Page 38 of Falling for Autumn
I saw something in his eyes that I couldn’t quite decipher. It was so fleeting that I wondered if I had seen anything at all.
“Thank you, baby. I’ll always be here for y’all. You both give me a brand-new purpose.”
“You’ve got your shop,” I declared, tilting my head back to stare into his nut-brown eyes.
“I do, and I’ve got my crew. But you two give me something to protect, to nourish, and a reason always to want to excel at everything. And it’s not too soon for you to be feeling what you’re feeling. I may not say it all the time, but I do love you, and I love her too.”
“Is it because the words don’t come easy for you?”
“No. It’s because that’s not an emotion that I take lightly or for granted. I don’t believe in tossing the word around casually and carelessly like most people do. But I do love you, and I want you to know that.”
“I do.”
“Good. Now what did you tell that nigga ’bout y’all two?”
“I let him know that he belongs to the streets and that there’s a love for me that accepts, affirms, encourages, and strengthens me.”
“And protects you. Whatever goes down, baby, I will protect you with my last breath.”
The words “last breath” scared me, especially considering that I knew Wilson had made threats. I only prayed that they were empty. I’d never known him to be a violent person. I just hoped for my sake that he remained true to his character.
Chapter 14
October
The temperatures were perfect in the high sixties with a slight breeze blowing. Gold and red leaves drifted to the ground from the trees that still sported foliage. The music was loud as the audio competition moved to the height of its segment.
Teens, young adults, and even little kids with older people moved around from one food vendor to the next. Groups of people gathered around various cars to take pictures with the owners or simply to flex on their own.
There were smiles on everyone’s faces as people socialized and celebrated the happy occasion. We were having our annual Cherokee Springs car show at the community center. It was an event that my grandfather had started twenty years prior, and it had only grown through the years. My father headed it ten years ago, and it was my turn three years ago.
I tried to make each event bigger and better than the year before.
“O, they’re taking pictures. Come on,” Nautica called out.
“One minute!” I shouted back. I dropped a kiss on Auburn’s head and then Autumn’s lips before I explained, “I’ll be back, baby. We’ve gotta knock this photo shoot out of the way.”
“No problem, baby.”
I kissed her again, smacked her on the ass, and then left her with her sister, Wynter, to head in the opposite direction. I glanced over my shoulder one final time to see Autumn with her sister. They were both laughing, and it did my heart good that she looked happier than I’d ever seen her.
“What’s up?” I asked Nautica as I approached her.
“It’s time for photos, and we’re all waiting for you, boss man,” Nautica instructed as she pointed to the gold and black 1967 Chevelle that my crew was surrounding.
There were a lot of drivers, crews, and residents out today. I was just glad that everyone was having a good time and happy that all my crew were in good health and able to show up and participate today.
The professional photographer took several photos of Reuben, Bam, Wings, Tree, Jo-Jo, me, and a few of my other drivers who didn’t work in the shop but participated in today’s event.
“One more!” I heard a voice shout from my left as we finished our shoot.
I looked sideways when I heard the rest of the crew groan, and Nautica grabbed my hand and whispered, “Behave.”
“For what? I ain’t did shit.”
“Yet.”
“Hey, y’all. I wanted to get a picture with everyone for old times’ sake,” Trish Johnson, my ex, called out.
