by Untamed
I bent down and caressed his cheek. Then, I leaned toward him. “So, I guess I should do what my heart tells me then,” I said, sealing my decision with a kiss.
As our lips touched, I knew this was different. This was the kiss that said I am your woman, and I knew he felt it too. Exhaling deeply, we both let the kiss consume us. It was sweet and loving, yet not overly sexual. It was what I needed. I couldn’t fight this anymore. I wanted this pretty, fly-ass Cablanasian man named Gavin Randall.
“Girl, I ain’t never been kissed like that before.”
“Well, maybe it’s time to get used to it,” I said, staring up into his eyes.
Licking those sexy lips, he smiled with a twinkle in his eye. “So, whatcha saying to me?”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, interlocking my fingers as we gazed deeply as if we were peeking into each other’s souls. “I’m saying that I want to give us a chance at something more than just friendship.”
“We can definitely do that,” he whispered as we kissed again.
Pulling out of the kiss, I hugged him gently. “Thanks for waiting on me.”
“Don’t thank me, baby. I couldn’t go anywhere if I tried,” he said, stroking my hair.
Then he looked toward the door and said, “We’ve been in here a minute. Your mom and sister are probably wondering what the hell we’re doing back here.”
We giggled knowingly.
“We should go out there, but I need to know what I need to move in the house for you,” he said.
“You’re helping me move?”
“Damn, baby, you really ain’t had a real man in your life. That’s my job. You’re my girl for real now, and as your man, my job is to make your life easier.”
He was right. I hadn’t had a real man, but he didn’t have to tell me twice. “Umm, well, it’s not much actually. The furniture in the transitional home is the property of the church, so the only things I really have are a couple of TVs, DVD player, a gaming system, and boxes of clothes. I went to Rooms-To-Go and bought furniture for the dining room, living room, family room, and four of the bedrooms. They are supposed to deliver everything tomorrow. I was really coming over to make sure everything was in order and to clean.”
“All right then. I’ll move what you do have at the other house, but if you’re ready to start cleaning up, give me some gloves and you got me. I’ll even spring for lunch.”
Looking at him, I couldn’t help but smile in admiration of him. This is my man. Damn. It felt good as hell to say that.
We walked out, and my mom and sister were standing in the kitchen, with LaMichael on the countertop and Tony Jr. sitting on the floor, playing with his toy.
“Damn, I was wondering what happened to y’all. I wanted to come back there and check, but I was kinda afraid of what I might see,” Misha joked.
“Girl, please. We were talking.”
“Oh,” they said, looking at us as if they wanted to ask but were trying hard not to.
Putting them out of their misery, I announced, “Oh, and we’re a couple.”
Misha jumped up and down. “It’s about damn time.” She hugged me then Gavin.
“Whatever.” I laughed. “We’re going to get the things out the car so we can all start cleaning up.”
Misha fist-bumped Gavin. “Handle that, playa,” she joked.
Gavin gave her that look. “Oh, I got this, Mish. Trust.”
“Come on, baby. Don’t let Misha start you on that foolery,” I said jokingly as Gavin wrapped his arms around my neck from behind and we walked through the house to the outside.
“All right, baby. I have a bucket with cleaning agents in the—” I was saying as we stepped out on the porch, but I stopped short and nearly choked on my words as we were met by Tony, who was walking up my front porch.
“My bad. I came over to see the new house and help out. I guess you already have help,” Tony said snidely as he stopped in mid-step on my front porch. “Let me guess. You must be Gavin?” he asked with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
Gavin nodded as he held me tighter in his arms. “Yep. You must be Tony.”
Tony sniffed, flicking his nose. “Yeah, I am. Meka’s sons’ father,” he stressed.
Gavin nodded. “I’m aware of that. And I’m Meka’s man.”
At that moment, I knew it was the beginning of the bullshit.
