Chapter ten

Maila Kolbi
Atlanta, Georgia
September 7th, 2024 (Saturday)

As I clicked on Micah’s contact, I couldn’t help but glance at KD, and a wave of pure embarrassment washed over me.

How did I even end up in this situation?

The phone rang three times before the FaceTime call connected, and Micah’s face appeared on the screen.

“Wassup?” He smiled, the background lit up with dim LED lights and the sound of music playing. I could hear Cameron’s voice talking trash in the background.

“Hey, um… are you busy?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Nah, me and Cameron playing 2K at his crib. Why? What’s up— and why you outside?” He squinted at the screen, noticing the dark street behind me.

I sighed. “Uh… long story. But my friend’s car broke down, and we need someone to come take a look at it.”

“What friend you got?” Cameron’s voice cut in as he leaned into the frame, raising an eyebrow.

“You know… Kamiya. And, um… some new friends.” I said the last part nervously, shifting the camera slightly so they couldn’t see KD lingering in the background.

Micah’s expression turned suspicious. “Wait, who’s that dude in the back?”

Cameron leaned closer. “Yeah, move the camera, let me see.”

Panic shot through me. I quickly angled the phone toward a random tree. “Uh—that’s just a tree! Micah, can you just come get us or help, please?” I rushed out.

He exhaled. “Fasho, send me your lo—”

“Ohhh baeeeee,” KD’s voice suddenly rang out behind me.

Oh my God.

I hung up so fast.

I took a deep breath, praying Micah didn’t hear that last part, and sent him my location.

KD wrapped his arms around me out of nowhere, rocking us side to side like we were some happy couple.

“Ughhh, I miss you. You was too far away from me,” he whined.

I rolled my eyes. “You think I could get your jacket? I’m freezing out here.” I rubbed my arms for emphasis, hoping he’d take the hint.

He scoffed. “Then what I’ma wear? I ain’t got a shirt on under this.” Instead of giving me his jacket, he pulled out yet another blunt and lit it, inhaling deeply.

“You wanna hit it?” He smirked, passing it toward me.

I forced a smile. “Umm, no thank you.”

He exhaled a cloud of smoke and grinned. “Man, I know we gon’ be a good couple. You match my vibe.” He nodded to himself like he just made a life-changing realization.

I blinked. Is he serious?

Before I could respond, he leaned in. “But back to what I was saying—”

Oh no.

“Are you a swallower or spitter type of lady?”

My mouth dropped.

I choked on my own breath. “Excuse me?!”

He smirked. “What? I’m just tryna get to know you.”

I held up my hand. “Uh, yeah. Let’s not get to know each other like that.”

He shrugged. “Aight, cool, cool. So, what’s your favorite song?”

I exhaled, relieved at the subject change. “Oh, um… I love R&B. More like Jhene Aiko and Summer Walker type of vibe.”

KD grinned. “Bet. My favorite song is Sex on the Beach by PartyNextDoor.”

Of course it is.

I nodded slowly. “Yeah… I like some of his songs too.”

KD smirked. “Aight, but what’s your favorite song to have sex to?”

I stared at him, my face deadpan.

We’re really going in circles here.

I forced a laugh, shaking my head. “Umm, I don’t really think about stuff like that.”

KD raised an eyebrow. “Ain’t no way. You telling me you ain’t got a song that just put you in that mood?”

I let out a slow breath, trying to keep my patience. “Nope. I just like music for listening.”

He smirked. “You just frontin’. I bet when we—”

I held up a hand real quick. “We not doing anything, so you can go ahead and stop that sentence.”

As KD laughed, taking another puff from his blunt, I saw headlights appear, parking behind KD’s car. But it wasn’t just any car. It was Micah’s.

Thank you, God.

Micah stepped out, dressed in a gray hoodie, sweats, slides, and his Nike head cap, moving like he had all the time in the world. The moment his car door shut, another one opened.

Cameron.

I sighed. Of course, Cameron came too.

“I know damn well that’s not Kamiya,” Cameron called out, clapping his hands together like he just heard the funniest joke of his life.

Kamiya immediately tensed behind me. “You didn’t tell me Cameron was with him.”

I shrugged. “You’re the one who told me to call Micah. They’re friends.”

Cameron looked Kamiya up and down before throwing his hands up. “Who’s this dude, Kamiya? And what the hell do you have on?”

Before she could respond, Micah’s sharp gaze landed on me. He didn’t say anything at first—just took me in from head to toe, then glanced around me, his face unreadable.

I cleared my throat. “Cameron, it’s just a little date. Don’t overthink this—”

“A date?” Micah cut in, his voice slow, like he wasn’t sure he heard me right.

