Page 234 of Not My Type
“Mi fren a cook at home enuh so the cookie alone is alright,” Nickoi retorts.
“Who cooking babe?” I just want to release some of the tension.
“Rick... him a big Chef,” he chuckles. Eeeeh?
“Mi neva know them still deh home enuh,” I smile.
When we’re done eating the cookies, mommy gives us muffins but Nickoi didn’t take the muffin. I did though.
“You probably full,” Gavin grins. I’m actually not full.
“Hey wi a go lef enuh,” Nickoi announces. “Take care of unuh self,” he hugs them quickly.
“Later,” I wave trying to catch up Nickoi as he gets in the car.
Why him a move so fast? I get in the car and put on my seatbelt. “Nickoi put on your seatbelt,” he does as I say.
“I love you,” I say, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
He’s upset, even if he’s not really showing it. “And on behalf of Mama, I’m sorry.” She made him uncomfortable—thankfully, Mommy noticed and cheered him up. He doesn’t say anything as he drives off, honking the horn.
“Thomas at home enuh,” he says instead. “Him ready fi start the driving lessons,” I smile.
“Yes... full time,” I’m excited. If yuh know how me well wah drive my car. Hot yuh hot.
I don’t know why I expect an old man—maybe because Nickoi calls him Thomas, and that just sounds like an elderly name. Yeah, that must be it. But when I get there, anyone would think we’ve known each other for years. He doesn’t start the conversation like a typical stranger.
“From yesterday mi did fi come enuh Zara but Jah know the wuk have mi a way,” he tells me and I chuckle.
“School have mi a way too,” I say. Mi feel comfortable with him already and mi literally just meet him a minute ago.
“You ready though?” he asks. “A big car yah go push enuh so yuh affi ready.” He answers his own question and I laugh. Nickoi is laughing too.
“Mi ready mon,” I smile.
He nods. “Have to,” he chuckles and I realize that Nickoi and I are holding hands involuntarily. Watch yerrrr.
I didn’t even notice and I’m sure he doesn’t notice either. So cuteeeeeeee.
“Hey Zara when wi done not even Nickoi cya drive like yuh enuh,” he bumps fist while looking at Nickoi. He has a sense of humor.
Nickoi laughs. “As long as she can start drive har car bad man,” he says to Thomas.
“No joke fam and she know the basics already?” He asks and Nickoi nods. Fam? Dem related?
“Sup’m like that,” Nickoi jokes and Thomas laughs before he gives me an apologetic smile. “I had to,” he says softly and I laugh again. From mi meet him, him just mek mi a laugh. “Just take care a har,” Nickoi tells him between their handshake.
“Yuh know mi ’o do that mon,” he glances back at me. Nickoi walks away.
“Mi never expect say you look like this enuh,” I say and he steps back.
“Yuh never know mi would a ugly so?” he cross his arms.
“No,” I laugh. “True babe call yuh Thomas mi a expect fi see an old man.”
“Oh a Thomas a the surname mon, my name is Ronaldo,” he tells me then his phone rings. “Hello baby what’s up?” he holds up his index to me and walks away. He comes back shortly after. “Wifey can check up pan mi yuh see? Cyaa’ believe me one blessed so,” he laughs. Didn’t even notice his ring.
“Good Good driving wi a go gwan wid enuh Zara,” he smiles looking at the Benz. He’s automatically out of goof mode, now in business mode. “But first mi a go run through the basics with you again.” Mi feel hungry enuh.Yuh nuh just eat muffin and cookies how yuh craven so?
