Page 124 of Own It

“I’ll help, but only ’cause it’s right. Whomever his brother is, a nigga ain’t worried.” He waved me off.

“Thanks.” I rose, and he grabbed my hand.

“I can’t get nothing for being nice?” He frowned.

“Nigga!” I snatched my hand and switched out of the room once I’d opened the door.

I finished out my shift, doing table dances for a little while since I’d already worked the stage a couple hours ago.

After changing, I grabbed my things and slipped into my The North Face coat I’d been able to secure with the money Rakim had given me. I’d be looking at new apartments tomorrow and then a car for the next time he gave me money.

As I stepped outside, phone out to order my Uber since my Honda had died, I heard a loud car horn. Peering up, I spotted Mylo driving a black Denali, the passenger side window rolled down.

“Are you stalking me?” I sucked my teeth.

“Nah. I’m making sure you get a ride home. Come on.” He hit the locks.

“Rakim didn’t send you here to snap my neck or something, right?”

“Fuck would he do that for?” Mylo smiled, and for the first time since he’d reentered my life, I remembered he was actually cute.

He had smooth brown skin, a mustache and goatee combo, curly hair that he kept cut short, and a tall, lean frame. His smile was something, though, and he looked way finer when he wasn’t scowling like what I was used to seeing him do.

“’Cause you ran to him with your lies and rumors about me,” I half joked.

“I didn’t. Come on.” He waved for me to come closer, so I did after checking my surroundings once more, making Mylo shake his head at me. “I also wanna be sure you don’t take on no extra jobs while Zaire’s supposed baby is in ya stomach.”

“It’s not his supposed baby. It is his baby, and I’m not doing that nor looking to do it in the future now that Rakim is breaking me off so well.” I sank back into the seat, enjoying Mylo’s pleasant scent.

“Then why you dancing if he breaking you off so well?” He whipped the streets.

“Wanted to question someone I figured Zaire had bought pills from before to see if he sold him some bad shit,” I admitted, peering out of the window.

Glancing between me and the street ahead, he said, “Yeah? Me and Rah on that same shit. He tell you anything?”

“Nah, he didn’t do it. Said he’s too scared to sell anything harder than pills and weed.” I nibbled on the edge of my nail. “Told me he’d keep an ear out, though, to see if he can get me some information.”

“Aight, well you know where to bring whatever you hear, right?”

“Of course.” I glanced his way, admiring the hazel color of his eyes. Hm.

“You hungry?” Mylo offered, nearing my home.

“I am, but I have a little freezer burrito I plan to warm up and eat.” I bobbed my head, not wanting him to ask me to go eat or anything.

Not only was that weird considering my condition and his connection to my baby daddy, but I didn’t date. I wouldn’t even know how to have an outing with a man that didn’t involve drugs, alcohol, or sex. And the first two could no longer be apart of my life.

“Ugh. The fuck. I’m offering you real food, and you want that bullshit?” He shook his head, strong jaw moving before he licked his supple brown lips, causing me to lick my own as I basked in his side profile.

“I do. I got a whole bag from the grocery store, and they are my new obsession.” I picked my bag up from being on the floor between my feet. “I’m right here. Don’t pass it.”

Pulling over, Mylo eyed me as I put my phone up and got ready to get out of the car.

“Maybe we should exchange numbers in case you need anything.”

“Nah.” I hopped down onto the curb. “I got Rakim’s. Thanks for the ride. Night.” I slammed the door and hurried inside before the niggas noticed me and started hollering for my number.

Mylo was cute, but other than admiring one another, there was nothing else for us to do.