Page 11 of Half Sight Whole Heart

She turned, and my eyes glided down her backside in the little shorts she wore. Eriss had a nice round ass, her cheeks exposed at the bottom. Her hands flew to her ass, and she turned around, face now flushed.

“Sorry about my clothes. I wasn’t expecting company.”

“That’s how you go outside?” I countered.

“I mean, I was just taking the trash out. There’s no one outside,” she fired back. “The bathroom is down that hall to your left. Second door.”

Her home smelled faintly of vanilla. Clean.

I removed my slides by the door out of respect and took off down the hall.

I flicked the bathroom light on, and I ran water over my hands before pumping lemon-scented liquid soap into my palm.

I stared at my reflection for a second, my diamond chain resting against my shirt, waves holdin’ but needed a cut.

Still, the question in the air was, What the fuck was I doing here?

When I came back out, Eriss was in the living room, leaning against the arm of the dark brown leather couch. Her arms were still crossed over her chest.

“Why are you here?” she asked again.

“To check on you since I didn’t get to do it when you were at my shop. I see you got a vehicle. You need me to look at it for you?” I stretched my neck. “Where lil’ man?”

“Ermias is with his dad for the rest of the week. I guess his seeing me with another man around him put a lil’ fire under his ass to be a father to his son,” she said, letting out a short, suppressed laugh, then ran her tongue along her inner cheek.

“You trust that nigga like that?”

“Yeah, Delion is a foul nigga, but he was a good father to Ermias. Ermias can tell me when something is wrong, plus he has his tablet just in case he needs to reach me. To answer your question, I don’t need you to look at the Jeep; my dad did that. “

I held my hands up. “My fault, mama. I just…”

“You just what?” she queried.

My hands fell, and I squinted before running a hand down my face. “Shit, I don’t know.”

“You think because I have one working eye that I’m some fragile female.” Eriss smacked her lips. “Guess what? I’m not.”

I shook my head from side to side and replied, “I wasn’t thinking that shit at all. To be real, I don’t know why I’m compelled by you. I mean, you’re beautiful and I enjoyed the fair wit’ you, but I know I’m not good for you, yet…I’m still here.”

Eriss’ lips pressed together like she didn’t believe a word I said. Probably heard the bullshit from niggas before, but I was deadass. I ain’t never played wit’ a female’s mind or heart. I always let them know what it is and what the fuck it ain’t.

Headlights pulling into her driveway brought me to take long strides to her window. I peeked out, making sure it wasn’t no nigga on some bullshit. I’d left my Glock under my seat in the truck.

“You’re really nosy,” she laughed.

“Shiiit, Heartville ain’t my territory. That ain’t nobody but Mahlia. You told her I was over here?” I smirked.

“No, she comes over sometimes on her break. Just like you, she pops us. Must run in the family,” she jested, causing me to break out in a chuckle.

Sure enough, the knock came before the front door opened without waiting for permission.

“What the fuck is Zyro’s truck doing…” Mahlia hollered out, and her voice trailed when she saw us standing there. “What are you doing here?”

“Shit,” I answered. She had grocery bags in her hand.

Mahlia began to smile mischievously. “I like this.”

“There is nothing to like, Mahlia,” Eriss yapped. “He was just leaving.”

“Was I?” I challenged.

“And don’t you have something of mine you need to return?” She pushed off the couch and held a dainty hand out.

“I know you’re not talkin’ ‘bout that damn eye patch. I tossed that shit down the highway,” I told her. In reality, it was in my truck’s console.

Mahlia snickered. “What the hell y’all got going? Should I leave?”

“No,” Eriss said.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Leave.”

Mahlia giggled and shook a finger at me. “Let me put this ice cream for my nephew in this kitchen. I might need to sit here and eat because I am very entertained.”

She dipped into the kitchen while Eriss and I held a stare-down.

“You don’t need that patch, but I see you have extra.”

“Sometimes the sun hurts my eye, and I cover it too. It’s not always about me hiding it from the world,” she said in a soft tone.

I tucked my lips in and nodded. “I’ll give it back. Since I’m here, I can chill wit’ you for a moment. I did that long drive just to check on you and see my nigga, he ain’t even here.”

“Should do like normal people do and text first,” she mustered. “Why do you want to chill wit’ me? We both don’t want a relationship so…and Mahlia, it doesn’t take that long to put some damn ice cream up.”

Mahlia tiptoed back out of the kitchen with her shoulders up to her ears. “Y’all were having a moment. You know Leek tryin’ to figure out who Eriss is? He said your nose is so wide open…”

I waved that shit off. “He has his own problems to be worrying ‘bout my shit.” I looked back over to Eriss. “You gon let me chill?”

Mahlia’s brows rose, waiting for the Eriss’ response too.

“I…” Her eyes shot to my cousin, who bugged her eyes. “I…I guess.”

Mahlia squealed. “Well, I must go back to work. You two…have fun.” She wrapped her arms around me, and I kissed her forehead. Before leaving, she blew Eriss a kiss, who rolled her eyes.

Sighing, Eriss asked, “Can I get you anything to drink?”