“I desire you. I want a life with you. If I’m going to be competing with your job, then maybe we aren’t meant to be.” My eyes misted as he kissed me.
“Don’t do that, baby. Come on. You know I don’t want to lose you. Right now, isn’t the time because I have to g?—”
“Liam?”
My head whipped behind me, and I saw a woman standing on the stairwell in her bathrobe. I backed away from Liam as his eyes closed, seemingly busted.
“What is this, Liam?” I asked, looking between him and the white chick standing on the stairs, looking confused as well.
“Baby, I can explain.”
“Did you just call her baby?” Becky with the good hair asked.
“And he did. What I’m trying to figure out is who you are and why you’re in my man’s home in your underclothes.”
“Your man? Liam is my fiancé.” She held up her hand, showing off her ring. I felt like someone had punched me in my chest, knocking the wind out of me.
“Kelly, stop!”
“No, no. Let her speak,” I said, putting my hand up to his mouth to silence him. “How long has this been going on, Kelly? Oh, and I’m Yumi by the way.”
She came down the stairs and walked over to us. “Hello, Yumi. I don’t know what’s going on, but Liam and I have been together for seven years. We got engaged last year and just started planning our wedding a few months ago.”
“Which explains why he’s been distant.” I shook my head. “All these years, and this is what you’re doing, Liam?”
“I can explain, Yumi. It’s not what you think.”
“Not what I think? This woman is standing here telling me that she’s engaged to you and has been with you since you’ve fucking been with me! What the fuck am I supposed to think? Are you telling me she’s lying?”
“Yes and no. Kelly and I broke up three years ago. She moved to Boston but then came back, and she—we decided to try again. I admit that I was going to end things with you, but I couldn’t. Yumi, we can make this work.”
“Make this work? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I still want you . . . And I want her too. We were talking about a poly relationship, and she agreed that she wouldn’t mind. I couldn’t tell her about you because, well, you pulled up. Something you normally never do.”
My face twisted so tightly, I gave myself a damn headache. “You are out of your fucking mind! Go the fuck to hell, Liam. Kelsey or whatever your name is, you can have his ass! I’mdone.” I turned to walk away before he grabbed my arm, and I slapped him.
“Don’t you fucking touch me! You have a lot of audacity to play this fucking game with me after all these years. I knew something was off with you for a long time. Now I see why. Stay the fuck away from me, Liam.”
“Baby, please, don’t leave. I love you. I promise we can make it work if you have an open mind.”
“Motherfucka, I’m not anybody’s side bitch! You got me fucked up.” I grabbed my things, not even bothering to put on my shoes as I hurried out the door. Tears clouded my vision as I walked briskly to my car.
“Yumi, don’t leave like this.” He grabbed my arm, and I yanked away from him.
“You must be smoking that good shit to think that I would ever be in a polygamous relationship. After six years together, this is what has you spending days, even weeks, away from me. While I’m thinking it’s work that’s keeping you away, it’s a whole other bitch in the mix! You got me fucked up, Liam! Not only have you been playing me, but you proposed toher? Like, what kind of sick ass world are you living in?”
“It-It’s complicated.”
“Well, keep it that way. Goodbye, Liam.” I opened the door to my car and tossed all my shit in.
“I know about you and that nigga at the courthouse. I’m not stupid and can read between the lines. It’s why your family doesn’t want you to defend those criminals in the first place. I’m willing to overlook it if you agree to stay with me. I can’t be without you, Yumi. You give me something I know Kelly will never be able to.”
“What? Black pussy?”
“Come on, Yumi.”
“Nah, nigga, keep that shit real. You know what we black women bring to the table. Seasoned food. Get the fuck out of my face.” I got inside my car and started the engine. I had a good mind to run his ass over, but I just backed out of the driveway and sped away. Five minutes into my drive, a text came through as Siri read it aloud. It was Liam telling me that he wasn’t giving up on us and some other bullshit that I didn’t hear because I cut the radio off. I couldn’t believe what was happening in my life.
