Darnell

"You don't know how to love me
I don't have no no time fi no kissin' an charm
Not even how to kiss me
A true me take you little heart by storm
I don't know why
Baby girl, baby girl
I love you, baby
A just da naughty naughty

I'm still in love with you, boy
Well I'm a hustler an' a player
And you know I'm not a stayer
Dat's da naughty naughty love."

I winded my hips as I flipped the last pancake on the stove listening to Sean Paul. This morning I woke up in a great mood. Maybe it was because Christmas was a couple of days away and I actually had somebody to do Christmas things with.

After doing some shopping yesterday me and Kay put up the Christmas tree. More like me but she helped decorate the tree. I let her place some ornaments on the tree where she could reach. As for Don, he just sat on the couch eating most of the mini candy canes I had for the tree, being a grinch.

I even got stockings and put them up on my fireplace mantel. I put little stocking stuffers in Kay's and of coarse coal for Don.

I used times like that for me and Kay to get closer. Don't get me wrong I can't deny that Don is a great father but, every child needs interaction with a mother and father and I felt like I was that mother-like figure for her.

Even though Don didn't say anything about it, I knew that he appreciated the little things I would do with her. If we weren't playing with dolls, I was taking her to get her nails painted, or playing tee party with her. I just enjoyed spending time with her watching her grow.

As for me and Don, it was what it was. I was helping him the best way I could, but I could tell that he was still irritated about the situation.

Most days he sat in his room with his leg kicked up, checking on his club. I knew he wanted to be there in person and do stuff for himself. I had to make him understand that he had to step away for a second and heal his body first.

It was now a little after 11:00am and I decided to make a late breakfast for everybody. Today Don was going to get his casts taken off and he acted like it was no big deal but I knew he was excited.

I bent over to take the bacon out the oven still twerking to the song that was playing. In my own world, I turned to place the cookie sheet on the island. When I turned around Don was standing there laughing.

I jumped almost dropping the bacon on the floor.

"What the fuck Don you almost gave me a heart attack!"

He still was laughing like he just saw the funniest shit ever.

I looked at him and turned back to the stove turning everything off, cutting my eye at him in the process.

"Don't be mad ma. You the one in here dancing in that short ass gown like you at Carnival."

I had on a red silk night gown that stopped at my thighs with my house slippers.

As time passed with Don being here I've gotten more comfortable with him being around. He never flirted with me or showed signs that he was interested in me so I wore whatever. To him he probably saw me as a little sister.

"Whatever Don. Where's Kay?"

"In the living room watching tv." He sat and I made all of our plates.

I slid his plate over to him along with a cup of juice and his fork. I cut up Kay's food and called her to eat. She came running into the kitchen with a big smile on her face.

"Good morning Kay baby." I kissed her on her cheek and picked her up putting her in her high chair. I placed her food in front of her letting her dive in.

"Tank you."

I smiled. "You welcome baby."

I sat and began to eat after I said grace. After a couple of minutes of just listening to the songs that played I spoke up.

"So you happy to get your casts off today?"

"I guess. I'm more hyped that I can drive."

Today after his appointment Yameer was taking Don down to the car dealership for him to pick up his new truck.

Due to the accident his truck was totaled. His insurance company was able to pay for him to get a brand new truck since the car accident wasn't his fault. With the knee brace he was now able to drive again.

"You don't like me driving you around." I asked goofily. 

"You know I don't like depending on people to take me anywhere, plus you can't drive."
He said pointing at me and chuckling.

I hit his shoulder. "That's a lie Don. I'm a great driver."

"Like how you almost hit that dog the other day?" He side eyed me waiting for my response.

"It's not my fault the damn dog ran in the street! It's owner should have had a better hold on him." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Yeah okay Darnell."

After we were all done eating I cleaned up the kitchen and we all went to get ready for the day. Yameer was on his way to take Don to his appointment and Kay and I were doing some last minute Christmas shopping.

