by D. Camille
Lance smiled. “Yeah, you like those right?”
Kyros nodded. “You got hummus too?” he asked hopefully.
Lance thought of the items Khayla had stored in his fridge. “Actually I do. You want some?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He stood and walked back to the kitchen. “This little dude…hummus.” He laughed to himself.
*********
Khayla arrived later that evening and Lance opened the door for her. His eyes narrowed as he saw the grocery bag in her hand.
“What’s that?” he asked.
She smiled sheepishly. “It’s salad to go with the pizza.”
Lance took the bag from her and leaned down to kiss her lips. “Just for that, you have to eat more than one slice.”
She kissed him back. “Okay.”
He smiled and led her inside to where Kyros was now sitting on the sofa with his arms folded.
“Hey soldier,” Khayla greeted going over to kiss his cheek.
“Hi Auntie Khayla,” he said stiffly.
Khayla looked at Lance who had also picked up on Kyros’ tone. They both frowned as Kyros was always happy and pleasant. This was a huge change for him that surprised them.
“What’s up Kyros? What’s wrong?” Lance asked.
The little boy cut his eyes at Lance then back in front of him. “Nothing.”
Khayla touched his face. “What happened Kyros?”
Kyros looked at her then straight ahead again.
Lance handed the bag to Khayla. “Why don’t you take this in the kitchen and let me holla at my little homie?”
Khayla looked concerned then walked over to take the bag. “Is he okay?” she whispered.
“I got it.”
She glanced back at her nephew sitting ramrod straight on the sofa then at Lance. He nodded and she went slowly towards the kitchen.
Lance took the seat next to Kyros. “Alright, what’s up?”
Kyros pouted. “I’m mad.”
“Why?”
He looked straight ahead. “I’m mad at you Uncle Lance!”
Lance reared back. “Me? What did I do?”
Kyros turned to him with his eyes blazing, looking just like Khalil. “You kissed my Auntie Khayla!” he accused. “On the lips!”
Awww shit…Lance’s mind screamed.
Lance took a deep breath. “Uh, yeah. I did.”
“You like her?” Kyros demanded frowning.
Damn, this boy was just like his daddy, Lance thought to himself. He’d never seen this side and he had to decide how to handle it.
Lance looked at the boy. “Yes, I like your Auntie Khayla. I love her.”
“You want her to be your girlfriend?” he asked harshly.
“Look Khalil…I mean Kyros. You know how you like the little dancer girl, but you’re not old enough to have a girlfriend? Well, I like you’re Auntie Khayla and I’m old enough to have a girlfriend.”
Kyros folded his arms again. “You have lots of pretty girls why do you want my Auntie Khayla to be your girlfriend?” he complained.
“Because there isn’t another pretty girl like your Auntie Khayla,” Lance told him.
Kyros remained silent.
“Tell me why you’re mad,” Lance prompted.
Kyros lowered his head. “She’s MY Auntie Khayla. I love her.”
Lance touched his head. “I love her too Kyros and I’m not taking her from you.”
He lifted Kyros’ face to his. “You know your Auntie Khayla loves you more than anything and that won’t ever change.”
Kyros nodded slowly. “You know I love you too. You’re my little homie right?”
The boy gave a slight smile after a short time. “I love you too Uncle Lance.”
“You still mad at me?” Lance asked.
The boy shrugged. “I guess not.”
“Hey, who gets you pizza?” Lance questioned.
Kyros smiled. “You…”
“And who lets you stay up late when you stay over?”
He smiled some more. “You, Uncle Lance.”
“And who is the realest of the Negus?” Lance asked lifting a brow.
Kyros smiled broadly. “My Daddy.”
Lance frowned. “See, you’re just like him.”
They both laughed and Lance hugged the boy rubbing the top of his head. “Let’s order the pizza now.”
Kyros grabbed his tablet again and looked over at Lance. “Veggie please.”
“Yeah, I know.” Lance stood and walked into the kitchen where Khayla was taking things out of the bag.
He looked at her. “So I know you heard everything.”
“He’s my nephew. I had to find out what was wrong with him,” she told him.
Lance walked over to her. “He transformed into Khalil right in front of my eyes. For a minute I really thought he was about to try to beat my ass.”
Khayla turned to him. “I can’t believe that. Kyros has never reacted that way before.”
“He loves you and he felt threatened.” Lance shrugged. “If I saw you kissing a dude, I’d kill him.”
Khayla shook her head. “My poor nephew.” She touched Lance’s face. “Thank you for being so gentle with him.”
Lance bent to whisper in her ear. “If he only knew what I do to his Auntie Khayla, he probably would try to kill me.”
She smiled slowly. “See, now you trying to start some stuff.”
Lance laughed and moved away from her. “I’m ordering the pizza now. You can make your salad while I check and make sure your nephew hasn’t booby trapped my bed or something.”
“My nephew is a sweetheart. You leave him alone,” she admonished.
“That boy is smart as hell, I don’t put anything past him.” Lance told her. “He’s a little Khalil.”
Khayla smiled. “He said he wasn’t mad at you anymore.”
Lance shook his head. “No, he said he guessed he wasn’t. I’m not dumb.”
