Free Keyshia and Clyde by Treasure E. Blue

ain’t never killed nobody either.” Keyshia turned slightly and glanced into his eyes. “But that big nigga was trying to kill you and me!”
    Keyshia thought back to the pain and remembered how Sugar’s hands felt around her throat. Clyde shrugged and said, “I’d rather be feeling guilty and alive than dead and stinkin’ any day.” Keyshia searched his eyes and knew he wasn’t lying. Out of nowhere, she started to laugh to mask her fear.
    Clyde said seriously, “Listen, I think it’s best if we lay low for a minute to get our weight up.” She stared at him, confused, and he rephrased it: “Get some food and rest.” Keyshia nodded in agreement. “You think your mom would miss you if you gone a couple of days? ’Cause if so, you better make a phone call and let her know you all right.”
    Keyshia put her head down and said, “Naw, nobody that matters will be looking for me.”
    Clyde watched her for a moment and then said, “Okay, we good then.”
    Keyshia agreed. For some reason, she trusted her coconspirator. Maybe it was his reassuring eyes and soft tone, his strange, bad-boy persona, or maybe it was the fact that he’d risked his life and came back and saved hers.
    â€œI’m gonna pay for the room, so just chill for a minute and I’ll be right back.” He didn’t even wait for a response before he was out the door. Clyde gave himself a once-over, and after making sure no blood was visible, he swaggered with authority toward the hotel’s entrance.
    When they entered the room, they both noticed how much bigger and cleaner it was than the motels they were used to in the city. This hotel room had two full-size beds, a bathroom, and a Jacuzzi. Keyshia walked over to the bathroom and peeked inside, obviously impressed, and then went over to the Jacuzzi and said, “They musta made a mistake, ’cause they got two tubs, one in the bathroom and one right in the open.”
    Clyde didn’t say a word. Keyshia walked over to one of the beds and was amazed at the size and the amount of pillows and sat down to test it. Lying backward, she melted from the comfort of the padded mattress and stared up at the ceiling, smiling all the while. “Dag, they got two tubs, two beds, a telephone, room service, and mad pillows. I could sleep forever.” Clyde watched her act like a child’s first time at Disneyland and smiled. She popped up suddenly and stared at Clyde and asked, “You ain’t gonna try ta kill me or nuffin, are you?”
    Clyde chuckled. “If I wanted to kill you, I would have did it in the car while you was snoring.”
    Keyshia smiled smugly and joked, “I’s don’t snore.” They both smiled and stared into each other’s eyes.
    Clyde snapped out of it first and said, “But, yo, you could take a shower first. I already ordered housekeeping to bring up some robes and shit.” He looked at his disheveled clothing and said, “Later, we can go to a mall or something and get me and you some outfits, ’cause we got to get rid of everything we got on—everything!” She nodded. Clyde shrugged and said, “What’s your name, anyway?”
    â€œMy name is Keyshia.”
    â€œMy name is Clyde.”

Chapter 9
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    Keyshia awoke in a cold sweat. She was having a nightmare of the event that transpired nearly twenty-four hours ago. She jumped off the bed and cowered between the two beds. Her eyes searched the room for the enemy as she gripped the covers. It took her several moments to realize exactly where she was. Looking around, she noticed Clyde standing behind her with an expressionless look on his face. Finally, he held up two plastic bags and said, “I got breakfast. You hungry?”
    Keyshia stood up and adjusted her bathrobe and looked around for her clothing that she knew she’d placed on top of the bed.
    â€œI told