Page 186 of The Ninth

“I love you. Bye Unc.”

“Bye Lil Man.”

We waved to Devyn and Tati as Duke carried a sleepy Doodas downstairs. I shut the door, smiling as Kenzo pulled me to him. He hugged me tightly as if it would be the last time. He was still acting so weird. As bad as I wanted to know, I was also scared to.

He pulled away, walking into the room and opening my drawers.

“I hated telling Doodas he couldn’t spend a night...” I smiled softly, leaning against the doorframe.

“I could tell. I told you he could’ve. I can keep my hands to myself some nights.”

“Riiiight! But it’s okay. I had a feeling you needed it to be just us tonight.”

He chuckled, nodding slowly. The room was dark besides the city acting like a night light outside of my window. He grabbed a sexy ass slip dress and laid it on top. I didn’t ask any questions as he grabbed even more night clothes as well as other clothes of mine.

“I don’t want you in no crazy business, but you deserve to know. I did chase dude and kept shooting at him but the police got hot eventually. Too hot. They didn’t know the make and model of the Raptor but were looking for trucks with flatbeds in the back. I had to park and get up outta there on foot until luckily Duke came looking for me. Juan wasn’t so lucky.”

“Oh?”

“On my mama. Nigga got blamped up, shot and all. We’ll have to see if he in there singing.”

“I didn’t love him. It was never him. But I’m also not some heartless, gutta bitch. I was wrong for cheating on my man and involving someone else. I do feel bad he’s in jail. Not that he got his ass beat or shot. He was talking crazy and at the end of the day, I was someone else’s. He would’ve done the same.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t wish jail on no nigga. We never have to discuss him again.”

“You’re leaving it there?”

“Nah, but we’re never discussing him again.”

“Okay.”

He turned towards me and rubbed my chin as he walked past. I stood in the same place as he grabbed a bag, walking back to the dresser. One by one he started stuffing clothes, bras, underwear, socks, everything of mine inside. I stood up from the wall, a little confused.

“I wanna sleep somewhere else. Grab K4 and meet me up front.”

I nodded slowly as he walked past me. I rushed to K4, looking at him crazy as if he had the answers to why his deddy was acting so damn crazy. I tucked him under my arm and met Kenzo at the front door. He kissed my lips once before we exited the apartment.

Neither of us spoke the entire elevator ride down. Once in the lobby, I knew not to distract him. His eyes were everywhere and on every corner. Valet brought the AMG around since the Raptor was still stashed. He packed the car up before opening my door. As soon as he slid in, I was in his lap.

I stared up at Kenzo as the streetlights danced across his face. He drove with one hand while the other rubbed my thigh softly. Every single song he chose to play was slow R&B. He looked tense, cracking the window eventually. The soft Chicago air found its way to me, easing the day away and putting me to sleep.

****

My eyes fluttered open. The air blew softly, but I immediately noticed the music was off and we were parked. When I looked up, Kenzo was already looking down at me, stroking his beard. I let out a breath as my eyebrows pinched together.

“Kenzo...what’s wrong? Tell me what’s on your heart.”

“You know your Papa?”

“Of course.”

“It’s just crazy to dream of doing something and then actually doing it. C’mon, my heart. We’re home.”

I popped up, jumping to my side of the car to look out the window. The world froze as I stared at the beautiful duplex with red ribbons on the double doors. I had to grab the door handle as the window fogged up. There’s no way this man got us this beautiful ass home. There’s no way after seven years he and I finally live together. These dreams were just supposed to be a way to pastime on jail calls. Not reality.

When he appeared at the window, I jumped. I didn’t even realize he had gotten out of the car or grabbed my bag and K4. He opened the door, grabbing my hand and helping me out. In my mind, I replayed all the times I spoke about the Gold Coast neighborhood being where I wanted us to spend the rest of our lives. My feet wouldn’t move, so he had to push me across the sidewalk and up the stairs.

It was silent outside. It felt cozy. Like home. He put the key in, but I grabbed his arm. His smile touched his red rimmed eyes as he looked down at me.