I just really wanted to get her a Christmas outfit and a few more clothes since Don said she's been growing out of everything. I took her upstairs with me so Don could focus on getting himself ready.

As I picked out clothes I just let her talk. She was babbling in baby talk and I was responding to her like we was having a full on conversation. Kay had learned a few more words and now it was hard to get her to stop talking.

She followed me into my closet still going on. Every once in a while I would respond back to her letting her know I was still listening. I pulled out a simple white tee, dark jeans, and my maroon bomber with my Heiress 11s.

Since I already washed up for the day I got dressed leaving my hair in a messy bun and doing my simple makeup routine adding a burgundy matte lipstick.

Next was Kay. I had a few of her clothes that I bought for her the other day still in my closet. I went into the bags and found her a outfit as well. She was dressed in a long sleeve black and white polka shirt, red jeans, and her black and white 11s.

I sat her on my bed doing her hair. I did four braids going into a ponytail. Spraying some leave in conditioner moisturizing her curls and added a bow to her ponytail. 

We were done and was heading down the stairs when the door bell rung. Opening the door, Yameer stood there smiling as Kay came to the door seeing who it was.

She started smiling yelling "mee mee". Yameer laughed. That's what she called him and I doubt he cared since he never corrected her.

I opened the door wider to let him walk in. "Don ready?"

I rolled my eyes watching him pick Kay up and start tickling her.

"Hi to you to Yameer." He looked at me seeing the annoyance in my face.

"My bad. Wassup Darnell." He gave me a head nod.

"Much better. He should be ready. Let me go check up on him."

I left Yameer and Kay in the living room going down the hall to Yameer's room. I knocked, but didn't hear anything.

"I'm coming in Don."

I opened the door slowly giving him sometime to be decent before stepping in. I looked around the room and he was sitting on the bed struggling to tie his shoe laces.

"I thought we had an agreement. When you needed help you was going to let me know?"
I bent down to tie his shoe.  

He had on a navy blue Polo sweat suit, plain white tee under it, and his all white Air Forces.

Don let out a sigh and ran his hand over his waves. "I know I just thought I had it, but thank you ma."

I looked up at him and into his eyes. It looked like he wanted to say something else but didn't. I stood straight up straightening my clothes out.

"Are you ready cause Yameer is here waiting on you."

He grabbed his wallet and put it into his pocket. Reaching up he grabbed his crutch to help him stand up from the bed. Stumbling a little, I held him around his waist allowing him to find his balance.

Once he was up we stood there looking each other in our eyes. It seemed like time stood still as both of our heads came together like a magnet. Before our lips could connect there was a knock on the bedroom door that startled me making me jump back.

I went and opened the door allowing Yameer to come in.

"Wassup bro. You ready?"

"Yeah yeah. Let's be out." Don grabbed his crutches and walked out of the room. He tried making eye contact with me but I kept my gaze on everything but him.

I wasn't trying to be awkward but I couldn't help it. Day in and day out being around Don was difficult for me. I did have a small crush on him in the beginning. Maybe that's why I didn't mind opening my home up to him and Kay.

But, once a couple of weeks passed and Don never made a move or implied anything to me I figured he wasn't attracted to me in that way.

At first I was a little disappointed because I thought we clicked. Eventually, I got over it and accepted that we were better as friends.

Now, I don't know what to think. Maybe I'm just thinking too hard about it.

"Aight we out Darnell." Don's voice knocked me out of my mind racing.

When I looked up he was looking at me. I quickly shifted my gaze to Kay standing in front of my legs holding them wanting me to pick her up.

"Um okay we're on our way out too." I grabbed Kay's black bomber jacket putting it on her. I then grabbed my purse then my keys locking up the house.

I got Kay settled in the car then myself. I finally pulled out heading to the mall first. While driving I looked in my review checking on Kay. When I saw her mind automatically went back to Don.

