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CHAPTER EIGHT

FERRIS

I didn’t give a damn where we were going to eat.

I just wanted to be near her again. Milana had such a sweet spirit.

That was her dominant aura. As with any woman, I could tell she had a little fight in her if you crossed her wrong, maybe even a lil ratchet behavior just by the way she talked.

She was so cool, though, and I just wanted to be right next to her to soak it all up.

After we’d finished eating, she went back to her original seat next to Ashanni and their other cousin that was always with them.

She ate all that damn food, and for a minute, I thought she was gonna suck the bones like my grandmother used to do.

She’d suck those damn bones until they were white.

To hell with that. I didn’t know why she used to do that shit.

We ended up deciding on the Southern Kitchen and Bar once Red Squared and Carter Legend won their events.

I swore those white people were looking like somebody pissed in their food when those three black people claimed their buckles and winnings.

They’d get over that shit eventually. Whenever black folks were in the competition, our goal was to dominate.

Milana was all smiles when she accepted her money.

She was amazing at what she did. I had no choice but to respect her hustle.

“So, did you and Ashanni talk while we were gone?”

“Talk for what? She said she ain’t ready to settle down just yet.

I respect her for being honest with me. She knew I was feeling her, but she also knows that I’m older and could possibly be ready to lock somebody down.

While I feel like she’s too young, I can’t stop thinking about her ass. She’s so fucking beautiful.”

I nodded. My hope was that she would eventually change her mind, because Asad was feeling her something serious.

I felt like that nigga was two steps from being in love with who he thought she was.

It was like he could barely function in her presence.

I had never seen anything like that until witnessing his interaction with her.

I had to give it to him. She was definitely beautiful.

“You gon’ be cool in her presence?”

“Yeah. I mean . . . I wanna be in her presence. You tell anybody I said this and I’m gon’ go upside your big ass head.” I chuckled as he continued. “I’ll take whatever she give me. I’m feeling her that much.”

“Damn.”

As he drove, I sat here thinking about what he said.

He had to love her. That was some serious shit.

I wasn’t willing to be strung along had Milana not made a move.

I was grateful she did, though, because I really wanted to get to know her.

The time we spent together at the rodeo wasn’t nearly enough time, but hopefully, once we got back home, we would be able to carve some time out for each other.

I was busy, and she was, too, both trying to make names for ourselves in our different industries.

I wanted to be a sought-after gamer, having to turn down jobs, and she was chasing that NFR championship.

If she competed anything like I saw today, that championship would be hers for the taking.

I couldn’t wait to get to know her better and learn what made her tick.

Those glossed lips were calling me to them.

Her most exotic feature had to be her eyes.

They were extremely slanted, like a fairy.

Once Asad turned into the parking lot of the restaurant, I saw her getting out of her mother’s trailer.

She’d changed into a dress, cowboy boots, and had her winning buckle attached to a belt.

Damn. I didn’t waste any time getting out of the car.

I could hear Asad chuckling, but fuck him.

He could play around with Ashanni’s ass if he wanted to, but I refused to let Milana get away from me.

She glanced over in my direction, and when her eyes met mine, she smiled and waited for me.

That shit alone put a pep in my step. When I got to her, her smile widened a bit, and she grabbed my hand.

She pulled me closer to her and began walking again, heading inside the restaurant.

I released her hand to open the door and rested it at the small of her back.

The moment we stepped inside, I could see her dad and brother watching me hard as hell.

Her dad was somewhat familiar with me though.

I’d seen him a couple of times at Mr. Red’s house.

He would be there hanging out with him and Mr. Legend.

He probably didn’t pay much attention to me though.

I also remembered seeing him on TV. He’d done a reality show centered around tattoo artists.

They were deeming him the best in the south.

That was a hell of a crown to wear, especially since there was a tattoo parlor every couple of blocks it seemed.

“I’m glad you’re allowing me in your space, Milana.”

She turned to me as we waited to be seated and smiled. When she put her hand to my cheek, I wanted to kiss it so bad. Staring into my eyes, she said, “Me too. I feel like I would have missed out on someone amazing had I not reached out. I’m glad I did.”

I smiled back at her, then she looked away.

The urge to pull her close and slide my tongue into her mouth had increased to dangerous levels.

It didn’t help she had these stilts of perfection on display.

She was regal in every sense of the word.

Instead of the Stetson she wore, she needed a crown of jewels.

When I was able to tear my gaze away from her, I saw her mom approaching.

I smiled, because I was kind of excited to meet her.

“Hi, I’m Milana’s mother, Tiffany?—”

“Henderson Semien. Yes, ma’am. I’m aware, and I’m honored to meet you. Sorry I cut you off.”

I was nervous as hell, and I didn’t know why. She smiled big, and I realized Milana had definitely inherited that from her.

“No apology needed. I take it that you’ve looked me up at some point. What’s your name?”

“My name is Ferris Botley. When Asad introduced me to the rodeo world, I started looking people up, especially when I saw you and your team relay at the Bill Pickett one year. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. You’re a beast.”

She smiled again. I was talking too damn much. I supposed I was somewhat star struck.

