by J Peach
“Bet. Until then, I’ll be your bleep button. Bet?” she repeated, holding her fist out toward him.
Jerome stared at it for a second before laughing once again. “I’ight, bet. I ain’t used to being around kids.”
“We can tell, but you’re cool, especially since you look out for my momma when we aren’t around. Like I said, we’ll work on you.” She smiled at him before grabbing Kaeden’s arm. “Come on, let’s go play Fortnite.” She pulled him up and started dragging him out of the living room.
“Momma, can you make us something to eat? I’m starving,” Kaeden called out to me from the stairs.
“Boy, you just ate before we got here. She ain’t making you nothing. Now get yo’ butt upstairs before I slap you,” Kierra snapped at him.
“Slap me if you wanna, and I’mma lay you out. You baldhead roach!” Kaeden shot back.
My head fell back on the couch, and I groaned. “If you two don’t shut up!” I yelled after them.
“That’s his stupid butt,” Kierra responded from the top of the stairs as Kaeden laughed.
Jerome sat beside me, laughing. “Man, those damn kids crazy as hell.”
My head shook because they were. Those two fought nonstop, even so, they had an unbreakable bond that I loved. “I need to go grocery shopping, then get back and grade papers.” I groaned, hating that I had to do more running around.
“Have you not walked through the house today?” Jerome asked.
“Nope, I unlocked the door, and the kids took off upstairs. You got here a few minutes after that—what are you doing?” I whined as he pulled my arms for me to get up.
“Man, get up and come with me.” Jerome pulled me up and got behind me. “We hooked y’all up,” he said, walking us into the kitchen. Going over to a cabinet, he opened it.
“No…” I mumbled, surprised by all the canned foods and different sides that stocked the cabinets. “Jerome…” He had stocked the fridge and freezer with food. Even the pantry was filled with snacks for the kids. He seriously surprised the hell out of me completely. I knew telling him he shouldn’t have done all that would have been pointless. “Thank you so much, Rome. I promise I’m going to repay you for all this. I don’t care what you say, I’m paying you back.”
His lips formed into that crooked smirk. Instantly, my eyes rolled, but I chuckled no less. “I know a couple of ways you can repay me…” His head lowered, and his arm snaked around my waist. “I mean… you can always sneak me up to yo’ bedroom, and we can start working on a deposit,” he suggested, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth. “I really wanna break that bed in.” A groan slipped through his lips as he squeezed my ass.
Moaning into his mouth, I fisted his shirt, wanting to get closer to him. Tilting my head to the side, I let his tongue invade my mouth, deepening the kiss. What he said finally dawned on me, and I broke the kiss.
“What bed?” My brows furrowed before I groaned. The look on his face said it all. “You got me a bed?”
He leaned back into me, nipping at my bottom lip. “I did. You can pay me back later. I can’t be fuckin’ on no damn air mattress—”
Hitting him in the chest, I broke out laughing. “You so damn stupid, ugh!” Chuckling lightly, my arms tightened around him. “I mean that, Rome. I’m paying you back for everything.”
I nodded as he backed me up against the island counter. “I know you will. Shid, I’mma make sho’ yo ass do.” His hand tightly squeezed my booty before smacking it. “I said you can start on that deposit now.” Laughing, I kissed him once more then pushed away from him. “I’m not playing with you. I have a ton of papers to grade and get the assignments ready for tomorrow. I have really tricked off this weekend.” I groan. “I really appreciate your help with everything. I’ll definitely make it up to you, but not right now. I really need to work.” My hands ran up his chest to the back of his head.
Jerome groaned, and I chuckled. “I’ight, I’ll leave you alone for right now. I’ll see you tonight.”
“You don’t have to leave, Jerome, you can stay here…” My words trailed off, and my lips pressed to his as my hands continued to rub over the back of his head.
While laughing, he grabbed my arms and moved them from his body. He then pointed to me, his finger motioning over my body. “That’s exactly why I can’t stay. Yo’ ass tempting as fuck, and if I’m here, you ain’t gon’ be able to get shit done.”
