting them all pumped up.”

He chuckled as he stood. “They’re your kids?” Bali asked.

“Naw. My nieces and nephew.”

“Shit, I was about to say.”

“What were you about to say Bali, Indonesia?”

She frowned, looking just like her damn daddy. “I was about to say that Milana was a fu—fool if she was pining after a ni—dude with four kids.” She glanced down at the kids and turned to Carter. “I’m going to meet my sister. I don’t like filtering myself. See you later.”

He bit his bottom lip as he scanned her curves. “A’ight, baby.”

She rolled her eyes and walked off. He watched her for a moment then turned back to me. “Come on. Y’all ready to ride?”

The kids started hopping up and down with their hands in the air. He tilted his head, wanting me to follow him. “I don’t know what you see in that mean ass girl.”

“She smart, fine, and ain’t no guesswork. She vocalizes damn near everything. If she don’t like something, she gon’ say she don’t like that shit. I like that.”

“I guess. What’s that new construction coming up close to the traffic light?”

He smirked then said, “Bali and Noni are going to be opening a community clinic. Their uncle Kenny Henderson is helping them with that. They’re in medical school and will be practicing in the next four years or so. They only have a year or two of med school left. See what I mean?”

I slowly shook my head. “If you like it, I love it.”

“Milana been quiet as hell,” he said as we approached the barn. “Just been chilling at home and practicing. Bali thinks she’s missing you.”

I didn’t respond to his silent inquiry. Surely, she had to know that her situation wasn’t easy for me to handle. What I look like being with a woman who would bring all sorts of drama to my doorstep? I hated that she was depressed, though, so we definitely needed to have a conversation.

“Uncle Ferris! These horses are big!” Kam said, causing the other kids to cower somewhat.

“I know, but you won’t have to ride alone. I’ll ride with you, and Cousin Asad will too.”

She smiled and seemed to relax a bit, especially when she saw Asad approaching. Once he reached us, he slapped my hand then went to help Carter Legend saddle another horse. When he got up on one, I picked up Kam and gave her to him. Her eyes were wide. I figured if she went first, the other kids would see that they didn’t have a thing to be afraid of.

Carter hopped on the horse he’d just saddled and said, “Come on, baby girl.”

Loren clung to me, so I picked up Kiley and handed her to him. She looked a little nervous, but her excitement was evident through her wide eyes. When Mrs. Shana approached, Kohl said, “Me next!”

I chuckled and said, “Yeah, man.”

Mrs. Shana smiled and extended her hands to put him on the horse with her. Red Squared walked around the corner, looking slightly irritated. “You good, man?”

“Yep. You ready to get on?”

“Yeah.”

He pulled another horse from the stable and took Loren from me so I could get on. Baby girl was holding on tight to me. She didn’t cry, but I could clearly see she was uneasy with Red holding her. She wasn’t all that familiar with him, so I understood. Once he handed her to me, she calmed significantly.

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