Page 53 of The Perfect Verse
By then, Kaleela had given up the fight as she sat in Scooter’s arms as he cradled her on the sofa. He whispered in her ear between pecks against her lips. He damn near was about to kill Serita on sight once he saw the notification. More posts were of her in their hotel room, lying beside him as he slept. He guessed money had been given to staff after he found out that Serita had been slipped a key to his new hotel room.
Every now and again, she’d tried to get up, but he wasn’t having it. If he lost her after doing something he was innocent for, he’d kill Serita his fucking self.
“We don’t know that, girl. Come here.” Shonasia pulled her in for a hug. “You two bitches are about to drive my ass to drink. Look at her.”
She released Chaney, and they both looked at a pouting Kaleela as he wiped the tears from each cheek. When she mushed his face, he smiled, then kissed her once more. Chaney’s heart ached, and not because she was jealous. It ached because women like her and Kaleela shouldn’t have to fight on every hand to believe they were worthy of love.
“I see, and you know what? He’s a good man and good for her. I can tell you that if this Serita girl was someone important, I would have known about her.”
“You know my story.” Shonasia sighed. “Niggas will love your ass in the dark.”
That hit deep because had she not gotten caught, maybe she would’ve loved Donovan in the dark for as long as she could have. She certainly wasn’t strong enough to walk away from Kaleela, so getting caught was the only way he came to light. It was as if that attempt on Donovan’s life had to happen.
“Call me when you make it home. My number is still the same.”
“You sure?”
“Girl, yes, and make that nigga fix whatever he broke. Don’t repeat the cycle, Chaney. I love you.” They embraced, Shonasia squeezing her tightly. It was like old times, but they’d weather that together as they pushed toward a clean slate.
Chapter 23
Verse Twenty-Three
“Fix your face.”
“You don’t get to tell me what the fuck to do,” Kaleela spat angrily. “This shit is kidnapping. I can’t believe my own family turned on me.”
Sliding his hand around hers, Scooter didn’t care if she pouted the entire time. He had exactly twenty-four hours to meet the fellas in Charlotte, so every moment he spent with her had to count.
“She didn’t and it doesn’t matter. I’m here.”
“Fuck you being here, and fuck you.”
He smiled, watching her push out pouty lips. He could tell she had a bad night from the dark circles underneath her eyes to her disheveled hair. Still, his girl could never have a bad day.
“Fuck you being here, and fuck you,” he mocked her before growing serious. He shoved a few strands of hair out of her face as she turned away from him. Her heart hurt so bad, and it pained him to see that he’d caused it.
“Kee?” She ignored him when he turned her face by the chin, guiding her to look at him. “I never touched her, don’t want to.”
“The fuck that matters?” she pushed through gritted teeth. “You’re trying to take me back to a place that is known to swallow me the fuck up, Scooter. I can’t go back there anymore. The boys need me.”
“I know,” he answered.
“And I need me.” Her voice croaked, misty eyes meeting his.
“I know that too.”
“Then why didn’t you… Look, never mind.”
She turned her head, but he was done playing with her, forcing her to look at him as he grabbed her face.
“I’m sorry, baby. I know I fucked up, but I swear that shit is all optics. Just give me a chance to explain.”
“Did you fuck her?”
“Fuck no.” He frowned, studying her eyes. “And not because I can’t. I didn’t fuck her because I chose you. You deserve someone to choose you, and not because you put fear in their heart, or who the fuck the streets know you to be. You’re still that person, but you don’t have to keep being her to have me. I’m yours, Kee. I’m all yours. Why the fuck do you keep pushing me away?”
“Nope, I don’t believe it.” She slapped his hands away and crossed her own over her shaking body. She was spiraling, her mind in search of any liquor store in sight. She’d find a way to get what she wanted. She always did.
