“Dixon.”
Joi grinned, shaking her head. “What about him?”
Ria sighed, closing her eyes. “I really like him, a lot. We’ve basically been together since we met, and things are cool, but he doesn’t really say much about us.”
“What are you expecting him to say?”
“Shit I don’t know, like that we’re good and working toward being better.”
“Awww, boo. You want to be with him?”
“Yes, hell yes. That man….” Ria paused and shut her eyes again. “He is everything but it’s like we’re just chilling all the time. I’m at his place or he’s at mine but I can’t feel him out.”
“Then ask him what’s up.”
“I did and all he says is we’re kicking it.”
“Just let things be what they are. Why rush? It’s still new.”
“I know,” Ria pouted. “It’s not like I’m asking for a ring or even a title, but I do want to know I’m not just something to keep him occupied for the moment. My life is not set up like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like casual sex. Lue saw me with Dix.”
Joi rolled her eyes. “I thought you were done with him.”
“I am but…” Ria paused, hating to admit the truth.
“But what?”
“We broke up, but he pays for my apartment and my car. He still gives me money because he thinks we’re going to get back together.”
“Wow. Why the hell would he think that, Ria?”
Sighing first, she answered hesitantly. “I might have given him that impression. What the hell else was I supposed to do?”
“You were supposed to leave the damn man. Clean break if you really don’t want to be with him. I guess you’re okay with being purchased.”
“I’m not and don’t judge me, Joi. I have my reasons.”
“I’m not judging you. I’m just confused about what you’re doing. Either you’re going to be with Lue or you’re not. If you’re not, stop spending that man’s money and leading him on. You can’t have your cake and eat it too, and not just that, do you know how many people lose their lives behind fucking with people’s emotions? That’s a dangerous game to play, Ria. I thought you were smarter than that.” Joi paused, thinking about her parents but quickly getting it together. “Why the hell are you even pressed about Dix if you’re not totally free from Lue anyway?”
“Because I want to be,” Ria whined. “Lue promised he would never take any of those things from me but when he saw me with Dix he flipped out, threatening to put me out of my apartment and take my car. The only thing he can’t take is my business because it’s in my name but still?—”
“Oh my God, seriously? Do you hear yourself right now? What do you want? Confirmation so you can get off Lue’s payroll and jump on Dixon’s?”
“No, that’s not what I want. Not Dix’s money anyway, but at least to know that he’s worth me leaving all the privileges I have.”
“You know what, I can’t with you. You’re the only one who can make that decision. Not him. You need to be with Dixon because it’s what you want and not because he made you feel secure enough to leave your sponsor.”
“You make it sound horrible.”
“Because it is!” Joi yelled, shaking her head.
“I’m not that person, Joi. You’re making it seem like I am.”
“Maybe because you’re acting like you are. I can’t help you. Figure out what you want and make a decision, but don’t try to bully Dixon into being the reason you make the decision to leave Lue. If you like him, let that be enough without putting pressure on him to move faster than he wants so you can feel good about your decision to cut ties with a man you don’t want to be with in the first place.”
