Page 19 of His Favorite Felon

Instead, I got up and followed her into the bathroom, but only to grab my medication to quiet the voices before they even started and to grab something for this headache I had. I had almost stopped taking them, but then they started back up after Justice shared her release date.

“Why so much medication?” J asked as she sat on the toilet.

“You know I’ma old man, baby. I gotta be able to keep up with you.” I joked. I hadn’t told her about my diagnosis. I didn’t see a point since I had it under control. Everything was good, and everything was about to be even better once I got rid of Justice’s clingy ass.

When we were both dressed and ready to go our separate ways, I had to make sure we’d link up tonight. Like every night since our first date.

“Your place or mine,” I said as I grabbed my work bag.

She grabbed her jean jacket, then turned toward me.

“You know, I think we should take a beat. My life is about to look a little different by the end of next month, and I need to get my household in order.”

“J, Baby. I get it, I do, but you can’t go babysit another grown woman. You have a life of your own. You really gon’ let some bitch…”

“Chase, I really don’t want to keep arguing about this. Please, just drop it. I love you, but if this keeps being a problem, maybe we should end things,” she said sternly.

She was tired, and I was too. I didn’t want to keep arguing with her either, but damn. I just needed her to see what I saw and believe in me as I believed in her—and in us. I didn’t want our fucked up families to ruin our beautiful union.

I let her believe she was in charge, so I waved the white flag and walked closer until her back pressed against the wall. I kissed the tip of her nose, then her lips.

“You’re right. I apologize. I get protective of you and want to keep you safe from any trouble, but I’ll drop it.” I was honest, except for the part about me dropping it.

If she couldn’t do as I said, then I’ll take things into my own hands. I walked her to her car and then sent her on her way. I got in my car and headed to work.

I requested a job location change last week, and today was my first day in unit A. I wanted to avoid Justice and her excitement. Nothing about her release seemed worth a celebration. In fact, she threatened my relationship with my girl.

Justice was simply a placeholder, a warm, waiting hole as time went on. I won’t pretend I wasn’t captivated by her when I first saw her, but after my medication changed, I realized I wasn’t thinking clearly about her. I never truly wanted her. I didn’t understand the truth until I met my J baby.

But this time, I was positive J was the one. I’d put my life on it.

Part Two

Present Day - March 2026

CHAPTER 9

Chance

MARCH 7TH

I watched this woman walk around my crib. She was unlike any woman I’d come across. That’s if you didn’t count my sister, Chyanne. They both were bold, unfiltered, and confident.

It was refreshing to see a beautiful, curvy woman be so fearless. I didn’t really care for the meek behavior most women tended to portray, always acting innocent. That shit was lame to me. But Trouble was something else.

Turn up on me, baby. Curse me out and tell me how bad I got you fucked up.

At my age, I was looking for someone who could hold my attention. I didn’t want a yes woman, but rather someone who would challenge me, inspire me, and hold my interest long enough for me to believe we could build a life together. That thought took me by surprise because wanting a woman for anything but sex wasn’t me, but before I could give more to that thought, Trouble spoke, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“So this was the house you’d promised I’d live in, huh?”

I didn’t answer because, from her tone, it didn’t sound like a question meant for me to answer. It sounded more like a thought spoken out loud. I watched her intently as her fingers traced the back of my sofa. I followed her into the kitchen. Her soft hand brushed along the countertop before she came to a complete stop, facing me.

“You don’t have shit to say?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.

“About what, love?” I asked as I took a step closer.

I could see I made her nervous by how hard she swallowed, but she kept a cool face.