𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃

19: 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

𝗞𝗗

Mentally I was awake before my body was ready to accept that.

It felt as if we had just laid down when Penny's phone began to vibrate on the side of me. The device would start and stop, the caller not giving up after the first missed call. The noise was like a broken record until she shifted around to the opposite side of the bed — finally, answering it.

"Yes-"

That's when Jessy's voice rang through my bedroom and I knew then, that I was good and awake.

"I said well, damn bitch!" Said my energetic cousin. "Where the hell you at? It's after one o'clock in the afternoon and you sound sleepy as hell," Shaking my head, I held my laugh at her exaggerated tone. "Ms. Lynn talking bout you been crying ova' KD ass. And I'm ready to fight his lanky behind, 'cause what he did, friend? Y'all were good. Hell, y'all was more than good, y'all were perfect. But shit, I call and it sounds like you laid up with the nigga right now-"

Penelope took the call off speakerphone, denying my nosy instincts to partake in their conversation. Wiggling underneath me as her way of asking to be freed. It was after I moved my head, that I realized her body was used as my pillow. From laying on her side to my hands tucked under her thigh and our legs tangled. She was locked in — completely.

My bad.

That wasn't the initial thought in my head, instead, it was the fact that; Penny had been crying? Crying enough for her mother to get involved and for Lynn to tell the news to Jes.

Jessy's words bounced around repeatedly. As much as I love Penelope, it was already solidified in my mind that I'll never keep her from chasing her dreams. But I knew two nights ago it was heavy, emotionally, for her to express the news about the offer. It's hard to ignore that if the decision was bringing this much heartbreak and confusion — it probably spoke for itself.

"I'm fine, J....yes, where else would I be? Well, I told her I needed-" Penelope explained quietly and I watched through heavy eyes as she stood up. Her steps were slower than usual and just as I was about to ask if she was good, her body hit the floor. "Shit!"

Holding my breath, trying my hardest to suppress the laugh. Penelope looked at me and I stared back at her — not wanting to laugh in her face. But damn, it was hard. Snatching her phone up, she attempted to stand, mumbling something under her breath. I know my expression gave away my lack of control.

"Damn." I mumbled, and that alone made me break.

"Oh, you laughing, asshole?" Grabbing one of the pillows off the floor, Penny tossed it. Hitting me in the face and unfortunately that only made the situation more hilarious. Jessy could be heard asking what happened, while my laughter may have answered her question.

"Shut up, Ka'Dafii. It's yo' damn fault." She mumbled, slowly coming to a standing position. With the phone in her hand, Jessy was back on the speaker phone as Penelope limped away.

"Do I want to know what the hell just happened?" J asked and I couldn't stop laughing for nothing in me. Penny tossed another pillow in my direction before going into the bathroom.

"Your big headed ass cousin happened." And then the double doors to the en-suite closed. Leaving me in the bedroom alone.

Now fully awake, I sat up, pushing the covers away. A good laugh still left in me, but I calmed down. Out of bed — I found my phone on the charger. Missed calls, text messages, and Outlook alerts lined the notification bar.

Luckily during our sexcape from the world, Kai sent me the final revision of the Coca-Cola deal with his signature attached. Meaning the DocuSign paperwork was only awaiting my John Hancock.