“How many times do a nigga gotta tell you we not together? And I damn sure ain’t married.” The guy barked. Sariah had him on speaker and even if she didn’t, his voice was loud enough for me to hear.
“How about you should’ve never pushed up on me knowing you had someone. I really thought it was me and you.” Sariah’s voice cracked and her eyes were glassy. She was in love with this guy and two days ago some deranged woman ran down on us at the bar screaming about being his wife. Now here he was on the phone saying it wasn’t true but that woman said different.
“You know I’m not a phone type of nigga. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” My heart started to race because we were at my mother’s house. I didn’t need them fighting and getting us kicked out.
I’m twenty five years old and was not ashamed to admit that I still resided with my mother. We were very close and she didn’t want me to leave as much as I didn’t want to go. Granted, I’ve had a few boyfriends and stayed with them for weeks at a time, here and there. Yet, I couldn’t find myself fully comfortable or committed to live with anyone.
I needed to be on my own first and then try to share my space. I also wanted the person to be fully invested in me, as well as being ok with splitting the bills. I’d never ask anyone to pay all of them because then that person would feel as if they had the upper hand and could do, say or treat me whatever way they wanted. And with the way my mouth and attitude were set up, we’d be fighting all the time or someone would end up in jail.
Anyway, we stayed in a four-family house in the hood but not in the projects. We’ve been here now for over ten years and honestly, the place was pretty decent for the amount of rent we paid. We weren’t on section 8 and the rent wasn’t sky high due to how long we’ve been staying there.
My mom would be fine if I left; it’s me who will most likely struggle because rent and the rest of the bills were gonna kill me. I did want to stay on my own even if it’s for a year just to know what it’s like.As of right now, I don’t see that happening.
The bottom level was a one bedroom where an older couple stayed. The basement apartment was really nice and we would’ve stayed in it but I was afraid someone would come through the window and steal me in my sleep. My brother stayed down there because he was a mama’s boy and didn’t want to be too far from her.
The attic was a one bedroom also that some nurse occupied. She stayed to herself and made sure to tell everyone that she only does her job at work so if anyone needed help, to dial the police. In a way, I respected it but she didn’t have to be as nasty as she was.
Me and my mother stayed in the two bedroom which took up the whole second floor. The only downfall was the one bathroom. Otherwise, the place was perfect for just us two.
“I’m not home so go over there if you want.” She rolled her eyes. Now if it were me, I would’ve hung the phone up already because why stay on it.
“Sariah, you act like I don’t know you over that bitch, Kateri’s house.”
“Why I gotta be a bitch?” I pouted with my arms folded. The guy had a reckless mouth and neither of us cared for each other. My reason for not liking him was recent and because of how he did Sariah. Well, the fact he was married and didn’t say a word.
“I’ve called you worse to your face so don’t be fake mad now.” My mouth fell open. I had no idea why he didn’t like me when I’ve never done anything to him. When she introduced us, he didn’t even say,Hello.He nodded and ignored me being there.
Sariah pleaded with me using her eyes to ask me not to respond. She knew me and him could go back and forth. It would mostly be me though because he’d tell me to get the fuck away from him, slam the door in my face if we were at Sariah’s, and a few times he told me if I ever spoke to him again, he’d rip my tongue out. That threat was the last straw and I haven’t said two words since, until today.
“Don’t come over here. This is her mom’s place and…” Before Sariah could finish, there was a loud screeching noise. Both of us jumped off the couch and ran to the window.
“Bitch, that nigga rolling deep.” I pointed to at least five black suburbans. A few guys hopped out and walked in different directions of the street. Sariah said this guy was big time but I’ve never witnessed anything like this. We only graced each other’s presence at her house because he’d stop by when I was there. That’s when we’d get into because he’d want me to leave and I was there first.
The guy she was messing with stepped out and I’m not gonna lie, my friend had good taste in men because he was handsome as hell.
“Who the hell is that?” Sariah yelled what I wanted to but couldn’t because the words were stuck in my throat. Whoever the other man was, was fucking gorgeous. I mean beautiful didn’t describe him and neither did handsome. He was on an entirely different spectrum of good looking, attractive or even cute.
No, the man we were both salivating over was perfectly made, flawless, magnificent and most of all, tall with a great smile from what I saw. I’m gonna assume he had Invisalign or his teeth done. Even though I’m in the window, they appeared to be perfect but I wouldn’t know for sure unless I’m close.
BOOM! BOOM!Me and Sariah turned our head to the door.
“Bitch, go get your man before he breaks down…” Sariah didn’t move fast enough. The front door was off the hinges and the guy stood there with a deranged look on his face.
“I know you two had sex but damn bestie, did you string his ass out. He breaking down doors and shit to find you.” I joked in a whisper. Unfortunately, he heard me and threw the first thing he saw at my head.
“What the hell?” It happened so fast that I didn’t even know what it was until Sariah snapped.
“You going straight to hell for throwing a Bible at her head.” My mother kept one by the door to keep evil out. Clearly it didn’t work if he was able to come in and toss it the way he did.
“She better be lucky that’s what it was and not a bullet in between her eyes.” I really couldn’t stand the fact that he made a threat on my life or broke in my house with no remorse. It was as if he didn’t care about going to jail or taking a life.
“You gotta go.” Sariah made an attempt to push him out the door frame but he grabbed her hands, pushed her towards one of the closed doors which happened to be my bedroom and slammed the door. Not knowing what to do, I stormed down the stairs and ran into that same man I was drooling over in the window.
“Where’s my cousin?” His tone was rude and his eyes burned a hole as he stared without blinking. After five seconds, the man pushed me into the wall and left me standing there in complete shock.
“In my house where he kicked in my door. Who’s going to pay for that because I’m not.” Complaining as I followed him up the flight of stairs, his cologne almost made me strip in the hallway. It smelled so good and the way he looked had a bitch ready to risk it all.
“Are you listening to me? Who is paying for this door and I didn’t invite you in.” He swung around to face me.
