“I ain’t worried about someone else snatchin’ him up. Hell, if he is meant for me, then it will be,” I stated before continuing. “Shit, Kevin pretty handsome also. That man looks like Ghost from that showPowerto me.”
“He does kinda look like Omari Hardwick, huh?” Ava agreed.
“I know Omari Hardwick is his real name and all, but Kevin’s disposition fits Ghost’s more than who he is in real life,” I clarified.
“Girl, you are a mess!” Ava laughed.
“How about this. If I agree to go out with Troy, you and Kevin have to go out on a date as well. Hell, maybe we can go on a double date.”
“Dawn, I need to finalize my divorce first before going out on any dates.”
“Chile pha-leeeezzzze! You and Justin are done with. It’s been how long? Four months since y’all separated and you still holding on to your vows. Fuck that nigga! He never held true to his vows with you. You’re the only one in that relationship that ever took y’all marriage seriously.”
“Oh my God, Dawn! You have no chill! Ain’t nobody holding onto shit. Why you say the things that you say?”
“Shit ‘cause I’m a straight up no chaser type of chick. I speak nothing but facts. You’re giving your marriage, which is almost over, more life than it needs right now. Meanwhile, Kevin is all up in ya face lettin’ it be known that he wants your ass and you steady talking about you still married. Girl, y’all are separated, and it’s only a matter of time before your divorce is final. Move on from that loser and live ya life, chile.”
“You should take your own advice,” Ava retorted as I frowned at her. “What exactly has you scared to fall in love? Perhaps you haven’t gotten over Zoe after all these years, Ion know. But you should stop being so critical of everyone and give love a try.”
“Now why did you have to go and bring Zoe’s ass into all of this?” I argued. “I’m perfectly fine just the way my life is now, thank you very much. You just tried me. I don’t need a man to make me any happier than I already am.”
“Okay, well like you be sayin’… that’s your story, sis. I think that Troy is a cool dude. At least see where things go. You cantry to be open to it if nothing else. He may turn out to be a really good friend if not a great man in your life.”
“I can, and I might. We’ll see. But like I said, I’ll agree to going out with him if you and Kevin double date with us.”
“Okay, bet. How ‘bout once we get to my place, I’ll suggest that then.”
“Ugh, you can be so aggy, lil’ sis.”
“Touché boo, touché!”
We drove the rest of the way to Ava’s new place in silence. She was right. I needed to stop being such a hard ass about men and relationships, but Zoe showed my ass the way.
Zoe was the first love of my life. I gave him my virginity and fell so deep in love with that idiot that I allowed him to make a complete and utter fool out of me. I used to sneak out of the house to be with him, knowing good and damn well that I had no business doing that. We dated all through high school and college. After we graduated college, he proposed to me and on our wedding day the hussy that he was cheating on me with came and objected while we were at the altar.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, I just knew he was going to send her off and we were going to finish our vows to each other. Instead, he looked from the hussy to me, whispered that he was sorry, then took off out the church with that bitch.
Ava was right. I haven’t been right with relationships ever since, and I felt that it was with good reason. It was also a big part of the reason why I was so hard on my sister. I didn’t want her to make the same mistakes that I had made. I guess in a way, it was my way of trying to shield her from getting hurt, but obviously, I had failed miserably when it came to Justin’s fudge packin’ ass.
Kevin’s cousin Troy was sexy enough to get me to change my feelings about being in a relationship. The only thing about that was that I was scared. I just would never admit that shit out loudto anyone. I was scared shitless to fall in love again. Then, after witnessing what my sister had just gone through with her trifling ass ex, and how I had dodged a bullet with Tate’s ass, just further confirmed that I should take my time falling in love. Being single brought about less drama and I was good with that.
Once we pulled up to Ava’s new townhouse, I couldn’t help but to be proud of my little sister. She had overcome so much in the last few months. She reminded me so much of our mom. She was one of the strongest women that I knew. The only difference between our mom and Ava was our mom had a quick to snap attitude like I did. She had put up with so much from our dad, but she always held her head high and did what she needed to do to provide for me and Ava.
When our parents got divorced, unlike most kids, my sister and I were happy. Our dad couldn’t act right under gunpoint, and our mom wasn’t having it. By the time they both died, Ava and I had learned so much about life just from watching what the two of them went through.
“I can’t wait until we’re done unloading the truck. I’m so darn tired.” Ava sighed as she parked in her driveway and we both got out of her car.
“Girl, who you tellin’! You lucky I halfway like your ass, otherwise, I wouldn’t be out here helping with none of this shit,” I joked. “Lord knows I’m not built for all this manual labor, but for you, I’ll make an exception.”
“I appreciate you making an exception for lil’ ol’ me.” Ava giggled. “Welp, let’s get this show on the road. The sooner we start the faster we’ll finish.”
Ava popped her trunk as I opened the back-passenger’s side door, so that I could start unloading the boxes from the backseat. The four of us worked tirelessly for the next four hours moving Ava into her new home. Once we were done unloading her car,we started unpacking boxes inside while the guys continued to unload the trucks. Ava planned the move perfectly.
She had her new bedroom, kitchen and living room sets all delivered today as well. It was perfect because she also had Kevin and Troy’s help. The furniture people that delivered her sets, assembled the new furniture, then Kevin and Troy helped to rearrange everything the way that she wanted. Her new place was coming together so nicely. Even though I was as tired as an ox, I was enjoying the time that we were spending together… all four of us.
KEVIN
“Bro, you shoulda told me shorty was a hottie. Man, you gon’ have to get your girl to hook me up fo’sho!” Troy exclaimed.
