Unconditional

Chapter 3

Anyway, I parked in the parking lot and approached the door. I had just planned to drop of the phone and then drop by my mom's house for a visit. But instead, I see a dude all up in Kim's face, smiling. That kind of got to me for some reason. It was because I needed to protect from snakes like him, yeah.

I walked in and pulled Kim in to me by her waist. She gasped in suprise but was relieved to see it was me. I glanced at the dude but he was still trying to get her attention. He was asking for her number. Well, he is definately not getting it.

Now, even though I'm so touchy-feely with Kim, there's one thing I promised myself that I would never do. But right now, I was going to break that promise. Just for once? I hope.

I softly pressed my lips to hers, to make it seem real. Hell, it WAS real! Again, she was suprised so she froze in my arms but she quickly thawed out. Then she started kissing me back. I really didn't know what was happening at that moment, but I felt something. I don't if it was a good feeling or a bad one but I didn't want it to stop.

What's wrong with me?

It was a long, slow kiss. No tongue at all. But I finally broke it and looked at her. She'd looked normal to anyone who didn't know her like I did, but she was really confused. Then I threw a glance at Malayka but she just stared. at me. Then I looked back at Kimberly. I almost forgot why I did, what I just did and the reason why I even came down here in the first place. But then I turned to see that dude was off talking to another chick. See, a snake.

I smiled and handed Kim her phone. She took and turned away from me for a second turned back to face me. She was about to speak, but I put my finger to her lips. I really for her to leave it alone for right now because I really didn't have a perfectly good explanation as to why I did what I just did.

Then I just turned and walked away. When I got in to my car, I rested my head on the steering wheel. I don't know what happened back there but I know one thing's for sure, I can never let that happen again, ever! Not unless I'm ready to give myself to Kim completely. I believe that kissing gives off intimacy and that ain't on my agenda.

I started my car and pulled out of the parking lot. I made my way over my boy, Kareem's crib. I needed to talk to him because I could go to my mom with this. I never ask my mom advice on females. I parked right outside of his house and rapped on his front door. He came to the door pulling a shirt over his head. I know he just had a female over.

"Wassup bro?" Kareem asked walking over to couch and sitting down.

"I don't even know anymore," I confessed, shaking my head shamefully, shutting the door and sitting on the opposing couch.

"on't tell me you got caught up with one of theses females."

"Nah man. I'm talking about Kim. I don't know what's happening to me but I feel like I'm weakening toward her."

"Have you too slept together?"

"No."

"What? No?... Never?"

"Never."

"As long as yall two been 'just friends', nothing ever happened? Man you losin' ya juice!"

"Don't try to play me..."

"Calm down," Kareem cut me off, "I'm not even encouraging you to sleep with her."

"Like I was saying, I can handle mine. But Kimberly is my real best friend and, yes I do want her. I been wanting her for a long time now but I'm not going to force her to do it. I do make advances but  I always give her the option to stop me at anytime & eventually she does."

"Like I said, you losin' ya touch," he laughed.

"No I not. Anybody could clearly see that she wants it just as bad as I do. But she has standards."

"Oh. I see. So you don't qualify."

"I would. If I settled down with her. She knows that she deserves better than what I'm offering right now but that doesn't stop her from loving me."

"But the question is, do you love her?" Kareem smirked like shit was funny.

I was quiet for a minute. I knew the answer but never admitted it out loud. Everything her was forbidden. Or maybe it's me that's forbidden? It's like I was never suppose to meet her, but I'm glad I did.

"Why wouldn't I. She's always going out of her way to keep me happy."

"Then why won't you just settle down with her? I've known Kim longer than you and she a good woman. She loyal as hell. Shit, she just ain't easy like you like 'em."

"I like easy when I'm trying to hit, but I'm not trying to just smash Kim. So therefore, I love the fact that she's not easy."

"You avoiding my question though," Kareem responded, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not ready for all of that."

"Then stop trying to sleep with her. Maybe she not ready for the little bullshit you trying to give her. You ain't gonna do nothing but mess stuff up... Beyond repair possibly. Don't take that risk. You'll mess her up for the next man too."

"I'm always going to be there for her. I don't think it's that serious."

"That's because you're not thinking. At least, not with the right head. Everbody knows that, that girl is in love with you. Including your mom and dad. And you know you my boy but I think you're taking advantage of her love for you. And I think you're possessive."

"How am I possessive?" I was surprised at that one. I never heard that before.

"You shut down every dude that step to Kimberly!" he nearly yelled.

"I do it to protect her," I finally responded after a moment of silent staring.

"Protection?" he said raising his eyebrows as if I was way off, "Man, call it what you want. But I'm calling 'em like I see 'em."

"That was no help at all,"I said standing to go to the kitchen, "I don't know why I come to you. You didn't even go to college."

Kareem just laughed. "So, you know I give damn good advice that's why you always come to me. You would've thought that I got a degree in psychology," he followed me to the kitchen, "Now if you don't think I don't help you, it's because you just choose to be hard-headed and do the exact opposite of what I said. Then you could stop coming to my crib crying all the time Chris!"

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