Locust Lane

Chapter 9

{Amir Calhoun}

Nichelle brought Saraji and I back to my apartment. She wanted to see us get in my car and leave, but Saraji asked to use my bathroom. I had to convince Nichelle to take her controlling ass on somewhere.

Saraji followed me up to my apartment. I almost made it into my apartment, but my neighbor came out his door. My neighbor is an older black man who I don't really trust. He just seems really suspicious. I've heard rumors about him, but I don't know. Don't really wanna find out if their true or not.

"Hey there neighbor." He said as he leaned against his doorframe. I tried to block Saraji from his view, but he ended up seeing her anyway. "Who's your pretty, young friend?"

"Oh hi." She shyly smiled as she turned around. "I'm Saraji."

He looked her up and down so slow it made me feel uncomfortable. I unlocked my door so she could go ahead and go in. The neighbor made small talk for a minute about her, but I told him I was in a rush. He always tries to talk my damn ears off every time he sees me.

When I finally got to go in my apartment I made extra special sure to lock the damn door. He completely rubbed me the wrong way.

I was about to sit down, but my phone went off again. I got it out of my hoodie pocket and looked at it. For the twentieth time, a restricted number attempted to call me. I answered the first time, and they had nothing to say, so why would I answer again? Granted it could be someone different, but if it was that important then I guess they would leave a message.

"Umm. I know you probably don't really want to go anywhere with me, so you can just drop me off at a restaurant or park or something." I looked up and saw Saraji standing in front of me. She was really light on her feet.

"Don't want to go home, huh? Why?" I asked while sitting on the arm of my sofa. She swept her bang out of her face before rubbing her arms. Clearly she must be cold. After all she is wearing one of those belly shirts. I forget what their called.

"I'm unwanted there." She smiled a little, but I knew she was far from amused. "I would just rather get back home when I'm sure everyone is either in their room or sleep."

"Well, it's cool. We can hang out." Immediately, I raised an eyebrow. It's not like me to want to hang out with anybody. Especially not anyone new. Maybe I just need a change from the muthafuckas I've dealt with though.

"I don't want to go to a movie though." I added. "How far are you willing to go?"

She shrugged her shoulders then put one hand on her face. I don't even know anything about her, but she's different. Most females around this way come off as conceited and full of themselves. Her on the other hand, she seems very... shy. I would say insecure, but I don't know. She seems somewhat fearful. It's evident in her eyes.

"Alright well, you'll probably end up getting cold. Let me get you a jacket and we can go."

She nodded. I got up and went to my room. It was a disaster. I'd been down and out all day, so I didn't really give a damn about cleaning up.

I went to my closet and opened it. Just as I was about to get my burgundy Nike hoodie, my phone vibrated. I looked down at it to see that I had a voicemail.

I would have waited to see who it was from, but something told me to check it. Lord knows I wish I would have just deleted it as soon as I heard the first word.

"Hey sexy. I'm so glad to know that you are alive. Your father, not so much. He talked about plans of hunting you down and killing you. He's afraid you'll end up telling on him. I don't want the only man I've ever truly loved to end up dead, so watch your back. I would love to see you again. I'd have so much fun fucking that grown body of yours. You looked good before but I bet you look even better after six years. If you don't answer my calls I will send your father to where you are. For now, he only knows that you're alive. Thanks to my nephew John, I know exactly where you work. Don't make me come find you."

"Amir..."

My nerves got the best of me and I ended up dropping my phone when Saraji called my name. My heart thumped through my ears to the point where I thought I would pass out. I leaned foward and raked my hands against my face.

Six years. I was able to escape that toxic couple for five years, and now they know I'm alive.

Adam doesn't think logically. If I wanted to rat him out to the feds, I would have done so already. I would have told the cops after my memory came back. I'm a lot of things, but I'm no fool. Flashbacks of Adam stabbing and shooting me put fear in me. They say that no man should fear any other man, but that was the scariest night of my night. It still haunts me. I wish I wasn't too afraid to convince him that I won't tell on him. I don't want anything to do with him really!

"Amir..."

This time I felt her hands on my forearms. She moved my hands from my face, causing me to look at her. She was on my floor, on her knees staring up at me. She looked so confused and she has every right to be.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Umm... well..." I deeply exhaled, attempting to get my thoughts in order. "I'm fine. Just heart palpitations ya know."

I moved over so she could sit next to me on my bed. We made eye contact for a brief moment, but I looked down at my phone. It was lit up and I could clearly see an incoming call.

"Do you want to get that?"

Quick, think. Come up with a lie!

"Nah. It's probably just somebody calling to talk about the situation with my ex. I'm sure you've heard about it. Pretty much everyone has. She led me to think I was a father for almost a year. Turns out, I'm not."

Her expression changed from curious to sympathetic within seconds.

"Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that. It's sad. Some men won't even claim their kids, but you tried to. Life is unfair."

I sighed as I looked at her. In all honesty I don't really feel like going out anymore, but I really need to clear my head.

"True. But I guess we should get going."

I got up and got the hoodie and my phone. On the way out my apartment, I gave her the hoodie. I locked my door then we left.