by D. Camille
Khayla followed Lance to his house after dinner and stepped out of the car as he held the door open for her. She took his hand as he assisted her then closed the door leading her to the house. Lance opened the front door, allowing her inside.
Khayla walked into the foyer then turned to him as he locked the door behind them. Placing her arms around his neck, she lifted her face to his when he turned to her.
“Katydids…” He kissed her fully as he walked her to the stairway.
He lifted her into his arms and she sucked in a breath. “Lance…your arm!”
“It’s fine.” He started up the stairs and she held on tightly.
“If we fall down these stairs, I swear I’m whipping your ass.”
Lance laughed. “Keep talking and I’m going to toss you down these damn stairs.”
They reached the upstairs landing with Khayla laughing softly. Lance carried her to the bedroom and gently laid her on the bed, covering her body with his.
She looked at him. “You’re healing very well.”
“I got this real sexy doctor who takes care of me,” he said kissing her neck.
Khayla put her arms around him, feeling the weight of his body. “Mmmmm…” she murmured.
Lance lifted his head. “When can I put a ring on your finger Ma?”
She stared up at him. “We can pick one out this week.”
“Whatever you want, I got it.”
Khayla smiled. “I want you.”
Lance began kissing her again as his hand traveled her willing body. His doorbell rang and they both froze.
“Are you expecting somebody?” Khayla asked.
Lance frowned and stood to his feet. “Nah, stay right here.”
Heading out of the room and down the stairs, Lance loosened his tie as he made it to the door. Looking outside he saw his brother.
“What’s up Miles?” Lance said opening the door.
Miles shrugged. “I saw your car and I wanted to holla at you for a minute.”
Lance saw the look on his brother’s face and opened the door wider. It wasn’t like Miles to show up unexpectedly at his home. Hell, Miles rarely even called him on the phone. He wondered what was going on.
“Go in the living room and wait for me,” Lance told him. “I’ll be right there.”
Miles nodded and walked in that direction while Lance headed back upstairs. He found Khayla sitting on the bed. She’d removed her shoes and was lying back against the pillows. She saw his face and immediately sat up.
“What’s wrong? Who was at the door?”
Lance removed his tie. “It’s Miles. He says he needs to talk to me.”
Khayla’s eyes widened. “Is everything okay? Is it your mother?”
“I don’t know. He’s downstairs, I’m going to talk to him.”
She stood and walked over to him placing a hand on his chest. “Do you want me leave so you two can have some privacy?”
Lance looked down at her. “Nah, I might need you to be here.”
“Okay baby. I’ll stay up here.”
He nodded and kissed her quickly before leaving the room. Khayla watched him go, hoping this wasn’t another thing added to Lance’s plate.
Lance entered the room where his brother sat quietly on the sofa. “What’s up Miles?”
Miles looked at his big brother who was known all around the city. His brother had made something from nothing and Miles admired him more than anyone. When he’d seen the look of disappointment on Lance’s face a few weeks ago, it had shaken something inside of him.
“I wanted to holla at you about something.”
Lance took a seat. “Let me hear it.”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said the last time you were at the house,” Miles began and Lance nodded for him to continue.
“I want to go to school.”
Lance contemplated his words.
“Not like college. I want to go to film school,” Miles told him.
Lance lifted a brow. “Film school?”
Miles nodded. “I love movies and stuff so I want to learn how to make my own.”
“Make movies?” Lance questioned.
“I checked into schools and there’s a really good one here. It’s called Specs Howard.”
Lance agreed. “I know about it.”
Miles blew out a breath. “I know it sounds crazy and I haven’t really done anything else with my life, but I really want to do this Lance,” Miles said passionately. “I want to make my way like you did.”
Lance sat back against the sofa studying his brother. Miles had been his responsibility practically since the day he’d been born and Lance had provided for him like the father who’d left them both behind without a word.
Miles sat quietly under his brother’s scrutiny. He hoped that he would get Lance’s approval. He no longer wanted to be Lance’s messed up little brother. Neither did he want to be like the deadbeat father he’d never known.
“Okay Miles, if this is what you want to do, I’ve got you…one hundred.”
Miles looked confused. “What? For real?”
“Yeah, I’ve never heard you say you wanted to do anything so if you’ve found something that you want, I’m in your corner little Bro. Whatever you need,” Lance told him.
Miles dropped his hands into his face. “Man, I thought you were going to trip.” He looked back at Lance. “I know I’ve been fucking up like crazy, but I promise you, I won’t let you down this time.”
Lance stood. “I believe that you can do whatever you want.”
Miles got to his feet facing his brother. “You’ve always taken care of me and I’ve never told you that I appreciate you. I’m sorry I took you for granted,” Miles paused. “When you almost died, I realized that I wouldn’t even know what to do without you.”
Lance pulled Miles into his arms. “You’re my brother and I’ll always look out for you. I’m not going to deal with your shit, but I’ll always love you.”
Miles returned his embrace. “I know that. Sometimes I feel like you’re the only one.”
Lance heard the sadness in his voice and looked at him. “Mama’s had it hard.”
