Keep you to myself, p.16
Keep You To Myself, page 16
Torin smiled. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Synovi replied sleepily.
This was about to be the second-best night of sleep he’d had. Ironically, its location was in the same spot as the first best night. Only now, the person experiencing it with him made it much more enjoyable.
Leighton just knew when she answered Torin’s call she had to have misheard her. She was sure that the turbulence she spoke of before had temporarily affected her hearing.
“I’m sorry. What’d you say?” Leighton questioned, humored.
“I fucked the help.”
The cackle Leighton let out made Torin grin and shake her head. “I know that’s mothafuckin’ right! I told you you’d be calling me, but I didn’t think it’d be this soon.”
Torin sighed as she weaved through traffic. “I know, right? I’m mad I even had to call you.”
“Don’t be mad, pooh.” Leighton laughed. “Now, how was it?”
“I’m sprung,” Torin admitted with no shame or hesitation.
Leighton pulled the phone away from her ear. “Excuse me?”
“Sprung, a dummy, foolish, goofy. T-Pain’s daughter. How else do you want me to explain it?”
“Oooh, bitch,” Leighton murmured. “Un, un. You sure?”
“Yes. Pretty positive.” Torin chuckled. “No, seriously, though. I can see it getting to that point.”
The fact that she’d been having these thoughts for more than a few days and hadn’t been able to shake them was foreign to Torin. Synovi really had her head gone. Waking up to him on Saturday morning, talking all day Sunday, having movie night on Monday, and cooking tacos for him on Tuesday had to be considered sprung. Torin didn’t know what else to label it.
“And this is after one time?” Leighton could believe it, but still, she needed some type of proof.
“No. Four times,” Torin whispered.
“Torin!”
“I knoooow. This is crazy,” she whined. “But it’s so good.”
Leighton sucked her teeth. “Obviously, if I’m just hearing about it. Lil’ sneaky heffa. You hopped on it right after the day party, huh?”
“Not immediately. Some hours later.” She giggled.
“Has the man even started servicing you… well, clearly.” She giggled. “But has he started doing his job?”
“He has, and I have no complaints,” Torin let her know.
“Well, that’s good. I’m happy to hear you have someone to clean up, and you’re getting that back blown out. It was getting a lil’ dusty down there. I almost started calling you Charlotte,” Leighton snickered at her own joke.
“Charlotte? Who’s that?”
“Charlotte’s Web.”
When the name registered, Torin giggled. “Girl, whatever.”
“Besides being sexually satisfied, do you like him? Is he someone you can see yourself dating?”
Torin didn’t hesitate to tell her yes. Honestly, she wasn’t sure how things escalated so quickly, but they had, and she enjoyed his company.
“I do. At first, he was kind of closed off, but he’s opening up.”
Synovi was still guarded, but their daily conversations and visits were breaking the shield some. There were certain topics that came up between them over the days, and he hardly had any input on them, but Torin didn’t push. She knew whatever it was holding him back would be revealed when he was ready.
“That’s good. We don’t like emotionally unavailable men. And he’s how old?”
“Younger than us, but trust me… that doesn’t matter. He is very mature.”
“Okay,” Leighton cheered. “Take up for your man. I ain’t mad at you.”
Torin snickered. “You really make me sick, I swear.”
“I know, but you love me.”
She did, dearly. Leighton had been her best friend for over sixteen years and knew her better than anyone. So, that was why she was apprehensive about what she was about to say next.
“There is one thing, though.” Torin sighed heavily.
“Oh, lord. He has a baby? I mean, kids are cool, long as the baby mama is dead.”
“Girl!” Torin choked on a laugh. “Shut the hell up.”
“What? We don’t have time for baby mama drama. You remember what we had to put up with from DJ’s mama before she moved on.”
Torin frowned. She remembered like it was yesterday. Though Candice was cool now, there’d been plenty of days where she and Torin exchanged words and fists behind Don’s messiness. She couldn’t understand how Torin’s fresh ass, as she liked to call her, snagged her balling-ass baby daddy.
