Protector.

10.

I stared into Dwayne's eyes as our hands were interlocked. Although he should've been paying attention to the road his eyes were on me. We had been together for what felt like forever. I loved every piece of him, especially the soft gentle look he'd give me.

"I love you Wynter," he announced while easing onto the breaks to a stop light.

The wind suddenly stopped blowing and my hair rested onto my shoulders. I fixated the pieces which were glued to my lipstick and he found that so hilarious. "I love you too Wayne."

I reached over placing the palm of my hand onto his head. He had waves which was something I preferred, it made him stand out.

We both leaned in and my eyes closed, our lips locked for a little over a few seconds. I slowly opened them to see a car in the far lane playing loud music. I shrugged it off and Dwayne removed my hand from his head and kissed at the back of it.

I smiled at him causing my eyes to become chinky like.

My smile faded once I saw someone reach their arm out of the backseat holding a gun. "DWAYNE!" I screamed rather frightened causing him to look over and he forced my head down, leaning his heavy body onto me. He pushed the gas as bullets flew throughout the red car.

My screams were loud and panicked while the car tires screeching attempted to drown them out.

"DWAYNE OH MY GOD!" I screamed trying to get a hold of myself.

He pulled into the parking lot of a hotel, he finally eased his rather built body off of me and shook his head in anger.

"Fuck Wynter," he cursed under his breath and I looked to him. I locked my lips, tasting the product of my running makeup on my taste buds. "A-are you o-o-okay?" I asked still shaking, I looked my hands and they were similar to someone having a seizure or a person waving who gets excited to see their friends.

His brows were furrowed and sweat beads were rolling from his forehead. "Are you okay is the question?" He pondered.

I nodded slowly.

He stuck his fingers through my hair and forced me in for a kiss. "I fuckin' love you, do you hear me? I won't ever let nothin' like that happen to you again," he assured while staring into my eyes.

"I love you to-too."

I was still trying to wrap my head around the entire situation. This was the first time  I'd ever been shot at  on purpose, I'm more than sure whoever that was didn't care whether I was hit or not. He exited the car and I debated whether or not to follow. I needed him to cool off before he decided on doing something stupid.

I finally exited and I saw he was examing the small holes throughout the vehicle.

"I'm not lettin' them niggas get away with that shit," he mumbled

"Shooting back won't solve anything, they'll send someone else for you right after," I informed having him look to me.

He shrugged, "I gotta do what I have too to fuckin' protect you!"

I paused before I said another word.

This wasn't the life that I agreed too...

____

I opened my eyes to feel A'melia not next to me any longer. I slowly eased up on the bed and wiped my eyes. I hadn't even realized I was crying. I truly missed Dwayne but I don't miss the lifestyle he chose. I had to get away from that for the better.

"Oh you suck uncle!" I heard a small voice holler.

I exited the bed and did my morning hygiene along with a shower. I stepped out and wrapped the towel around me. "Mommy?" A'melia called out trying to find me.

"I'm here," I called.

She entered the room fully and then her head popped up in the bathroom, "we have to go to the store."

"Not a problem." I smiled, "how are you feeling?"

A'melia then smiled, "good, uncle just sucks at games is all." She folded her arms over her chest, "he cheats," she whispered.

I let out a laugh, Kentrell cheats in everything he does. Especially with his women.

"Okay let mommy get dressed," I informed then she quickly ran off back down the hall. I grabbed a simple pair of black leggings and a plain grey Nike jacket. I really didn't feel like getting all cute for any reason since it was just a simple store run. I suddenly heard lots of different voices coming from down the hall, I already knew Kentrell had all his friends over.

I put on some simple black Nike shoes and I went into the living room.

Kentrell was sitting slouched on the couch and brought a blunt to his lips. "What did I tell you about smoking around A'melia?" I questioned and he looked to me with his eyes already low.

"She in tha fuckin' backyard Wynnie chill," he informed looking at me with his brows furrowed.

"Hey Wynnie," Ben greeted with a small smile then went back to watching videos on his phone. "I gotta go to tha studio today," Kentrell said aloud while staring at the blunt in his hand like it was responding back to him. "I'm workin' on some good shit," he smirked then looked at me.

I let my eyes roll and I grabbed my keys, "I'm going to the store.. A'melia!" I shouted for her to come with me.

Kentrell stood to his feet and walked in my direction, "we needa talk when you come back."

A look of confusion came across my face. What could he possibly need to talk about? "Is it important?" I asked and he nodded, "yea'."

"Who you got pregnant this time?" I asked having the whole room roar with laughter.

Kentrell even laughed his damnself, "nobody damn.. I'm tryna get'chu pregnant if you wanna fuckin' be technical." He said having my eyes roll. There was no way in hell I'd ever have Kentrell baby and he knew this. I loved him but not enough to carry a seed for him. "I don't want your baby Kentrell," I said sternly and he followed behind as we exited the door.

"Bring me back some gars," he handed me a hundred dollar bill through my window.

"You don't have a dollar?"

He then reached back into his pocket and pulled out more hundred dollar bills, "do it look like it big headed ass?"

"Always trying to flex," I teased.
_________

"Alright do we have milk?" I asked looking down at A'melia who was pushing the large basket in front of me. "No mommy we need some," she informed then ran from the basket to the freezer which held the milk.

I looked at the list and crossed off milk.

"Thank you," A'melia said causing me to quickly look up at her.

There stood someone I never thought I'd see ever again. He hadn't looked like he aged a day. I swallowed the dried lump in my throat and I had different types of emotions flooding throughout my small body. "Mommy that's the man who came to visit me," A'melia said while pulling on my clothes.

"Wynter?" His voice caused shivers down my spine.