Read Online Ebony Angel by Deatri King-Bey - Free Book Online Page B

eating.
    “I am a blonde.”
    “A natural blonde,” he amended with a wink. “She thinks I don’t make good decisions in anything. She won’t like you on general principle.”
    “What about your dad?”
    “He follows my mother around like a puppy, and both of my sisters are brats. You thought you had baggage. They should change their name from Dubois to Samsonite.”
    His last name was Pacini, so why was the rest of his family named Dubois? She watched him finish his omelet, then devour hers. Speaking about his family brought pain and distance into his voice. “They can’t be that bad.”
    “I grew up in a fake family. When I’m at my parents’ home, I feel like we’re in a Broadway production.”
    Most adults she knew called the place they grew up in home. Richard said “parents’ home” as if he weren’t part of the family. “What role do you play?”
    “I’m the black sheep.”
    Her brows arched. “Black sheep?”
    “Pun intended.” He fed her a bite of omelet. “I don’t act like them. I don’t look like them.” Rambling between bites, he continued. “Heck, I haven’t played ball outside since I left college, so you can’t really tell now. The one time I visited my parents during college, my mother did a triple take.”
    He laughed at himself. “I went through my finding-my-black-self stage and tanned extra dark on purpose. I soon learned that it takes a hell of a lot more than a tan and having black friends to be black. It’s safe to say I was a bit confused for a while. Looking back, I was trying to distance myself from my parents any way I could.”
    “Why?”
    “Just a phase, I guess. My way of rebelling against what I felt they represented.”
    Ebony mulled over his words. Was she his way of rebelling against his parents?
    “The contrast between you and Crystal is beautiful.” He smiled. “Kind of like you and me. Does Trae play basketball?” She didn’t answer. “Ebony.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry.” She pushed her insecurities aside. “Yes, he plays ball. There’s a gym close by. You should come to my mom’s salon on Saturday. After I fix Skeet and Trae’s hair, they head to the gym.” She combed his hair with her fingers. “Three fingers. You need a haircut.”
    He took her hand, kissing it. “It’s cold outside. I grew my hair longer than usual to help keep warm.”
    She picked up their plates. “That’s what winter wraps are for. I have studying to do. You can use my truck today if you like.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Richard parked in front of Ebony’s flat. “I’ll walk you in.” The lookout’s stare annoyed him. He had thought about how to handle the Trae situation all night, and came up with only one possible solution: become the man’s friend—of sorts—until he could convince Ebony to move in with him. Ebony had insisted Trae would change someday, but she thought she could save the world. He loved her fight, but didn’t think she’d win this one.
    “Oh, no, you don’t. I have studying to do, and you need to go to work. What did the insurance company say?”
    “Are you putting me off?” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lightly. He wanted everyone in the neighborhood to know she was his ebony angel now. “I can help you study. Biology is my favorite subject.”
    Pulling away, she laughed. “My major is computer science, Mr. Pacini. Now stop seducing me and go to work. Buy a car or something.”
    “Hand me your phone.” She passed it over. He programmed his numbers into it. “I’ve branded your number on my brain. How about I pick you and Crystal up at five? We can go out to eat, then catch a movie or something.”
    “I’d like that.”
    He kissed her one last time. “Since you won’t let me seduce you, get out. Go study or something.”
    “Okay, okay.” She slipped her hands into her gloves.
    “I love you, Ebony.”
    “Now you’re not playing fair.”
    “I never claimed to play fair. Call if you need anything.” He watched her