“A foolish man. A coward.”
Eleven.
Twelve.
Silence.
“I should’ve waited, Royce.
Thirteen.
Fourteen.
Silence.
Money filled the gaps on her table.
“I had no business giving someone else what I knew belonged to you.”
Fifteen.
Silence.
“But, I don’t want to suffer. I can’t stand it.”
Sixteen.
Seventeen.
“I can’t stand not hearing your voice or seeing your face or knowing I’ve hurt your feelings.”
Silence.
Eighteen.
“I love you. I love you, Royce. I love you.”
I scooted closer. I needed her to understand every word coming from my mouth.
“I don’t want to suffer no more. The last twenty four hours have been the rougest fucking twenty-four hours of my entire life.”
Silence.
Nineteen.
“So, please, my baby.”
Silence.
Twenty.
I stood on my feet. My right hand was around her neck in a flash. Through anguished eyes, she looked up at me.
“I’m sorry. Just talk to me. Cuss my Black ass out. Tell me how much you wish you’d never given me a chance. Tell me how you should’ve looked the other way. Tell me you hate me. Tell me all the things you need to tell me to break my fucking heart. But, talk to me.”
I lowered my lips to hers.
’Cause, I can’t take no more of this shit, Royce.”
