lxv. LOVERBOY.
March 17, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

kendrick's pov
Kendrick leaned over the pool table, squinting at his shot as he lined up the cue ball with precision. Jay Rock stood to the side, nursing a bottle of beer, while Q watched with a smug grin, already plotting his next move. The house was quiet, just the three of them kicking back for the night. It was rare they got to do this anymore, what with life constantly moving at a hundred miles an hour.

Kendrick pulled the stick back and struck, watching the cue ball spin before colliding with the solid red. It sank smoothly into the corner pocket. He straightened up, a satisfied smirk on his face. "That's how you do it."

Jay Rock shook his head. "A'ight, a'ight. You on your shit tonight, huh?"

"Man, he just getting lucky," Q chimed in, setting his beer down. "I'm 'bout to end his streak right now."

Kendrick chuckled, stepping back to let Q take his turn. "Ain't nobody worried 'bout you, nigga."

They kept playing, talking shit, and cracking jokes. Conversations bounced from music to family to sports, but eventually, they landed on something else.

"So what you got planned for Sedona's birthday?" Jay Rock asked, casually lining up his shot.

Kendrick leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed. "I was thinking about doing something special. Real special. She deserves that."

Q's eyes lit up. "Oh shit, this nigga serious-serious. You 'bout to go all out, huh?"

Kendrick's lips curled into a soft smile. "You know I gotta do it big. Ain't no halfway with her."

Jay Rock sank his shot, then glanced over. "You really love that girl, huh?"

There was a beat of silence. The words hung in the air, heavy but true. Kendrick didn't even hesitate. "Yeah... I do. I love her, man."

Q's jaw dropped, the pool stick slipping from his grip. "Am I hearing right? I know that this nigga did not just say that he loves her?"

Kendrick just shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, I said it. What about it?"

Jay Rock laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, it's just crazy hearing you say it. Ain't never heard you talk like that 'bout nobody before. In a hot ass minute."

Q was still in shock, his hands on his hips. "I mean, I knew you was feeling her, but damn, love?"

Kendrick looked down, his smile softening. "She... she different, man. Real different. Got me doing shit I ain't never done before. Got me thinking 'bout shit I ain't never thought about before."

Q leaned on his pool stick, curiosity all over his face. "Like what?"

"Like... the future," Kendrick admitted, his voice low. "She make me wanna be better. Make me wanna be... more." He shook his head, a small laugh escaping. "I don't even know how to explain it. She just... she got me."

Jay Rock took a sip of his beer, nodding. "That's real. Ain't nothing wrong with that."

Kendrick's eyes grew distant, his mind drifting to memories of her. Her laugh. Her smile. The way her eyes lit up when she was excited. The way she looked at him, like she saw him for everything he was and everything he could be. "She's special, man. Ain't nobody like her. She just... she everything."

Q let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "This nigga really in love. That's crazy."

Kendrick didn't deny it. Couldn't deny it. "Yeah... guess I am."

Jay Rock's face softened. "You tell her yet?"

A proud smile spread across Kendrick's face, his eyes gleaming. "Yeah. I told her."

Both Jay Rock and Q froze, staring at him in shock. Q's mouth hung open. "Wait, you told her? You actually said the words?"

Kendrick nodded, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed. "Yeah, I did. I looked her dead in her eyes and told her I loved her."

Jay Rock let out a low whistle. "Damn. And how'd she react?"

Kendrick's smile softened, his voice lowering as the memory played back in his mind. "She said it back. Didn't even hesitate. Just looked at me and said it back, like she been waiting on me to say it first."

Q grinned wide, slapping his thigh. "Yo, this is wild. I never thought I'd see the day. Kendrick Lamar in love. This some real movie shit."

Kendrick rolled his eyes, but he was grinning, too. "Man, shut up. You stay hating."

Jay Rock laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, but real talk? I'm happy for you, dawg. She good for you. I can see that."

Kendrick's chest tightened, his throat growing thick. "Yeah... she is. She really is."

The room fell into a comfortable silence, the weight of his words lingering in the air. It felt good to say it out loud. To admit what he'd known for a while now.

