Makynzee
“How old is she?” Talking hurt, but curious cat and all that jazz. Kalil glanced at me then back at the road.
“30.”
Huh. I was right. “Why aren’t y’all together?” He kept his eyes on the road and didn’t answer right away. More curious.
“I opened the club right when we met. Trying to start a business takes away a lot of free time…she didn’t think I was actually working. She thought I was out messing around, so she decided to get even. I forgave her. I neglected her when it came to spending time with her and showing her attention so I tried to make it up to her. After she got pregnant with KJ she told me she’d never stopped seeing the guy. KJ might not be mine. I stayed with her. She could be carrying my child. When he was born we did a paternity test, she came home with me, but was stil
**Content Warning**MakynzeeRiley had been here this whole time, literally right under my nose. My coach lived fifteen minutes away from Kalil’s club. I felt numb. All this time she let me think she’d left. She let me think she’d abandoned me and left me with our mom. Our mom. She knew what happened. She kicked Riley out. Kalil’s eyes drifted to me repeatedly as he drove. Maybe he thought I would break down. I wouldn’t. Not yet, anyway. I didn’t even know what was going on. “I thought Riley left?” Kalil asked. So did I. I didn’t want to talk yet because he had questions that I knew I couldn’t answer. I connected my phone to the car radio and scrolled through my music.“I have a song for you.
**Content Warning**Kalil Mak was a mess right now, but tried to hide it from me. It was almost 3:00 AM. and she was still awake. I couldn’t imagine how she must be feeling. I never wanted to see Kaeden again, but the thought of him actually dead wasn’t something I wanted to consider. And Karmen? No. Fuck no. I wanted to ask Mak about her mom, but I didn’t really know how to approach it without seeming insensitive. I knew she hated wearing makeup, but there were a few times when she came to work wearing it. I wondered if it was to hide bruises. She’d have to get hit pretty hard for a bruise to show up on her dark skin. That was foul. I couldn’t let her go back home to that, but if I asked her to stay now it’d seem like it was only because of her mom.“I need to go home.”
Makynzee We were almost at Kalil’s and I was glad. I needed him to distract me from all of this. I wondered if he’d do it. He was always so gentle with me, never rushing, always careful to draw my pleasure out. That wasn’t what I needed right now, though. I wanted him to lose control, give me a different version of pain, so I’d have to make him mad. As soon as we got in the house, I kissed him. I pushed him against the wall and bit his bottom lip and he made a noise of protest, eyes narrowed as he watched me. I moved away from him and stared at him in silence as I took my shorts and shirt off. His eyes devoured my body, watching me as though I’d disappear any minute. I went back to him and took his shirt off. I kissed him and scraped my nails down his back. He grabbed my hands and pinned them behind my back, his eyebrows pinched in annoyance. Much better. I kissed him, pushed myself against him, and pulled my hands free before using my body to f
MakynzeeAs I finished at the salon, I heard Jay’s ringtone.“My ride stood me up, said he had to go help your man with something, so I feel it’s only fair that you get your ass to this airport and pick me up.”I wondered what Kalil was up to as I made my way to the house to switch cars and then to the airport. There was no way all of her bags would fit in the tiny trunk of the coupe. When I made it to the airport, she was waiting outside. She had a lot of bags, so I guessed that meant she was staying for a while, and switching cars was a good idea.She hugged me and said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”“You’re here now.”“Where we eating? I’m starved.”“Kalil took me to this one spot I’d never heard of before; they have good catfish.”“Good, I haven’t had catfish in forever.”Of course, he would call while we were talking about him.“Hey,” I answered.“What you doing?”“Just picked Jay up. What you got Donte helping you with that’s so im
Kalil “Get ‘em out of here, clean this shit up.” I didn’t speak to anyone in particular, but Bruce moved first. “You should probably relocate, don’t let me see you again,” I said to Cam before hitting him in his face with the bat. I hoped he was dead, but I knew he wasn’t. It was probably good that Mak walked in and stopped us, but I didn’t need her to see this. She already asked questions I couldn’t answer. I cleaned up and changed clothes, then headed out to the bar to find her. I spotted them at the bar, exactly where she said they’d be. Jaida spoke to Donte, arms waving wildly, while he looked everywhere but at her. Mak sat next to them, staring at the stage, eyebrows pinched. I followed her eyes and saw Dynasty onstage. I almost smiled. I thought she was done with Dynasty, but I guessed not. When I got to her, I took her hand and led her outside. Jaida and Donte follow.“We’ll meet y’all there,” Donte told Jaida.“You mean after you g
Kalil Clouds rolled and rain was imminent. The funeral was being held at the gravesite. On the ride over Mak told me that her mom used to tell her if it rained the day of a funeral the person was going to Heaven. She said it didn’t rain the day of her dad’s funeral and hadn’t spoken a word since. The only time she let go of her death grip on my hand was when I stood in as a pallbearer. Chino, Ralphie, Bruce, and Donte volunteered as well, along with others I didn’t know. There were two caskets. It nearly destroyed me when Donte and I carried the tiny white one. Mak wore dark shades so I couldn’t tell what she looked at. Jaida’s shades weren’t as dark, so I could see her watching Mak. The minister asked if anyone would like to say anything and Mak’s coach stood up. I couldn’t remember his name—Calvin? He stood beside the casket and looked down at Riley. His mouth opened, and a sob came out as he crumpled against the podium. Someone helped him
KalilWe went straight home from there. I made Mak take the pain meds she had just so she’d sleep and she’d been knocked out for hours. Jaida insisted on her and Donte staying the night at our place and I didn’t care. I just wanted Mak to be fine. I went upstairs, ready to crawl in bed with her and was surprised to see her awake.“Hey. Feeling better?” I asked as I sat down beside her. I wasn’t sure if that was another stupid question, but she nodded.“I guess I owe you a few explanations,” she said as she pulled me closer to her.I kissed her forehead then looked in her gorgeous brown eyes. “You don’t owe me anything, but I’m curious.”“When we were younger Riley always acted like she was my mom, telling me what I could and couldn’t do. I hated it, except for when I would get sick and she would sing to me at night to help me fall asleep. H
When we got back to the house I tried to wrestle with KJ, but he didn’t want to. He went to Mak and turned into a snitch. “Daddy hurt my belly.” She brought him over to me and held my hands while he did his version of punching me in my stomach. When I pretend to cry, but he ignored me. His attitude sucked. They went into the kitchen and I laid down on the couch. I could hear them singing and laughing as I started to doze off. After a while silence permeated the air and I sat up. “KJ, sweetie, no. You’re supposed to tell me when you have to potty.” “I sorry! Please, no my hurt. I not do it again.” His little voice was laced with panic and fear and I could tell he was crying. Mak let out a gasp before speaking, her voice soft. “KJ, I would never hurt you. I know it was just an accident, stop crying. How about we go change your clothes and you can play with your toys in the bath tub.” He didn’t stop crying and watched as they came out of