Page 48 of All In

Low key, she hated that she even noticed his ass. Sure, he was attractive, and sure, she wanted the tea on how he really got his coin. But thiswasn’tthat. Newdy had Kormia curious. Curious in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. Kormia had been single and celibate for almost a year. She had cut ties with her ex wheezy when she found out he had a baby on the way. The girl? Turned out to be a regular at her salon. And she only found that out because she was tagged in a baby shower video in Philly’sversion of theShade room. That was the only other time Kormia had been genuinely embarrassed.

After that, she went no contact. Blocked him and hisentirefamily on everything and moved on with her life. The only reason she even entertained him again was because he gifted her a G-Wagon. And even that didn’t really move her. Wheezy had violated her.Publicly.

Kormia knew she could never love him again. She knew he was still dealing with his baby mom and whoever else would give him some because he wasn’t getting it from her. And honestly? She didn’t care. She used him for what he was good for.Money.She knew it was toxic. She knew she was technically sharing him. But in her mind, a piece of a man was better than no man at all.

Her eyes slid back to Newdy. The way he showed up for her tonight. That part… stayed with her. She wanted to thank him. Apologize. Acknowledge what he did for her. Nobody had ever stepped for her, the way he did tonight. Well, nobody except Jackie. So Newdy protecting her…or seeing she was worthy of protection hit different. She was about to speak when he beat her to it.

“How your arm feeling?”

“It’s cool,” she whispered, even though it was throbbing like hell.

“Ayo, stop lying about shit,” he said softly. “I know you in pain.”

She swallowed, then admitted, “It hurts. A lot.”

“You probably need to ice that Jawn,” he murmured, leaning over just enough to check her arm again. That small moment of concern made Kormia’s chest tighten. Before she could respond, the car speakers lit up.Incoming call: My Heart.Kormia’s stomach flipped. A soft female voice filled the car. Sweet. Breathy. A little too breathy for damn near five in the morning. “Mr. Parrish. Your mom wanted to know if you’re still coming.”Kormia froze. That voice sounded familiar. “Yeah,” he said calmly.

“I’m about fifteen minutes out.” The Woman giggled.Like Actually giggled.

I told you your mother has enough meds to get her through the afternoon. I know you had a long day, and you’re probably tired.”Kormia’s jaw tightened.Because who was this thirsty ass hoe. Kormia knew a manufactured sexy voice when she heard it, and homegirl was laying it on thick.

“Too late. I’m damn near there,” Newdy said, his tone warmer than she had heard.

And the bitch on the other end of the phone? Kormia could damn near hear her smile through the car speaker. “If you say so, Mr. Parrish.” Her voice dropped to a slow, breathy purr that sounded like a moan. That’s when Kormia Caught it. A ghost of a smile pulling at Newdy’s mouth. The first smile she’d seen from him ever. The woman giggled again. “You should see your mom’s face right now. You know she hates that I call you Mr. Parrish.” Newdy let out a quiet laugh.

“I keep telling you to cut that shit out. You got a nigga feeling old.”

“I can’t help it. It’s how I was raised.” Kormia blinked hard, because now she knew exactly who that voice belonged to.Malaya. Better known as@NurseLayon socials. A girl Kormia caught in Wheezy’s DM during their relationship. Malaya was one of those IG nurses turned lifestyle-fitness guru’s. She sold cheap ass scrubs, meal plans and e-books. Meanwhile, she laid on the table to get her curves. Kormia stomach sank even though she tried not to show it.

Was he really messing with this bitch?He did have her named saved underMy heartwith an emoji.But she could be on his momma phone.Kormia reasoned.That’s when she sat back and listened to their convo a in more depth. Apparently,Newdy’s mom just had surgery,plastic surgeryand Malaya was her private-duty nurse.Still, that didn’t explain away that smile. Nurse or not, she had this mean-ass man smiling, damn near blushing. And suddenly, the pain in her arm wasn’t the loudest thing in her body anymore. What Kormia felt now was sharp, unfamiliar, and sitting right in her chest.

“Ho is you cool?she thought, trying to check herself.

Kormia Brown was not the jealous type. Especially not over no nigga. Yet here she was, knee deep in feelings she didn’t understand.Girl, he don’t even like youshe tried to tell herself all while ignoring the thud in her chest. Then he spoke again. “Ayo, one of my folks got a pretty nasty bruise on her arm. You mind coming out and looking at it?” Malaya’s tone shifted instantly. “Oh. Sure,” She responded flat and dry. Kormia smiled to herself. Then leaned in, laying it on thick. “Thanks, sis. I’d really appreciate it.” With that, Newdy ended the call and Silence filled the truck again.

Kormia glanced out the window into the darkness, still trying to make sense of whatever was happening in her chest. Wherever they were going, it damn sure wasn’t in Philly. For the last few miles, it had been nothing but highways, trees, and wilderness. Then he spoke again. “My mom had surgery a few days ago. I forgot to drop off her meds. I’ll take you home after.” Kormia nodded, still looking out the window. That’s when she spotted the sign. “Wait… your mom live in Cheltenham?”

“Nah,” he said, turning onto a quiet private road. “Wyncote.”

“Oh.” She shifted in her seat. “So you from the burbs for real?”

“Nah.” She rolled her eyes.He was being short with her, and she wasn’t feeling it.

“Not you being mysterious.” He cut his eyes at her.

“Why you asking so many questions?”

“Boy, bye. I asked you two.”

“Two, too many.”

“Oh my God.” She threw her hands up. “I been in this car with you and your attitude for thirty minutes.” He scoffed. “Wait, I’m the one with the attitude?”

“And is,” she shot back. Until your little girlfriend called. That loosened you up some.” He stared at her like she couldn’t be serious. And that was enough to make her push it. “Maybe I need to ask questions like her,” she said, turning fake-breathy, mocking the girl’s tone. “Where you from, Mr. Parish…” That’s when it slipped. Playful, petty, and sarcastic. But the reaction?Priceless.

Newdy’s laugh came out before he could stop it, low, quick, and real.The first genuine laugh she’d ever heard from him all night.And Kormia hated how much she liked it. “You really a brat,” he said, pulling into a long driveway, that led to a beautiful stone house.

The house had a wrap-around porch with a beautiful Oak tree in the front yard. It had one of those porch swings that looked like benches and a beautiful dreamcatcher hanging in the arch way of the porch. The house looked straight out of a nineties after school special. Kormia could barely see anything, but even in the dark the house was beautiful. “This house is everything,” she whispered without thinking. “Sit tight. I won’t be long.” he said turning towards her willing her eyes to meet his. “Okay” Kormia nodded as her heart skipped a beat. That’s when she noticed a curvy silhouette on the porch.Malaya. Kormia braced herself as she watched as Malaya damn near skip to the car, before rounding the driver side in hopes of seeing Newdy. Kormia rolled down the window and her smiled disappeared almost instantly. And so did that fake syrupy voice.