He loved her. And he wasn't afraid to show it.

Q cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "A'ight, enough of that mushy shit. It's my turn. I'm 'bout to smoke y'all in this game."

Kendrick laughed, shaking his head. "Nigga, please. You ain't never beating me."

Q rolled his eyes, taking his shot. "We'll see about that, lover boy."

Kendrick chuckled, but his heart was lighter, his mind racing with thoughts of Sedona. Yeah, he was in love. And he wasn't ashamed to let the whole world know it.

The game went on, the sounds of pool balls clacking and playful banter filling the room. But Kendrick's mind kept drifting back to Sedona. Her laugh. Her smile. The way she'd look at him like he was the only person in the room. It was crazy how much he missed her, even when they'd just seen each other a few days ago. 

Jay Rock took his shot, sinking two balls in one go. "Man, you off your game tonight, K.Dot. What's on your mind?" 

Kendrick snapped out of his thoughts, realizing he'd been standing there, lost in his head. "Nah, I'm good. Just... thinkin'." 

Q's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Thinkin' 'bout Sedona, huh?" 

Kendrick didn't bother denying it. "Yeah. Can't lie." 

Jay Rock leaned against his pool stick, a knowing smile on his face. "She really got you wrapped up, huh?" 

Kendrick ran a hand over his face, laughing softly. "I don't even know how it happened, man. One minute, we was just vibin', you know? Next minute... I can't stop thinkin' 'bout her." 

Q shook his head, chuckling. "That's how it be, though. She got you good." 

Kendrick smiled, his gaze distant. "Yeah... but I ain't even mad at it." 

They played another round, the conversation shifting to music and upcoming projects. But Sedona was never far from his mind. It was wild, really. He'd been with other women
before, had his share of flings and even a long-term relationship with Whitney. They were together for years, and he thought that was it—thought she was the one. But looking back, it was different. With Whitney, it was comfortable, familiar. But with Sedona... it's new. 

Nothing felt as real as what he had with her. 

After a while, they took a break, kicking back on the couches with beers in hand. The room was hazy with smoke, the air relaxed. Kendrick's phone buzzed, lighting up with a text. He checked it, his heart skipping a beat when he saw her name. 

Sedona: Just thinking about you... and those big ears of yours.

His chest tightened, warmth spreading through him. He didn't even try to fight the smile that spread across his face. 

Q noticed immediately, his eyebrows shooting up. "Oh, hell nah. Who got you cheesin' like that?" 

Kendrick tried to play it cool, locking his phone and slipping it back in his pocket. "Ain't nobody cheesin'." 

Jay Rock wasn't buying it. "Nigga, please. You grinnin' like you just won the lottery." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "It's her, ain't it?" 

Kendrick shrugged, but his eyes were soft. "Yeah. She just... man, she just get me, you know? She's one real ass woman. Not afraid to call me out on my shit." 

Q let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's deep, bro." 

Kendrick stared at the floor, his voice low. "She make me feel... like I'm enough. Like just me, as I am, is enough for her." 

Jay Rock's face softened. "That's rare. Hold on to that." 

Kendrick looked up, his gaze steady. "Oh, I plan to. I ain't lettin' her go." 

Q leaned back, his arms behind his head. "So what's the move then? You gonna wife her up or what?" 

Kendrick's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing. He hadn't thought that far ahead, but the idea didn't scare him. Not like he thought it would. "I don't know, man. But... it feel like we headed that way in due time. And for once, I ain't runnin' from it." 

Jay Rock raised his bottle. "Well, shit. Here's to that. To love and all that mushy shit." 

They clinked bottles, laughing as they took swigs. But Kendrick's mind was elsewhere, his heart full. 

He thought about her laugh. Her smile. The way she'd curled up next to him on the couch, her head on his shoulder. The way she'd say his name, soft and sweet, like it was meant just for her. 

His thoughts briefly drifted to Whitney, to all the years they spent together. They'd had history, a lot of it. But that's all it was—history. With Sedona, it felt like the future. 

Yeah, he loved her. And for the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid to say it. 

