Chapter 35

Zay had been at work for exactly twenty-two minutes, and he was already over it.

The sneaker store was slow today, and the music playing over the speakers was some tired-ass pop song he wasn't tryna hear this early. He leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone while his coworker, Rob, went on about some drama he half-cared about.

"Bro, I'm tellin' you, she knew he was gon' be at that party and still pulled up with his cousin," Rob said, shaking his head. "That's foul."

Zay hummed, not really listening. He was too busy smirking at his phone, thumbs moving quick as he texted Trey.

Zay: You eat?

Trey ain't respond right away, which meant no. Zay sighed.

Zay: Trey.

Still nothing.

Zay's jaw clenched. He hated when Trey did this shit-going all day without eating like he ain't have a whole ass body to take care of. He swiped out of the messages and pulled up his DoorDash app, already knowing Trey's usual order. He was halfway through checking out when his phone buzzed.

Trey: Just got food. Chill, love.

Zay exhaled, but his lips twitched.

Zay: Mmhmm. Don't lie.

Trey: Ain't lyin'. What you doin'?

Before Zay could respond, Rob leaned over his shoulder, peeking at his phone. "Damn, you be textin' all day, huh?"

Zay side-eyed him. "Mind yo' business."

Rob snorted. "You worse than my girl."

Zay ignored him, typing out his response.

Zay: At work. Hating it.

Trey's reply came quick.

Trey: Quit.

Zay huffed a laugh, shaking his head.

Zay: You gon' pay my bills?

Trey: Yeah.

Zay stared at the message, his smirk faltering for a second. He knew Trey spoiled him, but the way he said shit so casually-like it was already decided-always threw him off.

Zay: You crazy.

Trey: Just sayin'. You don't gotta do shit you don't wanna do.

Zay sucked his teeth, but he ain't argue.

-

By the time he got home, his mom was sitting in the living room, watching one of her court shows. Zay tossed his keys on the table and plopped down beside her, stretching his long legs out.

"Hey, Ma."

She side-eyed him. "You too big to be flopping down on my couch like that."

Zay smirked. "My bad."

She hummed, still focused on the TV. "How was work?"

"Boring," Zay muttered.

She scoffed. "You complain, but you still go."

"Bills still gotta get paid."

She glanced at him then, something unreadable in her eyes. "You doin' okay?"

Zay hesitated. His mom wasn't the type to pry, but she always knew when something was on his mind. He ran a hand over his face. "Yeah... just got a lot on my plate."

She nodded slowly. "You and that boy still good?"

Zay blinked, caught off guard. "...Yeah. Why?"

She shrugged. "You talk about him enough. Just checkin'."

Zay exhaled, leaning back into the couch. "Yeah, we good."

Better than good.

His phone buzzed again, and when he saw Trey's name pop up, his whole body relaxed. He ain't even realize how tense he'd been.

His mom noticed, but she ain't say nothing. Just smirked to herself and turned back to her show.