Khayla watched as Lance pulled out his phone and walked out of the kitchen. She began preparing a salad thinking about her precious nephew.
Lance walked into an empty living room with the phone in his hand. The iPad was sitting on the table.
“Kyros?” he called looking around.
A minute later he heard. “Yes, Uncle Lance?”
Lance turned to see the boy coming down the stairs with a book in his hand.
“What were you doing upstairs?” Lance asked suspiciously.
Kyros smiled. “I went to get my book out of my bag.”
Lance watched the boy walk back over to the sofa and take a seat. He quietly opened the book with a satisfied smile on his face.
Lance headed quickly back to the kitchen. “Khayla!”
********
Khayla and Lance sat on the sofa staring at the sleeping little boy. Kyros had eaten his salad and pizza then played games with Lance and Khayla until he had tired himself out watching a movie.
“You know I’m not letting you leave me here with him,” Lance told her softly.
Khayla laughed. “He’s six Lance. What is he going to do to you?”
“I don’t know what your brother has trained him to do.”
“You’re a Negus Lance, how can you be scared of a child?” Khayla questioned.
Lance looked at her. “I know what a dude will do for a woman. I’ve got a scar right now to prove it.”
Khayla gently touched his shoulder. “How’s the physical therapy? Are they doing their jobs?”
“I just mention your name and they quiver,” he teased her.
She smiled. “I’m not that bad.”
“Yeah, you are Ma.”
She leaned closer. “That’s because I take care of what’s mine.” Khayla went to kiss him and he moved back.
“Stop it!” she admonished.
Lance looked over at Kyros. “He’s probably not even really sleeping. He just trying to catch me slipping.”
She turned his face to hers. “Stop
…” Khayla kissed him softly. “My nephew would not try to hurt you.”
He kissed her back. “You know I don’t hurt kids but…”
“Shut up and kiss me, since that’s all I can get tonight,” she said moving closer.
Lance lowered his head and granted her request. The pair embraced, reacquainting themselves with one another. When they separated, Lance gently traced her mouth with a finger.
“These lips…” he whispered.
Khayla smiled at him. “I’m so happy you’re healing.”
“Yeah, I’m straight.”
She nodded. “You re-opened the gas station today?”
“Uh huh, I moved some staff from the other station over there. Now I need to hire some new people,” he explained.
“Don’t hire any women who want to sleep with you.”
He smiled. “That’s impossible.”
“Keep playing and you don’t have to worry about Kyros.”
Lance pulled her closer. “Seriously though, I’m being real cautious about hiring.”
“You have to be…I know you try to help our people, but some you just can’t.”
“I wish it wasn’t that way,” he said quietly.
Khayla kissed his jaw. “Unfortunately, you have the scar to prove it and we’re not going to let that happen again.”
He turned and his lips met hers for a long minute.
“Let me help you put Kyros to bed before I leave,” Khayla whispered.
They both stood and awakened the little boy before escorting him up to the bedroom. Khayla helped the sleepy boy to get undressed and into pajamas before Lance tucked him in.
Lance walked Khayla downstairs to the door. “You want to undress me and put me into my pajamas?”
“When I undress you, it’s not to put you in pajamas baby,” she said wrapping her arms around her waist.
“Next weekend Miss Lady, I’m taking you away for our date.” Lance told her lowering his head.
He kissed her for a while before walking her out to the car. Lance watched her take off before heading back inside. He locked the door and cut the lights before heading to the stairs.
“Hey, Uncle Lance.”
Lance jumped at the voice. “What’s up little homie?”
“I just wanted to tell you goodnight. Thank you for letting me hang out with you.”
He smiled and took the boy’s hand as they started upstairs. “Goodnight Kyros.”
Lance helped Kyros back into bed and checked his own before he went to sleep…just in case.
Chapter 13
The next morning, Khayla stood on the porch of Lance’s home waiting for him to answer the door. While she waited, she admired the beautiful structure. Indian Village was a historic, prestigious neighborhood on Detroit’s east side. Lance had purchased the home then fully renovated and restored it to its former beauty.
This particular home had massive square footage that included five bedrooms and as many baths. The kitchen was a cook’s dream and every inch of the home was professionally decorated. Lance had told her when he’d purchased his first home years ago that he would own one much larger and he did.
She smiled as the handsome man answered the door and looked down at her.
“Hey Katydids.”
“Hi Lance. I see you’re still alive,” she teased him.
He laughed. “Yeah, I’m straight.” He looked at the bags in her hand. “Why do you keep bringing groceries to my house?”
“I came to make my Kings some breakfast.”
Lance reached for the bag and kissed her softly at the same time. He stepped back and allowed her inside.
Khayla looked around then back at Lance. “Where is my nephew?” she asked.
“You scared?” he asked walking towards the kitchen.
She followed him quickly. “Don’t play with me Lance. Where is Kyros?”
He laughed. “Girl chill! You know I didn’t do anything to that boy. He’s upstairs getting dressed.”
Khayla looked at him. “You were acting crazy last night,” she reminded him.
“So was he.”
