09

CHAPTER NINEadonis pov

██████████████████████

JEREMIAH AND OUR HOMEBOYS WERE playing pool when my momma got home. She was smiling and shit, all giddy with her laundry basket in one hand and laundry detergent in the other.

"Wassup mom, how's yo day going? You straight?" I walk over to her and give her a side hug before kissing her forehead.

"I had a good day. Your aunties and I got your aunt Clover together for a date. She looked good as fuck and she was nervous but when she came back—whew I never seen her look so happy before" she kept going on and on about Clover and the date she went on with this nigga named Grant.. what type of name is that.

"Okay okay mom, we get it. I need to set you up with somebody too or some. Is that what you hinting at?" I slightly laugh and she just roll her eyes.

"Donny I already have myself a boo, no need to put me on with anybody," she mushed my shoulder before walking into the kitchen. I side eyed her because when she think she was grown enough to get a man? We ain't never discuss that.

"A boo? Since when?!" I followed her to the kitchen. Imma play a damn detective today. "You been holding out on me, momma?"

She just chuckled and placed her laundry basket with detergent on the island table like she ain't just drop a bomb on me. "Donny, everything ain't for you to know right away. Grown folks got business too."

"Nah, see, now I gotta know. Who is he? Where he work? He got a record?" I leaned against the counter, watching her like she might crack under pressure.

She looked up from the fridge with that boy, don't get slapped the fuck out look. "You gon interrogate every man I talk to? That why I ain't say nothing. You too nosy."

I folded my arms. "I'm nosy cause I care. You my momma. Ian finna let nobody play with my momma. I don't care if he got a nice smile or a full-time job—if he messin with you, he gotta see me."

She laughed harder than I expected and shook her head. "You sound just like your daddy. Overprotective and full of drama."

"Well, one of us gotta be," I muttered, but I was lowkey smiling.

Just then, Jeremiah poked his head into the kitchen. "Y'all done or should we come back in ten?"

"Shut up," I told him, tossing a dish towel in his direction. But my momma was still grinning. And even though I wanna know who she messing with, I'm glad she happy.. I guess.

After she disappeared into the pantry that was connecting to the kitchen humming some old-school Mary J., I wandered back into the den area. Jeremiah and the crew were still at the pool table, talking trash like usual.

"Yo," Jeremiah said, lining up his shot, "your momma got a man now? She movin on up!"

"Man, shut up," I muttered, flopping down on the couch. "I'm still processing. First Clover go on a date and now my mom got a boo? What is in the air today?"

One of my homeboys, Malik, came in laughing all hard, "Love, apparently. You next, Donny?"

I smirked a little. "Chill, I got Elizabeth. We solid."

And we are. She's good to me—smart, funny, got that kinda laugh that makes you forget what you were mad about. But even as I said it, I couldn't shake that feeling I had earlier. Seeing my mom so hyped about Clover's date, it just... sat in my chest weird. Not jealousy for real—more like... confusion.

Clover was like family. But not really. She was cool with my mom, cool with me. We'd known each other for years. But lately, I'd been noticing little things—how she tilted her head when she listened, how she bit her lip when she was focused, how her laugh didn't sound like anybody else's.

And now some dude named Grant got her smiling like that?

Jeremiah caught my expression and narrowed his eyes. "Yo. You sure you just talkin about your mom?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, fool. Mind ya business."

They didn't say nothing else, they just gave me a stupid ass look and went back to the game.

I leaned back, sinking into the couch cushions. My phone buzzed—it was Elizabeth, sending a picture of her dog in a hoodie. I smiled, texted her back. But in the back of my mind, Clover's name lingered like a song you can't get out yo head man.

I was halfway through texting Elizabeth back when I heard the knock on the door. Real light—like whoever was on the other side wasn't sure they should be there.

Jeremiah looked up. "You expecting someone?"

"Nah," I said, standing up. I peeked through the blinds and of course it was Clover.

I hesitated for a second before opening the door.