Candice would start petty beef with her for no reason, and Torin would never let someone bully her. Especially when she was just trying to love her man. If she knew then what she’d eventually found out, Torin would’ve saved every breath she spewed her way. Don eventually sat them both down and explained to Candice that Torin wasn’t going anywhere, lying straight through his pearly whites. He could’ve saved his speech and sat her down with the other hoes she found out about.
“He doesn’t have any kids,” Torin clarified.
“Okay, so what’s got you second-guessing already?”
“I don’t think he has his own car,” Torin voiced. She didn’t just think it, she knew.
Leighton kissed her teeth. “Oh, well. Hang it up, buttercup.”
“Having a vehicle isn’t the end all be all, Leigh.”
“This is true, but why in this day and age would someone not have a vehicle unless they can’t drive or live in a state where public transportation is the main means of travel? Make it make sense.”
Torin couldn’t, and that was what was bothering her with Synovi not opening up. On the days he came to her house, he was either dropped off by a Lyft driver and picked up, or he was pulling up in an older model Ford Fusion.
Of course, Torin didn’t hesitate to ask if he was driving some chick's car to her crib, and Synovi reassured her it wasn’t. Yet, he never said the car was his or belonged to someone else.
“There are plenty of reasons why. Financial setbacks, car wrecks, a medical condition. You never know. Plus, he’s young. Not everyone is in the position to have their own set of wheels,” Torin said.
“Of course, they aren’t. Shit happens. Life is a trip. I’m not discrediting that those situations don’t occur because I’ve been there and know people who have and are today. What I want to know is why it’s a concern for you. You wouldn’t have brought it up if it weren’t.”
“It’s not solely about the car… just his background. I’m not really sure I know what I got myself into with him. Like, who is he really?”
Torin’s question was asked more so to herself. She’d been trying to figure Synovi out from day one and couldn’t. Asking Racquel was of no use because she knew the bare minimum, and Synovi had already told her the same things she did.
“I don’t know, T. But it looks like we need to do some digging. You aren’t in that deep yet. It’s never too late to let him go on about his business.”
Leighton’s suggestion sounded good, but Torin knew her. She knew the tug on her heart had much more to do with the person Synovi was and not what he had between his legs. Letting him go wasn’t an option unless she absolutely had to.
Torin sighed. “You’re right. We’ll just see how it goes. I’m about to get some community service hours in, though. Call me later.”
“Okay. I have four more heads and a house visit, so I’ll text you.”
“Okay.”
The two hung up and Torin pulled into the parking lot. She’d been up since six with a racing mind and she hoped it’d take a break for just a few hours so she could think straight. Being out in the field and giving back to the community always seemed to do the trick.
“What up, bruh?” D’Marco said, posting up in the entryway of Synovi’s door.
Synovi looked up from the text message Torin had just sent him. “Shit. What’s good?”
“Nothing at all. They got me working the overnight shift today. If you need my whip again, you can use it.”
Although Torin had jump started Synovi’s cleaning services, he still accepted one of the jobs he got an interview for. It was through a temp service and part time, but paid weekly. They were currently in a two-week training course and would receive a hefty sign-on bonus once they completed it. Any money Synovi could pocket was good in his eyes.
With his new business venture came expenses. Cleaning products weren’t cheap and he needed a lot of them. Figuring out how he could budget better to save and still make money was the conversation he and Torin were having. She was all for making her money work for her.
What was supposed to be him just cleaning up at her main kitchen location turned into Synovi attending two big events she had earlier in the week. Seeing her in her element, on her boss shit, motivated him on an entirely different level. That and the fact that D’Marco had been letting him use his car.
Lugging his products on a bus or in back of a Lyft wasn’t going to work and D’Marco knew that. Synovi wanted his own ride but until then, he appreciated his boy for looking out.
