“That’s why I’m going to be honest with you about something.”
“Alright.” I took a hit and looked at him. “What’s up?”
“I don’t like you working two jobs.”
I chuckled. That wasn’t what I’d thought was about to come out of his mouth and it honestly shocked me.
“What does that mean, Kiano? You feeling neglected?”
This time he chuckled.
“No, but I don’t really want you working yourself to death.” He reached for the joint and I let him take it. “I would prefer if you lived a long, happy life.” He took a hit. “I want to take some of the weight off your plate.”
“Meaning what, Kiano?”
“Meaning I want to take care of you as much as I want to take care of Jiselle.” He grabbed my face with his free hand. “I paid the next six months of your mortgage.”
“What? The fuck you mean, Kiano?”
He shrugged and took another hit. “I pulled your information and paid your mortgage.”
“Who the fuck told you to do that?”
“Nobody but that’s usually what free will is.” He smiled at me. “You’ve taken care of your siblings and shit for a while,but you don’t really have anyone to take care of you, so…” He shrugged. “I’m going to take on that job.”
“You can’t just?—”
“Come on now, Stone. You knew who I was the second we both broke into Jiselle’s house. There’s no such thing as boundaries in this relationship. I’m not going to lie to you, cheat on you, or try to put my hands on you, but outside of that, there’s not a lot you can stop me from doing, especially when it comes to taking care of you and Jiselle.”
I clenched my teeth automatically and my eyes closed while I took a deep breath.
I knew who he was. I hadn’t given a fuck when he was running all over Jiselle’s boundaries so I didn’t know why I was shocked he’d run over mine.
He was right. I was used to providing for my family. It was expected of me.
“I don’t like the thought of another grown ass man taking care of my grown ass though,” I admitted.
“Do you feel that way about Morocco and Drake?”
“What?”
“Do you feel some kind of way about helping them out?”
“Nah, but that’s my job as their brother.”
“And it’s my job as your partner to take care of shit and make your life easier just like you want to make their lives, mine, and Jiselle’s lives easier.” He took another hit from the joint and offered it to me.
“Six months is a lot.” I gripped him by the back of his neck.
“I wanted to pay it off but knew you’d cry about it.”
“Cry about it?” I repeated.
“Mhm.”
I took one last hit of my joint then flicked it to the ground and stepped on it.
Something about Kiano wanting to take care of me the way I took care of everyone else had me feeling some type of way.