Cameron’s whole expression twisted. “Nigga, I don’t give a fuck what this is. Kamiya, get your ass in this car and stop playin’ with me.” Then he turned to Connor, who had been suspiciously quiet this whole time. “And I swear, you open your mouth, I’m busing you right in it.”

Connor held up his hands. “Man, I ain’t even say nothin’.”

Micah, still looking around, ran a hand over his jaw. “Y’all good? Why are y’all even out here in the cold and dark?”

“That’s what I wanna know,” Cameron added, crossing his arms.

“Well, we sorta—”

“Baaabe!” KD’s voice rang out behind me, and before I could react, he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. “I just got a new song idea,” he murmured in my ear.

Oh Lord, take me now.

Micah’s whole face changed. His eyes went straight to KD’s hands around me.

KD, completely oblivious, grinned. “Babe, these your friends?”

“Babe?” Micah repeated, his voice lined with disbelief.

Cameron let out a loud laugh. “Wait—this not no two-man, is it?”

“Um…” I swallowed, suddenly wishing I could disappear. “Micah, this is KD. KD, this is…”

“Her man,” KD finished for me, grinning like he just won something.

Micah let out a short laugh, clapping his hands once. “Oh, that’s crazy.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I snapped, pushing KD off me. “He’s just—KD.”

KD clutched his chest like I just broke his heart. “Damn, babe, we was just talkin’ about sex earlier, and now I’m just KD?”

I’m going to pass away right here in this parking lot.

Micah’s head snapped toward me. His expression unreadable. “What?”

I threw my hands up. “I swear, he’s just high—”

Micah shook his head, laughing. “Nah, I can’t listen to this no more. Where’s the damn car?”

He brushed past me without waiting for an answer, heading straight to the hood of Connor’s car. Meanwhile, Kamiya and Cameron were off to the side, loudly arguing about something.

“Aye bro, you got a jack?” Micah asked KD, his voice laced with impatience.

KD blinked. “The hell is a jack?”

Micah froze. Then, real slow, he turned to look at me. “You messin’ around with dudes who don’t even know what a car jack is?” He exhaled, shaking his head. “Man… I got one in my car.”

Before anyone could say anything else, KD clapped his hands together. “Cool. I’m finna go take a leak real quick. I’ll be back.” He leaned in like he was about to kiss my cheek.

I shoved him so fast. “Umm, no.”

Micah just laughed as he walked past me toward his car. I followed behind him, beyond embarrassed.

When he popped his trunk, I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Micah glanced at me, shaking his head.

“Ahh, you cheating on me is crazy,” he muttered, pulling out the car jack. “But cheating with that dude? That’s even crazier.”

“Micah, please,” I groaned. “He’s not my boyfriend. He just calls me ‘babe.’ This is our first date and very last one.”

Micah laughed again, tossing his hoodie off, leaving him in just a t-shirt. “And then he said y’all hooking up?” He shook his head, chuckling. “Nah, that’s wild.”

I shivered, rubbing my arms. The cold air was really starting to settle in now.

Micah noticed. “Come here.”

I hesitated, but I stepped closer, and before I could process what was happening, he slid his hoodie over my head. It was so oversized, it fit me like a dress.

I couldn’t help but smile. He was always such a gentleman.

But then I looked at his arms. Micah had a full sleeve of tattoos, his muscles defined, his veins subtly visible in the dim light. “Wait—you’re gonna be cold now.”

Micah just smirked. “Okay? I’d rather be cold than let you freeze.” He jerked his chin toward KD. “Clearly, your man don’t care.”

I groaned. “Micah, this is not funny.”

“Oh, it’s hilarious,” he said, still smirking. “And I’ma keep laughin’ till it ain’t.”

With that, he slammed his trunk shut, hoisting the car jack like this whole night wasn’t pure chaos.

I huffed as we walked over to the car, watching as Micah crouched down and started pumping it up before getting to work.

“Ohh, bae—man, it’s cold as hell out here,” KD muttered beside me, rubbing his hands together.

I was so ready for this night to be over.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Mommy iMessage.

Mommy: Hey, me, your dad, and Keyla are at Uncle Marvin’s for the night. I don’t want you staying by yourself, so stay at a friend’s place, please. I love you.

Me: Okay, Mom. I love you more.

I sighed, locking my phone and rolling my eyes. Great. Now I had to figure out where I was staying.

Meanwhile, KD was off to the side mumbling to himself, coming up with song lyrics like this was just another regular night.