“She’s not the only one,” Miles argued.
“Don’t worry about Mama. I’ll take care of that situation,” Lance promised.
Miles shrugged. “I love her, but sometimes she’s so damn mean.”
“She loves you Miles, it’s just the pain. I get frustrated with her too, but then I remember how long she’s been sick.”
Miles nodded. “I think the only one that can deal with her is Khayla.”
“Khayla can deal with anybody, she puts up with me.” Lance laughed.
“That’s true,” Miles agreed and Lance frowned. “I’m just saying.”
Lance looked at Miles. “I asked her to marry me,” he informed his brother.
“Who? Khayla?” Miles asked.
Lance frowned again. “Nah, Sheila. Who the hell else boy?”
Miles smiled. “What did she say?”
“What the hell you mean?” Lance asked confused. “She said yes.”
Miles stuck out his hand. “My man! I was wondering when you was going to tie that down. Khayla is that business.”
Lance gave him some dap. “Watch your mouth.”
Miles laughed. “My bad. Congratulations man, you deserve to be happy.”
“Khayla’s always been the one”
“Damn, these women bout turn this city upside down when they find out you getting married!” Miles put a hand to his mouth. “They thought it was mayhem when you was in the hospital…this right here!
“They gone be picking up broken hearts all over the streets of Detroit!”
Lance gave him a look. “It’s not that serious.”
“To who? These females crazy over you,” Miles told him. “You better have security at that wedding.”
Lance took a seat contemplating Miles’ words. After the fiasco with Karen, he knew that these wom
en could switch up on him.
“Well I’m bout to dip. I got to get ready to start school,” Miles said smiling.
Lance stood again. “Let me know what you need,” he said absently.
“Cool. Thanks man.”
Lance followed Miles to the door and saw him out before locking it and heading slowly upstairs. He entered an empty room and sat on the bed waiting for Khayla. He heard water running then watched her emerge from the bathroom.
“You okay?” she asked hesitantly coming over to the bed.
He placed his hands on her round hips as she put hers on his shoulders.
“What kind of wedding do you want Katydids?” he asked.
She smiled. “I want it big, with all of our friends and family, with horses and carriages…the works!”
“In the city?” he questioned.
“Of course! This is our home,” she told him.
Lance sighed and pulled her into his arms. “Okay Ma, whatever you want.”
Shit, Lance thought…he probably was going to need security.
*********
Early the next morning, Lance sat downstairs in his kitchen drinking juice in pajama bottoms. He hadn’t been able to sleep thinking about what his brother had said the night before. He’d never thought his playa ways would come back to haunt him. No matter what, he was determined that nothing would spoil Khayla’s day.
He took another sip and turned as he saw a flash of color. Khayla entered the kitchen wearing the matching shirt to his bottoms. She came and took a sip from his glass.
Lance smiled at her. “You want some juice?”
“No, I just wanted to taste yours.” She kissed him. “Good morning.”
He tasted the juice on her lips. “Good morning Katydids.”
She took the seat next to him. “Why are you up so early?”
“Things on my mind.”
“Are you worried about Miles?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Nah, I think this will be good for him. I’m just happy seeing him doing something.”
She looked at him. “Are you having second thoughts about us?” she asked quietly.
Lance shook his head then turned to her. Standing from his seat he moved to stand behind her wrapping his arms around her. “Khayla Imani, I could never have second thoughts about being with you,” he whispered in her ear.
“If I wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t have asked you to marry me. I wouldn’t have come into your life at all,” he told her.
She leaned back against his bare chest and he kissed her jaw. “You want some breakfast before you go to work?” he asked.
“Are you making it?” she asked.
He looked down at her. “You like cereal?”
“I’ll make you breakfast,” she told him smiling.
“And I’ll take you to dinner.”
Khayla shook her head. “Tonight we’re taking Kyros to the Pistons game remember?”
“That’s right. I’ll pick you up at Khalil’s tonight then.”
“Okay, that’s fine. Kyros is so excited. He used to love baseball because of Rion, but now he’s infatuated with basketball. He’s been asking me to take him every day,” Khayla said thinking of her nephew.
Lance smirked. “Hopefully he’s better at basketball because Rion says he sucks at baseball.”
“That’s not nice,” Khayla admonished.
He laughed. “Rion says we all suck at baseball.”
Khayla turned to him and licked slowly across his chest. “You don’t have to play baseball. I love you anyway.” Lance drew his breath as she made trail with her tongue across his abs.
“I never wanted to play baseball. I was too busy watching Khayla Imani jump rope.” He smiled down into her face. “Looking at her big fronts and sexy legs was all the fun I needed.”
Khayla ran her hands up his naked back. “I saw you watching me with those sexy dark eyes.”
He pinned her with those same dark eyes as he ran a hand up her bare thighs. “Like now?”
“Yeah…” she answered breathlessly.
Khayla wrapped her legs around him. “Let’s have breakfast upstairs Ma,” he told her unbuttoning her shirt.
She threw her head back as his head moved to her breasts. “Yes, Daddy.”
