I pulled his hand and guided him to the back of the building as my heart raced. In this moment I felt brave. Be it authentic or liquid courage. I was ready to profess my love. We swiftly navigated through the crowd of people until the exit was in sight. I pushed the door and it swung open hard. My adrenaline was rushing and the butterflies in my stomach only summoned the frog in my throat. We stood against the side of the building and I looked up at him as he looked down at me.

“Wassup ?” Raheem asked with his eyebrows furrowed.

The door swung open. Tyler, Raheem’s friend burst through.

“Aye !” He shouted loudly, clearly wasted. “Where y’all going, the party inside.”

“N—a go back inside we tryna have a word.” Raheem said annoyed as he looked at me then looked back at Tyler.

“Aighttt I’m just tryna make sure brody coo’ is all.” Tyler said with a smirk before going back to the party.

We both laughed at Tyler’s drunk antics before getting back to our interrupted conversation.

Raheem turned to me and grabbed one of my hands. “You good ?” He inquired seriously. I felt weak instantly. Why is he touching me ? Asking me if I’m good. Looking fine as hell. He knows what he is doing.

“Yea I’m good, you good ?” I ask casually, maintaining my composure.

He licks his lips before replying. “Yea I’m good, you pulled me out here like it was urgent baby I’m just curious.” Raheem said.

I swallowed hard before I spoke. “ I pulled you out here because ….”

Just as I was about to spill out my feelings, the door swung open again. Two drunk girls stumbled out.

“I’m about to puke.” The shorter friend of the two announced.

Raheem chuckled and grabbed my hand again, this time pulling me with it. We walked towards the street and stopped at his black sedan. He opened the passenger door for me and closed it gently before walking around the car to get in the drivers side.

“They were wasted.” I said to beat the awkward silence I knew was coming.

“Hell yeah, throwing up and sh-t. Gotta be able to handle that liquor.” Raheem said as he chuckled. “Now that we ducked off, wassup?” Raheem asked turning to face me in his seat.

“Well, I wanted to tell you that ….” I said contemplating the reveal of my feelings.

“Tell me what?” Raheem said as he shifted in his seat while staring directly at me.

I sat in silence for a moment staring back at him. Partly because I was so nervous, also because I could sense his building anxiety. As we stared the eye contact became more intense.

Raheem cracked a smile, then so did I. We busted out laughing together.

“Bro what?” He asked in between gasp while laughing.

“Okay you ready?” I asked while giggling.

“Spit it out.” Raheem said growing impatient.

“I love you.” I said shocked at how easy it was.

“I love you more shorty.” Raheem said back before hugging me.