Page 60 of Cause When You Love Someone
“I don’t know how long I can deal with my mom. Since we got back from Vegas, she’s been worse. Plus, the blogs are making up their own stories.”
“But we know the truth, right?” She nodded. I squeezed her thigh. “I can’t hear you.”
“Yes, baby. Yes!” Clarke giggled and squirmed in my hold.
Once she relaxed, I asked Clarke if she wanted to go bike riding.
“No, but I do want to learn how to ride your skateboard. I know they aren’t just mounted on the wall for nothing.”
A skeptical laugh skipped from my lips. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
Though I only knew the basics, I got excited thinking of teaching Clarke something new.
“All right. I got you, pretty.” I abandoned my seat. “First, I need to find something for you to put on.”
“Oh. Superman’s going to dress me?”
“A lot of my clothes are too big for you, but I got some scissors you can put to use.”
She lifted a finger. “And a belt.”
“Yep, so I can whup your ass for coming out the house damn near naked.”
“I planned to give you some pussy, but that can wait until later.” She picked up my phone resting near her leg. “Your phone is vibrating.”
I checked the screen and didn’t hesitate to answer when I saw Durk calling.
“Yo!”
“Damn, nigga,” Durk grumbled. “About time you answered the phone. When are we making a move on your boy?”
My eyes raced to Clarke, who was staring dead at me. I thought to excuse myself before I continued the conversation, but I didn’t want to hide anything from her.
“I haven’t decided when, but the play is still in motion. There’s no way he’s getting away with that shit. But, hey, let me call you back.”
As soon as I ended the call, Clarke sucked her teeth.
“You cannot be fucking serious, Ishmael. You just got out of jail a week ago. Not to mention, you have a pending court case. Let that shit go.”
“No,” I replied evenly. “Men like Chaz don’t give up easy. Tell me he hasn’t threatened you since he left your house. Tell me I’m wrong, and I’ll dead the issue.”
Clarke’s vision dropped to the floor.
“Exactly,” I blurted.
She shook her head while walking back to the couch. I watched her with a grimace as she put on her trench and grabbed her phone.
“Where are you going, Clarke?”
“I’m leaving. I doubted myself, but we aren’t good for each other. Just like my mom, you don’t trust that I can take care of things in my life, and I’m sick of it.” She gave me her back and marched to the door. “We’ve blurred lines, and now, you’re ready to take a charge for me. I can’t stand by while you do that. You’re fired, Ishmael.”
“Fired from being your bodyguard, or are you dismissing me from your life altogether?”
“You have my address. Write me a letter when they send you upstate.”
“That shit ain’t funny.”