My forehead fell against his chest because I knew he was right. Even so, I didn’t want him to go. “Ugh… you’re right. I won’t get anything done, and I have a lot of work that I need to finish up. So, gon’ ‘head and go.” I kissed him. “And I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You don’t want me to come back?” he quickly added, stopping me from backing away from him.
My head shook as I laughed. “No—I mean, I do, but you can’t come back. We’re going to distract each other, and I can’t afford that. I have papers to grade and lessons to plan, which I really want to finish up today. I can’t start slacking off on this job because I want to spend time with you. So, go, get out of here, go to the gym, go play with your cousins or something, entertain yourself—”
“I’d rather have you entertain me. It’ll be more fun.” He grinned a wicked smile.
Laughing, I pushed out of his reach. “My point exactly. Now, go.” I pointed to the front room.
“You dead serious? You don’t want me to come back for real?”
Chuckling, I didn’t spare him another glance as I walked around him and back into the living room. “Yes, I’m so serious right now. I need for you to go.”
I really liked Jerome, and I was growing too attached to him. Although I knew I didn’t need that, I couldn’t stop the attraction I had for him or change the fact that I wanted to be around him. However, I could control the space we had, which was why I needed him to go.
Jerome’s hand rubbed over his head. and he laughed, not seeming mad or anything. “You got it. I’ll leave you alone so you can work. I’mma call you later tonight, and if you’re still working, don’t answer. If not…” His smirk was full blown. “Let me know what you wanna do.” He kissed me then backed away.
Biting my bottom lip, I nodded. “I’ll do that.”
My eyes rolled, and my head shook as I groaned. It felt like butterflies were waging war in the pit of my stomach. The ringing of my phone grabbed my attention, and I was glad for the interruption of our intense staring. I snatched my phone off the couch.
“Hello?” My eyes slid to Jerome, only to find him chuckling to himself. How he found the situation amusing was beyond me. “You can go.” I pointed to the door, and his laughter stopped. Realizing the caller hadn’t said anything, I turned my attention back to the call. “Hello?” I repeated before looking at the unfamiliar number. “Hello?”
“Who is it?” Jerome asked curiously.
I shrugged, showing him the number. “I don’t know, they’re not saying anything.” I ended the call. “Probably a wrong number. I could hear the TV on in the background.” Again, I shrugged. “Wrong number, probably.” I tossed my phone back on the couch and looked back at Jerome. He was staring at my phone as if he was trying to figure out who had called. “Hey,” I rubbed up his arm, and his eyes came back to mine, “don’t worry about it. I think it was a wrong number. Now, get out of here.” Smiling, my head jabbed toward the door.
He glanced at my phone again before shaking his head. He then laughed. “I’ight, I’m gone. I’m letting you know right now that I feel some type of way that yo’ ass is throwing me out yo’ crib like this. I don’t like this shit.”
Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed him. “You’re not supposed to like it.” The loud clearing of a throat had me pushing away from Jerome and looking toward the stairs. Kierra and Kaeden stood there, staring at us.
“Hm… I don’t know what I should say,” Kaeden said as he shot a glare at Jerome.
“So… y’all like… together now?” Kierra questioned.<
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My mouth opened then closed as I became at a loss for words. I didn’t know how to answer because I didn’t want them to think the worst of me, of what I was doing with Jerome, especially after everything with Trell.
Although my head shook, my shoulders shrugged on their own. “No, we’re not together per se… we’re um…” Friends who are trying to see where things go. Teacher and student having a forbidden relationship. Friends who kiss each other…
I wasn’t prepared to explain what Jerome and I were to them at all.
“He’s your new boyfriend?” Kierra asked, looking between the two of us, and waiting for an answer.
I stared at my kids for a long while, taking them in. I was trying to figure out what they were thinking. Neither seemed mad—aside from Kae glaring at Jerome, but he didn’t seem angry.