“They be switching up y’all schedules like that?” Synovi asked.
“Yeah. It’s peak season, so they got us working crazy shifts and some overtime. Got my baby mama trippin’, thinking I’m lying.”
Synovi chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Whatever, cuz. When I be telling the truth, she wanna accuse me, so why not tell a lil’ lie here and there?”
“Aye. That’s between y’all. They let us out of training early today, so I’ma slide to GiGi’s crib. You tryna come through?”
“Hell yeah. She cooking? Tell her I got some gas for her.” D’Marco laughed.
“You trying to get her kicked out,” Synovi said, standing from the chair he was sitting in.
If anything, GiGi would get herself kicked out. It wasn’t illegal to smoke marijuana in the city, but the facility she lived in had certain rules. Rules GiGi hated following some days. Other than that, she didn’t give them a hard time at all. Almost all the staff loved her and always asked where her grandson was.
“She’ll be good. Let me grab my keys right quick,” D’Marco said, heading to his room that was on the other side of the building.
“A’ight. I’ma be in the front.”
The duo split, and Synovi made his way to the front. Forgetting he hadn’t hit Torin back, he pulled his phone out. Noticing the incoming call from Jade, he shook his head. The night at Torin’s, he’d left his phone in her room on purpose, knowing the type of time Jade would be on, and he was right.
When he retrieved it the next morning, he had eight missed calls from her and a bunch of texts that made no sense to Synovi. There weren’t any typos in them or anything, but the fact that she had asked to come and get him so they could make up was ludicrous. He was going to give it a day to clear his head and think over cutting her off completely, but Jade didn’t give him any time.
Before the day party fiasco, Jade would go days without reaching out, but suddenly, she was blowing his line down. Synovi had had enough of her dramatics.
“Yeah?” he answered when she called a second time.
“Are you seriously ignoring me?”
“We’re on the phone talking now. What up?”
Jade couldn’t believe her ears right now. “I haven’t spoken to you in days and you won’t return my calls.”
“That ain’t nothing new, Jade. I been busy.”
“Busy? Since when are you fucking busy? It’s not like you have a job.”
“A’ight. Anything else?”
Synovi remained calm. He could’ve burst her bubble and talked bad to her for trying to clown him, but he let her have it.
“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just frustrated and don’t understand what I did wrong. Do you not want to do this anymore?”
He hated the way desperation seeped from her tone. It made his brain jumble and the spot he had in his wounded heart for her soften. The same thing he told Torin he didn’t want done to him, was exactly what he was doing to Jade. Leaving her hanging, confused, and unwanted, without a warning.
She’s not yours! he thought angrily.
Leaning against the wall, Synovi closed his eyes for a brief moment. He never felt like he had a say so in what direction his life went. To have to choose between staying where it felt good for now or leaving to be where it would remain good had Synovi conflicted.
“I take your silence as a no,” Jade said softly.
“It’s not that. Let me—”
“Ah. Just the person I wanted to see. Let me introduce you to someone.”
Synovi’s eyes opened at the sound of Mr. K heading his way. His eye twitched as he kept a neutral expression. Right now wasn’t the time to be trying to introduce him to people.
“I ain’t really in the mood,” Synovi said, still holding the phone to his ear.
It could’ve fallen from his hand when the person behind Mr. K stepped to the side, making themselves known.
“Synovi?” Torin questioned with familiarity and uncertainty in her voice.
He stiffened in shock as confusion siphoned through him at her appearance.
“You know him?” Mr. K questioned.
Synovi waited. Their eyes locked on one another, and Torin’s heart pounded. She didn’t know what was going on.
“Yes. He’s my… um. We sort of work together,” she let out, and Synovi’s throat tightened.
He didn’t know what answer he expected her to give, but that wasn’t quite it. Still, it was better than saying she didn’t know him at all. That was his fear.
“Hello?” Jade said, trying to ear hustle.
Without a thought, Synovi hung up in her face and slid his phone into the pocket of his Nike shorts.