*********
That evening Kyros was talking about a million different topics as Lance drove the trio to the arena.
“You like basketball Uncle Lance?” Kyros asked.
Lance glanced back at him. “Yeah, I like the Pistons. I also like the Lakers.”
“The Lakers?” Khayla commented.
“Yeah, the Lakers.”
She smirked. “Sell out. Detroit all day. Bad Boys!” she yelled.
He laughed. “You didn’t even see the Bad Boys play.”
“Isaiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, Joe Dumars, Rick Mahorn and Bill Laimbeer?” She named some of the players. “What you know about that boy?”
“Your daddy told you that,” he told her.
“Yep, he sure did.”
They went inside and Kyros turned to them. “I gotta use it.”
Khayla looked at him. “We just got here Kyros. Didn’t you use it before we left?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t have to then, but I have to now.”
Lance smiled. “I’ll take him.” He looked down at him. “Come on little homie.”
Kyros took Lance’s hand and they disappeared into the restroom as Khayla shook her head. She turned and began looking out the glass windows while she waited. A few minutes later, she felt a hand on her waist, then heard a voice in her ear.
“Hey beautiful, I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”
Khayla turned to the voice. “Hello Ben. I didn’t expect to see you.”
He smiled. “I know. Usually I’m in the offices, but I came down to check out the game. You want to sit in the box with me?”
“I’m here with someone,” Khayla told him.
Ben lifted a brow. “Your family?” he asked.
“Her fiancé.”
At the sound of the baritone, Ben turned and was surprised to see Lance with Kyros.
“Her fiancé?” Ben asked looking back at Khayla’s still ringless hand.
Lance stepped forward as Kyros went to stand next to his Aunt. “You can’t hear?” Lance asked.
Ben looked at Lance in his jeans, boots and leather jacket while Lance looked him over in a full business suit. He smirked and looked at Khayla. “I guess congratulations are in order Dr. Lewis.”
“Khayla, take Kyros to our seats.” Lance continued to stare at Ben.
“Lance…” she began.
He cut her off. “Take Kyros to our seats,” he repeated and Kyros grabbed her hand. He knew that when his Daddy used that voice, it meant move…now.
Khayla felt Kyros tug at her hand then glanced between the two men before walking away slowly.
“Bye Khayla,” Ben called after her but she didn’t turn around.
“You got something you wanna say to me?” Lance questioned.
Ben looked at Lance. “I know who you are, I checked you out after the party.”
“Then you know I’m not the one.”
“I’m not scared of you though,” Ben told him.
Lance shook his head. “Then you need to check again.” He stepped closer so that only Ben could hear his next words. “Now take your soft ass back to your cushy office before you get hurt.”
Ben straightened his tie and stepped back from Lance. “Now I understand why Khayla and I didn’t work out.”
Lance agreed. “She never did like punk asses.”
Ben frowned and walked away. Lance watched until he disappeared before finding Khayla and Kyros. He took the seat on the opposite side of the boy as Khayla studied him.
“Hey Uncle Lance.”
Lance smiled at Kyros. “What’s up little dude?”
“The game is about to start,” Kyros informed him. “I thought you were going to miss it.”
Lance caught Khayla’s worried glance. “It’s cool, enjoy the game.”
Khayla took out her phone and sent Lance a text since she didn’t want to talk in front of Kyros. He was at that age where he remembered and repeated everything.
Khayla: What happened?
Lance: Nothing
Khayla: What did he say?
Lance: Nothing. Let’s watch the game.
Khayla looked over at him and narrowed her eyes. She turned her attention back to the phone.
Khayla: I didn’t know we would see him.
Lance: I know.
Khayla: You’re upset.
Lance: I’m straight. Watch the game.
Kyros looked from one to the other then turned his attention back to the action on the floor. Khayla folded her arms and sat back in her chair. She couldn’t focus on the game. One thing she could give Lance credit for was that no matter where they were or how many times they’d gone out, women never approached her. He had that in check.
Ben’s snide comment should have gotten him an ass whipping on the spot but Khayla was glad that Lance had refrained. She knew that he’d hit a soft spot with Lance. It had been the issue for their initial break-up and she wondered how he felt about it now that Ben had put it out in the air.
Lance looked over at Khayla and could tell she was brooding. Her beautiful lips were in a pout and a deep frown marred her beautiful face.
He reached across Kyros and took her hand. “Everything is fine Ma. Relax.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. That was unnecessary and childish.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for.” He held her gaze for a long moment.
Kyros looked from one to the other. “If you’re going to kiss, can you wait until the game is over?”
“Be quiet Kyros,” Khayla told him.
Lance brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. He kept their hands joined as they put them behind Kyro’s seat out of the way. Lance and Khayla retuned their attention to the game until Lance’s phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket and checked the screen for a long while as Khayla directed her attention to him.
He removed his hand from hers and typed onto the screen. Khayla felt her phone buzz then took it out still watching Lance. She looked down at the screen and read his text.
Karen’s accomplice, Reggie just got picked up in Dallas. He’s in police custody.