“Thank you, Ferris. It’s nice to meet you. I guess I’ll be seeing you around?” she asked with her eyebrows slightly lifted.

I glanced at Milana and squeezed her hand. “I truly hope so.”

She smiled again and left us alone. When Milana chuckled, I knew she was laughing at me. “What’s funny?”

“You spazzing out in front of my mama. She the shit, though, so I get it.”

I slid my hand down my face. “Maaaan, I couldn’t even control my excitement. Sad.”

Before she could say anything else, they’d finally gotten our tables situated.

When we got to our area, I pulled out Milana’s seat.

Once she sat, I noticed Ashanni sit on the other side of her and Asad sit across from Ashanni.

His ass was going to be staring at her the whole time we were here.

I just hoped she didn’t get uncomfortable.

After sitting next to Milana, she grabbed my hand again.

It was like she couldn’t be close to me without touching me in some way.

I loved that shit, because I felt the same way when I was close to her.

As I looked around the table, I could see her mom and dad watching us with a slight smile on their faces.

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I would accept it as somewhat of an approval.

Leaning over to Milana, I inhaled her scent. She smelled like a sweet flower.

“You look so beautiful. Every time I’ve seen you, it’s been hard to keep my eyes off you.”

“Thank you,” she said as her chocolate complexion reddened.

“Why you blushing? I know that you know you’re gorgeous.”

“I absolutely know it. Have you seen my parents? I didn’t have a choice but be. It still feels good to hear someone else acknowledge what I already know.”

“Well, shit. I appreciate a woman who knows her worth. Yours has to be weighed in rubies.”

She smiled, then asked, “What is it about me that attracted you?”

“Well, the first thing I noticed was your height. I love tall women. I swear you look like royalty . . . like you supposed to be on a throne. Then it was your eyes. They are so exotic looking.”

“I have my grandmother’s eyes. My mom’s eyes are slanted, too, but not as much as mine. Whenever I look in the mirror, I see her, and it warms my heart.”

“How long has she been gone?” I asked as I caressed her hand.

“Umm . . . maybe about five years or so. I miss her a lot.”

“I bet. One of my grandmothers died a few years ago too. You reminded me of her with how you were tearing that chicken up earlier.”

She laughed and shoulder bumped me. “I take it she liked fried chicken.”

“Hell yeah. She used to suck the bones.”

“I do that sometimes at home. The flavor that comes out of it is so good.”

I frowned as I stared at her. She couldn’t be serious. That was some old people shit. When she looked over at me, she laughed loudly. “Ferris! You’ve never done that?”

“Hell naw. I ain’t never had a desire to do that shit either.”

She nudged Ashanni and said, “You remember we used to suck the chicken bones sometimes?”

“Hell yeah. I still do that shit from time to time,” Ashanni said and laughed.

That had to be a country thang, because there was no way I was finna suck a damn bone like I was starving, when I could just get another piece of chicken. “I take it y’all suck the heads off crawfish too?” I asked then curled my lip up.

“Hell yeah. That’s where all the flavor is! Whew! I’m gon’ have to educate you, Ferris. You missing out.”

I slowly shook my head. “Naw, that’s alright. I’ll stick to my citified ways, and y’all can have that country shit.”

They laughed at my disgust, but I didn’t care.

Now, I would most definitely watch her wrap her lips around a chicken bone and suck it.

My thoughts were already taking me on a journey that would manifest in just a minute if I allowed my mind to run free.

I cleared my throat and ordered a drink when the waitress approached.

Once she left, her cousin who was seated next to Asad said, “I’m Maui. Those rowdy ass twins you met at the other rodeo are my older sisters.”

I chuckled. “Nice to meet you. Where y’all left them at?”

“They went back to school. They’re in medical school.”

“That’s what’s up. I hope one gives my cousin a chance. He likes one of them. I just don’t know which one.”

“Noni. She’s stubborn. She said as long as she’s in school, she ain’t got time to be entertaining a nigga.” She chuckled. “She’s stubborn like her father.”

Nearly everyone at the table rolled their eyes, but Milana lowered her head.

I was willing to bet he was the tall guy that went outside after her at the diner that day.

Maui reached across the table and grabbed her hand.

“I’m working on him, boo. I think he’s there.

So don’t be surprised if he approaches you when we get back. ”

Milana nodded, and I slid my arm around her waist. When she leaned into me, I knew that I needed alone time with her.

I didn’t know what was truly plaguing her or what she had done that disgusted everyone so much, but I knew that I wanted to love her through it.

Whatever it was. Apparently, it had a positive effect on her.

It could have possibly made her grow up, glow up, and rise up.

I wanted to believe that it made her a better person, no matter how recent it was.

I was ready to get to know who she was now, not who she was then.

We all fucked up sometimes. I leaned over and kissed her head.

I couldn’t help myself. She turned and stared into my eyes, then lightly pecked my lips.

I wanted to go all the fucking way after that.

Her lips were even softer than they looked.

I supposed after her giving me just that little bit, I would end up being like Asad.

She could use me until she used me the fuck up.