Page 28 of Love, Restricted
I looked over at her, and she looked more annoyed than anything.
“Nah, this ain’t Mycah,” I said. My voice was calm but stern.
“Who the fuck is this?” His tone was full of anger, but that shit didn’t faze me.
“A man you don’t want any problems with. I’m going to say this once and once only. Mycah doesn’t want to talk to you, which is why she hasn’t been answering your calls. Make this the last time we have to have this conversation.”
I glanced over at Mycah, and she nodded in agreement. Answering her phone was my way of showing her that I would protect her from whatever she needed protecting from. This dude didn’t know where she lived, at least I hoped he didn’t. If by chance he found out and did something to her, even just talking, he wouldn’t like the outcome. He probably didn’t think she moved on or had someone to watch her back, but that wasn’t the case. She had me now. Girlfriend or not, it was my duty to keep bullshit out of her life.
“Fuck you. And when I find you and her, I’m fucking both of y’all up.”
He probably was the type that talked shit but was afraid of fighting men. Niggas that abused women were cowards.
“Try if you want to. I hope you like stripes, nigga.” I hung up the phone because I wasn’t going to go back and forth with him. I also wouldn’t be fighting him if we ever crossed paths. I was too old to fight anybody. I’d rather just lock their asses up. A worthless person wasn’t going to have me sore the next day. I dealt with enough stuff at work. But, if it came down to it, I would have no problem showing him or anyone else what these hands could do, or they could look down the barrel of my gun. I knew how to easily claim something as self-defense.
“I had a feeling it was him,” Mycah said when she took the phone from my hand.
“I did, too, when you told me about the calls. Hopefully, he’ll stop now.”
We arrived at my house, and I pulled into the driveway. I needed to ask her a couple of questions before we got out, though. I liked her for real, but I had to see where her head was at before things went any further.
“Do you think you are healed from that situation?” I opened the windows halfway and shut the engine off.
“I am. I was healed before I even left my home. I only left when I did because he came to my job and busted my car windows. I know every man isn’t like him, so I don’t want to make anyone else pay for his mistakes. You’ve been nothing but nice to me since the moment we met, and I appreciate that. Granted, most people are nice in the beginning, but it’s something about you that makes me feel like you wouldn’t be like that. Everyone at work seems to admire you, and a few people have spoken highly of you. Am I scared about finding love again? Yes, but that won’t stop me from trying.”
I didn’t rush to respond, because I wanted her words to really sink in. I also wanted to give her time to say something else if sheneeded to. After a beat, I turned the key to put the windows back up. Mycah looked confused by my actions, but I just chuckled.
“I appreciate you for being open to trying. I know words are just that, but you don’t have to worry about me treating you the way he did. My parents would kick my ass if they knew I treated a woman like that. Again, I may have been in situations that the women didn’t agree with, but I never disrespected anyone. And I need you to know that I can effectively communicate. I don’t agree with arguing or any of that toxic shit. There’s ways to get your point across without yelling and carrying on.”
“I agree. I also appreciate you for not holding my past against me.”
“I wouldn’t do that, because I wouldn’t want anyone to do that to me. Now that all of that is situated, let’s go inside so we can continue our date.” I opened the door, then went around to help her out of the car.
Mycah held my hand as we walked up the few steps that led to my front door. I entered the house first because I didn’t want her to be startled by Shadow.
“You remember Mycah?” I asked Shadow as he walked toward her.
Mycah bent down to pet him and she talked to him for a minute, before I told him to go to his room.
After I made sure the door was locked and the alarm was set, I led Mycah into the living room.
“Sir, why is it like an icebox in here?” Mycah asked as she rubbed her arms.
“That’s how I like it. I can adjust the temp if you want.”
“Just a little, please.”
I walked to the thermostat as she sat on the couch. My thermostat stayed at sixty-eight degrees, and to me, it was perfect. I turned it up a few degrees to warm it up some.
“My bad. You remind me of my sister. She hates coming over here unless we are going in the backyard. My brother doesn’t care either way.”
“I think most women like warmer temps, so I can see that. Thank you for adjusting it.”
“Of course, I want you to be comfortable. Oh shit, I forgot about the cakes in the trunk. Let me grab those real quick. Would you like something to drink?”
“Water is fine.”
I nodded, then stood. I had to disarm the alarm to go outside, so I did that, then went to the car. After I had the cakes, I went back inside to put them in the fridge and to get some water. I wasn’t sure how long Mycah would stay since she had to get back to her dog, but I would keep her for as long as she allowed me to.
