Chapter 39

Trey's POV

Zay been in my spot for a few days now, and it's already like he been here forever. He move through my space like it's his, leaving his shit all over, taking up half the bed, stealing my hoodies like they don't fit big as hell on him. And I let him. Ain't even a question.

This morning, he stretched across me before I could get up, arms around my waist, face buried in my chest. Clingy as hell, like he ain't just been talking shit last night.

"Zay, baby, let me up," I mumble, rubbing his back.

He groans against my skin. "Where you goin'?"

"To make us somethin' to eat," I say.

He tightens his grip like that's supposed to stop me. "Stay here."

I shake my head, smiling against his forehead. "Nah, love. You gon' let me up or what?"

He sighs all dramatic, rolling onto his back, arms stretched over his head. "Fine. But make my plate first."

I kiss his jaw, pulling back. "You already know."

I get up, sliding on some sweats, and head to the kitchen. Ain't much in here since we been eating out, but I make it work-whip up some eggs, toast, and turkey bacon. Zay finally stumbles in, hair a mess, one of my tees hanging off his shoulder.

I slide his plate across the counter, and he grins, hopping up on the stool. "See, this why I'm stayin'."

I smirk, sipping my juice. "You was stayin' anyway, pretty."

He looks at me for a second, something soft in his eyes, before he picks up his fork. Ain't gotta say nothing.

-

Later, after we eat, I pull out my phone, checking my messages. My sister, Aliyah, hit me up earlier about her books for next semester, and I already know what she need before she say it.

I cash app her before she can even ask, sending extra for whatever else she might need.

Zay watches me from the couch, legs tucked under him. "That for your sis?"

"Yeah," I say, locking my phone. "She start classes again next week."

He nods, twisting one of his dreads between his fingers. "You always take care of her?"

I shrug. "Only family I got left."

Zay's quiet for a second, then he leans his head against the cushion. "She lucky to have you, Pa."

That sit in my chest for a second before I nod. "You too."

He blinks at me, lips parting, like he wasn't expecting that. Then he just smirks, stretching his arms over his head. "I know."

I laugh, shaking my head. "C'mon, get dressed. We goin' out."

His eyes light up. "Where?"

"You'll see."

-

Zay's POV

Trey don't tell me where we goin', just throws me my shoes and tells me to hurry up. I throw on some jeans and a bright blue hoodie, stacking my chains before I grab my phone.

We end up at the mall, and I should've known this man had plans. Soon as we step inside, he's pulling me into the designer store, hand on my lower back, guiding me like I need help walking.

"Trey..." I warn, side-eyeing him.

He smirks. "What, love?"

I fold my arms. "You do not gotta buy me nothin'."

He tilts his head, giving me a slow look up and down. "That supposed to stop me?"

I hate how fast my stomach flips. "You annoyin'."

"And you spoiled," he says, grabbing a hoodie off the rack. "Try this on."

I stare at him for a second before snatching it. "Whatever."

He just grins.

I should fight him, but truth is... I love this shit.

-

By the time we leave, I got two new hoodies, some sneakers, and a fresh chain around my neck. I ain't even fight him that hard for it. Trey do what he wanna do, and when it come to me, what he wanna do is take care of me.

I look over at him as we walk back to the car, his hand swinging slightly between us, like he debating on grabbing mine.

I beat him to it.

He looks down at me, eyebrows raised, but he don't say nothing. Just squeezes my fingers, real gentle, like I mean something to him.

Like I mean everything.