Page 53 of Right Side of Paradise
“Yeah?” He licked his lips. “How does a woman in love look?”
“Answer my question. Have y’all dated recently?”
“No,” he said quickly. “Now you answer my question: what does a woman in love look like?”
“The way she was looking at you,” I blurted, that uneasy feeling still slithering around in my chest.
Rico studied me for a beat. Until I looked away and at the sneakers covering his feet.
“I only care how you look at me,” he tipped my chin up, connecting our gazes.
His platinum grill made an appearance when he curled his lips in a half-smile.
“Please don’t laugh at me.” My voice wavered and I felt exposed. It took me years to master the art of remaining neutral when I felt anything but, and that all slipped away as I stood in front of my stepbrother.
It had to be because he was one of the people who knew me better than anybody else.
“Aw, shit. You really upset?”
My head moved in a stiff nod. I couldn’t hide from him if I tried. And I didn’t want to. The worst part was I didn’t feel any of this when I saw him and Soul together. So why was I feeling it now? Was he going to go back to dating her after I left this summer? Why was that thought even in my head?
“Come on.” Rico grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him through the crowd. I didn’t care that my mom or anyone else could see us like this. Matter of fact, some subconscious part of me needed him to claim me publicly right now.
What? I told you I was a mess.
Rather than leading me to the parking lot, Rico led me to a little hideaway behind the recreational center that shared a parking lot with the amphitheater.
It was closed today, and Rico took full advantage, slipping into the outdoor area shielded from foot traffic while I followed him wordlessly.
He sat my shopping bag down on a ledge and pried the fruit cup from my hands to do the same.
When it was just us, standing face to face, he stared at me.
Jaw slack.
Eyes narrowed.
Head tilted.
But this time the sun wasn’t in his eyes, and he got a good look at me.
“Fuck you crying for?” Rico kissed his teeth as the pad of his thumb swiped my cheek.
I didn’t even notice a tear had slipped out. I was never drinking rum again.
“We ain’t had a real conversation in days and this is how you coming? Over somebody I don’t want? Why you care if I’m talking to somebody?” He toyed with the ends of the silk scarf I was wearing as a headband. Another one of his designs. “Look at me, Harlow. I don’t give a fuck about anybody but you, Soul and Christian. That’s who I go home to. Nobody else.”
I heard what he was saying.
But I still felt vulnerable. Jealous. Confused. I didn’t know what was happening to me. But I needed it to stop.
“You feel like this when I’m talking to Soul and Chris?”
“No.”
“Then what’s wrong? Talk to me.”
Avoiding his critical eyes, I mumbled, “I overreacted.”
