Page 30 of Search My Soul
“You’re not taking my daughter anywhere!” Rochelle shouted.
“If I were you, I would tread lightly. Riya is sixteen now, and if we’re being honest, this incident alone would be enough for you to lose custody of both of them. I won’t be giving you another chance to fuck up again,” I declared. This situation was an eye-opener for me, and a part of me felt guilty for leaving my siblings with them. I thought they would get better with age, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I kissed Riya once more before leaving the hospital room. Since my car had been taken to the shop the previous day, I ended up taking an Uber home. Puma and Normandee had been blowing my phone up for the last week and a half. They were used to me going missing for days at a time, but it had never been this bad. I couldn’t bring myself to face them because the moment I got around them, they would notice something was wrong and demand I tell them what was going on. I’ve always been the type to keep major issues and struggles to myself. I was the friend everyone came to when they need advice or help withsomething, but I often hid my own issues out of fear of being a burden to others.
This secret weighed so heavily on my heart, and I didn’t want them to get caught up in my bullshit, especially if things went wrong. After Puma threatened to break into my apartment and toss me in her trunk, I figured I needed to do some damage control.
Me:
I’m sorry, Besties. I’ve been working extra hours so I can find a new place. I promise I’ll make it up to you as soon as I get my affairs in order.
Normandee:
All we ask is that you at least check in with us. We’ve been checking your location like crazy, and a few times it was turned off. We just want to know you’re okay. We’re here for you for whatever you need.
Puma:
Fuck all of that, bitch. Send me a video so I know we’re not talking to a kidnapper! You’ve been moving real funny, friend, and I’m not feeling it at all. If something is wrong, you need to let us know so we can help. I don’t mind sneaking out and helping you bust a few windows. Belly and all.
Normandee:
What our crazy friend is trying to say is that we’ve got your back. I know you like to figure shit out on your own, but you don’t have to.
I nodded as if they could see me, then told them I loved them and stuffed my phone back into my pocket. My mind wasstill reeling from everything that transpired over the last week. The unsettled feeling still lingered, and something in my gut was telling me this wasn’t over. If anything, it was only just beginning.
I receiveda message this morning informing me that my car was ready. I rolled my eyes, but I also couldn’t hide the smile on my face. I never gave this fool my number, yet he was on my line bright and early.
847-453-9906:
Good morning, Ms. Picklehead. Your clump of parts is ready for pickup.
Me:
Send me the addy and kiss my ass
847-453-9906:
Nah, I’m straight. You just woke up, so I know it stank.
My jaw dropped as I reread his comment. I have never met a man like him in my life, and I’m not sure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. Him and Murk were similar in personality, and while I’ve grown to love him dearly, one of them was more than enough.
Me:
You and I both know that you’ve been dreaming about putting your face all in the crack of my ass. I promise you this is a safe space.
I chuckled the moment I pressed send, knowing that he was gonna have an ignorant response.
847-453-9906:
Safe space my ass. You better quit playing with me before I take your hot wheels looking ass car and turn it into a fire pit. I got some marshmallows and graham crackers on my desk right now. Play with something safe.
Me:
So aggressive. You don’t have to hide your feelings from me, baby. If I were you, I would be obsessed with me too.
The bubbles popped up, indicating an incoming text, but it took a few moments. After a few minutes, my phone alerted me to a picture message, and my jaw dropped when I saw what the image was. Soul sent me a picture of him holding a gas can abovethe hood of my car. The caption underneath said, “say one more motherfucking word.”
I wasn’t sure if he was serious or not, but I couldn’t stop laughing. There was something about getting under his skin that I couldn’t resist. He got on my last nerve, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t attracted to him. In fact, my attraction was the reason why I attempted to keep my distance. I didn’t make a habit of having sex with people I wasn’t close to, but Soul’s vibe captivated me in a way that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