Micah slid out from under the car, dusting off his hands. “Yeah, you need a new motor and transmission. But there’s enough fluid to drive it down to that store over there. After that, you’re definitely gonna need a tow truck.”

Connor and KD both groaned.

“Ahh, damn.” KD exhaled, then turned to me with that grin on his face. “Come on, bae, you comin’ with me?” He pulled out yet another blunt, completely unfazed by the disaster of a night we were having.

Is this fool serious?

Connor cleared his throat, turning to Kamiya. “Yeah, so… about tonight…”

“Hell no,” Cameron cut in before Connor could even finish. “She’s coming to my house.” Then, without waiting for an answer, he grabbed Kamiya’s wrist and dragged her toward Micah’s back seat.

Micah shook his head, laughing. “Yeah, nah. Malia’s not going anywhere with you, dawg. Sorry.”

See, this is what husband material looked like—not whatever hood thug nonsense KD had going on.

KD nodded like he didn’t care, then turned to me, smirking. “Cool. I’ll text you, bae.” He blew me a kiss, and I barely resisted the urge to dodge it.

Micah just rolled his eyes.

We walked back to the car, and as always, Micah opened the door for me before sliding in himself.

The moment we were inside, he smirked. “So… your boyfriend’s nice.”

Cameron and Micah both burst out laughing as I rolled my eyes, sinking into my seat.

I was never living this down.

After we dropped Kamiya and Cameron off at his house, we pulled off, sitting in silence.

“You ate?” Micah asked, breaking the quiet as he drove.

“Uhhh, no, but I’m not hungry,” I said, staring out the window.

Micah turned the car into the McDonald’s parking lot and pulled up to the drive-thru.

“Welcome to McDonald’s. How can I help you?”

“Lemme get a Big Mac, please, with a Sprite, no onions,” Micah said, pulling out some cash.

“Alright, that’ll be $8.45. Please pull around.”

Micah pulled around, waiting behind a car, then glanced at me, shaking his head.

“Never thought you’d cheat, man. I thought you were loyal,” he said with a grin, turning around in his seat.

“For the millionth time, he’s not my actual boyfriend, and I am loyal. I wouldn’t cheat on anyone—especially not him,” I replied, my voice firm.

Micah raised an eyebrow. “Mhmm. Where did y’all even go?”

“Denny’s,” I groaned, rolling my eyes. “And, oh my god, Micah, it was horrible. He chews with his mouth open, and the whole time, he talked about sex, this and that. He’s a rapper.”

“A rapper?” Micah raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, but not a good one. It was horrible. Then I had to pay for the dinner—or whatever you wanna call it,” I added, my frustration clear.

Micah laughed before pulling forward to the window.

He paid for the food, grabbed it, and passed it to me.

“So where am I taking you? Mr. Rapper’s house?” Micah said, laughing.

“Not a chance in hell I’m going over there,” I said, shaking my head. “But honestly, I don’t know where to go. My parents are out, and Kamiya and Cameron are together. I’m assuming Skylar’s with Keith.” I scrolled through my contacts.

“Hell yeah, Cameron’s about to give Kamiya that act right in about three minutes,” he said with a grin.

“Act right?” I looked at Micah, confused.

“They finna hook up, pretty much,” he smiled, leaning back in the seat.

He squinted his eyes and looked at me. “How come you wear makeup on dates with me, but he gets the natural look?”

I looked at him, surprised. “You noticed?”

“Duhhh, I notice everything. And you look better without it, but either way, you’re still pretty.” He grabbed a fry from my bag, popping it in his mouth.

“Well, thank you,” I said, my cheeks warming. “But honestly, I don’t know where to go. I have no clothes, no nothing.”

“You can come to my house,” Micah shrugged. “My people wouldn’t care.”

“You sure, Micah? I don’t wanna get you in trouble.”

“Nah, you’re good. But for real, you can come to my house if your boyfriend says it’s cool,” he teased.

“Bye, Micah,” I rolled my eyes, looking out the window.

He laughed and drove toward his house.

But I couldn’t stop smiling. Because I was going to Micah’s house.

As we walked into his house, the space felt huge, almost too quiet. I followed him inside, trying to hide my nerves, but a smile kept creeping onto my face. He closed the front door behind us, and I could feel the weight of the silence in the air. It was almost peaceful. Too peaceful, considering everything going on in my mind.

He motioned for me to follow him upstairs. We walked down a long hallway, and I couldn’t help but feel like we were entering some sort of secret world. Finally, he opened a door at the back and turned on the light, revealing his room.

“Wow, your room is huge,” I said, my eyes widening as I looked around. I had expected something nice, but this? It was next level. Micah chuckled.

