Page 39 of See No Evil

“Kaylee, you may or may not know this, but I’ll say it just in case. There are different types of relationships in this world, and different types of love. There’s a way you love a friend. Like, maybe, one of your school buddies, or someone you grew up with. That type of love, depending on how long you’ve known each other, how much time you spend together, and your closeness level, can be very similar to havin’ a sibling. A brother or sister. So, that’s a pretty serious and important type of love, and it can uh… what’s the word I’m looking for? Alter!” He snapped his fingers. “It can alter how you see the world, and who you become, to an extent. I have two friends like that in my life. Two guys I grew up with. Now, there’s a love that you have for your grandmama and mama, which there’s no need to explain, ’cause you know exactly what that is. And then, there’s romantic love. Like between a man and a woman, or to be politically correct, between two people who have fallen in love.

“The third type of love I mentioned is a couple. Two people who want to spend a lot of time together and share their lives with one another.” He glanced at Desiree and she prayed her cheeks hadn’t gone bright red. “I feel two out of those three, for your mama. I love her as an amazing friend, someone I can talk to, spend fun times with, kiss and hug, and even help each other with schoolwork, since that’s how we met.”

“Kiss and hug. I bet y’all kiss a lot,” Kaylee commented, then started laughing.

Desiree rolled her eyes. “Kaylee, you so silly.”

Legend chuckled. “Yeah, we kiss and hug a lot. I like affection, and I love your mama’s hugs. Now, as far as I’m concerned,” he placed his hand over his chest, “your mama is my mate, my girlfriend, someone I enjoy spendin’ time with. I know for a long time though, it’s been just you and her.” Kaylee nodded in agreement. “And you already have a father,so regardless of my intentions with your mother, I’m not tryna overstep boundaries and replace him. Just know though, I want to be with your mother, I want to get to know you and become friends with you, and I have no plans on causing your mama any unnecessary pain, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Things happen though. They’re hard to explain to children, but sometimes you can love someone, Kaylee, yet y’all just not good together. Or, you can love someone, but something happens, intentional or not, causing one person to realize that they feel differently now about the other person, so the relationship ends. I can’t make any promises about the future, because I’m in a relationship. Meaning, there’s two people here that make the decision on what we do, and where this relationship goes.”

He pointed at Desiree, but kept his eye on Kaylee. “It’s not just me runnin’ the show. I can’t tell you where me and your mama are going to be a year or two from now, but I can promise you that my intentions are pure, and I have no plans on leavin’, or betraying her trust. I can’t promise you that me and your mother will always agree on everything, or that things will be perfect, or that at times she won’t be angry with me, or vice versa. Because I know that’s not true. Things will be said that one of us might not like. People get angry, even when they love someone. We’re human, and we’re adults, and these things happen, but Icanpromise you, Kaylee, honey, that I love your mother from the bottom of my soul, and I want her in my life for a long ass time. Excuse my French.

“Your mother means a lot to me, and she’s who I want to be with. That means you are a bonus! The cherry on top… and I love that. Here’s a promise I can make to you though, and keep: What I am going to do is treat your mama right, and treatyouright, too, for as long as I’m in this relationship with her, okay?”

“Okay.” Kaylee smiled wide, her cheeks darkening.

“Are we good?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool.” Legend picked up his fork and started eating again.

Beaming, Kaylee wolfed down a chicken wing. Desiree sat there, her emotions on high, her face down as she played with the food on her plate.

Every time I think I know all this man has to offer, when I think I know his whole mind, body and soul, he shows me more. I ain’t gonna say nothin’, because things like that scare men away, but God, I think you brought me my husband, and a daddy for my child. I wasn’t lookin’ for one. I’m used to doing it all by myself—but my goodness, if he ain’t show up anyway… All I can say is, thank you. I know lovin’ Legend won’t be easy all the time. He can be complicated and short-tempered, but I know it will be amazing, and so worth it.

Chapter Twelve

“Yeah, it’s inthe back.” The dogs barked and jumped about, practically knocking Axel down, excited as hell to see him. “Y’all act like y’all ain’t never had company be’foe!” he yelled angrily at them, but they kept right on.

“Sorry I’m a little late, but you know how it goes.”

“Yeah, man, no problem. I just wish I knew where the leak was comin’ from. The bathroom ceiling keeps dripping, but I can’t find the source. I figured I’d call you before the roofin’ folks.”

Axel was there to see about a problem in the apartment he was renting to him. It wasn’t the first time this had happened, causing some concern for Axel. Dior jumped up and rammed herself into his friend, practically knocking him over. Axel laughed, but Legend wasn’t in the mood.

“Dior! Stop. Get off of him. Now!” Legend commanded.

The dogs were running amuck and acting rambunctious, despite all of his time and training he’d poured into them. They seemed to really like Axel, but he was certain it had something to do with the dog treats the man would bring with him from time to time. Legend whistled to gain their attention, followed by a clapping of his hands, and a stern look on his face until all three finally complied, leaving Axel be.

“All right. With all of this rain ’nd such lately, these things are bound to happen. Let me see what’s going on here.” Axel picked up his toolbox and flashlight and headed down the hallway.

“I’ll be outside on the deck, man, if you need me!” Legend called out.

“Okay!”

Legend led his dogs to the back patio while the sounds of ‘Period,’ by Boosie Badass played from his living room. Grabbing his remote, he upped the volume.

He sat at his small table outside with a cigar, playing on his phone and spying on Desiree’s social media while the dogs ran around, burning off excess energy. It had been three weeks since the first time they’d made love, and he was more obsessed with her than ever.

His usual M.O. with women, since his last relationship over two years ago, was to hit it and dip, but Desiree was different. That had never even crossed his mind with her. There was no way he was done with this woman, even though he was no longer on the chase. He had strong feelings for her, ones that surpassed the first time he’d fallen in love, even, and he’d told her as much.

I always feel better after we’re together. She’s like a natural high. That’s why I couldn’t just drop this and walk away. When she told me she wasn’t interested, she wasn’t telling the truth. She was fighting it. Fighting us. Not only is she cool people, got a good head on her shoulders, but she’s extremely sexy and hardworking. The great thing is I know now that we’re sexually compatible, and the sex is fucking amazing. The shit is powerful and passionate. It’s like a part of her was already in my heart before I even met her… and I can’t get her out of my head.

He scanned her social media page, looking for new posts.

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