“I’m a mess,” she countered.
“You’regorgeous,” Loyal said. It was the way he said it that made her open her eyes. His stare was so intense. Nothing about his touch felt new. Nothing about his protection felt foreign. It was like he had known her for years, and it hadn’t even been hours. She could see herself fucking, and fussing, and fighting with this man for years to come.
She frowned as he cleared more tears.
“People are watching, Loyal,” Ellie whispered.
“Let them,” Loyal replied.
“Your girlfriend,” Ellie protested.
“Doesn’tmatter,” Loyal stated. He said it so plainly like her concern was invalid.
She hadn’t come home for this. She couldn’t afford more messy situations in her life.
“I can’t handle anything else that’s complicated, and you are giving off nothing but red flags.”
Loyal’s sigh revealed his frustration with her.
“Just come to the game with me and my people. Your girls are in for enough disappointment with their father. At least let me be a man of my word. I’llshow y’all a good time and get you back home safe. You can even bring your friends if you like. After tonight, we can leave it where it is. Okay?”
Ellie knew she couldn’t renege on the game. If she did, her daughters would force the issue of going with Cairo tonight.
“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed.
“I’ma have a talk with Cairo tomorrow, E. I’llhurt that nigga over you,” Cassidy said as he sat in the booth across from his sister.
“Hey,” Sloan said, jarring his attention. Sloan sat next to Ellie, consoling her, but her eyes were on Cassidy. He stared at Sloan.“No,” she said simply.
“You expect me to sit back while he treats my sister and nieces like shit?” Cassidy asked.“I will lay a nigga to rest so easily over them. Without thinking twice. Like it’s a part of my everyday routine.”
“Right, of course, you will, Cass,” Sloan stated.“Excuse me,” she said. Cassidy watched Sloan walk out of the booth, and Ellie watched in confusion as Cassidy went after her.
“What is that about?” Ellie asked.
“Chile, I don’t know, but if they fucking, Sloan better tell me every fucking detail,”Shy added. Courtney snickered.
“They’re not fucking,” Ellie stated with certainty.
“Well, bitch, who is? Because it’sa whole lot of energy in this room. Who is that nigga that stepped over you?” Courtney asked.
“And more importantly, who is that bitch he over there walking to the door?” Shy threw in.
“I don’t even know him. He’s Cassidy’s business partner. I met him today,” Ellie stated.
“And he fell in love at first sight, bitch, because what the entire fuck? What kind of man even inserts himself like that without having a dog in the fight? I thought he was going to slap fire from Cairo’sass!” Shy stated.
“And he wouldn’t have been wrong,” Courtney chimed in.
“This is all just too much,” Ellie said.“My baby is going to be heartbroken when Cairo refuses to take her. How can he do this to her?”
“Heain’t shit, Ellie. A nigga character don’t really come out until you’re on bad terms with him. He’s trash, and you don’t deserve this. I’m so sorry, but I think the news will land softer if it comes from you than if it comes from the rejection that little girlgon’feel when her daddy leaves her behind,” Courtney stated.
“I agree, but tonight, take your daughters to the game and let that fine-ass man knock the bottom out that pussy.” Leave it to Shy to lighten such a heavy mood. The girls exchanged high-fives as they cackled in agreement while Ellie shook her head at their antics.
“He has a girlfriend,” Ellie protested.
“Do he know that? Cuz I can’t tell. He’s tall, dark, handsome, paid, and clearly aggressive. He was ready toblick something over you and he barely knows you. If he has a girlfriend, then he’sa dog, but, bitch, dogs are meant to be taken on a walk,” Shy said as she eye fucked Loyal from across the room.
