“I was thinking the same thing.” I chewed on my cheek, considering the next thing I wanted to say. “I don’t know how long their grandmother is going to keep them. She’s older and has already mentioned being too old to be raising more kids. I think the excitement of having them around after years has worn off, and now that she’s responsible for them full time, it’s getting to her.”
“Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case. Just feeding kids all day over the summer is a job and expensive as hell, not to mention keeping them active too. I feel peace in what we’ve done so far, but if he doesn’t come back soon, there has to be more we can do.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I declared. “In the meantime, I gave her some money for food and told her whenever she needs a break to let either of us know.”
“Okay, good. Now that they have books and games that should keep them out of her hair for a while too.”
We continued to talk until I made it back to her house, then we went toFresh Catchfor dinner. Afterward, we went back to her place and cuddled up to watch TV, and I couldn’t think of a better way to end my day.
Iwas so nervous about my first date with Kayne. That whole don’t tell Brooke about us thing went out the window when Kayne told me to pack a bag for the day. Not only that, but he told me he was going to pick me up at ten AM. What kind of date did he have planned that started so early? I was excited but also anxious to know what my day with him would consist of. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I put in my earbuds and called Brooke while I packed my bag.
“Hey, JJ,” she answered.
“Hey, bookie. Whatcha doing?”
“Girl, nothing. Faking like I’m working at this job.”
We shared a quiet cackle. Brooke was a paralegal at one of Rose Valley Hill’s most prestigious law firms—Montgomery, Pierce, Walker, and Gough. Sometimes she was so busy I wouldn’t hear from her for days. Others, she hardly did anythingat all. I was so happy for her because she was truly doing what she loved. Though she’d always been passionate about the legal system, she didn’t want to practice law. I believed it was because she’d get too attached to her clients.
Kayne was the same way, and that’s why he used his degree as a guidance counselor instead of a therapist. Brooke thrived with investigative work and research. The amount of dirt she could find on men or enemies back in the day was uncanny.
“Well, I have some news,” I shared with a grin as I grabbed a few bottles of perfume. “Kayne and I are going on a date today.”
“What!” she yelled before squealing. “Are you serious? Why are you just now telling me!”
“I wanted to get it out the way first in case it didn’t work out and I had to forget it ever happened. But now I’m nervous because he told me to pack a day bag.”
“Why are you nervous? This is Kayne, Jayla. Y’all already have a relationship. There shouldn’t be any weird first date vibes.”
“True, but I’m more invested in this because it’s him. I really don’t want this to make things weird between us. Like what if the boyfriend version of Kayne is like Kenya and not the friend version of Kayne?”
She scoffed. “We know that won’t be the case, but if you’re worried about that, maybe that’s one of the first things y’all should talk about. Roles in relationships and expectations. How different things will be.” I sighed and nodded. “Because if I’m right about this, which I am, this first date will be your last first date.”
Her declaration made warmth spread through my heart.
Could that be the case?
Was there a chance things between me and Kayne could lead to marriage?
I thought back to the last time we saw each other.
After we made it back from Fresh Catch, we chilled in the living room and watched TV. We started to smoke and binge watched Sinners and the Blade trilogy. By the time Kayne was getting ready to leave, it was almost four in the morning. I was high, tired, and dry in the mouth. He got me a drink and I guzzled it down expeditiously.
I was still thirsty, and when I realized that I asked, “Am I a vampire?”
He burst into laughter. All I could think about was when Whistler told Karen if she had a thirst she couldn’t satisfy, that she was about to turn into a vampire.
“Nah, pooh. You are high as hell though.”
“Ugh,” I groaned, sitting up on the couch.
With no words, Kayne went to the kitchen and put my favorite electrolytes in a bottle of water. After I drank it, he picked me up and carried me to bed. I got comfortable as he put my fan on the highest setting and then cut out the lights. He placed a kiss on my cheek before wishing me sweet dreams and telling me he couldn’t wait to see me again for our date.
Kayne was such an intricate part of my life, my day. There was no way things would be the same if I didn’t have him. Plus, we were bound by Miley and Mateo. What if things didn’t work out between us personally, yet we still had to deal with each other for them? That would’ve been cruel. No matter how much I told myself there was no need for me to think about the worst case scenario, that was a part of self-preservation that I couldn’t simply turn off.
Thinking about the worst allowed me to appreciate the best and prepare for things to turn bad. But with Kayne, things turning bad couldn’t be an option. I wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Brooke and I talked a little while longer before ending the call, and shortly after, I showered and got dressed. Since I didn’t know what all was in store, I packed a casual outfit, somethingdressy, and a lounge set. For now, I kept it simple and dressed in jeans, sandals, and a cute shirt, but it was all white which gave it a more luxurious, put together vibe.