She smiled and walked over to him placing her arms around his neck. “Thank you for taking care of my nephew.”
“He’s mine too,” he told her. “He belongs to both of us.
Khayla ran a hand along his face. “Maybe one day we’ll have more that belong to us?” she whispered.
“There are five bedrooms in this house.”
She moved closer. “We can give Rion and Tauri a run for their money.”
“He’s crazy as hell talking about five kids.” He pulled her against him.
Khayla laughed. “We can go one at a time then?”
Lance lowered his head. “You just tell me when to stop.” He kissed her slowly.
When he lifted his head, Kyros was standing in the doorway.
“What’s up Kyros?” Lance asked.
“Hey, Uncle Lance.” The boy walked over to Khayla and placed his arms around her. “Hi Auntie Khayla.”
She bent and kissed his cheek. “Hey little soldier. How are you?”
He smiled up at her. “I’m good.”
She looked from him to Lance.
“Me and the little homie had a long talk and we’re straight,” Lance explained. “Right Kyros?”
Kyros smiled. “Fa’ sho.”
Khayla shook her head and looked at Lance who smiled at her.
“Auntie Khayla came to make us some breakfast,” Lance told the boy and his face lit up.
“I love Auntie Khayla’s food!”
Lance nodded. “Me too…Auntie Khayla makes everything taste so good.”
Khayla picked up on his tone and frowned at him.
“In fact, after I tasted Auntie Khayla’s…uh food, I can honestly say that I’ve never tasted anything better.”
Kyros smiled. “I know. My Auntie Khayla is the best.”
Lance rubbed his chin and looked at Khayla. “Yeah, she is. Fa’ sho.”
Khayla felt her body heating from his gaze. “Kyros honey, why don’t you go read one of your books while I finish and then you can set the table?”
“Okay, Uncle Lance bought me some books on my new tablet.” He smiled at Lance and went to retrieve his device.
Khayla turned to Lance. “You bought him some books too?”
“Yeah, I know how much he likes to read.”
“You make it so hard to stay mad at you,” she said softly. “You like to play games with me.”
Lance came and took her into his arms again. “I love playing games with you…always have.”
She looked up at him. “You’re a very good man Lance.”
“And you are my Queen, Khayla Imani.”
She kissed him softly gently suckling his lips. “Let me make your breakfast baby.”
“Thank you.” He kissed her again. “I’m going to read with the little dude unless you want me to help you in here.”
Khayla shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
He nodded and she watched him walk out of the room. When he was gone, Khayla braced her hands on the counter to steady herself. She knew that she’d always had love for Lance, but what she was feeling for him now was overwhelming and breathtaking. She’d known he was smart, ambitious and ridiculously fine, but his caring and compassion made her heart melt.
She was in deep right now, deeper than she’d ever been or imagined. If he decided to revert to his old ways of thinking about them being in a relationship, could she handle his rejection a second time?
Could she still remain a part of his life and not be the woman he was involved with?
Yes, they had agreed to start dating but were yet to have an actual first date. Khayla loved Lance and knew that he loved her in return, but loving someone didn’t always mean you would be with them. To her knowledge Lance had never been in a monogamous relationship and most likely by choice. Would he be able to be happy with one woman in his life? K
hayla closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
When Khayla opened her eyes, Lance was watching her. “What’s wrong?” he asked concerned.
She turned away to compose herself and he quickly came to stand behind her. “What’s wrong Khayla?” he asked again putting his arms around her.
After a moment, she told him honestly, “You’ve got me completely out there Lance.”
He turned her slowly in his arms. “I’m out there too Ma. I’m scared as hell that I’m going to do something real stupid and lose you forever this time.”
She looked up at him. “You scared?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, I know I can’t be caught slipping with you and I don’t want to.”
“When we got this close before, you dipped on me…” she reminded him.
He agreed. “I did.”
“Are you going to do the same?” he asked.
“I’ve never been able to run from you Lance,” she whispered.
Lance touched her cheek. “I know trust has to be earned Katydids. Just give me the time to do it.”
“I wasn’t planning to get shot and have to deal with all this extra, but you are my priority, Ma. I promise you that,” he finished.
Khayla laid her head on his chest. “I know what you’ve been through.”
“I got this.” He rubbed her back slowly. “And I got you.”
He kissed her jaw. “Let’s be out there together.”
She turned her lips to his. “What if I fall?”
“Then I’ll fall with you.”
Khayla kissed him again. “I’m trusting you Lance.”
“Thank you,” he whispered then stared down at her. “You better make this breakfast before I have you instead.”
She smiled. “My nephew will really kill you.”
“Speaking of…I came to get him some water.” He stared at her. “We straight?”
Khayla nodded. “I just got caught up for a minute.”
“Okay, but can a brother get some food up in here, damn?” Lance smiled at her. “I’m hungry as hell right now.”
She laughed and pushed him away. “Yeah, okay. I hear you.”
Lance retrieved a cup and then moved to the fridge to get water from the door. He turned back to where Khayla was starting breakfast then moved behind her again.
Leaning down he whispered in her ear, “I love you Khayla Imani.”
She smiled as he kissed her neck. “And I love you Lance.”
