“What?” He grimaced. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. I…I’m not happy. And I been trying to ignore it, but I just can’t, anymore. I really like you, but sometimes…sometimes I wish that we never started a sexual relationship. Because…you’re not ready. I never cum. And it feels like that’s all you focus on, these days. So, maybe…maybe you need more experience. Date around. Figure yourself out. Then maybe…we can get back together. Later.”
He shook his head. “No. This shit came out of nowhere, when you was just smiling not too long ago. It gotta be another nigga. Just keep it real.”
“Harlem, are you telling me that there’s no other girls?”
His eyebrows dipped in the middle. “What?”
“Didn’t I see texts from other girls in your phone? Weren’t there girls offering you head? How do I know that things didn’t go further than texts? Maybe you’re so unwilling to satisfy me, because you’re trying to be with me, her, and her.”
He shook his head, not having anything to say about that. And the sad part was that I wasn’t even being manipulative. Harlem was factually texting other girls. I’d seen other girls’ naked pictures in his phone. Found condom wrappers in his car.
No, I wasn’t turning a blind eye. No, I wasn’t accepting anything, just to have a boyfriend. I was just a realist. A boy will be a boy. We were young. He was handsome. A star athlete. So, there would be competition. Being with a desirable person just comes along with that type of baggage. And I understood that he simply lacked the discipline to keep his dick in his pants. That had nothing to do with me, nor implied that I had shortcomings.
Personally, I never kicked up dust, because I understood who I was dealing with. I also kept that information tucked in my back pocket, as I navigated through day-to-day life. And would keep that in mind, whenever something tempting came along. And would do me, virtually without a conscience.
“Harlem, look,” I breathed out. “We both know that you have options. I aint the only girl in the world. So, you’ll be okay. I promise.” I closed the gap between us, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “Go have fun, and fuck all the girls you want. We have all the time in the world to get serious. Later.”
He stood stiffly as I pulled back. “You trying to pull some reverse psychology on me, Summer. I’m not stupid. But I’m also not about to beg you to be with me. Cause like you said, I got options. Fuck you.” He spat, before stomping off.
Standing there, I situated the hair around my neck for the umpteenth time. “Okay, I definitely pissed him off.” I adjusted the Gucci belt on my waist. “But he’ll get over it.”
***
“Okay, girls, there’s seafood pasta, honey hot wings, deviled eggs, garlic bread, and cobb salad in the kitchen,” my mama announced, as she leaned into the living room.
“Okay,” everyone responded simultaneously, as my mama retreated back to the kitchen.
It was a Saturday night, and all my girls had come over to spend the night, and we were posted up in the living room. We’d usually rotate homes every other weekend, and it was now my turn.
Honestly, my girls had been on me, because I hadn’t spent a night at anybody’s house in a couple of months. So, we were catching up on all the gossip I’d been missing out on.
“So, Summer, did Shilo tell you who we ran into at the Galleria?” Tarin questioned.
“No. Who?” I arched a brow, as I had a leg tucked under me, while we were all lounging on the sectional.
“Harlem,” Tarin revealed.
“And he was there with Brion,” Shilo blurted.
“Hugged up, kissing,” Tarin added.
“Oh.” I poked out my bottom lip, and scratched the back of my neck.
Renny gazed at me. “Seems like you don’t care.”
I shrugged. “We’re broken up. So, he’s free to do whatever he wants.”
“Right,” Tarin agreed. “But Brion messes with Breeze. And they’re friends. Which makes her nasty.”
“Brionusedto mess with Breeze,” I corrected.
“So, Breeze doesn’t talk to her, anymore?” Asha probed.
“Nope.”
“Mmm. You sure about that?” Asha wanted to know. “Because I just saw Brion riding with Breeze two days ago.”
