Courtin' Jayd by L. Divine Page A

forced to be partners. I hope he came with his A game because he knows I play to win.
    â€œI came to talk to you but I think your grandmother needs your help in the back. Here’s some dinner for you. I thought you might be hungry,” he says passing me the six-inch veggie and cheese sandwich with cheddar cheese and sour cream Ruffles in the bag. This is my favorite Subway meal and I love that he knows that. I can tell by the look in his eyes he’s mournful, but that won’t be enough to appease my hurt.
    â€œThank you, I guess,” I say, not easing up a bit. I’m so mad at him I could spit. But before my rudeness can get the best of me, I hear Mama walking from the backhouse into the garage. She’s probably been waiting for me to get home so I can help her in the spirit room. I didn’t even get to change out of my school clothes before being summoned to work. And who knows how long the police will be here.
    â€œJayd, you can talk to them later,” Mama says, entering the dimly lit room. I can tell by her voice she’s in no mood to bargain with me but it’s still worth a shot.
    â€œMama can I eat first? I’m really hungry and I just sat down.” Bryan, Jay, and Rah look at me like I just signed my own death certificate. Before I can apologize, Mama walks across the garage floor to look me in the face. I know I’m in for it now.
    â€œWe have work to do,” she says sternly, eyeing each of us before walking out the back door toward the spirit room. I guess me grilling Rah will have to wait until later if I want to live long enough to do it.
    â€œDamn Jayd, you’ve got some big balls for someone so little,” Bryan says, making us all laugh. They wouldn’t dare question Mama and usually neither would I. I really want to eat and vibe with Rah but Mama’s work always comes first.
    â€œThat’s what makes her a queen,” Rah says, passing me my bottled water. “I want to talk to you about this week,” he says, rising to walk me out. Even when we’re seated I feel like a midget next to him.
    â€œSo talk,” I say, getting up from my seat before putting the food into my backpack and walking out the back door. Bryan and Jay look at Rah as if to say “I’d hate to be you right now” and they’re on point with their feelings. There’s no way I’m letting Rah slide on this one. “I’ve been calling you all week. Did you get my messages or is your phone broken?”
    â€œJayd, come on. I hate it when you’re mad at me,” he says, taking my hand and spinning me around to face him. He smells so sweet and fresh. I want to hug him and fall into his arms, but I can’t. Not yet. “Listen to me.”
    â€œListen to you say what, Rah?” I snatch my hand away from him and cross my arms around my chest. I have to get to the spirit room; I’ve kept Mama waiting long enough but I need to wrap this conversation up real quick.
    â€œJayd, just give me a chance to explain.” Rah puts his hand on my shoulder and I almost give in—almost.
    â€œWhy should I when you can’t keep your word to me? It’s okay for you to shut me out of your life when it’s convenient and then come waltzing back into mine when you’re ready?” I pause to let him respond but he’s too shell-shocked to say anything so I’ll have to answer for him. “Hell no, Rah, it’s not okay with me and my feelings aren’t a faucet I can turn on and off at your command.”
    Mama comes back out of the spirit room to empty a bucket of water into the adjacent garden and to call for me again. Noticing Rah and me in a heated conversation, she gives me a look letting me know I need to wrap it up, and soon.
    â€œJayd, I know I messed up. But you know how Sandy is and with Trish getting hurt fighting her I guess I just didn’t want you to be next.” His eyes say sorry but his