Page 71 of Anything Goes

Just as I opened my mouth to make small talk, Alauni stuffed her earbuds into her ear.

Damn!

I looked back at Keyon.

Giving me a smirk, he mumbled, “You must’ve screwed up big time, Unc.”

Not knowing what to say, I returned my eyes to the road, and thought,apparently so.

23

Law

I took one last look at the tall brick building that Keyon would be spending the rest of the day in. As excited as I was for him to experience college life and everything that Huey had to offer, I was nervous as hell.

Keyon wasn’t the type to shy away from a good time, and this was definitely the place to get it in. “I hope Keyon doesn’t go around acting a damn fool on this campus. I don’t have time to be bailing him out of jail for doing some crazy shit,” I told Alauni as I followed her to the parking lot.

Conveniently, her back was turned to me, and she was focused on her cell. Her attempts to ignore me were blatantly obvious.

“Relax, Keyon is a good kid and the student that’s hosting him is great too. I’ve met him before.”

“Yeah, well, they all seem great when the adults are around.”

“You’re being too dramatic. The whole point of this visit is for Keyon to get a feel for college life, which means having a good time.”

“Not too much of a good time.”

“You sound really old right now.” She chuckled. “Loosen up.”

Wow, was she really telling me to loosen up? I'm the one getting the cold shoulder over here. But I knew this wasn't the time to get into that. For the first time since we embarked on this trip, she was actually talking to me. I didn't want to mess that up.

Taking full advantage, I caught up with her to ask, “You hungry? I heard some kids talking about some burger place over by—”

“Nah, I’m good. I’m just going to head back to the hotel. That car ride has me exhausted.”

“Alauni?”

“What?” she questioned turning to face me.

“Stop acting like that. I know that you’re not feeling the shit that I told you, but we still have to deal with each other.”

“Dealing with you might land my ass in the hospital.”

“Don’t say that. I told you I’m going to handle Maxine.”

“When, Law? If you wanted to be with me as much as you claimed, the situation would’ve already been handled.”

“Come on, you know I want to be with you.”

“I can't tell. Right now, you're allowing one of your little flings to control our lives, and that's what I'm pissed off about. I'm mad that you’re not taking care of it. The moment I said what I said, you should’ve gotten everything straightened out and been back at my place fucking me. But no, I didn’t hear from your ass until today. That doesn’t seem like the actions of a man that wants to be with me.”

I eyed her in confusion, completely shocked to learn what really had her upset.

Damn, I guess I am an idiot.

Stepping forward, I grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even realize—”

“Of course, you didn’t. You know why? Because you’re a man. Y’all are so damn oblivious to things.”