Page 16 of Body Language (Mind, Body, & Soul #2)
While her back was turned, I slipped a folded hundred out my pocket, slid it into the girl’s palm. She looked up at me, shocked, lips moving in a silent thank you.
I winked and tapped my lips, mouthing, Keep it quiet.
She tucked it fast, and just as Niv turned, I stepped back like nothing happened.
“If she does anything else, call me, Zejah!” Niv called over her shoulder.
“I will!” the girl said quickly, nodding.
The second her ass hit the passenger seat and I pulled off, I knew it was coming.
“You got me fucked up, Kendrix. Don’t ever think you can pull some shit like that again! I don’t need your charity, I don’t need your rescues. You don’t know my mama like that.”
I kept my eyes on the road, letting her vent.
“You ain’t slick. That whole smooth, calm, unbothered shit might work on them other hoes, but not me.
You think just because you fine and drive with one hand I’m supposed to shut up and let you do whatever?
Nah. Your ass is good as blocked after tonight.
Don’t even pray for me, because I’ll block God from telling me you prayed! ”
“You done?” I asked, real calm.
She whipped her head toward me so fast. “Am I done?! Boy, if you don’t—”
And just like that, she was right back at it. Going the hell off.
I let her ride for a minute, then I cut in with a grin. “You gone need throat lozenges after all that yelling, Pretty. Want me to stop at Walgreens?”
She sucked her teeth and turned toward the window.
I let the silence sit in the truck for a bit before I said, “I gave your mama some dirt.”
“Dirt?! The fuck you mean, dirt? You tryna kill my mama?!”
“No, Pretty. Not dirt dirt. It’s the worst weed known to man. People would rather stay sober than smoke that shit.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You lying.”
“Nah,” I said, chuckling. “She gone smoke it, get a headache, probably be throwing up. Might even catch the shits if she overdo it. That kinda smoke make you reconsider life choices real quick. After that, she ain’t gone want to touch nothing.”
Her mouth dropped open before she burst out laughing. “I know the fuck you didn’t!”
“Shit, I did.” I grinned, proud of myself. “Call it tough love with a side of quality control.”
“Good. She need the shits, but you’re still blocked.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I smirked. “We both know you lying.”
“Yeah, whatever,” she said, snatching my phone and typing her address into the GPS.
We rode in silence for a minute. I glanced over and she was staring out the window.
I cleared my throat. “Pretty…”
She hummed without looking at me.
“How long your mom been on it?”
“Since I was about twelve” she said softly.
“Damn.”
“She used to be… different,” she said, voice lower now, like she was scared to say it out loud. “Braided my hair every morning. Showed up to school activities. Cooked dinner. Then one day, it was like somebody unplugged her. And she never came back the same.”
I stayed quiet, letting her talk.
“That’s why I have custody of my brother and sister. The court didn’t even fight me on it. It was either me or foster care.” She let out a bitter laugh. “So I grew up real fast. Learned how to pay bills before I knew how to drive.”
She finally turned to me. “So yeah. That used to be my home. Now it’s just where I come to clean up messes I didn’t make.”
I swallowed, nodding slow. “You a soldier for that. Real talk.”
She rolled her eyes, trying to brush it off. “Don’t gas me up, Kendrix.”
“I ain’t gassing shit,” I said, eyes cutting over to her. “I mean that. A lotta people fold under less. You didn’t fold. You’re still standing. Shit… and still glowing.”
“Thank you,” she said. “But not just for saying that. For everything. Today was…” She let out a little laugh. “One of the most eventful days I’ve had in a long time.”
“Glad I was the event.”
She rolled her eyes, but she didn’t argue.
The GPS spoke up just in time, and I eased the truck into her driveway. The house sat back a little from the street, warm porch lights glowing against the night. Cozy. Family vibes. The kind of place you could actually breathe peacefully in.
“That’s you?” I asked, putting it in park.
“Yeah.” She glanced at the house, pride written all over her face. “I didn’t want anything too far from my mom. Just in case. But I wanted better for my siblings, so I’m renting it right now. Hopefully, the owner decides to sell.”
I took a good look. “It’s nice, Pretty. Real nice.”
“Big come-up from Gun Hill, huh?”
“Big one,” I agreed.
I hopped out before she could say anything and rounded the truck to walk her to the door. She fished her keys from her purse, glancing at me sideways.
“I’d let you in,” she said, slipping the key into the lock, “but I’ve been gone all day. Time for me to give my nanny a break.”
“I understand.” I slid my hands into my pockets, leaning a little. “But when can I see you again?”
She smiled, unlocking the door. “Your bitch, Arlette, said the club opens back up in two days. That gives you time to think about me and miss me.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s not my bitch.”
“Mhm. That’s what you better say.”
“Well,” I said, stepping closer, lowering my voice, “I got business out of town for a couple days. Handle some things. But just so you know, this is the last time I’m leaving without you. Next time, pack up the kids, the nanny, whatever. You riding with me.”
She tilted her head, trying to hide her smile. “We’ll see, Kendrix.”
I grinned. “Yeah, we will.”
She pulled me in quick, arms soft around my neck and kissed me. Sweet but with enough tongue to have me wanting more.
She whispered, “Goodnight,” before slipping inside, leaving me standing there like a simp-ass nigga, smiling at her closed door. And I didn’t even care.