Chapter Thirty-one
Lucinda
I was completely swamped with claims and coursework. At times, I wanted to throw in the towel because being a fiancée, mother, and student were all full-time jobs within themselves. If I could figure out how to get paid to do all of them, then it wouldn’t be so bad. On top of that, tonight was one of those nights where Nadia was being extra clingy, extra needy, and extra aggravating. I really needed a break.
Aldris’ time had been split somewhat lately. His job had him stretched thin, and then trying to balance home and Jessica with the time that he did have left was taking a toll on him. It was still a bit of an adjustment for all of us. I tried to remain understanding and supportive. I didn’t want him to think I was being selfish when it came to his child. It really wasn’t that at all. I just had to get used to it. I’d never been in a relationship with a man who really put forth an effort to take care of his outside children, so I admired and struggled with it at the same time for two totally different reasons.
“Hey, baby.” I answered the phone excitedly.
“Hey, mami,” Aldris said. “I was calling because I have a meeting that is gonna run later than expected, so I should be home around 6:30 or 7:00.”
“Aldris, I really needed you home tonight. Nadia is in one of those little baby moods, and I am just swamped with trying to submit this paper and homework, and my claims at work are off the chain.”
“I understand, baby, I do, but I don’t have a choice. If I did, you know I’d much rather be at home helping you than here.”
Rubbing my forehead in frustration, I threw out, “I know.”
“Did you cook?”
I looked at the phone as if he were crazy. “Cook? Please, Aldris.”
“It was just a question. I’ll bring something home for us.”
“All right. I guess I’ll see you later on.”
“Yes, baby. I love you.”
“Love you,” I said before hanging up.
“Mami.” Nadia came running into the kitchen. “Can I have some cookies?”
“You haven’t eaten dinner. You have to eat first.”
“Well, you haven’t cooked,” Nadia said smartly.
My mommytude took full effect as I turned to her, and I had to catch myself. She was trying my patience. “I know that, little girl. I’ll make you a sandwich. Then I want you to sit and study your vocabulary words while I do some work.”
“I want pizza,” she whined.
“You’ll get what I’m giving you,” I fussed, turning to open the refrigerator door.
Just then, the doorbell rang. “Oh, good grief. Who could this be?”
Closing the refrigerator, I trotted to the front door. Peeping out, I was surprised by who I saw standing there. “Mike?” I asked as I looked out of the peephole.
“Yeah, Lucinda. It’s me,” he answered before I opened the door.
I waved for him to come inside. “Hey. Come on in.” I shut the door behind him. “You have to excuse my appearance. I wasn’t expecting company,” I apologized, staring down at my cotton jogging pants, spaghetti-strapped tank, and flip flops, with my hair in a messy ponytail.
“If that’s a bad look, then you ain’t never hurtin’,” he joked.
Folding my arms, I giggled. “You so crazy. What brings you by?”
“Aldris. He told me to meet him here because he and I were supposed to go and shoot some hoops. Is he at home?”
“He must’ve forgotten. He’s actually still at work. He had a late meeting and won’t be home until about 6:30 or 7:00.”
“Mami. Mami,” Nadia shrieked, runni
ng into the family room. “I want my sandwich. I’m hungry.”
I blew the strand of hair that fell in my face in frustration. “I’m sorry, Mike,” I said, turning to Nadia. “Rudeness. I am speaking to Mr. Mike. I will make your sandwich in a bit. Now, go in your room and go study. That’s the last time I’m going to tell you that.”
Nadia huffed and walked off. “You better tighten up,” I yelled after her.
Sensing my tension, Mike patted me on the arm. “I have three. I’ve been there. You look like you could use a break.”
Exhaling, I let out a frustrated scoff. “Oooh. Can you tell? Aldris was supposed to come home so I could finish up my coursework before I signed into work, but that’s not going to happen, and Nadia—as you can see—is being a little unruly.”
“She’s just being a kid and getting on Mommy’s nerves. I think they have radar that signals them to act foolish when their parents are stressed,” Mike joked.
“They probably do. As much as my mom said we got on hers, I can believe it.”
