“Cord, we have the same discussion every damn time I’m in here. Stop pursuin’ me, or I’ll take my money elsewhere. I prefer your gym ’cause it’s close to my house, but I have no problem traveling across town.”
“A’ight, Journei. You got it.” With that, Cord walked away, leaving me to finish my squats.
Cord and his brother were cool people, but they creeped me out with how they watched me from the time I walked in ’til the time I walked out. Fitz was at the gym twice a week, but when we were there on the same days, he made sure to occupy a machine nearby. The shit was fuckin’ weird.
I ran through my workout, finishing an hour later. I spent two hours in there today. My aggravation level was still through the roof though. I only came to work out because I thought it would relieve some built-up stress. All it did was magnify it.
The day marked my three-year marriage anniversary. The surprise I had instore for my baby ended up gettin’ pushed back a day, so the shit wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow, which defeated the fuckin’ purpose. I walked out the gym and headed toward my car. I had to figure somethin’ out and soon.
Putting my bag in the trunk, I heard a commotion behind me. My nosy ass tried to casually turn around and see what was goin’ on, but when I heard gun shots, I got my scrawny ass on the ground and prayed. Not to God, but to somebody up there.
I lay there with my heart on ten. That was why I hated blessing these ghetto muthafuckas with my presence. Once I heard sirens, I got my ass up and jumped in the car.Bet this be my last day comin’ to this area.That drive across town didn’t seem so bad now.
My nerves were still a little shaken and stirred by the time I made it home. A lot of shit had been witnessed by these eyes ofmine, but a shootout wasn’t one of them. I could barely get my gym bag out the trunk without my hands shaking. I knew exactly what I was doin’ once I got inside.
I walked into the house, dropping my bag at the door. My baby would be leaving work within the next hour, so I had enough time to bathe before I needed to fulfill my wifely duties. When I made it upstairs, our jacuzzi tub was the only thing on my mind. Relaxation was desperately calling my name.
As the water ran, I peeled those sweaty clothes from my skin. If sweat wasn’t produced, I wasn’t workin’ hard enough. I applied my face mask and stepped inside the tub, turning the water off before I got comfortable.
“Alexa, set a timer for thirty minutes.” I couldn’t relax too much. I still had to do something for our anniversary.
I relaxed and thought on what I could give my baby. Jewelry and clothes, we had enough of, so that was out the question. I could definitely upgrade that car though. I settled on that, along with a few designer gifts. I laid my head back and let the warmth of the water take over.
It felt like I had just dozed off when the timer went off. I exhaled, stepped out the tub, then headed toward the shower to wash. It was gon’ be a long night. I could sense it. My shower lasted no longer than fifteen minutes. I was dressed in under ten. The mall would be closing soon, and I needed to run by the BMW dealership.
The dealership was closer, so I stopped to make the proper arrangements for the old car to be picked up as the new one got dropped off. The salesman let me know that by the time dinner was over, the cars would be switched out. That worked out perfect for me.
“Siri, call Alleia in Chattanooga, Tennessee.”
“Thank you for calling Alleia. How may I assist you?”
“I know it’s last minute, but do you guys have any open reservations?” More than likely, they didn’t, but I had to ask.
“You are a very lucky woman. Someone just canceled for a reservation at 7:30,” he replied.
“That’s perfect!” I shouted. “I apologize for that. I just really needed a spot for my anniversary tonight. You can put the reservation under Evans.”
“I have you down. Is there anything else I can do for you, Ms. Evans?”
“Nope. That was all I needed. Thank you.” I hung up with a smile.
Alleia was an Italian restaurant that stayed packed. People had to make reservations at least two to three months ahead. I’d only eaten there once, and that was with my best friend Hunz when we graduated college. I shot a text to my baby, saying be ready by seven.
Last stop was the mall. I had an hour before the mall closed, so I was lowkey rushing. I brought a few pair of shoes, two bags, a new smartwatch, and some unnecessary items. I walked out the mall in a rushed manner. I was paying attention to what was in front of me, but then again, I wasn’t. I walked right into someone, dropping everything I had in tow.
“Damn. My bad, sweetheart. I was into this damn phone of mine. Let me get this for you.”
“No, It’s okay. I was somewhat zoned out as well.” I bent down and grabbed what he didn’t.
When I finally looked up into his face, I felt everything in me shift. My body was reacting to something I had sworn off. I examined the specimen in front of me, not caring what he was saying at the moment. Everything he had on was Nike. So simple, but so attractive.
His sky-blue eyes were so dreamy and mesmerizing. That nose ring he sported fit him. It wasn’t too feminine or thuggish.Then the tattoos that covered his body were so neatly done, complementing his complexion by the second. He smiled, and I felt myself release. I’d never seen a smile so perfect and contagious.
“Here you go, love. Again, my bad.” He handed over my bags and walked away.
I had yet to move. I was stuck, wet, and very much puzzled. What the fuck just happened? I looked back to see he’d already disappeared. I shook off the confusing feeling and proceeded to my car.
A debate was goin’ on in my head at the moment. I didn’t know if I wanted to give the gifts first or stop back by the dealership and place them inside the car. I would be passing the dealership on the way home, so I might as well stop.
