A week later, Kareem was getting used to how his life had started to overlap with Santi's. He still had his job at the mechanic shop, spending his days under hoods and crawling under cars, but somehow, no matter how late he got off, he usually ended up at Santi's place or the other way around.
It wasn't even intentional half the time. Santi had a way of just being thereâwhether it was pulling up to the shop to wait for Kareem after work or texting him to come over and eat because "You can't keep living off gas station snacks and greasy-ass pizza rolls." Kareem acted like it annoyed him, but deep down, he didn't mind it.
Tonight was no different. Kareem had just walked into his apartment, tossing his work shirt onto the couch, when his phone buzzed on the counter.
Santi: You eat yet?
Kareem: What you want?
Santi: Stop actin' funny and come over.
Kareem: I just got home.
Santi: And?
Kareem stared at the screen, rolling his eyes before typing back: You annoying.
By the time he showed up at Santi's place, it was almost nine. Santi opened the door, wearing sweatpants and a black hoodie, a blunt tucked behind his ear.
"You real quick to come over for somebody who be talkin' shit," Santi teased, stepping aside to let him in.
"Whatever," Kareem muttered, kicking off his sneakers by the door.
Santi smirked, letting it slide as he followed Kareem into the living room. "You eat?"
"I'm good," Kareem said, sitting on the couch and leaning back with a sigh.
"You ain't eat," Santi said knowingly, heading to the kitchen without waiting for a response.
While Santi moved around the kitchen, Kareem scrolled aimlessly on his phone, the faint smell of weed lingering in the air. When Santi came back with two plates of food, he sat close, his knee brushing Kareem's as he handed him one.
"Don't say I never did nothin' for you," Santi joked, taking a bite of his food.
Kareem smirked faintly but didn't say anything, focusing on eating. Santi watched him out of the corner of his eye, the silence between them comfortable, familiar.
When they finished, Santi stretched, setting his plate on the coffee table before leaning back against the couch. "What time you gotta be at work tomorrow?"
"Early," Kareem muttered, already regretting how late it was getting.
"So just crash here," Santi said easily.
Kareem looked at him skeptically. "Nah, I'm good."
"You always 'good,'" Santi mimicked, smirking. "Just stay. You be actin' like I'm gon' kill you in your sleep or somethin'."
Kareem sighed, knowing Santi wasn't going to let it go. "Fine."
By the time Kareem got comfortable in Santi's bed, he was already half-asleep. He barely noticed when Santi slid in beside him, the bed dipping under his weight.
It was the same thing that had happened so many nights before. Kareem would wake up to Santi draped over him, his face pressed into Kareem's neck, one arm thrown around his waist like he belonged there.
This time was no different. Kareem blinked awake in the early morning light, his body still warm from sleep. Santi was on top of him, his breath slow and even against Kareem's skin. Kareem didn't move, letting out a quiet sigh as he stared at the ceiling.
"You up?" Santi's voice was muffled against his neck, low and groggy.
"Yeah," Kareem muttered.
Santi lifted his head slightly, his dark eyes meeting Kareem's. He didn't say anything, just leaned down and pecked Kareem's lips.
Kareem tensed instinctively but didn't pull away. "You real bold first thing in the morning," he mumbled, his voice still rough from sleep.
Santi smirked, kissing him again, slower this time. "You ain't stop me, though."
"Shut up," Kareem muttered, his hand coming up to push at Santi's shoulder.
Santi laughed softly, shifting his weight to one side as he kissed Kareem's cheek. "You stay frontin' like you don't like this."
Kareem rolled his eyes but didn't respond, his face warming under Santi's steady gaze.
Later that afternoon, they ended up at the grocery store. Santi had insisted on going, saying Kareem's fridge looked "disrespectful," and Kareem had reluctantly tagged along.
As they moved through the aisles, Kareem pushed the cart while Santi grabbed things off the shelves, tossing them in without asking.
"You gon' pay for all this?" Kareem asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You think I can't?" Santi shot back, smirking.
Kareem didn't respond, his lips twitching like he was trying not to smile.
When they got to the checkout line, Santi nudged Kareem's shoulder. "Why you so quiet?"
"I'm always quiet," Kareem said, glancing at him.
"Nah, you just actin' shy now 'cause you know I'm about to kiss you in public," Santi teased, leaning closer.
Kareem froze, his eyes widening slightly. "Don't play with me."
Santi chuckled, leaning in anyway to peck Kareem's cheek, ignoring the way Kareem glared at him.
"You so lucky I don't hit people in public," Kareem muttered under his breath.
"You ain't gon' hit me," Santi said confidently, grinning as he handed the cashier a wad of cash.
Kareem sighed, shaking his head as he pushed the cart toward the exit. "You a mess."