Page 8 of To Love and Protect
Zayden simply scoffed before he walked through the crowd of people that had gathered.
As soon as he was out of sight, Nico turned back to her. The playfulness was back as he asked, “Aye, you want to grab some Waffle House?”
Remedie looked at him incredulously. She wondered if she had stumbled upon another crazy nigga. Nonetheless, she couldn’t help the curiosity building within her as she stared up at him.
CHAPTER FOUR
The grin on Nico’s face seemed permanent since he met the curly headed redbone now riding in his passenger seat. He kept glancing over at her and chuckling softly because he could tell she second-guessed coming with him. And in between glances, he took bites out of the waffle he had clutched in his fist while he drove.
They stayed outside the party for a long time, debating on their next move. He was the only one who wanted Waffle House, to his dismay. He hadn’t been ready to let Remedie out of his sight. Luck was on his side because Remedie mentioned that she didn’t want to go back to her friend’s house because she figured her bugaboo ex might pop up.
Being the gentleman his mama raised him to be, he jumped at the opportunity to offer her some peace of mind. It took a lot of charm and convincing, but Remedie finally agreed to stay the night at his house to avoid her ex. Aye, in his mind, Nico saw that as a win. It gave him time to win her pretty ass over.
When he glanced at her this time, he caught her side-eying him before she asked, “Why are you eating your waffle like that?”
Nico glanced down at the breakfast food in his fist and then shrugged. “It ain’t really easy to eat a waffle and drive, sweetheart. You ever tried it?”
She scoffed. “No, because I’m patient enough to wait until I get home.” She gestured toward the to-go box in her lap.
His grin widened. “I like that you’re thinking of my home as yours.”
Her eyes grew wide, and he laughed as he focused back on the road.
“That’s not what I . . . I mean . . . Just forget it.” She slouched down in her seat while Nico smiled like he’d just won a damn trophy.
As if she hadn’t just tried to end the conversation, he picked it right back up like nothing happened. “I couldn’t wait until we gothome.” He emphasized the word he knew would get a reaction out of her. He heard her smack her lips before he continued. “A man needs to eat after a big fight. Don’t you agree?”
He caught her eye again, and he saw the apprehension all over her face.
“Why the hell were you fighting? And why do you make it sound like you do it all the time?”
His brows rose to his crisp hairline. Most people who went to house parties in the Ellway Projects knew who he was. He was hood royalty. It shocked him that she had no idea.
“Nico Nightmare Graves . . . heavyweight underground champ . . . That ain’t ringing a bell?” he asked, trying to jog her memory.
She cocked her head to the side. “Is it supposed to?”
“You live under a rock, ma? It’s okay if you do. I’ll move you into my place to help a sista out.” Though he was dead ass serious about what he said, he chuckled because he felt like he was a real-life comedian.
She hit him on his defined arm with the back of her hand. “I’m not homeless . . .” He stole a look at her when he pulled up to a red light and noticed her features had shifted. Her brows pinched together, and her pouty lips balled up as if she realized something. In a softer tone, she said, “I don’t live under a rock. I just never cared for fighting of any kind.”
“I can’t tell. You was about to put hands on the chick back at the party, and you called that beingnice.”
“Just because I know how to fight doesn’t mean I like it. I definitely don’t like watching it. I’m the type to beat a bitch up and cry while doing it.”
He shook his head. Fighting was his life. He didn’t understand people who had no interest in it.
“Aight, well, I’m the champ. Had a big fight tonight, and now that I’m off my training diet, I’m ready to take in as many calories as possible.” To prove his point, he took another big bite of his waffle.
“And Waffle House was your first choice?”
“What’s better than Waffle House?” he asked, genuinely curious.
She giggled. “Most things, love.”
Nico’s entire body warmed. “Aye, call me that again. I liked that shit.”
She shook her head, but he heard a small giggle escape her lips. “Not going to happen.”
