Page 19 of Keeping Busy
The thing you gotta know about Mecca is that she’s loyal, and genuine. She’ll stand by your side, ten toes down. But her patience for fuckboy antics is low. She’s the type that will back up your bullshit in a crowd, but when you get to the car...she’ll fuck you up about that same bullshit. I encourage you to stay on her good side and leave any fuckboy behavior at the door.
As her father, I can’t help but notice that this whole deal seems incredibly one-sided. I mean, you get a trophy ‘girlfriend’,” My dad shot me a wink. “And the opportunity to repair the damage to your rep, what is Mecca getting out of this?”
“I’m just doing it as a favor to Auntie Bo.”
“Treat my daughter with respect, man. While she’s playing this role, do your part. Leave the other chicks alone. No pictures, no videos, I don’t even want whispers of you with other chicks. Like zero, man. I don’t want my daughter embarrassed or made to look like a fool. I don’t want your ‘challenged’ reputation traded for hers. I don’t want her dragged on social media while you sit back quietly looking out for yourself. This is a favor, it should be treated with the appreciation that comes from knowing that she didn’t have to do this for you. She could’ve let you figure something else out, or blow in the damn wind.”
“I’ve already told Mecca, if the bullets start blowing, I’ll take that heat.”
“Well, I guess if bullets start blowing, we’ll see, won’t we?”
Maddox nodded his head.
“Busy, as I’ve said before, I’ve always liked you, but that shit is totally inconsequential if you bring bullshit to Mecca’s doorstep. Please. Please. Don’t make me fuck you up over my daughter.”
Maddox was quiet when we left my parents’ house. I wasn’t sure if it was because my father was so...himself or what. Still, when we pulled up in front of Joya’s place, I turned my body to face him.
“So, pulling this thing off in front of my cousins.”
His eyes met mine. “You seem more worried than you were at your spot. You got any suggestions?”
“I don’t know. I would say just be yourself, but since ‘yourself’ would typically ignore me...can’t do that.” I joked.
He smirked. “I think the stage of me being able to ignore you has passed. Think I’ll be myself.”
“Good luck with that.”
As I moved to get out of his truck, he grabbed me by my wrist. I turned around and gave him my attention.
“So, when I’m being myself, are you gonna roll with it?”
Busy was a double-whammy - that deadly combination of being flirty and understanding exactly how sexy and desirable he was. My mind (or maybe it was my vagina) started thinking all kinds of thoughts with that question. “I don’t know. You’re not gonna be backing me up against any walls, and kissing me in the mouth are you?”
His eyes raked over me, and he licked his kissable lips. Those juicy, kissable ass lips. “Maybe. Is that what you like? Being backed up against walls, Mecca?”
The way he looked at me, the way his big, strong hand held my wrist with restrained power, the way his pink tongue traveled over his brown lips so slowly, made me fluttery in the stomach.
“I like a lot of things.” I told him.
“I’mma need you to keep that same energy when I’m pressed up against you in front of your cousins.”
Inwardly, I was a tiny bit shook, because if I wasn’t mistaken, he had just promised that there would be moments where his big, sexy, muscular body would be pressed up against mine. Can’t lie, I definitely hoped that there would be ‘backing me up against walls’ involved. Outwardly, I did my best to appear unbothered, though. “And you just make sure that if you’re backing me up against walls, that you’re ready for what comes next.” I pulled my wrist from his grasp and turned away from him humming Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts.”
Nasir Payne, Joya’s husband answered the door for us holding the couple’s youngest daughter, two-year-old Lyric.
He grinned when he saw me, his handsome face lighting up. “What’s good, Mecca?” He pulled me into a one-armed hug, releasing me slowly when he noticed Maddox standing behind and off to the side of me. “Mayday Mayhew?” He asked in surprise, calling Maddox by yet another nickname.
Maddox stepped up, with his hand outstretched. “Ay, what’s up? Nasir Payne, right?”
Nasir nodded, his face still scrunched up in shock. He took Maddox’s hand, and gave him the universal “black man” handshake. “Yeah. Come on in. Come on in.”
Nasir and Joya were young and wealthy and their lifestyle reflected that. They lived in one of the most expensive and coveted neighborhoods in Chicago. Lincoln Park was about a mile from downtown, and right on the lakefront. It was within walking distance of parks, shopping, restaurants, the zoo, the botanical gardens and museums. Their house was on a quiet, tree-lined, family friendly block and was simply gorgeous. It was a semi-open floor plan with exposed brick walls, and historical details. Classic, but modern.
We stepped into the foyer, and Nasir led us through the living room, the dining room, past the kitchen and the large family room out to the spacious deck on the back of the house. There were people everywhere, but I spotted my family members right away. Joya, sitting in the flyest one-person porch swing I had ever seen, cradling her four year old daughter, Honor in her lap. Clarke, Cairo and Nasir’s youngest sister, Torri were at the bar. My cousin Indigo and her guy, Northern McKinley were on the loveseat. British, and two of my other cousins were chilling on the sofa.
I walked over to Joya with Maddox on my heels. “Oh my goodness, big baller. Where the hell did you get this swing chair, porch-swing-for-one, whatever you call it? It’s so nice.”
Her light brown eyes went really wide as she moved the antsy toddler out of her lap. “Pretty sure I got it from Wayfair. Where did you get your...guest? Hey Busy Mayhew. Long time no see.”
