Page 17 of Keyoni & Sage
“Funny.” Kyree laughed. “Everybody else does. Even Turah brought it up when you walked out.”
I wasn’t surprised. Keturah was observant, noticing damn near everything.
“It’s nothing,” I said, turning back to Sage. She looked in our direction briefly before placing eyes back on the dog. “Even if I wanted to…”
I didn’t finish the thought because I didn’t have time for anything except a quick fling. Although I had my fair share, Sage didn’t seem like the type to be down for an every now and then hookup. When Keturah was with me, she occupied most of my time. My job and Kaiser occupied a big part of the rest. For everything else, there just wasn’t enough of me left.
“That’s because you’re still stuck on my sister.”
Now I was the one laughing. He was so far left it didn’t merit a response. I gave him one anyway though, because…really? I hadn’t been with Jami in years. Even before that it was nothing serious. She was a friend. The homie. Easy pussy when I was chasing a nut. She just so happened to get pregnant our senior year of high school, which bonded us for life. We were still good friends and even better co-parents. I didn’t want Jami, just like I knew she didn’t want me.
Kyree was just talking out of his ass.
I called Kaiser when he started to roam off and ventured back into the building to collect my daughter and leave. Kyree came too, stopping in the hallway when a DP from the second floor pulled him aside.
He was just like his brother Cauvey, associating himself with DP after they started showing more love than his parents. He joined right before dropping out of high school, marring one of his hands with the group’s signature tattoo. He wasn’t high up in the chain or anything and neither was Cauvey. But because ofour connection and my position on the force, they were a more valuable commodity than other low-ranking members.
Kyree didn’t want to hear any of that though. He considered DP his family and whenever I used to try to get him to see the light, he had a counter for just about everything I said. So I stopped trying.
Sage was waiting at the elevator when I arrived. She glanced over her shoulder as I approached, soothing the dog in her arms with soft rubs to the head.
“Hey,” she said as I arrived by her side. “I don’t know what’s going on. The elevator’s taking forever.”
Instinctively, I glance at the door, expecting it to open. “How long’s it been?”
“At least two minutes. Maybe three.”
Although it didn’t sound too long, I knew it was in a residential building. I waited another minute before suggesting we take the stairs. She seemed hesitant at first, although based on her shoes she should’ve been up for the task. Eventually, she acquiesced because the damn elevator still hadn’t appeared. I held the door to the stairwell open and she stepped past me, starting her ascent first.
The view from the back was nice, almost as enticing as the view from the front, but I could never get enough of looking at her pretty face.
To my surprise, she stopped with me on the third floor. We both went back to Jami’s apartment where Sage checked on Big Girl post labor and I tried to pull Keturah away from the puppies. Shestillwasn’t ready to go.
“You got school tomorrow,” I said firmly. “And I’m not trying to be over here all night.”
“I know,” she grumbled. “Just a little bit longer.” She batted her eyes. “Please.” She conned me with her charm.
“I’m leaving in twenty minutes.Withor without you.”
“You’re the best!”
I waited until her overexaggerated celebration died down. “Just be ready, okay?”
“I will.”
Sighing, I glanced at my watch, lifting my head at the sound of Sage’s voice.
“Can you walk me to my door?”
I nodded, since I damn sure didn’t want to wait around in Jami’s crib. She was on the phone in her bedroom, running her mouth to one of her friends.
“Watch Kaiser.”
Keturah affirmed my request with a nod. I knocked on Jami’s door to let her know I was stepping out but would be back to get Keturah. She told me to turn the lock before leaving.
We took the stairs again, walking in silence until we reached Sage’s apartment. After opening the door, she surprised me by inviting me inagain. I surprised myself by accepting the offer, staying until Keturah’s “where u at” text reminded me of the time.
Chapter 5
