The Love That Grew

Ch. 14 Busted

Unknown: Good morning beautiful

uh good morning who's this?

Unknown: It's Syx I thought you saved my # damn you forgot about me already i'm hurt 😩

😅You know these iPhones do what they want lol

Syx: Mhmm what you doing later today?

Rereading the text for a third time Jashae tried to think of the best reply.

Just running a few errands why?

Syx: I just want a lil of your time lemme take you out and get to know you. You'll be free around 4?

Not wanting to seem too eager, she waited 20 minutes before agreeing to the time. Syx even offered to pick her up, but she declined, remembering all the Dateline episodes she binge-watched recently.

"I'll have some updates faxed over to the courts by tomorrow morning. I just need to review a few things with Mr. Thompson first. Mhmm... yea, great talking to you too... okay, bye. Ouuu, where you going looking all fit and fine?" Ray questioned immediately. Jashae wasn't even sure if the other caller had disconnected.

"Oh, nowhere special. Just wanted to get out of the house."

Raynell eyed her suspiciously. "Uh huh, out of the house to go where? I don't see Xavier out front."

Unintentionally rolling her eyes at his name, she lied, not wanting Raynell to accidentally tell Peezy where she was or rather who she'd be with. "I'm not going out with Xavier. I'm meeting up with Lourdes."

Luckily, another call distracted Ray, so she couldn't pry any further. Jashae snatched the keys for the all-black Audi S8 off the hook and sped out the door, not wanting to be late.

A small smile crept on her face once she walked in and realized where Syx had planned their first date. The large sign read MetroRock, an indoor rock-climbing gym, and she was definitely dressed for the occasion.

The chocolate-colored leggings and long-sleeve two-piece from PLT ensured she had enough room to move around. Spotting Syx standing near the register, she walked over, clearing her throat to catch his attention.

"You looking good. I like this lil fit, and you on time. That's a first; I thought most women showed up fashionably late," he joked, leaning in for a small hug. Jashae's nose was instantly hit with his L'Homme cologne, one of her favorite scents on a man.

"Thank you. I guess I'm not like 'most' women," she smirked, letting him lead the way toward the platforms.

One of the employees came over and explained the rules before adjusting their harnesses and leaving the two alone. "Last one to the top's buying dinner," Syx yelled before darting towards the enormous rocks.

Jashae laughed, watching his foot slip more than once as she gracefully moved through the course. She even waited a few minutes for him to catch up before continuing towards the top, beating him by a landslide.

By the time they got down, they were both a sweaty, laughing mess. "I know you let me win, Syx. I'm not complaining, though. Where we about to eat at?"

"Nah, you beat me, beautiful, and we can go anywhere—"

"Yo, Syx!" a random man interrupted their conversation, walking straight towards them with a girl by his side. Jashae glanced between the two men, noticing the new mug that replaced his smile, the cheerfulness in his eyes now long gone.