Not tonight. Sure, it’s midnight and some will already be in bed, fast asleep, but it’s still too noiseless and that makes me uneasy.
I’m halfway to the park when the smooth rumble of a car engine devours the silence, the purr filling my ears. The vehicle inches along beside me, keeping pace, and I smile. What’s he doing here?
“Yo, you wanna get out of here?” Ike peers through the open window of a white Cadillac.
A warm breeze scatters the smoke billowing from my mouth, and I flick the butt to the ground. With one more sweep toward her house, I still see no sign of her. I had hoped she would show despite my telling her I had plans.
We’ve been meeting at the park a couple of times a week for months now, and while I didn’t promise her mother I’d make her stop, I do take care of her. We’re friends.
“You coming or not?” Ike sounds irritated, my lack of response ticking him off.
“I thought you said you were busy.”
“What the fuck? I lied. It’s your fucking birthday, no way I’m busy. Biggs is having a party for your dumb ass.”
“Ooh.” I’m distracted and should be stoked about the party, but all I wish is for her to magically appear.
Damn, I should go to the party.
“Get in the fucking car, bruh. I ain’t got all night.” He rolls up his window, shaking his head, and I open the passenger door.
Her soft, lyrical voice calls my name and I spot Eva running down the street, arms waving in the air.
“Jared, wait.” Her wild hair frames her face.
“You told her ‘bout the park?” His glare is as harsh as his tone with a hint of betrayal.
I’ve been ditching him for Eva more than I care to admit, and he doesn’t like it.
“It ain’t the bat cave,” I retort under my breath.
Not even a foot in front of me, she stumbles, and her palms slap against my chest as she plows into me. My back hits the cool metal of the car door, and I latch on to her trim hips, steadying us both.
She peers up at me, wide-eyed, and I bend my face toward hers. We’re flush against each other. Her small tits press into my chest, and our mouths are beats apart.
Her choppy breaths mix with my quick pants and she licks her lips. The tip of her pink tongue tours her mouth, and I want to chase it with my own. What the fuck am I thinking? Eva and I are friends.
“Hey, if it isn’t Sweet Thing.” Ike’s seductive tone, now rid of any trace of agitation, pulls me from my stupor.
I momentarily rest my forehead against hers, my hands cupping the back of her neck. “You okay?”
She nods, stepping back. Ike leans toward the open door, patting the passenger seat. “Get in, baby girl.”
He may be all Mister Smooth now—smiles and swagger—but I’m not amused. Actually, I’m rankled by his presence.
Eva slants her head to peer into the car, chest still heaving and looking as dazed as I feel. “Are you leaving?”
“Come with us,” he says. “We’re going to a party for my boy’s birthday, and things are looking up.”
His wicked gaze roves her body, and there’s no denying he likes what he sees. I mean, what’s there not to like?
Eva’s bare, shapely legs glow, bronze and toned, in her tiny blue cotton shorts, and the sleeves of her grey hoodie are tied around her slender waist. Her matching tank top is simple, but there’s no missing how the thin ribbed fabric shows off her budding chest. Small, soft mounds sitting high and perky.
Motherfu…
My jaw tightens and fists clench. Her outfit looks like sleep wear. What the fuck?
She’s cute and way too sweet for Ike or me or any of the perverts at Biggs’s.
Suddenly feeling protective, I draw her away from the car, nudging her behind me and deliberately blocking Ike’s view.
“Sorry. Another time.” My hand taps the car and I shut the door.
“You fucking serious?” His eyes are now dark slits of irritation. “It’s your birthday. I set this up.”
I want to feel guilty, but this party goes on almost every weekend. I am grateful he thought of me, but all I’m thinking about is Eva.
“Thanks. Catch you later.” I swing in the direction of the park, taking her with me.
He revs the engine like an angry bull, horns out, flaring nostrils and scraping hoofs—yeah, you’re mad, I get it. Sorry, bruh.
“You could have gone.” She looks up at me. “It’s your birthday?”
“Nah, didn’t want to. Birthdays come and go.” I pull out my pack of cigarettes only to find it empty. “I don’t suppose you have one?”
She shakes her head, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Why don’t you quit?”
“Why don’t you back off?” I growl and instantly regret it, suddenly restless. Eva is becoming too important to me.
“Fine.” She perches on a swing, putting more distance between us. “If I’d known it was your birthday, I’d have brought you something.”
“Don’t want anything. I got what I want.”
We stare at each other, and like most times, she looks away first. The tips of her red Chucks kick at the sand, and her face is hidden by the veil of dark hair hanging around her. I take out my guitar for something to do and strum a few strings, tuning the instrument.
“Will you play something?” Eva’s heard me play with the band but never on my own.
“Don’t know.” I shrug off her attempt at a truce. “It’s old.”
“How long have you had it?”
Her question picks at my gut, and Molly comes to mind. My memories, hopes, and losses are ingrained in the wood, metal, and strings.
“My first foster mom gave it to me.” I chuckle at the memory.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was only four and the guitar was so big for me. I could barely hold it.”
“How did you get into music?”
“I’m musically talented.”
“Really?” She laughs and I can tell she thinks I’m being cocky. “How so?”
“Molly said I was young—barely three—when I played for the first time. We were at a neighbor’s birthday party and she found me on my toes, reaching up to play the piano.”
I shake my head, reluctant to share this special memory. I’ve never told a soul.
Something primal and untamed tugs and prods at the lonely little boy inside of me. This petite girl, with rivers of chocolate waves falling around her and a shy expectant smile, peers up at me through dark lashes. She’s looking at me like she wants to be my best friend, someone I can always count on. Her promise to never let me down or walk away is emblazoned on her pretty face.
The temptation to trust her is too powerful. These months, spending time with her, have been amazing and also a struggle. I’m not used to relying on others or trusting them. Except for Ike, everyone else has either left or fucked with me.
Without giving my hesitation a chance to grow, I take the leap of faith, hoping this girl doesn’t fail me.
“She let me play the piano.” My voice croaks and I stare down at my guitar. “I was playing a song. Not off-key or random notes. An actual song. How crazy is that? I was three.”
“What were you playing?”