The next day started the same as any other. Kareem was back at the shop, wiping oil from his hands as he stared at the old beat-up Honda on the lift. The customer had claimed it "just needed a little tune-up," but Kareem could already tell the car was on its last legs.
"Man, this nigga lyin'," he muttered to himself, tossing the rag onto the workbench.
He was mid-thought, considering whether to call the customer or just start the job, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out, expecting a call from one of his cousins or maybe the shop owner. Instead, he saw Santi's name pop up on the screen.
He almost didn't answer. Almost.
"What?" Kareem answered, already annoyed.
"Good morning to you too, Papi," Santi's voice came through smooth, with that same playful tone that always got under Kareem's skin.
"I'm at work. What you want?" Kareem leaned against the counter, pressing the phone to his ear.
"I'm thinkin' maybe I wanna see you later."
Kareem scoffed. "Yeah, aight. You just got all the time in the world, huh?"
"I make time when it's worth it," Santi said, and for once, there wasn't any teasing in his voice.
That threw Kareem off, just for a second. He cleared his throat, shaking it off. "Whatever. I'll hit you if I ain't busy."
"I'll be waitin'," Santi replied, and then the call ended before Kareem could say anything else.
He shoved the phone back into his pocket and picked up his tools again, trying not to think too much about Santi or the way his chest felt just a little tighter than usual.
Kareem wasn't surprised to find himself pulling up to Santi's spot later that evening. He told himself it was just to shut the man up. He parked his car, taking his time getting out, his eyes scanning the quiet street.
The door to Santi's place swung open before Kareem could even knock. Santi stood in the doorway, hoodie half-zipped, tattoos peeking out from under his shirt. That same easy smile spread across his face.
"Look at you. Thought you wasn't comin'," Santi said, stepping aside to let Kareem in.
Kareem shrugged, brushing past him. "Ain't had shit else to do."
"Sure, Papi."
Kareem shot him a glare but didn't bother responding. He kicked off his sneakers by the door and looked around. The place smelled like weed and faintly of cleaning products, a weird but not unpleasant mix.
"You smoke?" Santi asked, already walking to the kitchen.
Kareem leaned against the arm of the couch, crossing his arms. "Sometimes."
Santi grabbed a pre-rolled blunt from the counter, lighting it with a flick of his lighter. He took a slow pull, exhaling a cloud of smoke before holding it out to Kareem.
"You wanna hit?"
Kareem stared at the blunt for a second before stepping forward and taking it from Santi's fingers. Their hands brushed for half a second, and Kareem ignored the way it made his skin heat up.
He took a hit, coughing a little but covering it up quickly. Santi laughed, leaning back against the counter.
"Damn, you good?"
"Shut up," Kareem muttered, handing the blunt back.
They ended up on the couch, the blunt making its way back and forth between them as the room filled with smoke and low conversation. Santi was in his usual talkative mood, throwing out random jokes and stories that Kareem half-listened to.
"You quiet as hell," Santi said eventually, nudging Kareem's leg with his foot.
"That's just me," Kareem said, leaning his head back against the couch.
"Yeah, but you don't gotta be like that with me."
Kareem glanced at him, frowning. "What you mean?"
"I mean, you actin' like I'm one of these randoms out here. I'm not," Santi said, his voice calm but firm.
The words hit Kareem harder than he expected. He looked away, clenching his jaw. "I don't trust people like that."
Santi didn't press him, just nodded like he understood. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and passed Kareem the blunt one last time.
"Take your time, Papi. I ain't goin' nowhere."
The simplicity of the statement caught Kareem off guard, and for once, he didn't have a snappy comeback. He just took the blunt, letting the words settle between them as the smoke hung heavy in the air.
For the first time in a long time, Kareem didn't feel the need to push someone away. And that scared him more than he'd ever admit.