“Yeah, I had to beat my sisters to it. But yeah, this is my lair, I guess,” he said, walking into his bathroom.

I set my purse down on his nightstand and spotted a picture frame. A lady with long, dark hair was holding a baby, and when I looked closer, I saw the baby had those same hazel eyes as Micah.

“Aww, baby Micah,” I smiled, picking up the frame.

“Oh, brother,” Micah’s voice echoed from the bathroom. “Yeah, that’s me. Still cute, right?” He winked at me before walking out.

I set the photo back down and took in the rest of his room. Trophies, letters, and pictures of Cameron and Keith and him were scattered all around. And then there was the massive shoe collection. I couldn’t help but smile, shaking my head.

Micah came back into the room with more pillows in his hands. “Alright, I’m gonna shower, then I’ll find you some clothes or something,” he said, placing the pillows on the bed.

I pulled out my charger and plugged it in while I heard the shower start. I leaned back on Micah’s bed, scrolling through TikTok and responding to comments. The sound of water running was oddly calming, and for a moment, I let myself just… be. It felt good.

“Bubba, you home?” A soft voice suddenly broke the quiet. The door opened to reveal a light brown-skinned little boy with curly hair hanging down and brown eyes. He was holding a controller in his hand. He looked at me and smiled.

He walked over, sitting beside me, his voice bright. “Hey, I’m Micah’s older brother,” he said, extending his hand.

He’s adorable, I thought, shaking his hand. “Hi, I’m Malia. You must be Aiden.”

Aiden smiled even wider. “Are you Bubba’s girlfriend? You’re cute,” he asked, grinning like Micah.

I froze for a moment, then smiled back. “No, we’re just friends.”

“Oh, so you’re single?” His face lit up, and he continued, “Can you give me some advice? I have a girlfriend, but she likes to play with other boys on the playground, and I don’t like that.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Micah stepped out of the bathroom, dripping wet, his dreads hanging low, with no shirt on and wearing basketball shorts and black Nike socks.

“Wassup, Aiden?” Micah said, smiling as he walked over to throw his dirty clothes in the hamper.

“Hey, Bubba,” Aiden greeted, then turned to me. “I met your friend, Malia, but she says she’s not your girlfriend. It’s because you didn’t ask her,” he teased.

My face froze, and I shot a glance at Micah, who was grinning.

“I did not say that,” I said, trying to keep my smile steady.

They both laughed.

“I’m just kidding, Malia. But Bubba, goodnight,” Aiden said, dapping Micah up before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Micah laughed, looking through his drawer as he pulled on a white T-shirt.

“Alright, I think you could fit this,” he said, tossing me some gray basketball shorts and a shirt.

“Micah, this looks like a nightgown on me,” I said, standing up to hold up the shirt, which practically reached my knees.

He laughed. “Yeah, you’re tiny, and that’s all I got. My sisters’ rooms are locked since they’re in college, so that’s all I could find.”

“Okay,” I said, grabbing the clothes quickly and heading to the bathroom to change.

When I came out, the shirt still hung low, and I shook my head, walking back into the room.

Micah looked at me and laughed. “Alright, you can have the bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch,” he said, grabbing a pillow.

“You’re gonna leave me in here by myself?” I asked, glancing around.

“Nah, the one over there,” he said, pointing to a couch in the corner of the room.

“Oh, Micah, you can have your bed, and I’ll sleep there if you want,” I offered.

“Nah, you straight. Have the bed,” he said, settling back.

“Really, Micah? This bed’s huge. We both can fit here. There’s still space,” I said, looking over at him.

“You sure? I don’t want to cross boundaries,” he said, looking at me, his tone teasing yet cautious.

“Oh, please, Micah, you’re fine,” I said, sliding into the bed. “Alright,” he shrugged and turned off the light.

He locked the door and slid into bed, lying on top of the covers, then pulled a blanket over himself while I snuggled under the sheets.

“Goodnight, Micah,” I said softly, kissing his forehead before rolling over.

“Night, pretty,” he said, his voice quiet but warm.

I closed my eyes, the sound of his breathing in the dark making me smile. I couldn’t help it. Maybe things weren’t as complicated as I’d once thought. Maybe they were just… easy.

---

The next morning, I woke up to the soft hum of sunlight filtering through the blinds. For a second, I forgot where I was, until I felt the oversized shirt bunched around me and caught the faint scent of Micah’s cologne lingering in the air. I blinked, turning my head to see him still asleep, sprawled out on his side of the bed, one arm flung over his face. His chest rose and fell steadily, and I couldn’t help but notice how peaceful he looked.

