Chapter 9

Nine

Merc

The Next Morning

"Daddy!"

My heart squeezed at the sound of Marz's footsteps as he ran into the kitchen. I didn't even bother reminding him that he needed to be careful. I was just glad my little man was back home. Kneeling, I opened my arms and scooped him up.

"I missed you, little man."

"I missed you too."

"Did you have fun?" I checked, setting him on top of the counter so I could finish making his lunch.

"Yes, sir. It was a lots of fun. They have all the animals down there. I got to ride a horse! Mr. Omar's daddy said I can name one and make it my own if I keep coming to visit."

"That's great, son. I'm glad you had fun. Did you get to see the cows?"

"Yep! And it wasn't just on the ride like Mommy said. They had cows too. I got to milk one!"

"Oh Lord. They 'bout to turn my city boy into a country cub. You ain't gon' ever wanna be at home with all that going on."

Marz laughed. "Can you come with us next time?"

Rubbing the area between my stomach and chest, I shook my head. There wasn't too much I denied Marz of, but spending time with Omar and his family was at the top of that list.

"I'on know about all'at, but I'll take you to the drive-thru zoo or to Karrington's family's petting zoo. How does that sound?"

"Ooh, that sounds like fun! I can't wait!"

Karrington was an artist out of Memphis that had settled in Jasper Lane. His family had acres and acres of land there that they used for farming and harvesting fruits and vegetables for the community. It was their family tradition and legacy, though Karrington wasn't really about that life. He had desires to be known for his artistry, and I could respect that. One day, I hoped he had the courage to truly chase his dreams, or he would resent his family forever.

We continued to catch up, and he told me about all the people he met. He didn't want a big breakfast, so I made him a bowl of cereal and put a pack of Pop-Tart bites in his lunch box for if he got hungry before lunch. By the time I was done, Aries was hesitantly making her way inside. Things had been off between us since she told me she wanted to move with Omar and take Marz with her.

I understood Atlanta was like the Black Mecca, but that wasn't a good enough reason for her to follow behind Omar's ass with my son. I probably would have felt better about it if he came to me as a man and let me know his plans to provide for them both, but that hadn't been the case. Until we had that conversation, shit would remain off between us.

"Good morning, Merc," she spoke quietly, sitting next to Marz.

The sight of milk dripping down his chin made me smile. I was grateful to God to have had both parents in the home, in a healthy marriage, because they equipped me to be the best father I could possibly be. Even with me having the connections I did because of my career and having bodies behind me, my son never got that heartless, hardened version of me. It was easy for me to be soft with him. I took pride in making sure he learned from a young age that as a man, he was allowed to be expressive, warm, and loving. But make no mistake about it—he was learning to be just as lethal as I was too.

Already, he was efficient in boxing and two different kinds of martial arts because I got him started at the age of three. My son was going to be nothing to fuck with.

"Mornin'," I replied.

"I can take Marz to school this morning. I have an appointment, and it's right by his school."

My head shook as I headed toward the refrigerator. "Nah. I haven't seen him all weekend. I'll take him." She nodded, and the sad expression on her face softened me toward her. I knew she was doing what she thought was best, but I hated that she was wrong. I didn't claim to know everything, but I was a great judge of character. Something was off with Omar, and I wouldn't trust him with my son in a different state until I figured out what the hell it was. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

"Whatchu want?"

That caused her to perk up a little. "Your eggs, toast, and turkey bacon."

"I got you." She knew what she was doing. Aries hated eggs. I was the only person who made them in a way that she could eat. Asking me to make her eggs would stroke my ego. "Is this an appointment for…" I paused, unsure if she'd told Marz he was going to be a big brother yet. "Your stomach?"

"Yeah." Her shoulders slouched and she pouted. "And Omar can't come. It'll be the first ultrasound and I have to do it alone because he couldn't take off work."

"You want me to go with you?"

With a gasp, she stood and rushed me at the stove. Her arms wrapped around me, and I couldn't help but return the embrace.

"Please, please, please! I'll love you forever."

Chuckling, I gave her a kiss on the temple like I always did when she hugged me. "You gon' do that regardless." Her eyes rolled playfully as she released me. "We still need to talk though, Aries."

"Okay, I promise."

I was content with the temporary truce we appeared to have, so I'd let it ride for now.

Neo was staringat me like she had something on her mind, but she wasn't saying shit. It was cute, like a lot of things she did. After dropping my little man off and going to Aries's appointment with her, I went to work out then showered and scooped Neo up for lunch. She said she loved fruit and seafood, so I took her to this new seafood spot that had recently opened.

We hadn't talked much, and I was intentionally limiting conversation between us. I could tell she liked me, and I didn't want her to. Because then, I'd start to like her too. Wiping my mouth, I looked over at her, and she didn't even try to hide the fact that she was staring at me. I couldn't help but laugh, which made her smile and look away.

