Between the Raindrops

10) Spin The Block

"YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU," Stella cooed in Markyse's ear as they sat next to each other in a booth.

"I bet I could guess," he smirked, grabbing her thigh underneath the table. "Couldn't be more than I love you."

Their couple's date was off to a great success. They ate lunch at her favorite restaurant, a spa day, and were now headed to a park to enjoy a much needed relaxation before she got busy with her studies again. Markyse owed it to her, just because of the way life had been treating them the last couple of months. He wanted to get his life back on track in the worst way and what better way to do that by treating his lady to the getaway of her dreams?

It was the least he could do for her considering the fact that he'd been pretty distant lately. Truthfully, he was scared of what his life could've been had he not been released. He still had nightmares about that night and regretted even stepping in between two people anyway. It was never his business to begin with but he wanted to make sure that he didn't witness a woman die just for being weaker. Men should never have the upper hand on women in that way. He had to step in and do something.

His regret would've been a lot worse.

As they stretched out in the grass, Markyse began to gather all of his painting equipment and freestyle a new piece of art. It was his getaway from every problem he was having in the moment.

"I wish we could just stay here and not worry about shit."

"One day," he nodded. "I can't wait to get the fuck up out of NY." All his mind could do was wander to the thoughts of the last couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, she wondered if the timing was bad, but she wanted to bring up what had been going on between them the last couple of weeks. She overheard the conversation between Markyse and Tahiry and was happy to know that she could trust him, but she still wanted to pry. She needed to know the specifics.

He was also wondering about how he was going to continue navigating the fact that he was a murderer. All he could continue telling himself was that he did the right thing.

They would've done it too, he thought.

"I don't mean to pry," she started. "But what happened between you and Tahiry? I know I could've been nicer, but I felt like I had to protect myself."

"Tahiry is harmless," he admitted. "But I understand what you mean. It can feel intimidating around her."

"Let me clarify, she doesn't intimidate me," she held her finger up. "But I felt like she needed to stand down. It didn't make any sense for her to come at me so strong."

"If I can remember properly, you started it." Markyse chuckled. "You started the argument when you tried her about her school. You know she don't go to no damn Towson, yet you had to go there with her."

"You defending her? Sound like you defending her."

"I'm not," he admitted. "But, we've been over this already. You started it and that's ok, it's in the past now. All I want is you, Stella. You don't have to worry about me being in love with someone else. God gave me you for a purpose."

Hearing him say that brought a smile to her face. All she wanted was to feel secure with this man, because she loved him too much. Stella was always wearing a chip on her shoulder, hoping that she wasn't losing him to the next woman. She didn't mean to be insecure, but it was hard not to when it seemed like women were constantly throwing themselves at him.

She respected a lot about her man and the fact that he was constantly living a life that was suitable for the both of them. He never wanted anything to compromise the life they lived at home, but she could tell he was often influenced by his surroundings. His emotions were much like the weather and could change at the drop of a dime.