Page 32 of Cause When You Love Someone
“It stems from having nothing or feeling like I didn’t have enough. My mom has always been an addict, and I have no idea who my father is. Being the man of the house, I had to find ways to make money. One summer, I joined the YMCA’s computer program. I worked there a few months, making more than my mama’s hustles once a few of the students taught me about hacking. From that day, no one could convince me to sell drugs, because I earned money by using my brain.”
“Is that your passion? Working with computers?”
“I hate to admit it, but I don’t know. Fear of going back to the projects made me do so many things for money. I can’t really say what Iliketo do.”
“I may regret saying this, but I think you should take time to figure it out.”
I scoffed. “If that ain’t the pot calling the kettle black, Dancing Queen.”
“Yeah. I walked right into that one.” She snickered under her breath. “And how did you end up with the Sons of Eshu?”
“They stopped a group of niggas jumping me.” A one-note chuckle rocked my chest as the memory passed. “I’ve always been tall and solid, so when I was younger, niggas would tryme. They wanted me to put in work for them, and after already catching a charge, fear made me stay out of trouble.”
“And they didn’t respect that?”
“Of course not. Some men’s pride is bigger than their integrity,” I declared. “Shiloh and his brother, Church, circled the fight with guns out, daring anyone to jump in. After I whupped ass, they welcomed me into their family, and once I purchased my first Impala, I joined their car club.”
“They sound solid. More solid than any man my mama has brought around.”
“You don’t have a good relationship with your old man?”
Clarke’s shoulders jerked in a careless shrug. “My dad was a jackass before he passed. Then again, his presence kept my mom’s tyrannical behavior in check. We used to be close. Once she started managing me, our relationship shifted.”
She peered up at me.
“You know Rose isn’t even her last name? She changed it when my popularity grew. I try not to let it bother me, but I’m human. That woman makes me want to empty my bank accounts and buy a home in Black Valley.”
“Make the move. It’ll give me someone to visit up north.”
After Ms. Louise gave instructions on how to prepare the filling for our dessert, the hyper beauty next to me became mute as she worked. She gave her attention to a handful of limes and didn’t look up until it was time to add cream cheese and condensed milk to her bowl.
“You flickin’ your wrist like you know what you’re doing,” I professed. “Let me taste it.”
A sultry expression slanted her eyes before she swiped her finger over the spoon, then brought it up to my lips. I didn’t hesitate to take her entire finger into my mouth and suck it clean.
“I guess that means it’s good?” she quizzed.
“You damn right.”
It was close to four by the time we stepped out of the building. A few people asked Clarke for pictures, so I stood back and watched her do her thing. Even with flour on her skirt and a wet spot on her sleeve, she looked happy wearing a genuine smile.
Once the crowd dispersed, Clarke wandered over to me. I glanced around, looking for Rock and her black truck, but the lot was almost empty. “I enjoyed you today,” I admitted as we moseyed through the parking lot.
“I’m happy to hear that, since I need a ride home.”
My feet became engraved to the pavement. “You think I’m your driver and your bodyguard?”
“I don’t think I’m ready to admit what I think about you. Not without getting myself in trouble.”
Her answer slid a smirk up one side of my face. “You think you’re slick.”
“Slick? No. A girl who enjoys the company of an interesting man? Yes.” She batted her long lashes. “Can we go out instead of going home?”
“You sure you ready for that?”
“I wouldn’t have asked you on a date if I wasn’t.”
“That’s what you call it? I promise, I’mlettingyou think you’re running shit. I like the way confidence looks on you.”
