Boo'd Up: A Halloween Novella

by Nina High

I try to swallow and participate, but he’s lost control, and all I can do is keep my mouth open and receive this beating like a good girl. “Sa-” “Mi-” “Ra-” “Take this dick!”

“You’re determined not to listen. Now we’ve got to start all over again.” I whimper, and the slow torture starts again.

“Then you’re good. Just keep it up. Don’t overthink it. Women like effort, not perfection.”

I need her to believe I’m not just good with my hands; I’m steady.

“Don’t chase, boy,” he’d say. “Build something steady so she’ll know she can lean on it. So she’ll want to walk with you.”

“I want you. Not when something breaks or when we can’t keep our hands to ourselves. I want time. Mornings. Fights we work through. A relationship.”

Our bodies…” He closes his eyes and inhales before finishing, “fit together so well, but I like your whole vibe, and I want to be a part of it.” He squeezes my fingers.