"Hey," she said, giving me a small smile. Ion think she expected me to answer the door. She had on this oversized graphic tee of tupac with assuming some short ass shorts because the shirt was covering it and it just exposed her dark almond legs more, her curls were pulled back, face fresh—no makeup, just her. Natural. Effortless.

"Wassup," I said, stepping aside. "You good?"

"Yeah, your mom told me to come by. Said she had some leftovers from that big ol Sunday dinner she made."

Typical ma, she be ready to give out our left overs to anybody.

"She in the kitchen," I nodded, trying to keep my tone regular, like my brain wasn't suddenly moving at 80 mph. "You hungry or just here for the tupperware?"

She smirked. "Both."

She walked past me, and I swear, the whole living room shifted a little with her in it. Clover headed to the kitchen, and I followed, hands in my pockets. Momma lit up when she saw her.

"Clo! I packed up some of that peach cobbler too—your favorite. Told you I'd save some."

"You always come through," Clover laughed, leaning in for a quick hug.

I leaned on the fridge and watched them for a second. It was weird—how normal this felt. How right it looked, her and my mom joking around, like she already belonged here. Like she always had.

"So..." I said, trying to sound casual, "You recovering from that mystery date or what?"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh my God, not you too. Your mom and my sister won't shut up about it."

I smirked. "I'm just askin a simple question. Was he cool?"

She paused, looking down at the container in her hands. "Yeah. He was nice. I had fun."

Just that. No sparkle in her voice, no extra commentary. I noticed that. She probably lying though.

"Cool," I repeated, nodding slow. "That's good."

Our eyes met for a second too long before she looked away and went back to packing up the food. My heart thudded once, loud and clear, like it was tryin to remind me I was definitely still breathing.

"I don't know why you lying Clo, you were cheesing all on the phone while driving here," my momma rolled her eyes and laughed. Clover laughed in response.

See what I'm saying.. lying.

Elizabeth's text buzzed again in my pocket. But I didn't check it right away.

Clover leaned against the counter, spooning a bite of peach cobbler straight from the container like she owned the place. My mom had gone off to get the laundry situated, humming again, leaving the two of us alone in the kitchen with nothing but the buzz of the fridge and the low hum of Jeremiah's music in the background.

"You want some?" she asked, holding the spoon out toward me.

"Nah ma I'm good, that's all you."

She looked down at the cobbler, I could tell she was smiling. She seems relaxed. "Your mom is a whole chief for real"

"You know she don't play about her food," I said. "She got a secret ingredient in everything—probably love or blackmail."

Clover laughed, and I smiled without meaning to. "You looked happy earlier," I said, letting the words fall out before I could stop them.

She looked at me, head tilted. "Earlier like... when?"

"When you came in. Your face, I don't know. You seemed at peace."

She shrugged, looking at the spoon in her hand. "I think I'm just tryna let people show up for me. Been pushing a lot of stuff away lately. Maybe I got tired."

"I get that," I nodded my head. "It's hard when you're used to being the one showing up for everybody else."

She looked up at me, and there was something in her eyes—like she was about to say something real. But then—

Buzz buzz.

Elizabeth again.

I finally pulled out my phone, just to silence it, but Clover noticed. "You and Elizabeth still doing good?" she asked, voice even, eyes unreadable.

"Yeah. We cool."

"Cool," she echoed, and turned back to the cobbler.

I wanna say more. Something. But my throat tightened and the words didn't wanna be heard yet.

She wiped her hands, packed the container into her bag. "Tell your mom I said thank you again."

"I will," I said, walking her to the door.

She paused on the porch, that same uncertain light in her eyes from earlier. "You ever feel like... timing's weird? Like people show up right when you think you're overthinking everything?"

I blinked. "All the time."

She gave me a soft nod. "Yeah me too.. Goodnight, Adonis."

"Night, Clover."

I stood in the doorway, watching her walk to her car. When she pulled off, I was still standing there, phone in hand, heart not sure what it wanted to do.

Back inside, the guys were playing on the game.. surprisingly quietly.

I finally checked Elizabeth's messages—just pictures, memes, a "goodnight, love you" at the end. I texted her back. And said the same thing to her, but I hesitated for a second then hit send.