Page 57 of The Perfect Verse
“You meanifI let you.” He pursed his lips with a tilt of his head, causing her to roll her eyes. “That doesn’t mean you didn’t mislead her.”
“Maybe, but I didn’t see it that way… until you. I even agreed to carry her until law school,” he confessed. “I mean, how many Black women grow up where we grew up actually leave and make something of themselves outside of being some IG model or legendary porn star or stripper? I mean, really make a mark in this world? On my street, all I saw was little girls growing up to be young women pushing babies in strollers with two, maybe three behind them, on foot. I didn’t want that for Serita, and she was naive as fuck. Shit, I wanted one of them college niggas from Morehouse or Morris Brown to take her ass from me.”
He laughed, but it was the truth. He didn’t want her traveling with him, following him around the world. He had a family to feed, and while he’d support her through college, he knew at some point, he’d have to leave her as he moved on with his journey.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to say that?”
“It would, but Serita hears what she wants to hear. You know how long it’s been since we fucked?” he asked, and Kaleela shot up with slitted orbs. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but she had to know this dick came out to play, and not with her. I figured the same went for her. As long as she stayed in school and received good grades, I wasn’t tripping, but you’re right; I should have told her. I just never felt obligated to have to explain myself. Her rent and utilities are paid, food in the house, and gas in her tank.”
“Sounds like a trick to me, with you receiving the short end of the stick.”
“It’s not short to me. It’s a means to an end. As soon as she could support herself, my goal was to terminate that contract.”
“That doesn’t sound like love, Scoot.” She rested her head on his chest, feeling his heart beat against her face. “That sounds like a subtle form of manipulation, a way to keep her out of your space while tucking away how you really feel. I would know.”
She lifted her eyes, and he gulped. “I’m guilty of that shit. Dragged Chaney for years,” she revealed. “It wasn’t on purpose, but with her working for Shona, she was always right there, always willing to accept the bullshit I offered while I chased another bitch.”
“Another one?” He looked down, wondering who, since Chaney was the only one she was ever tied to, to his knowledge.”
“Don’t matter. Just know Chaney shouldn’t have allowed it, but I tossed money at her, took her on shopping sprees, and fucked her with other women and all.”
“Damn.” He smiled. “That last part made my dick hard.” Kaleela smacked his chest, followed by a roll of her eyes. “That shit did. I won’t even ask.”
“Don’t, because I’m not coming off the only dick I’ve ever wanted, to share with a bitch.” Her confession shocked him, and her scowl was cute.
“So that means you forgive me… even though I didn’t give her the dick?” He rose up with lifted brows. He wanted her ass in the worst way, and no one was there. He wanted her screaming to the top of her lungs, crying and pleading for him to climb out of her pussy.
“Depends on how I feel after you give it to me again, but your ass is not off the hook. You were still deceptive.” It was true but not intentional in his eyes. He figured he’d have that one-on-one time in Atlanta to let her down easily and face-to-face since she did show up.
“To you, maybe, but not to her.” He shook his head. “I kept up my end of the deal when she left Miami, and I do want her to win, just not with me.”
“She knows that?” she probed, her chest constricted. He exhaled and nodded his head. On his way to the airport, he swung by her place after she’d left the hotel. He stood outside the entire time. It didn’t end well, but he had more damage to attend to back home.
“And the money?”
“I’m still figuring that out.”
“Do it. You made a promise, Scoot, but set a realistic timeframe. Find out what she likes, what she’s good at, and put her in a position to win. Can’t cripple a bitch then drop her off and expect her to stand.”
“You’re cool with that?”
“I’m cool with you being a man of your word, but that shit has to be reasonable with a set timeframe. You came into my life,and now the boys look at you as more than their mama’s friend,” she relayed, taking a deep breath.
She wasn’t giving him a new label, but there were expectations with children, and she was a packaged deal as long as they were in her life and he was in hers.
“So, what you’re saying is them little niggas like me, huh?” He chortled when she nudged him. “Hey, I like them too, and I got you. I got all three of y’all. So, is you cool with being my girlfriend or what?”
She snickered. No one, not even a woman, had ever asked for her to be their girlfriend.
“And before you answer, I already changed my status on that social media shit.” He grinned as her eyes bucked. “Gone and add me to yours, and our shit ain’t complicated.” He pecked her nose, and she wiggled it.
“So damn bossy,” she whispered, but she liked it, too. It felt good for someone to come in, be vulnerable with her while being mindful of her needs, despite her flaws and all the baggage she carried. “And yes, but don’t test me.”
He licked his lips, his eyes lowering as his dick jumped.
“Oh, I’m about to test you, but I know you’ll pass this test.” He issued a Cheshire grin, and she giggled when he lay her on her back.
He moved slowly as he slid her shirt up, little by little. He enjoyed watching her skin flush as she fell under his spell, giving him full control. He found the back of her bra, unfastening it with one hand. He’d done that enough with his fair share of women, but he hoped she’d be the last he had to do it with.