They went back to the pool table, trash-talking and competing like old times. But even as he played, his mind was with her. Wondering what she was doing. If she was thinking about him, too. 

His phone buzzed again, and he glanced at it, his heart skipping another beat. 

Sedona: Did I say big ears? I meant totally normal sized ears.

Kendrick could only shake his head, his face softening as he typed back. You gon leave my ears alone.

Q's voice snapped him back to reality. "Yo! It's your shot, lover boy. Quit textin' your girl and come catch this L." 

Kendrick laughed, pocketing his phone. "Man, you ain't beatin' me." 

But even as he lined up his next shot, his mind was still on her. His heart full, his soul at peace. 

He was in love. And for once, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

—

As the night stretched on, the drinks dwindled, the laughter died down, and one by one, the guys called it a night. Jay Rock was the first to leave, clapping Kendrick on the back with a parting, "Hold onto that girl, man. Real ones don't come 'round often." Q left soon after, but not before clowning Kendrick one last time—"Yo, don't be up all night gigglin' on the phone with ya girl, lover boy."—which earned him a middle finger on the way out.

With the house finally quiet, Kendrick showered, changed into some sweats and a tee, and settled on the couch. The TV was on, a recap of tonight's game playing at low volume, but his focus was half there. His mind, as usual, was on her.

Right on cue, his phone vibrated beside him. He smirked when he saw her name flashing across the screen. FaceTime from Sedona.

When he answered, Sedona's face filled the screen, her cheek resting against her pillow. She was in bed, wrapped up in her silk sheets, a green face mask covering her skin. He could tell she was winding down, her eyes a little drowsy, but the second she saw him, a slow smile spread across her lips. 

"Hey, handsome." 

Kendrick leaned back against the couch, grinning. "What's up, green goblin?" 

Sedona gasped dramatically, touching her face. "Not too much on me! This is how I keep my skin from looking too crazy." 

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You got it, baby. Keep doin' your thing." 

She smirked, stretching a little under the covers. "Mmm. So, the meeting went well. Locked in some big things, so I'm excited about that." 

Kendrick nodded, proud of her as always. "I already knew you was gon' handle business. Ain't even gotta ask." 

She hummed in agreement, then giggled. "Spent the rest of the day terrorizing Tyler, though. So, you know, a full day's work." 

Kendrick laughed. "Yeah, I know that nigga tired of you." 

"Very," She said, popping a piece of fruit in her mouth. "But anyway, I wanted to let you know tomorrow's girls' night. No boys allowed." 

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?" 

"Yep," She confirmed, getting comfortable. "Happens almost every year on my birthday. Me and my girls hang out, drink, talk shit, probably cry over something, and then wake up the next morning acting like none of it happened." 

Kendrick smirked. "So y'all just be in there lyin' to each other and gettin' drunk?" 

"Absolutely." She grinned, before giving him a playful look. "You gon' miss me?" 

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Girl, you know I am." 

She giggled, her face softening. "You so cute." 

Kendrick licked his lips, watching her closely. "You look real cozy right now. Wish I was there." 

Sedona smiled, shifting under the covers like she knew exactly what she was doing. "Mmm. I know you do." 

Kendrick chuckled, shaking his head. "You stay playin' with me." 

"I really don't," She said, her voice soft. "I just miss you, that's all." 

His heart did that thing it always did when she said shit like that. Like it wasn't completely his to control anymore. He sighed, running a hand over his beard. "Yeah... I miss you too." 

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Just looking, feeling. It was crazy how natural it was with her. How easy. 

Sedona yawned, snuggling deeper into her pillow. "Okay, baby, I'ma let you go. Just wanted to see your face." 

Kendrick smiled. "A'ight, love. Sleep good." 

"You too." 

They stayed on the call a little longer, neither wanting to hang up first. Eventually, Sedona gave him one last sleepy smile before ending the call. 

Kendrick exhaled, staring at his dark screen for a moment before setting his phone down. 

Yeah. He was gone for her. And he didn't mind one bit.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Sixty-five.
— ０３／０１／２５
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#Plotting.

Stay tuned for the next chapter, & til next time!
-shea