“The strip club? I know a good place.”
Me, too. My sister owns it.
“A hookah lounge?”
“A fucking library? You look like you’d love a library.”
“I would,” I admitted.
“Then which one? I’ll have them open it right now.”
Four blocks over, and the conversation continued. Hadn’t I made plans, Brandon could have a few more hours of my time. However, that wasn’t the case, and I wasn’t interested in prolonging the inevitable for the sake of an empty schedule. I had shit to handle.
I shook my head. “Not tonight.”
“I just got you in my world and now you’re trying to skip planets.”
I shrugged, unable to soothe his ache.
“What’s at home for you right now? Real shit.”
“You’re not taking me home.”
“I’m not?” He asked cheerfully.
“No. You’re taking me to The Balgaria.”
“The hotel?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“For–”
“For whatever reason I am going. I’m not obligated to answer that question.”
“I’m just trying to make sure I’m not taking you to the hotel to–”
“To the hotel bar.”
“And I can’t join you?”
“You can’t. Someone is waiting for me.”
There was a discomforting silence lingering.
It’s time to exit. I summarized.
Discomfort was a non-negotiable for me, especially in the early stages of partnership. Be it a man or a woman, the rules were the same. It didn’t matter if it was someone auditioning to be a friend, a potential client, or someone trying to buy more of my time.
“A nigga?”
I gnawed on my bottom lip as my lips stretched backward. With each passing second, another layer of the sheep’s wool fell onto the seat underneath me. The wolf had been activated. And, as soon as the shed was complete, visibility would no longer be a hindrance.
“Kimber–”
“I am a single woman who is dating. Instead of getting dressed date after date, I put on my good clothes and line youniggas up, because that’s what works for me. I don’t live in a world where I try to make men’s lives easier. I’m all about saving myself time, energy, and free days on my schedule.
“So, I wouldn’t give a fuck if there were three or four niggas at the bar waiting for me, it isn’t and won’t be you. That’s the bottom line, and that’s what I need you to get over. Clean some of the wax from your ears so you won’t be so hard of hearing.
