Page 47 of Royce
“You always do,” I said knowing anytime we were altogether, he would have the kids by his side. That overprotectiveness didn’t do shit but turn up a notch.
We headed inside where the smell of baked goods lit up the house. I just knew Ms. Iris had the bakery jealous with some good shit up in here. I excitedly scurried to the kitchen only to be surprised by the one person I had no intentions of seeing willingly.
Heidi was a beautiful dark chocolate woman, and her vitiligo only made her that much more striking. As always, she had bundles flowing down her back, a golden tint to her dark skin, and back dimples that held diamond studs. I was jealous of how angelic she looked. I was a bad bitch myself, but it was something about her that looked untainted and pure.
My presence wasn’t noticed but Royce’s was. As soon as he stepped behind me, she turned around. I’d been standing there taking her in for at least a good thirty seconds by myself. I scoffed and rolled my eyes as I shifted my weight to my right side. Royce placed Essence on the counter to our left and wrapped his arm around my waist. Her gaze dropped to where his hand was and smirked.
“I didn’t think y’all would be back so quickly. I thought I had time to get in and get out. Clearly, I was mistaken,” she said in the softest voice.
“What you here for?” I asked dripping with annoyance.
She’d been on her Casper shit since I got here now all of a sudden, she wanted to make her presence known. Was it because I was nearing my six weeks, and she wanted her spot back or was it to remind Royce that he was already taken? Either or, she could stay the hell up out my face.
“CJ liked my cookies I baked at Mama Iris’s house, so I thought I’d make him some and a banana pudding for Royce. I don’t know you, so I opted out of wasting food before asking.”
Bitch, how dare you cook for my son and nigga? That was disrespectful as hell.
“Tuh!” I turned to leave when Royce stopped me.
“Where you going, My Baby?”
“Aye, I don’t play these type of games. Move so me and my daughter can go on ‘bout our business.” I was irritated as well as pissed. The nerve of some women but then again, my anger should’ve been direct at him and not her. If he knew they had a thing going on, why bring me and my kids into it.
Chuckling, he asked, “What the hell you talking ‘bout? What games?”
“Royce, this is why I said tell her. Look, Klarity, me and this man are not involved in any way, shape, or form. He’s my best friend, nothing less, and for darn sure nothing more. We’ve known each other since the fourth grade and not once have we shared any physical contact beyond platonic. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to me other than bothering y’all for a spot in the wedding… if there is one,” she stated. She didn’t stutter, raise her voice, show aggressiveness, or annoyance the way I did. Her focus stayed locked in with mine the entire time. If she was lying, I couldn’t tell.
“Damn, ain’t that something,” Royce voiced in my ear. I mushed him off me and he found that to be comical.
Turning around, I looked up at Royce ready to slap the shit out of him. He could’ve easily told me what the hell him and Heidi had going on, but he let me wonder as if that shit was cool. I had so much animosity and his big overgrown ass let me have it. Bending down, he kissed my cheek thinking shit was sweet.
“Why you ain’t tell me what the relationship was knowing I felt some type of way? Royce that’s childish as fuck and you know it.”
“How the hell am I childish? It’s you that ain’t ask who she was to me. You assumed and fed off that shit. If you want toknow something, ask. I ain’t got no reason to lie to you. I ain’t no disrespectful ass nigga, either. I’m not parading no broad in yo’ face knowing I’m smashing or smashed. That ain’t me, My Baby,” he explained. I heard every word and each one was valid.
I was facing Heidi once more with a softer expression. I wasn’t going to apologize because I had nothing to be sorry about. However, I could speak to her in a more polite tone and show some respect.
“You and Royce really need to start telling people from jump what’s the dynamics of your friendship. I was ready to throw hands,” I said followed by a small laugh.
“Understandable. I did tell him to clear it up and he chose not to. He’s a menace to society if you ask me. He does these kind of things on purpose. I never wanted you to think I was some competition because you are genuinely the only person that wants his crazy behind. I truly don’t see how you tolerate him,” she jested.
“He’s not as bad as he seems. I mean, he’s all of crazy, but he’s also sweet and protective. I kind of like it… I think?” I said dropping my head to the side with an expression of thinking.
She laughed at my response causing me to do the same. I guess she was alright in my book. Maybe asking questions first around these parts would be best. I was on the other side of the tracks and what I was used to wasn’t their normality. They did things a little differently and their relationships with each other were all close. They showed genuineness no matter who it was.
Cojak would’ve brought a bitch to our doorstep and called her his cousin in a heartbeat. From the way he played me at that visit, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of thosecousinsreally was a bitch he fucked on. He was a bold individual.
“Nah, be sure ‘bout me,” he chimed.
“Would you hush? Go take care of Essence and let me speak to Heidi.”
“Don’t tell me what to do woman,” he said grabbing Essence’s car seat and leaving out the kitchen. He always had something to say but still did everything I asked.
“And that’s what you want to sleep next to every night?” she questioned pointing in his direction.
“He’s a headache but you knew that already. So, you give off this wholesome angelic look and I’m jealous of it. I can’t lie.”
“Girl don’t be. This ain’t nothing but a church girl glow. I be at every Sunday service, Bible study, choir rehearsal, revival, prayer circle, you name it. I turned to God after a few things in my life tried to tear me down and been happy ever since. It’s been like maybe five years since I changed my life. I try and get your boo to go with me, but he has an excuse every time or a flat out no. I pray for him as much as I can though.”