“I’ll tell you what. If you don’t mind, I’ll call in some pizza for you guys and pick it up. If you need me to, I’ll watch Nadia for you until Aldris gets home. It seems we won’t be playing hoops tonight, and I don’t have shit else to do.”
“You don’t have to do that.” I shook my head even though I really wanted to jump at his offer.
He eyed me. “Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
Considering the night I was having, I decided, what the hell?
“Okay, you’ve twisted my arm.” I laughed. “Umm, we like Pizza Hut meat lovers.”
“You want some wings?” he asked.
“Cool with me.”
“What is Nadia working on?”
“Her vocabulary, spelling, and subtraction.”
“Cool. I can handle that.”
I called Nadia in the room and explained that Mr. Mike was going to help her. Mike called in the food, and I sat in the breakfast area in the kitchen with my laptop, finishing up my research paper. I ain’t gonna lie. Mike’s help with Nadia was a huge relief. He even took her with him when he went to pick up the food. By the time they returned, I had submitted my paper and my homework. I made everyone’s plate, and then we sat in the family room to watch television and eat.
“Thank you so much for your help, Mike. I really appreciate it. You just don’t know,” I said gratefully then bit a piece of my pizza.
“Ain’t no thang. You know we play cousins,” he joked. “So, did you get anything accomplished?”
“Yep, I finished my research paper and my homework.”
“All right now, miss lady. Give me some. Plow-dow,” he boomed with a fist bump to me. “Nadia knows all of her spelling words, and she’s got to practice on three vocabulary meanings, but she’ll get it.”
“Yep.” Nadia giggled. “Mami, Mr. Mike told me that I’m the best and nothing less,” Nadia quoted.
“That’s right, little lady, and how do you get to be the best?” he asked her.
“By studying for the test,” Nadia shouted with exuberance as they fist-bumped.
I laughed. “Wow, I think you missed your calling. You should’ve been a teacher.”
“Hey, there’s always time to go back,” he said, and I nodded, shocked by his assessment.
“Mami, can I go in the back and watch Nickelodeon?” Nadia asked.
“Sure. Just make sure to bring your plate back to the trash can, and it’s after six, so no more juices, only water.”
“Okay, Mami. See you later, Mr. Mike,” she said as she grabbed her plate and her remaining juice and headed to the back.
“Good. Now I can get my real drink.” I picked up the empty soda can. “You want a beer?” I asked Mike.
He shook his head. “No. I know Aldris only drinks that damn Coors Light. I can’t stand it.”
I put my hand on my hip. “Oh, hell no, he doesn’t. I stopped that shit. Coors Light is not my cup of tea either, so I got him hooked up on that Bud Light.”
Mike laughed. “Are you serious? Oh, man. I love Bud Light. In that case, bring me one.”
I returned with two bottles and handed him one. “Here’s some real beer for you,” I joked.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He popped the top. “And you drink the bottles too?”
“Hell yeah. Never the can,” I said, after taking mine to the head.
“And with no cup? You are some kinda girl.”
Shrugging, I confirmed, “Uh, yeah. You ain’t messing with no little prim and prissy chick with me. I am a beer-bottle-drinking, pizza-and-wing-eatin’, Sunday-night-football kinda chick.”
“Stop it. You like football?” he asked, amazed.
It was my turn to stare at him as if he had horns growing out of his head. “Do I like the best sport in America? Hell yeah. I’m a fan of several teams, but you know I’m gonna always go with the home team dirty birds as my favorite.”
“I’m a home team fan too. Aldris is such a traitor. He likes—”
“The Baltimore Ravens.” I finished his sentence. “I mean, I ain’t gonna lie, they had some legends. Ed Reed was a straight beast, and Ray Lewis will always be the man. I have much respect for their game, but Aldris is rootin’ for the wrong birds.”
Sharing in the laughter, he quipped, “Damn. You really do follow football.”
“Hell yeah. I made Aldris sign up for the Sunday Ticket just to have access to all the games on Sundays. I’m telling you, all day Sunday, Monday, and sometimes Thursday nights, I am unavailable.”
