Page 97 of Own It

“Look at you.” I chuckled, making him pick me up so I could sit on his desk.

“Fuck you laughing at?” He frowned jokingly, standing extra close to me, and like always, I got hot just from being near him. “Those my beginning days. I was skinny as shit, but I weighed a lot because I was tall as hell.”

“Yeah, I see.” I giggled. “I would’ve still liked you.” I glanced up at him, and we exchanged coy smiles.

“Even if you didn’t, I would’ve got you. You would’ve been in love with an ugly nigga.”

“You weren’t ugly, just scrawny and tall.” I elbowed him.

“With the same big dick.” He pressed it against me, making me suck my teeth as he chuckled.

I made my way through more pictures, watching Rakim get his weight up and transform into the man I recognized him to be seemingly right before my eyes.

“Ugh.” I scoffed, seeing LaMia sort of hidden in the audience of one of the photos. “Definitely would’ve taken you from her,” I jested.

Grinning, Rakim made me face him, wedging himself between my legs as I sat atop the desk.

“You definitely could’ve.”

“Actually, . . . I don’t like niggas that can be taken. Means you’re not loyal.” I tried to remain serious through my playfulness as he kissed on my neck, caressing my ass and hips.

“Word?” he asked lowly as I nodded, fighting to keep my eyes open from the feeling he gave me. “Guess I would’ve been disloyal ’cause I’d never let a girlfriend keep me from my wife.” He laid me back on the desk. “Perfect ass.”

I tried to scoff but instead blushed, making him smirk cockily as his hands drifted up my dress to take off my underwear.

* * *

I sat outside of my parents’ house, not in the mood to go inside and be interrogated about my time with Rakim. Not to mention it was hard not to show my emotions on my face when even just his name was mentioned.

My father wouldn’t notice, but my mom would. She could instantly tell when I had crushes on certain boys in high school just from witnessing me speak to them. So if she caught me blushing or becoming flustered at the mention of my time away, she’d know what was going on.

In my adult years, I was never the girl who would become warm at the simple thought of a man. I would usually need to see them or be in the same proximity, but with Rakim, I would recall a conversation we had or even just see his name on my phone, and this unexplainable feeling would overcome me. If this was how Josias made Kasia feel, I understood her plight.

Climbing out of the car, I made my way up to the front door of my childhood home and rang the doorbell.

“She’s here!” Serene announced, yanking the door open and clutching a glass of champagne.

I knew since she was drinking, her husband and children weren’t here, which I was bummed about. I missed Grace and Jeremiah. I could assume Cairo’s son also wasn’t in attendance.

“Damn, I can’t make myself known?” I hugged her before removing my jacket.

“No, because they’ve been pacing and worried you wouldn’t show up.” Serene switched off, and I trailed her into the dining room that my mother had completely set out.

My mother was superwoman for real. She was an esteemed doctor but also bore three children and still cooked at times. I got exhausted just thinking about those days growing up when she was so present that my siblings and I took it all for granted. I didn’t realize how hard things probably were for her until the mighty gift of hindsight.

“Honey.” She floated over to me and embraced me.

“What’s up, kid?” Cairo hugged me next, calling me the nickname he always used since we were children.

“Hey.” I kissed him and then greeted my father before taking a seat at the table.

We filled our plates up and had small, meaningless conversation, or at least my siblings and parents did since I didn’t really wanna talk. My family and I were never close like that because of our difference in opinion on what career I chose, but I mainly didn’t want to converse about my time with Rakim.

“So have you seen the boy since you’ve been back?” My dad referred to Shaun.

“I actually have, and you will be happy to know that he and I have broken up.” I gave my father a sidelong glance.

He tried to smother a smile, but it was a futile effort.