I glanced at Jerome, who seemed amused by everything. He wasn’t shaken at all like I had been. “No, he’s not my boyfriend. However, we are friends taking things slowly. But if you two don’t like that, then…” Jerome’s eyes locked with mine at that moment. The amusement that once played in his brown orbs was gone. Regardless of how much I liked him, my kids were my world, and if they weren’t okay with it, then I would stop seeing him completely. “Then we won’t be anymore.” Saying that kind of hurt, only because I truly meant it. I looked away from him and back to the kids.
Kierra shrugged as she walked down the stairs to us. “I like Jerome. He’s funny, and he looks out for you. And… I know with him around, I don’t have to worry about no one hurting you. I think that’s a good thing. Plus, I think he really likes you. I mean, he stares at you differently.”
“I stare at her differently? What the fuck does that mean?” Jerome asked.
I shot a glare his way, but he wasn’t looking at me, he was staring at Kierra.
Keke shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just different, not creepy, though. I’m cool with you two ‘being friends’,” she said, putting air quotes for the last two words.
My hand covered my mouth, so I wouldn’t laugh at her. She held her fist out in front of Jerome while giving him a small smile. He chuckled and bumped her fist.
“Just don’t kiss in front of us, it’s weird and nasty.” She shuddered.
“Thanks, Keke.” Even though she was cool with it, if Kae wasn’t, then that was it. “Kae?”
Kaeden slowly walked down the stairs, coming to a stop in front of Jerome. “Let’s go talk.” Kae walked around him and straight out the front door.
“Kaeden—”
He stopped outside the door. “It’s okay, Momma, I’m not gonna hurt him. We just gonna talk. Come on, Rome,” Kaeden stated smoothly, like what he said was nothing at all.
“Oh, lord. Your son, Momma. I’m starving, is it something here to eat?” Keke asked, not bothered in the least.
“Yeah, it’s food in there,” Jerome told her before he looked Kaeden up. His hand rubbed over his mouth, and I knew he was trying not to laugh. “Let’s go.” Jerome turned and walked out of the house, closing the door behind them.
I couldn’t help the fact that I was nosy as hell and wanted to know what my son was saying to Jerome. Moving closer to the front door, I pressed my ear against it.
“What’s up?” Jerome asked Kae.
Kaeden was silent for a second. Through the little frosted window in the door, I could see Kaeden’s small body pacing around. He then stopped in front of Jerome.
“I’ight, look, I think you cool or whatever, and I appreciate you looking out for my momma because you didn’t have to. But I’m telling you this now. If you hurt her, I’m going to kill you. Probably not right now, but I’ll get bigger, and when I do, I will kill you. Then again, I got a switchblade, and I could slit your throat while I’m still a kid. So, Rome, think twice before you try to hurt her.” He threatened him just as clearly without a shake in his voice.
That scared me. Part of me knew I should’ve been mad and probably should’ve fussed at him for making such a threat. But, how could I? Given everything he knew and witnessed—unbeknownst to me—how could I fuss or be mad at him, when in reality, it was my fault that he felt the need to make such a statement? His action, his threat, was because of what I’ve been through.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. So, are we good?” Jerome didn’t seem surprised by Kaeden’s words.
“Yeah, we good for right now,” Kaeden responded before they slapped hands.
“Where the hell you get a gotdamn switchblade from?”
Jerome asked the question I was wondering about. How the hell did he get a damn knife?
“I found it—”
“Stop fuckin’ lying. Where you get it from?” From the sound of Jerome’s voice, I knew he was scowling at him.
Kaeden groaned. “I took it from Trell a long time ago. Shit… you gonna tell my momma I got it?”
“I ain’t got to do that. But clean it good and make sure it’s sharp. You can’t be threatening mothafuckas with a dull ass knife. Hide it good, but make sure it’s not out of reach, just in case,” he told him before rubbing a hand over Kaeden’s head. “I’m out. I’ll see you later.”
“You not gonna tell my momma bye? Now that she’s your girlfriend and everything,” Kaeden mocked, and Jerome laughed.
“I don’t need to tell her. She knows I’m gone. I’m out. If you need something, call me,” Jerome told him before walking away from the porch.
He knew I was listening to them, and still, he gave Kaeden the advice he had.
“I need ice cream and some chips, you gon’ bring me some?” Kaeden called out to him.