“Aldris is a bigger basketball fan. That’s why he’s rooting for the wrong team. I like basketball, but it ain’t really my thing. I like to play it more than I like to watch it.”
“Yeah, I’m with you on that. I follow it more now because of Aldris, but I’m all football. I live on CBS, NBC, ESPN, and FOX during the season. And you know I have to make sure I have the NFL network and Showtime so I can see—”
“Inside the NFL,” Mike shouted with me as he jumped up and down in his seat. “Me too. Get the fuck outta here,” he hollered in sheer amazement.
“Man who? Phil Simms and Boomer have me freakin’ rolling,” I joked as Mike sat back down, looking at me in wonderment. “I like to watch ShoBox too. I was intrigued with the whole Marquez versus Vasquez matchups.”
He looked at the bottle. “Are you sure you’re saying this, or is it just the bottle? I love boxing too. Do you watch MMA?”
I drank a swig of my beer and set it down. “What? All day. UFC, Pride, and Strikeforce are in constant rotation on Saturday nights.”
“We’ve gotta plan some fight nights. Man, Aldris didn’t tell me his lady was such a down-ass chick. You like one of the damn fellas. I ain’t never met a woman who actually liked watching MMA or boxing, and it ain’t too many that I know who truly like football. Most of them just like seeing the men in their uniforms.”
Beer almost spewed from my lips as I laughed. “Well, now that is an added bonus.”
He pointed at me, giving me the side-eye with his lip pursed. “Aht. Look at you now.”
“Shit, Aldris knows. He’s my papi, but I have to give credit when I see a nice-looking man in some football tights now. He ain’t trippin’ as much as he fawns over Keri Hilson and Rosalyn Sanchez.”
He nodded. “Yeah, those are two bad chicks there,” he recalled, looking up as if he were daydreaming. “And you said Ms. Sanchez’s name just like she does. I think it’s the accent that gets the men,” he joked.
“It’s all part of the Latin charm for men and women.” I giggled, turning the television station.
“Must be.”
“You finished?” I asked. After he nodded, I threw our plates away then came back and grabbed a guitar. “There’s nothing on the tube, so I guess I can play one round of Guitar Hero on the Wii before I sign on to my job, if you don’t mind.”
“You play Guitar Hero too?” he asked, shocked.
“Yeah. It’s usually just me
and Nadia because Aldris hates it. He’d rather play NBA Live or Call of Duty on the PS4. That’s cool, but of course, if it’s sports, I’d rather play Madden or boxing. But my favorite is this damn Guitar Hero.”
Mike stood up. “Well, prepare to battle. I am the Guitar Hero master,” he challenged me as he grabbed the other guitar.
I pointed at him. “Are you challenging me, Bruce Leroy?”
He laughed loudly. “Oh, you’ll see who the last dragon is once I’m through with you. Strap up, lady.”
“Ay, chico. You better bring it.” I turned on the Wii and set up the game. I looked over at Mike, who was smiling at me. “What?” I asked.
“I’m just in shock. It is so true that you cannot judge a book by the cover. Lucinda, you’re all right.” He nodded, resolving that he’d misjudged me.
It was the first time I saw Mike through different eyes. We were actually more alike than we thought, and I realized I’d misjudged him as well. “Aww, thanks, Mike. So are you,” I said as the game started. “But I’m still gonna whip that ass.”
We stood there playing Guitar Hero for what had to be thirty minutes. Nadia had come back and sat on the sofa, watching us play, and we were all laughing it up and having a good time when Aldris floated into the family room with two boxes of pizza.
“Hey!” Aldris had to yell loudly to us over the noise.
I paused the game, and we all calmed down with the laughter and talking.
“Hey, baby,” I greeted, smiling at him.
“Hey,” he said, looking back and forth between Mike and me. “Mike?” he asked, puzzled.
Mike snapped his fingers. “Oh, man, I came over to scoop you up. Remember, you were going to shoot hoops with me?”
Aldris sighed and snapped his fingers. “Oh, yeah, man. I totally forgot. My bad,” he said to him as they slapped hands together.