I nodded. “I’m going to leave. Now, move.”
He limped his simple ass out of the way. I flicked the hoodie lower over my face as I made my way toward the exit. My eyes turned to look at Mars one last time as she smiled with her friends. I saw Beans catch my eye. I lifted my finger to my lips.
“Shh.”
As soon as the waitress walked by with her tray, I snatched the bottle, moved through the crowd, and bashed that nigga Jesaiah over the back of his head. There was a gasp as the people around us tried to figure out who it was. I ducked, pushed through the crowd, and left. I was fucked up and in my feelings. Samara liked that nigga. I saw it in her face. If this was what she wanted, she was going to get it.
PHOEBE
PRESS PLAY
Although I wasn’t up for coming out, I did because Xavier asked. Seeing him would be good for me, and being stuck in the house for another second would have driven me insane. When I came in Hoodoo’s and Syior pulled me over to him, I knew Xavier saw it. It didn’t matter what he and Apple did behind closed doors because between me sleeping with Syior and this, what could I say? I tried to talk to him, but, as usual, he blew me off. He was so focused on what was going on with the girl he was dancing with and watching the line stroll that I had become non-existent.
Seeing Samara without Dio was interesting, especially her dancing on other niggas, considering how crazy Dio was. However, she looked like she was genuinely enjoying herself until Beans pulled her from the dance floor. My eyes landed back on Xavier, who had now looked at me. The DJ slowed the music down, and I caught it. My hips moved as I danced alone while the other girls around me grinded all over the guys they were dancing with. My head swung, and that was when I noticed Syior standing on the other end watching me.
I rolled my body and popped my ass as my head turned and eyes connected back with Xavier. He slowly crossed his arms over his chest as his lip disappeared between his teeth. I was in a zone, feeling every beat in the song.
Head swing.
Syior tilted the bottle to his lips as his eyes lowered on me. My hand slid down my body as I closed my eyes for a few seconds.
Head swing.
Xavier’s mouth started to move.Keep going, he mouthed.
Head swing.
Syior had gotten a little closer. I dropped and came up slowly.
Head swing.
Xavier came closer. My dancing led them in, and now it was the battle of what I truly wanted.
Syior, the nigga I had been rocking with for years. The man who knew my secrets and had been there for almost all my breakdowns. Xavier, the guy I had the privilege of seeing more often, was more my speed. He made me laugh, he listened, and I liked him.
Syior, the guy who owned the streets and had women on speed dial. Xavier, the ladies’ man, had the girls on campus just as eager as I was.
Syior, the guy I could never bring home to my parents. Xavier, the guy I could see myself being in a relationship with.
I stopped dancing as I glanced between the two of them. My heart raced. I turned toward Syior, then turned toward Xavier. My feet moved as I walked toward Xavier.
“Can we leave?”
He looked up, and I knew he was looking at Syior before he looked back down at me. “Is this what you want, little Einstein?”
I giggled. “Yes.”
He pulled me in for a hug. “Let me handle something, then we can leave,” he said in my ear.
He walked toward the others, and I walked toward the girls and waited until Xavier was ready.
PERCY
Ifinally made it to Cedar Oaks. The streets were quiet, and the few people who normally stood in front of the liquor stores and abandoned parking lots weren’t around. I took peeks at Royce, who sat back like the town I entered didn’t look like the fucking apocalypse.
“You good?” I asked her.
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
