Page 21 of Lyric Squared

My calendar is marked each day that you’re away. I’m counting down until you come home like you’re coming home to me. Maybe one day, huh? Maybe soon?

The words that I’d remembered like my favorite line of a Jay track surfaced.

“Nah. They can burn all that shit.”

The gray sweats were the only thing I was bringing with me and that was only because I needed clothes on my back when Ileft. If leaving without a thread on my skin was possible, then I would’ve. I wasn’t bringing anything with me from my time in jail,except her words.

“Just baggage I don’t need or care for.”

“Bet,” Kale responded, hopping into the passenger seat of the matte black Grand Cherokee.

Laike. I knew who was behind the set of wheels that was in front of me. I’d mentioned purchasing the Trackhawk once on one of the rare calls I made home and this nigga had it delivered straight to the parking lot.

Phweooooooeeeet.I whistled, rounding the truck to get a good look at my new muscle.

“This nigga don’t miss,” I whispered.

Ready to get the hell out of dodge, I kept my admiration to a minimum. There would be plenty of time to learn more about my ride and its capabilities. For now, I wanted to put my current view in my rearview. Home was heavy on my heart.

I’m counting down until you come home like you’re coming home to me.

“Buckle up,” with a grunt, I advised Kale while I slid into the driver's seat.

“Say less.”

Though I wasn’t sure who Kale had pumping through the speakers, the bass on the track sounded superior coming from the speakers. I hiked it up a notch, bobbing my head as I accepted the iPhone that Kale handed me. The plastic was still on the screen. With a nod, I placed it in the cup holder and put the truck into gear.

Huffington Mills waswhere I rested my head, but Dooley was home. When I pulled into the gated community, making a pit stop at the security booth to give my name, contentment devoured me. It had been six months too long since I’d crossed the barriers. I vividly remembered the day that I surrendered my freedom. The morning was as somber as it came as I pulled out of my subdivision. To be home again meant everything.

I wept the night that you went away, and I find myself on my knees praying for your safe return every day.

As I pulled into the driveway, the words that I’d read a hundred times and remembered so well replayed in my head. I silenced the engine and hopped out of the car with Kale on my tail. He’d occupied my space for four months before entering his first semester of freshman year.

I paused briefly before stepping up to my door, allowing the security system that Laike had installed to identify me and have a chance to read my vitals. If they didn’t check out, then utilizing a key was necessary. When I heard the locks turn, I rejoiced inwardly.

“I uh,” Kale started, scratching the back of his neck, “I kind of…”

“Got some shit to get into?”

“If you don’t mind. If so, I can just cancel and hang with you.”

“It’s cool, kid. I’m not sweating it. Just be safe.”

“I will,” he promised, scurrying off toward the garage.

Before I went in, I’d given him my Camaro to have. I wouldn’t need it, and I was certain I’d be in search of a new set ofwheels by the time I touched down. Laike had already made that happen, so it wasn’t even on my agenda anymore.

I heard the roaring engine of Kale’s whip as I entered my home. The freshness was welcoming. Just as I’d requested, Luca had refurnished every inch of my pad. I walked into the newness that I’d craved the last three months of my bid. The earth tones blended well with the dominantly black pieces and revealed that there was a woman’s touch involved.

Hers?I wondered but as quickly as the thought surfaced another did.

This nigga,I chuckled as soon as my eyes landed on the large box of magnums. It was next to the Welcome Home sign. It had Luca’s bullshit written all over it.

Bypassing the madness happening on the console table, I headed upstairs to the master suite. There was one particular place I had in mind. When I breached its surface, I peeled every piece of clothing from my body.

Shit. It felt good to be out of the gray sweats. I replaced them with a pair of basketball shorts and a tank. Finally, I could breathe again because for the last six months, I felt like I was barely staying afloat.

Your presence takes me under. I feel like I’m floating most times, but since you’ve been gone it’s felt like I’m underneath the water, drowning.