Again, Jerome laughed. “I’ll think about it. Now get in the house,” he yelled back, and I quickly moved from the front door back into the living room.
It took Kae a minute to come back into the house. When he did, he walked over to the couch and sat beside me. “I think he’ll be a good friend for you. Since you been seeing him, you’ve seemed happier. You go out and have fun with friends now. I’ve never seen you do that before, and I like that you are. Rome’s cool, so I’m alright with it for now.”
“Kae, come eat!” Kierra yelled from the kitchen.
“Yeah, he’s pretty cool when he wants to be, and I’m glad you like him.” Pulling him to me, I kissed the top of his head. “Go eat, baby.” He got up and went into the kitchen. I couldn’t help but smile at my son. He was growing up so damn fast.
Sighing, I got up and grabbed my work bag with my laptop. Going to the dining room table, I started grading papers before getting the week’s assignments together.
“Hello?” I snapped frustratedly into the phone.
For the past couple of hours, I had been getting calls from the same unknown number. At first, I thought it was the wrong number, but after the fourth call, I knew it was someone playing on my phone. Whoever it was never said anything, nor had they blocked their number. Even when I called back, they would answer but not speak. I was beyond pissed at that point.
“I’m blocking this number.” I ended the call and blocked the number.
Setting my phone to the side, I went back to work. At that moment, my phone started ringing again. My brows furrowed in confusion as I stared at a different unknown number. Snatching my phone up, I answered.
“Who the hell is this!” I yelled into the line.
“Hey, it’s just me. I’m not trying to piss you off, Nessa.”
The voice on the other end caused my anger to pause. “Trell?” I questioned.
“Yeah. I didn’t call to argue with you, Janessa—”
I cut him off. “Was that you calling my phone and not saying anything? If you wanted to talk, you could’ve said that instead of being immature and playing on my phone. God!” I couldn’t hide my irritation due to his childish behavior.
“Nessa, I haven’t been playing on your phone. I wouldn’t do no childish shit like that. If I wanna talk to you, I’ll call like I’m doing now. It’s somebody else playing on yo�
� shit, not me, sweetheart.”
Once he said that, I knew it wasn’t him because he was a lot of things, but childish just wasn’t one of them. Sighing, I calmed myself down. “You’re right. I’m sorry for snapping at you…”
Immediately, my mind went to the fight with Carrie. I wanted to ask him how she was doing, but I also didn’t want to bring it up just in case they didn’t tell him what happened. I didn’t want to be responsible for her miscarriage if she had one. The line was silent for a long while, and the quietness was simply suffocating to me. I needed to know if he knew about the fight.
“Trell… What did you want to talk about?”
“I wanted to see how you were. Look, I don’t know what the fuck happened the other night with you, Jessica, and Carrie. I just don’t want you to think I sent them after you or no shit like that. I told Jessica and my momma to leave you the fuck alone.”
I didn’t know what I was hoping for him to say, exactly, but that sure as hell wasn’t it. “Um… okay…” I mumbled. “I never thought you had…” Which was true, I didn’t think he sent them there to try and fight me. I mean, how would he even know I was at that club on that night? That just wasn’t his character.
“Good. As long as you know, I didn’t do that bullshit. I told them again to leave you the fuck alone. If they try to fuck with you again, let me know. You should’ve called me after that shit happened. Just because we ain’t together right now don’t mean I won’t look out for you and the kids.”
I was beyond confused by what he was saying. How could he not be pissed about Carrie? “How’s Carrie and the baby? Is it okay?”
He was quiet for a minute. “I should’ve known her ass was going to tell you about that shit. Nessa, that shit with Carrie was a fuckin’ mistake. I never expected her ass to get pregnant or no shit like that—”
“Pregnancy is never expected when you’re cheating, Montrell.” Truly, I wasn’t even pissed about her being pregnant by him. I didn’t have any anger toward him at all.
“I’m sorry, I never wanted you to find out about her because it wasn’t shit to me. I never wanted to hurt you, Nessa, and I told her to get an abortion. I’m sorry.”