I sat there staring at that pizza box, because for the first morning in a long time, I wasn't busy chasing a degree or working on a case to prove myself. Usually, I would spend this time going over to Ryan's to see her and play with Love until both she and I were worn out. I love that little girl so much, and I love her even more now that my sister is gone. That's why I really despise her father right now. He was taking one of the only people I have left, and that shit just didn't sit right with my soul. Before I got too far in my feelings, I grabbed a slice of pizza, my keys, and headed towards the door. When I thought about the muscle shirt and gym shorts being the only thing I was wearing, I quickly got shivers up my spine. I went back into the room and into Crew's neat ass closet that had closed pressed tightly against each other. I spotted a long-sleeved cotton hoodie hanging up, and I grabbed it, throwing it on and being swallowed up in it. I went into the restroom and took a selfie of myself in the hoodie before I sent it over to Crew along with the message,Borrowed, will return.
I left out of Crew's front door, and the hallway was quiet, but when I passed by one door on the second floor, I could smell the same kind of incense that Crew had and could hear some kind of tribal music playing through the walls. I pushed out ofthe door into the busy Brooklyn streets, and the chill hit me as soon as I stepped outside, but thank God my car was parked right out front for me to hop in.
It was cold this morning, that New York kind of cold that cut through your sweater and made your fingers stiff. Walking to this car had nothing on the morning I had to hop two buses and a subway to get to school, mid-December. Those mornings I couldn’t layer enough to stay warm, but I eventually got used to it. After all, even back then, I was chasing a dream. A dream to be much more in life.
In high school, I received a scholarship to attend the Marymount School of New York, which was far from our home, but I traveled that route every morning just for a better education. That's why I wasn't as infatuated with the hood as my sister. Growing up, she mixed in with gangstas and people from the hood, while I spent my entire high school career thinking I would be married to a white man.
After I slid into my car, I pulled out, heading to Flatbush Avenue to cross the Manhattan Bridge.
I zoned out listening to my radio on low until I was pulling into my garage across from my building.
When I got out of the car, the wind slipped through Crew's sweatshirt, and I wrapped my arms around my waist because, in this weather I needed the coat I was wearing yesterday, which I'm sure was covered in blood in a landfill somewhere now, thanks to Crew.
I walked into my building and waved at the front desk girl. Her, that fancy chandelier hanging above the entry door, and the fake marble floor is why my rent is so high now. I, however, don't know how long I will be able to afford this place if my severance package doesn't hit like I hope. When I have that meeting, I'mnot accepting anything less than $100,000. They at least have to pay me for the next few months of work and allow me to get back on my feet.
As I hit the elevator button, I checked my phone again, hoping Crew had finally texted back. There was, however, nothing there, and for some reason, that silence had me overthinking. Maybe my picture was ugly. Maybe he was pissed about me taking his sweater, or maybe he was done communicating with me, because after all, the deed had been done. I shook those insecure thoughts off for the moment and leaned against the wall as the elevator crawled up to my floor, humming low.
When the doors slid open, I walked the hall to my condo, went inside, and tossed my purse on the couch. I was in my head so much that I almost didn't see the figure in my living room until Marcus moved and made me damn near jump out of my skin seeing him sitting there.
Marcus was sitting in my damn chair like he paid bills here. Legs crossed, jacket open, smirking like he'd been waiting. There was a time when coming home to him as a surprise would've made my day. I was so hooked on him at one point that seeing him for even five minutes was better than seeing any other man on this earth.
"Long night, huh?" He looked down at his watch.
"Why are you here, Marcus?"
"What do you mean, why am I here? I came to see you, baby girl."
He licked his lips, making them almost shine from the traces of his saliva. He used his pretty privilege just like I did because there wasn't a woman who would tell this tall, chocolate man no. That's why he won many of his cases, in my opinion.Looking like a sexier version of Morris Chestnut was definitely a perk for him. That Ivy League degree just put the cherry on top of this large chocolate shake.
"You shouldn’t be here. I told you in our last conversation that we are over."
He stood up slowly, laughing to himself as he came toward me.
"Please come here, beautiful. I missed you. You know you missed me, too."
He leaned in and before I could even blink, his lips hit mine, and I pushed him back.
"Damn," he chuckled, wiping his mouth. "At least I know you washed the dick off your breath."
I squinted at him. "What do you want, Marcus? I know you didn't sit up in my house all this time just for a kiss. However long you've been here."
"You got me," he said, smirk fading. "I came because I need to know what you know about Crewshon Banks."
"Ex-excuse me?" I stuttered, backing up a little. Why was he bringing up Crew? Was he following me?
"Look, Bria, I need help with my case. Since he's not your client, I figured you could give me the info I need."
"What info? I'm confused on why you would even think that I would have any information on a man I do not know."
"Because from my research, you just represented one of his closest allies."
"And? Client lawyer confidentiality still exists. I thought you knew that."
"I do," he said, tilting his head, "but you're not representing Crew. And let's be real." his eyes dropped between my thighs as his tone got slick.
"You don't always play by the rules of the bench anyhow, do you?"
I stepped away, disgust tightening my chest.