"Some' on your mind, Neo?"

"Are all bodyguards so… brooding and quiet?"

Am I brooding? With a clipped chuckle, she rubbed between my brows, and they were scrunched. I hadn't even realized I was frowning until she did that.

"I'm not brooding… and I'm not quiet. I'm alert."

"You are brooding, and you're always alert. Even when we're at the house."

"My alertness keeps you safe."

"Maybe, but I don't know. I guess I just wish we could talk more. I want to know you."

Her request caught me off guard. It also flattered me. I couldn't recall the last time a woman wanted to get to know me for me and not my money, past, or reputation. Now, I was the one staring at her. She blushed and looked away.

"Why?"

"Why do I want to get to know you?" I nodded. "You're interesting. The more time we spend together, the more curious I am about you. And I know this won't last forever, but we'll be in each other's lives because of Bully and Innvy. Can we be friends?"

That was true. Once my time with her and Rey was over, we'd still be connected as long as Bully and Innvy were attached. I guess I couldn't stay completely detached from her. I didn't want to be the reason things were weird when we hung out as a crew. As much as I wanted to talk to Neo and get inside her mind and heart, I'd convinced myself it was best if we kept our distance. She reminded me too much of Aries with her romantic situation, and I couldn't allow her to be another woman I tried to save from a man who didn't deserve her.

"Yeah, I guess we can be friends."

"Yay." She clapped softly and did a little shimmy in her seat that made me blush because she was so happy to be… attached to me? The fuck?

"Why you so happy about being my friend?"

"I like you, duh." She said it so casually it caught me off guard. Clearing my throat, I took a sip of my water as her smile faded. "Not romantically. I mean, I like you as a friend. You're very layered, and I'm curious about you. But I don't mean I like you like you."

"Yeah, okay." Now, she was the one flustered as I relaxed into a confident state of having more of her attention than she wanted me to have. "We can get to know each other, Neo. What's the first thing you want to ask?"

"Who's waiting at home for you when you leave me?"

"My son."

We mirrored each other's smiles as she leaned closer. "There's a tiny you roaming this earth? I bet he's adorable. Tell me about him."

I did. Telling her about Marz led to me telling her about my family and upbringing. My friends. My education and career. She shared the same. We talked about our love for music and how we both paid homage to it in similar ways. I used to play for artists while she highlighted them. Some of my best memories were of me going on tour or playing in a band for singers and rappers alike. I could play drums, piano, and violin. Neo could play guitar, piano, and the harp.

We left the restaurant and went to a music store, where we played one instrument after another together. We did that shit for hours, not preparing to leave until the store was closed. I noticed the shift in her mood and figured she didn't want to go back to the mansion, so I pulled the manager aside and asked him, "How much is it going to take for you to let me and my girl stay here for another hour or so?"

He squeezed the back of his neck and checked the time on his watch. "My wife is waiting for me, big brotha."

Pulling out my wallet, I peeled off ten hundred-dollar bills. "Will this make her a little more patient?"

His eyes widened as he nodded. "It sure will. I'll be in my office. Stay for as long as you want to."

"Aight, 'preciate ya."

I made my way back over to Neo as she twirled a thick loc around her finger. In a different world, I'd have her ass barefoot and pregnant six times over. She wouldn't have a care in this world. I'd give whatever it took to make her happy. In this world, we could only be friends, and even that felt like it had a timeframe on it. Bully seemed to be serious about Innvy, but love was fickle these days. It didn't last forever the way old folks said it would.

"Well, I guess it's time for us to go, huh?" she asked, trying to mask her disappointment.

"Not just yet." Taking her by the hand, I led her over to the baby grand that she'd first fallen in love with. We sat down and I told her, "We got some more time."

With a squeal, she gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek before pulling out her phone and setting it up to record us. That wasn't usually my style, but I didn't mind the idea of her having something to remember this moment by. Maybe I'd get her to send it to me too.

"What should we play?" she asked, running her fingers across the keys and making me wish they were my skin.

"Whatever describes how you feel right now."

When she started to play a mashup of "Loved by You" by KIRBY and "Someone's Lady" by Jessie J, I liked her a little more.

Not just because of her artistry but because of the way she expressed herself. I joined in, and we continued to play until the sun came up. That was the first time I'd ever done something so intimate, and the shit felt better than sex.

Instead of taking her back to the mansion, I found myself taking her to my home, which was a first. She'd fallen asleep on the way, so I picked her up and carried her to my bedroom. I put her in the center of my bed and gave her a kiss on the forehead that caused her to gently stir, but she didn't wake up. I didn't get in with her as much as I wanted to. I crashed on the small sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and fell asleep with a smile on my face.