Page 7 of Do You Right

Kava tapped her fingers together like an evil genius. At eight years old, she kinda was in more ways than one, and I could only guess what this girl would want from me. “It’s going to cost him.”

We couldn’t help but to laugh at her, because we knew she was dead serious. I popped the collar of my shirt proudly and shrugged. “Your brother isn’t a brokey. I’m not worried about what it’ll cost. I just want to do a good deed.”

“What if she declines?” my mama suddenly asked.

I hadn’t even considered her turning me down as an option, because I knew what situation she was in. But she could very well decline me because I was just as much a stranger to her as she was to me. “I mean, there would be nothing more I could do. It’s not like I can force her, but if she wants the help, I’m willing to give it.”

My mama looked so proud standing there, looking at me. “Okay, we’ll help you out this once.” She pointed at Kava and said, “But don’t make lying a habit. We’re only helping your brother this time because he clearly has a crush.”

“Mama!” Warmth flooded my cheeks, hearing her put me on blast like that. I wouldn’t call it a crush yet, but I was attracted to the brown beauty.

She made the zipper motion with her lips and threw away the key before retreating to the fridge to continue her organization. Turning to Kava, I said, “Come take a ride with me to meet your new teacher.”

“Are you following me, Kaizi Carter?” Chai’s voice was playful while her big eyes studied me curiously.

I chuckled, rubbed my hand over my soul patch, and shook my head. “Nah, but I was looking for you.”

“Again? Why is that?” she questioned while closing her violin case. I’d found her on the corner of Memorial and Layton Drive today, doing what she did best. Kava and I posted up in time to listen to her play her last three songs, and I had to say Chai was very talented. I couldn’t help but wonder how a woman who clearly had professional training ended up in this predicament. What was her story?

I cleared my throat and very subtly nudged Kava forward. We’d rehearsed what we were going to say when we were driving around looking for Chai. Now, it was my sister’s turn to play her part in this. “Hi, I’m Kava. Do you think you can teach me how to play the violin? You’re really good.”

I smiled proudly and even puffed my chest out a little because she didn’t sound like she was reading a script. Chai’s beautiful doe eyes bounced between my sister and me in shock. “This is my little sister. She has some interest in the violin, and I thought you would be the perfect teacher for her.”

Chai smiled brightly while shouldering her violin case. “Are you being serious right now?”

I nodded and held up my fingers like I was an extra in the Hunger Games. “If you agree to teach her, I will pay you whatever rate you choose, and I’m also willing to offer my spare bedroom for you to have a safe place to lay your head at night.”

Chai’s smile fell from her face. “You want me to stay in your house?”

I nodded slowly. “Um, yeah . . . What’s wrong with that?”

Before I could finish getting it out, she was shaking her head. “I refuse to stay with that crazy girl who keeps attacking me. Nothing good can come from that. They already broke my violin once; I’m not risking it or even putting myself in a position for them to do it a second time. This is how I feed myself.”

I wasn’t expecting her not to agree because of Tycelyn, but I understood her stance. She wasn’t wrong to be cautious, but there was something she didn’t know, which I decided to go ahead and share. “That’s over with. We’ve broken up, so you don’t have to worry about seeing or interacting with her. I promise, you’ll be safe there.”

Chai folded her arms over her chest, and I couldn’t stop myself from drinking in her beauty. Even dressed plainly in jean shorts and a T-shirt, she could still have my nose wide open. “You expect me to believe she let you break up with her? There’s no way a girl like that would ever let a man like you go.”

I was intrigued because her words sounded like a compliment to me. “A man like me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shifted her weight from one hip to the other before finding the courage to continue. “Handsome, successful, and kind.”

“You think I’m handsome, Chai?” I teased with a grin I didn’t want to hide.

“Are you really trying to use me to boost your ego right now?”

She turned to walk away, but my hand on her wrist stopped her. “Okay, okay, okay. I’m just playing, but the job offer is there. I won’t force you into accepting it either, but I brought my sister along to show my sincerity.” Since she didn’t try to keep walking or say any more, I kept pressing her. “What do you say, Chai? Would you like to turn my sister into the next you?”

She glanced at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read, but the tears in her eyes couldn’t be missed. “I don’t want her to be the next me. I want her to be better than me. Give me tonight to think about it.”

“Would you need my help with your things?” I was quick to offer help, even if she didn’t need it.

She shook her head. “No, I really don’t have much.” I forgot that I was still holding on to her wrist until she glanced down to where I held her. I dropped her wrist and took a quick step back because I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “See you tomorrow.”

I waved, even though she’d already turned around to walk in the other direction. “See you tomorrow, Chai Rose,” I called out behind her.

She spared a glance over her shoulder that stilled me, then scurried off down the block. Turning to Kava, I held up a hand for a high five. She smacked her hand against mine happily. I tossed an arm over her shoulder while guiding her back to my car. “You did so good, sweet pea. I’m about to take you to get some ice cream, but don’t tell Mama though. She will curse me out for sure.”

Kava agreed not to say anything while my thoughts had already drifted back to Chai Rose. What I felt when I was around her was more than chemistry. It felt primal, . . . destined, . . . unavoidable.