“Really? I didn’t know that, baby girl,” Mr. K said.
Synovi’s head drew back. “This you?”
He didn’t take Torin as the fuck with an older, bald man type, but obviously, he couldn’t judge a book by its cover.
“What was that?” Mr. K questioned, and Synovi didn’t know why.
His question was for Torin, as his cold eyes seared into her. Picking up on what he thought this was, Torin laughed nervously.
“Um, no. This is my dad. I’m here to clock some community service hours.”
It was then that Synovi noticed the pan of food in her hand. It’d been overlooked, thanks to Torin taking up every ounce of space in his brain and sight.
“I ain’t know you had a daughter,” Synovi said, keeping his cool. “As uptight as you are, wouldn’t even think you had a woman.”
Torin giggled and Mr. K glared at her.
“That’s funny to you? I’m not uptight. Just about my business, young man. Now, tell me… how do you know my baby? That temp job isn’t in her field.”
“She can tell you.”
Because if I do, I’ma get kicked out of the program, Synovi thought and hit Torin with a smirk that ruined her panties.
“Daddy, Synovi has a cleaning business. I’d been looking to hire one and we just happened to run into each other,” Torin explained.
Mr. K looked surprised. “Really? This is my first time hearing of this entrepreneurship. I like that. I like that a lot. We’ll have to talk about it more later on. I have to get to a meeting across town.”
He kissed Torin’s cheek and stepped Synovi’s way with his hand out. Synovi’s eyes dropped and he gripped it firmly.
Mr. K leaned in so only he could hear him. “I’m warning you. She’s off limits.” He spoke lowly before retreating, sporting a smile.
Fake ass nigga, Synovi thought, flicking his nose. His top lip curled and his eye twitched again. “Yeah, a’ight. Don’t be late to that meeting ’cause you trying to run shit. She’s in good hands.”
Mr. K glared at him with a tight jaw. “Torin, save me some of that pasta. I should be back in a few hours.”
“I already did. Drive safely.”
Mr. K told her he would and headed down the hall after giving Synovi one last glance. He pumped no fear in Synovi and he should’ve already known that. When they were finally alone, Synovi walked over to her. Torin held her breath, thinking he was about to go off on her, but he did the complete opposite.
“What up?” he spoke and kissed her lips before grabbing the pan out of her hand. “Why you ain’t make that nigga carry this?”
Torin was so smitten, her face warmed. “Hi. And because he’s clumsy as all get out.”
“Clown shit.”
“Um, yeah. So, are we going to address the elephant in the room?” Torin asked.
Synovi nodded his head. “In a minute. Walk to the kitchen.”
Bossy ass.
She led the way and entered the dining area where food was being served. Though Solace Place had a culinary staff who prepared meals, some days, different organizations brought meals in and served them. It’d been a while since Torin had been able to come volunteer around the place, but she had some free time today. Plus, she didn’t want it to get too late in the year when her schedule got ridiculous and she couldn’t.
“Torin! Girl, is that you?” Mrs. Cannon, the head cook, questioned.
She’d been there since the place opened up and had no plans to leave. Every month, she’d remind the staff that even when she retired, she’d still volunteer.
“Hey, Mrs. Cannon. How are you?” Torin asked as they hugged.
“I’m blessed, baby. You're looking gorgeous as ever.”
“Hell yeah, she is!” one of the men shouted. “Come here. Let me holla at you.”
Torin shook her head at his outburst. Synovi glanced the guy's way.
“Aye. If you wanna keep eating off that plate and not through a straw, watch your mouth and keep them bulged ass eyes off her.”
“Now, Synovi,” Mrs. Cannon fussed with a giggle and swatted his arm. “You know he’s missing a few marbles.”
“He gon’ be missing a few teeth in a minute,” Synovi grumbled.
His jealousy had Torin weak in the knees. “Stop,” she whispered.
Synovi waved her off.
