There used to be a time when her alligator tears would move me, but that time was long gone. I continued my pursuit as Natalie, her best friend, rushed in her direction. Suddenly, it made sense how she’d even gotten into this secured area. Her bestie Natalie was a sports journalist. I glanced at them both as Natalie comforted her friend. I didn’t know why Ari had let her hype her up to get her in here to talk to me. Anything Ari and I had was long gone.

“Are you ready, KB?” Monte shouted from outside a black SUV.

Yep. I didn’t hesitate to walk to the SUV. Relief washed over me as I climbed in without looking back.

“Where to?”

“The airport,” I replied.

“Can’t stop thinking about her, huh?” Monte said, breaking the silence as he pulled away from the curb.

I shook my head at his ass. Monte was always observing some shit. It was what I paid him for but still.

“I don’t know, Monte. I think she the one,” I admitted.

“The one? I ain’t never heard you say some shit like that.” He stared at me through the rear view mirror.

“I know, but she feels different. Shit, I feel different around her.”

“She seems like a nice girl. Your mom likes her,” he replied, and I sighed.

My mom avoiding me was getting to me. She didn’t even want to ride in the same car with my ass. She had Doug driving her around.

“Probably more than she does me right now.” I texted Doug to let me know when my mom had made it home.

“About that… Go easy on your mother. It’s not easy losing a son and having to immediately be strong for the other.”

“I know, Monte. I get it, but at the same time, I don’t. She tries to sweep Jeronee under the rug but doesn’t mind the media highlighting him. I need my mom to be emotionally available for me too.”

“You sure that’s your mom’s problem or some shit you need to talk out in counseling?”

I didn’t say shit back. His question was valid. Was I looking for my mom to be my damn therapist?

“You keep dropping this unsolicited advice, and I’ma have to pay you by the hour,” I joked, and Monte laughed.

“I been around you long enough to offer you a family discount. So you good,” he joked back as I pulled up Phileigh’s background check. The address to her job and her apartment were all there.

“Whatever, OG. Just get me to the landing strip so I can go get my woman.”

“I like the simping shit on you,” he said as we took off down the highway.