Page 12 of The Perfect Verse
“Hmph. Guess you’re paying since you robbed my ass,” he jested.
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
She looked over at her wheelchair. She figured she could pull it over and hoist herself in it before he whispered, “You ready for me?”
While she knew what he meant, she couldn’t help but wonder if he meant more when he flashed a broad, mischievous smile.
“Yes.” She gulped. That time, her arms were more relaxed as he handled her with such great care as the boys danced excitedly, shouting out what they wanted from the snack bar.
“I got it from here,” she spoke, avoiding his eyes. Still, he didn’t move.
“Hey?” She looked up, and he lifted her chin. “Everyone needs help. Remember that.”
After they ordered and ate two pizzas, chicken wings, and Cinnabon’s, along with huge slushies, both boys sat and yawned. Kaleela was worn out too, but admittedly, she hadn’t had this much fun ever, even if she compared it to strip clubs, block parties, and dice games where she cleaned out everyone’s pockets.
Since they’d eaten, they gathered the prizes they’d won and headed to Scooter’s truck. In no time after he pulled off, snores were heard from the back seat, especially from Rell.
“Little mans don’t play, huh?”
“Tell me about it. I thought it was because they weren’t used to getting a good night’s sleep, but a month later, and he still snores.” She smiled as his lips quivered as he pushed air out of his mouth.
“A month?”
“Yeah.” Her smile fell as she grew quiet. “I’m helping someone out,” she quietly offered.
She still hadn’t gotten around to sharing much about them, but he could tell she cared a great deal for them. He could relate, though, since that was all he saw growing up. On any given day, his grandmother would open her doors to a long-lost cousin, an uncle they’d never met, or a young girl from their home church. They’d come home, and someone would be wearing their shoes or eating their Fruit Loops, and there was nothing they could do about it.
“I bet they appreciate it.”
“I guess.” She kissed her teeth. Instantly, her mood soured. “Fucking Shona.” She huffed, tapping her cellphone.
“Your sister?”
“Yeah. Talking about the parking lot is secured, that I should have come back on time. Since when did she start closing at eleven? It’s Friday.”
“That’s my bad,” he apologized. “I switched up your plans. I can take you home… I mean, if you trust me to know where you lay your head.”
Her other option was for him to take her to Reagan’s, but she wasn’t sure she’d want a stranger knowing where she lived. With her brother being a lawyer, their family had their fair share of enemies.
“Long as you don’t become a stalker.”
“Girl, please.” He flicked her off, a smile creeping on his face as the faint grin appeared on hers.
“I’m saying, you did mysteriously show up to my sister’s salon.”
“By accident,” he tossed out, perhaps a little too quickly.
“Oh, so what you’re saying is, I’m not worth the chase?”
It was quite the opposite. She was worth that and more. He just wasn’t sure if she knew that. That, and his cousin was still his cousin. He appreciated she hadn’t mentioned that, but it didn’t mean it wasn’t in the back of her mind.
“Maybe.” He blew her a kiss, and she lifted her middle finger. “Damn, you’re breaking my heart, but on the real, you are. Kinda fucked me up when you ignored me.”
She sat up and looked straight ahead. She could tell him the truth, that she was in her feelings about her last meeting with her sponsor, then hearing Donovan’s song, or she could let them both sit in their thoughts. She chose the latter until it was clear he was waiting for a response.
“It wasn’t about you, the reason I ignored you.” She lifted her eyes, giving them to him before she swiftly looked his way. “If it counts, I’m glad you showed up”—she lifted both fingers, forming quotation marks—“accidentally.”
“So that’s the version you plan to tell our future children?” he jested, tugging on her chin.
