Page 9 of Stand on That

“Just finished braiding hair. About to make some lasagna. What are you doing?”

“Out moving around. You gon’ fuck with me later on? I should be finished ripping and running by ten. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Um sure.”

“You gon’ bring me some of that lasagna? Your boy is tired of eating fast food.”

“I got you,” Lavani giggled.

“Do you really got me though?” I was no longer talking about lasagna.

“Yeah, I got you.” Her soft tone made my dick jump.

Younger females could be with the shits too. I already knew women Lavani’s age that had multiple kids and were married. I just felt like when it came to her and Bree, they were different in the sense that Lavani was still young and turnt wanting to have a good time. I didn’t see her being in a rush to have kids and get married. I knew a woman like Bree felt that marriage gave her more weight. And to be fair it did. And since I wasn’t ready to be in the house every night before 8:00 or spend the weekends with a wife and kids, I was letting her be free to find that in another man. I wanted to have fun with my chick. Shop, travel, and have good sex without conversations every five minutes about marriage and the future. That was where Lavani was more my speed.

I just needed her to be understanding of my hectic lifestyle and let me do me as far as getting money without always nagging and accusing me of cheating. I needed her to be able to ride with me without being scared to bust her gun if niggas came for me. I needed her to know not to fold and tell my business if the police ever jammed me up. I needed her to have a lawyer and bail bondsman on speed dial and not crack under pressure if I got arrested. That kind of shit.

“But do you really got me though?”

Lavani kissed her teeth. “What I say?”

Lavani didn’t live too far from Bree, so as we talked, I was heading in her direction. “You know how to cook for real, or you in there playing in the kitchen messing up good food?”

“I’m not in the habit of doing a lot of talking. You’ll see for yourself when you taste it.”

“Well damn. Shut me up. I hear you, mama.”

Lavani giggled as I turned onto her street.

“Do me a favor and come outside.”

“Huh?”

“If you can huh you can hear.”

I was met with silence, but I could hear her walking through the house. Seconds later, she exited the house with wide eyes. I chuckled and ended the call as she walked toward the car. “Oh we just popping up on people now?” she asked when I rolled down the window.

“I can’t do that?” I eyed the leggings and crop top that she wore.

“Can I pop up at your crib?”

“Depends.”

“Yeah, I bet.”

“Nah, I’m saying. I’d never pop up over here on no rude or disrespectful shit. I just wanted to see that pretty ass face. And give you this.”

Vani’s brows rose as I dug in my pants’ pocket. After removing the remaining money I had left, I counted out $1,000 and passed it to her.

“Long as you got me, I got you.”

Lavani’s jaw slacked a bit. “Thank you,” she finally looked up after staring at the money briefly. “’Cus I’m damn sure not one of those girls that will give it back.”

Her comment made me laugh. “I don’t want you to be. I’m about to make some moves though. I’ll text you like thirty minutes before I come scoop you.”

“Okay. Be safe.”

“Always.”