We exitedthe front entrance of the building hand-in-hand. I slid into the passenger seat after the door was opened for me. Sac was around the SUV and lowering his bottom onto the leather within seconds.
“What happened?”
Sac’s reaction was both necessary and baffling.
“Being threatened by a stranger isn’t exactly how I planned to start our night, but I am pleased to have that moment behind us.”
“Threatened?”
“The moment I noticed you, I noticed the doors behind you and the man standing behind them, tapping the gun on his hips.”
I straightened my spine and removed my phone from my purse, prepared to make a call. However, my phone was slid from my palm and into Sac’s hand.
“The name of that playlist–” he demanded.
“I need to make a ca–”
“Date Night?” He chuckled. “Is that it or is that a new one?”
I settled in my seat, realizing what was happening.
“You made that for us? For tonight?”
I nodded. “Yes. I thought maybe you’d–”
“I do.”
“Do what?”
“Like it.”
“Good, because I worked hard on it.”
Sighing, I waited for the first song to play. My eyes were trained on the radio. Although the playlist felt corny half the time I was creating it, I followed the overbearing feeling in my chest that had driven the idea to reality.
“Feel better, Rome.”
I peered over at Sac. His finger hovered over my phone, waiting to press the play button.
“Feel better, baby.”
“I– I can call them off. They don’t mean any harm. They’re jus– They’re just following orders. I–”
“Shhhh– There’s no need to explain. I’m a man, Rome. And I’m one who understands that in life, we’re all following someone’s orders, so I get it. I’m not tripping. It was time for me to let them know I’m not whoever they were hired to protect you from. There was no need to wait for that introduction.
“Suddenly, I’m on their team. Shit, I wasn’t hired, but I feel like it’s my duty to protect you too. We have the same agenda. Don’t call them off. Let them do their jobs. They know more than I know. They see more than I see. They hear more than I hear.
“They’ve been around. I’m just coming around. And, when they are around, my attention is undivided. It’s on you. And, it can stay on you knowing that whatever evils you’re being protected against won’t prosper.”
He pressed play.
“Stop worrying your little head. You’re good. I’m good. Everybody will be on one accord from now on. I can assure you.”
Sac lowered my phone into his lap. Just like my AirPods, he’d taken it hostage. I didn’t mind because it freed his hand. As his palm rested against mine, I began to do that thing he’d suggested. I stopped worrying my little head.
The tracks laced together perfectly, sounding off one after the other. The transitions were seamless. It felt like a never ending love song on loop.
The nine-minute drivefelt like nine full lifetimes. As I stepped out of the truck, I embraced my inner feline, wondering if a tenth lifetime with Sac was too much to ask of the universe.Of God.
