Page 53 of When I Thug You Like That

I angled my body so that I was able to see the full playground while I talked.

“I see you tryna slick get close to a nigga. I ain’t gon’ say nuttin’ though. And if letting Chanel use my crayons to draw so I could sit next to her in kindergarten wasn’t mackin’, then you tell me what is.”

This man was full of jokes. I couldn’t hold my laughter in if I tried.

“Boy, sign these papers please. I’m gonna grab his bags.” I handed him the clipboard and walked over to a nearby bench to grab Jamison’s belongings.

“Y’all got some kinda award around here for the flyest teacher in the school?”

I glanced down at my outfit and smiled. My skirt was twisted, the sleeves on my sweater were rolled up, and I’d traded my heels for the flats I kept under my desk halfway into the day. I was still cute and put together, but I knew I looked like I’d gone through a full eight hours with kids.

“I mean, I’ve been known to put some things together.”

“You do that shit well. Really well.”

His flirting was as easy as breathing. He didn’t hesitate. And apparently, he wasn’t concerned that I was his son’s teacher.

“Flirting just comes that easy to you, huh?” I questioned, handing him the bags.

“When I want something… yeah.”

I stared at him for a few seconds. He stared right back.

“Daddy!” Jamison yelled, running over.

Mr. Sullivan’s attention left me immediately. And it was a good thing too because a bitch was stuck.

“You ready?” he asked.

“I ready.”

“Aight, cool. Say goodbye to Ms. Jai.”

“Byeee, Ms. Jai.”

“See you later, Jamison. Thank you for being awesome. Oh, there’s two pictures inside of his take-home folder. He drew one of you and one of his mom. Can you make sure she gets hers? I know she’s going to love it.”

“Will do. And thanks for the updates on the app. You made it easy to stay away for the day.”

I giggled. “No problem. It’s my job.”

“And you do it well. Look good doing it too.”

I blushed hard. “Okay, now you startin’ to get corny. I’ll take this.” I took the clipboard from him. “Have a good evening. I’ll see you tomorrow, Jamison. And I’m talkin’ about the student.”

“Unless y’all got a magic school bus for him to ride, you’ll be seeing me tomorrow too. Bright and early.”

With that, he grabbed Jamison’s hand and swaggered off with the last word.

Ughhh. A cocky nigga would get me every time.

“Dang, you all up in the camera but don’t want me in your iPad when you on it,” Taina fussed at Chuston, who was running his day down to me for the second time since she called.

He turned to her and stared blankly, pulling at his ear.

We both knew that blank stare meant that he was cussing in his head but knew better than to say the words. I snickered, shaking my head while loading dishes in the dishwasher. I’d gotten home at 7:15 p.m., showered, and made myself some lasagna soup that was too good. Chuston had given his mother all of three minutes on the phone with me before he hopped in the camera and took over.

“I’m talkin’, Mom,” he politely let her know.