What the hell man?

-

Don

"Alright. How does it feel?"

Me and Yameer finally made it to the hospital and I got those damn casts taken off. Dr. Clair put the knee brace on me and adjusted it to my leg. I got up walking around the room to see how it felt.

"Tight but I'll get used to it." I sat on the examining table flexing my knee getting used to the feeling of the brace.

"I see Ms. Darnell didn't come in with you today."

When she said that I thought about Darnell and how we almost kissed this morning.

I cleared my throat. "Nah she had some plans today."

"Aw well tell her I asked about her."

"Yeah" I said dryly.

"Alright Mr. Taylor that's gonna be all for today. If you have any questions you know how to reach me."

She left the room and me and Yameer was right behind her.

Waking out of the hospital we made it back to his car and we were on our way to the car dealership. After a 20 minute ride we were pulling in.

"How can I help you gentlemen today?" This short bald white man came up to us as we walked in the door.

"Yeah I'm Dillon Taylor. Im here to pick up my truck."

"Ah yes Mr. Taylor we've been waiting on your arrival. Your truck is around back, all I need you to do is come sign some papers."

After I did the paper work, I went to my new baby. I was ready to get back on the road. It's been a month since the car accident and me being able to drive.

Of course I had more than one car, but my Range was the first car that I bought working on the block. I was glad I was able to get a replacement.

Me and Yameer dapped and made plans to meet up later, right now I was on my way to the club. Pulling into my parking space, I got out and headed inside. I planned a meeting with all my employees later to see how the club was running.

While I waited for everyone to show up, I headed up to my office to check over my profits for the month.

By the time I made it to my office, my knee was on fire. I sat at my chair pulling a pre rolled blunt from my drawer hoping it would relax me a little. After two blunts I finally started on my work.

-

It was 6:48pm and I was finally done. The meeting went well and I was planning a New Years Eve party to bring in more promotion for the club.

Since the car accident I didn't get to sign the contract for the Miami location. After talking to the investors they understood my situation. I just decided to just postpone everything to a time when I was able to be 100% in. Right now I was getting back to work and couldn't really do everything I wanted to. In due time it would get back to how it used to be.

As I was getting my stuff together my phone dinged telling me I had a text.

Darnell😇: Me and kay already ate dinner. I put yours in the microwave.

Me: Aight Thanks ma. I'm on my way now.

She didn't reply but I saw that she read my message. I don't know what's going to happen between us, but I plan on talking to her once I get to the house.

To be honest I don't think she understands what she does to me every time I see her walking around the house. She always has little booty shorts on or thin shirts with no bra. I be going crazy. That's why I stay in my room most of the time. It's just too much temptation. I feel like she put me in the friend zone.

I locked up my office and headed out locking up the club and setting the alarm. It was a quick drive back to Darnell's house. The whole time I was getting my mind together trying to figure out what I was going to say.

I opened the door with the key she gave me. Stepping in all the lights were off and the house was quiet. First thing I did was check on Kay.

Walking into the room she was knocked out in the bed with pillows all around her. I kissed her cheek then left out the room getting ready to head upstairs to Darnell's.

It took me a minute but I finally made it to the top. I knocked on her door but she didn't answer. I opened the door and heard her shower running. I went in and sat on her bed waiting for her to come out. I knew that things between us was going to be awkward but I just had to let her know these feelings I had for her.

10 minutes later I heard the shower stop and the bathroom door opened. She stood there in a pink fluffy towel, beautiful as ever. I watched as water droplet cascaded down her chest taking my mind from the reason why I was here in the first place. I zoned back in and we caught eyes.

"Don what are you doing in here?"

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Hi guys. 👋🏽 I feel like this chapter was in best words "blah" but I'm working on the next chapter so they will be better.

Also I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for getting this book to 1k reads. 👏🏽😱. There's more to come so keep on reading y'all.

-Aleeza😄