Page 26 of Overdue Feelings
“So what now? I become y’all’s third or some shit?”
He smirked as he made his way out of the bathroom like this was just any other Sunday morning. But it wasn’t. Not to me.
“You’re not our third. We just move different now. Slower, smarter, together. But I ain’t scared to make space if it’s real. If you’re ready to live up to what it takes to be the man she needs.”
“All I ever wanted was to be what she needed, man.”
Zae glanced at the bed, at her. “Which is why we doing this, right? For her.”
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood, searching the room for my pants.
“Here.” Zae threw me a fresh pair of basketball shorts that still had the tag on them. “Wash yo’ ass, nigga. I put a toothbrush out for you on the sink.”
“Breakfast?” I asked, already making my way to the bathroom. “We can go out.”
“Creek loves a good, slow Sunday morning,” he said with a grin. “I usually whip her up something before taking Gigi to church.”
“Shit, I see why. I never had the urge to cook for a woman before now.”
He chuckled. “That pussy has the same effect on me every time.” He walked out of the bedroom, and I started the water in the shower. “Meet me in the kitchen, bro.”
“Bet.” I nodded as I climbed into the shower. Spending a chill day with Creek and Zae wasn’t on my bingo card for the week, but I was down.
After taking care of my hygiene, I made my way to the kitchen, barefoot and shirtless, sporting the shorts Zae had tossed me. I didn’t cook for just anybody. Hell, I barely cooked at all. Back in New York, I had a chef.
“Wash yo’ hands, nigga, and crack them eggs,” Zae said, pulling the skillet out and turning on some old Project Pat.
I rinsed off, grabbed the carton of eggs, and got to it. We moved together the same way we had when we were younger. No words, just rhythm and respect. Zae slid the bacon out of the pack while I worked on the eggs. I passed him the tongs without asking. He handed me the seasoning without looking. The perfect team.
“You’re still here.” Creek’s voice interrupted our cooking jam session, making us both turn to look at her. She appeared to be fresh out the shower. Her skin was still damp and glowing. That little black gown she had on was damn near illegal the way it split on both sides, showing off her wide hips and round ass. Her eyes landed on me watching her, and I saw it hit her.
“Oh—” She grabbed at the edge of the gown and tried to close the sides like that was going to help something. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were still here. I would’ve covered up.”
“You good, baby. This is what we’re doing now,” Zae said as I turned down the stove and walked over to her.
“Damn right, I’m still here. I ain’t running from nothing no more. Not you. Not this. You hungry? Breakfast’s almost ready.”
She swallowed hard, eyes bouncing over to Zae. “I just… What’s happening?”
Zae walked up behind her and slid his arm around her waist like it was second nature. “Baby, we done overthinking shit. We doing what works for us.”
I could see Creek’s face flush with so many emotions. Her heart was racing, and it looked like her knees might give out, so I stepped in front of her and cupped her jaw.
“Last night wasn’t just sex,” I stated. “It was something overdue. You know it, and we know it too.”
She didn’t say anything, didn’t move, just looked between the two of us like her body was on fire.
“You hungry?” I asked again, brushing my thumb across her bottom lip.
Her eyes bounced between me and Zae. I could tell she was still unsure about this, but the way her nipples were poking through that thin ass gown told me everything I needed to know.
Zae… this is too much. I love you… I-I?—”
“Look at me, C.” Zae grabbed her chin, cutting her off. He made her look him dead in the face. “I ain’t drunk. I ain’t confused. I want you to love fully.” Her breath caught. “I loved seein’ his hands on you,” he said low, dragging his thumb up her inner thigh. “I loved knowin’ my woman was taken care of double time.”
She whimpered, and I leaned in and kissed her neck. This was important. She needed to hear this from him. Needed to hear that Zae had made room to let me in and she could too.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere,” Zae continued. “You’re mine, C. Still mine. Always will be mine. But you can be his too. You always have been.”
