The Plug's Daughter

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The Plug's Daughter
Chapter 20: The ride back

Omniscient:

The drive home after the club was dead silent, but the tension in the air was loud. Alazhá stared out the window, arms crossed, her lips pressed into a tight line. Romani's hands gripped the steering wheel, his jaw set like he was trying to hold something in.

"You really pulled out a whole gun tonight," she finally said, breaking the silence.

Romani glanced over at her, his voice calm but firm. "You was lettin' that lame all up in your space. What you expect me to do?"

"I expect you to act like you got sense!" she snapped, turning to face him. "You can't be out here wildin' like that. You embarrassed me, Romani!"

"I embarrassed you?" he shot back. "You the one posted up with some dude like I ain't exist."

She rolled her eyes. "We wasn't even doin' nothin'! You so damn insecure."

"Insecure? Nah, I'm just not finna let no clown disrespect me or touch what's mine." His voice dropped, his tone low and serious.

Alazhá scoffed, shaking her head. "First of all, I ain't 'yours.' And second, you gotta chill with this possessive shit. It's too much."

Romani didn't say anything for a moment, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. Finally, he sighed, his tone softening. "I'm sorry, Zhá. I ain't mean to embarrass you. I just... I don't wanna lose you."

She stayed quiet, her heart softening just a little at his words.

"I know I need to work on how I handle shit," he continued. "But you gotta understand... when it comes to you, I don't know how to play it cool."

Her lips twitched into a small, reluctant smile. "You really gotta work on that, Romani."

"I will. For you," he said, glancing over at her.

She shook her head, leaning back into the seat. "You lucky I'm even still in this car right now."

A small smirk tugged at his lips. "Nah, I'm lucky you mine."

"Boy, hush," she said, rolling her eyes, but her smile stayed.

Chick-fil-A Pit Stop

The tension eased up by the time they pulled into the Chick-fil-A drive-thru. Romani turned to her, his smirk growing. "What you want?"

"A spicy chicken sandwich meal with lemonade," she said without hesitation.

"Figures," he teased.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" she shot back, giving him a playful glare.

"Nothin', just that you predictable," he said, laughing.

She chuckled despite herself. "Shut up and get my food."

He ordered for both of them, and as they waited, she glanced over at him, catching the way his profile looked under the soft glow of the dashboard lights.

"You really care about me like that, huh?" she asked quietly.

Romani turned to her, his expression serious. "More than you know."

Her chest tightened at his words, and she quickly looked away, pretending to focus on her nails.

At Romani's House

By the time they got to his house, the energy between them was different. Softer. He unlocked the door and held it open for her, his gaze lingering as she walked past him.