Okay, Maila, don’t stare, I scolded myself, sitting up slowly so I wouldn’t wake him. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I grabbed it, squinting at the screen.

Kamiya: Yo, you good? Cameron’s still mad, but I’m at his place. Where you at?

I sighed, typing back quickly.

Me: I’m fine. Stayed at Micah’s. Long story, I’ll tell you later.

I glanced at Micah again, my mind replaying last night. The way he’d shown up without hesitation, teased me about KD but still made sure I was okay, and then gave up his bed—or at least tried to. It wasn’t just that he was nice. It was how he made everything feel… safe. Like I didn’t have to pretend or overthink.

My phone buzzed again, this time with a message from my mom.

Mommy: Morning, baby. You okay? Where’d you end up staying?

Me: Morning, Mom. I’m good, stayed with a friend. I’ll be home soon. Love you.

I set my phone down and stretched, the oversized shirt slipping off one shoulder. I tried to fix it, but it was hopeless. Micah wasn’t lying about me being tiny in his clothes.

As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, I heard a soft groan behind me. Micah stirred, rubbing his eyes before propping himself up on one elbow.

“Yo, you up already?” he mumbled, his voice rough with sleep.

“Yeah,” I said, turning to face him. “Didn’t wanna wake you. You looked like you were out cold.”

He chuckled, sitting up and running a hand through his dreads. “Man, after last night? I needed that sleep. You good, though?”

I nodded, smiling. “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for… everything. Seriously.”

He waved it off, standing up and stretching. His shirt rode up slightly, and I quickly looked away, focusing on folding the blanket I’d used. Not the time, Maila.

“Aight, lemme get you some breakfast or something before you head out,” he said, heading toward the door. “You like pancakes?”

“Who doesn’t like pancakes?” I replied, following him downstairs.

The kitchen was just as spacious as the rest of the house, with sunlight streaming through big windows. Micah moved around like he owned the place, pulling out a box of pancake mix and a skillet with a practiced ease.

“You cook?” I asked, leaning against the counter, genuinely curious.

He grinned over his shoulder. “Don’t sound so shocked. I’m not out here burning water or nothing. Me and Aiden make breakfast all the time.”

I laughed, watching as he mixed the batter. “Okay, chef. Impress me.”

“Oh, I will,” he said, winking before pouring the batter onto the hot skillet.

As the pancakes sizzled, the smell of butter and syrup filled the air, and I felt my stomach rumble. Maybe I was hungrier than I’d thought. We fell into an easy conversation—about school, his basketball season, my cheerleading plans—nothing heavy, just… comfortable.

A few minutes later, Aiden bounded into the kitchen, his curls bouncing as he climbed onto a stool next to me.

“Morning, Malia!” he chirped, grabbing a juice box from the counter. “You stayin’ forever?”

Micah snorted, flipping a pancake. “Chill, lil’ man. She’s got her own house.”

I laughed, ruffling Aiden’s hair. “Not forever, but I’ll come back to visit, okay?”

“You better,” Aiden said, pointing at me with his juice box. “Bubba’s happier when you’re here.”

My heart did a little flip, and I glanced at Micah, who was suddenly very focused on the pancakes. Happier, huh?

“Alright, food’s ready,” Micah announced, sliding plates in front of us. The pancakes were golden and fluffy, topped with a pat of butter and a drizzle of syrup.

I took a bite and nodded approvingly. “Okay, Micah. You win. These are fire.”

“Told you,” he said, smirking as he sat down with his own plate.

We ate in comfortable silence for a bit, Aiden chattering about his latest video game between bites. It felt so… normal. Like I belonged here, even if just for a moment.

After breakfast, Micah insisted on driving me home. As we pulled up to my house, I hesitated, my hand on the door handle.

“Hey,” I said, turning to him. “For real, thank you. For last night, for breakfast, for… not making me feel like an idiot about the whole KD thing.”

He leaned back in his seat, his hazel eyes meeting mine. “You don’t gotta thank me, Maila. I got you. Always.”

My chest tightened at his words, and I smiled, hoping he couldn’t see how much they meant. “I owe you one, though.”

He chuckled. “Bet. I’ma hold you to that.”

I laughed, opening the door and stepping out. “See you at school?”

“Fasho,” he said, flashing that grin that made my heart skip.

As I walked up to my front door, I glanced back to see him waiting until I got inside before pulling off. I shut the door behind me, leaning against it with a sigh.

Micah Valentine, you’re gonna be the death of me.

But for the first time in a long time, I didn’t mind the thought one bit.

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