“Excuse me!” I shouted.
Samara turned to me. “Thanks for bringing me home, but I have to leave.”
I knew it was impulsive, but I finally had someone I could talk to, and it was just like a man to come in and demand some shit. I didn’tbother to say anything, but inside, I felt alone. It was as if building bonds with people was something I wasn’t good at.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Where are we going?” Samara asked.
I looked at her, then back on the road. “To campus, but stop asking me stuff.”
She sat back and didn’t say another word. When we got to campus, we got out and headed to my dorm. Once we were inside the room, I sent Dio a text. Samara glanced around.
“So, are you and Phoebe like a couple now?” she asked.
I shook my head. “We’re—” I paused. “Yeah, we go together real bad. Ain’t that what y’all girls say?”
“Nah, it's you niggas lowkey simping but acting like you don’t. Y’all two are cute together or whatever,” she retorted in her New York accent.
I shook my head. “Terrible.”
She giggled until there was a knock on the door. She shot up from the empty bed, nervous.
“Relax,” I told her as I got up, grabbed my keys, and went to the door.
When I opened it, I could tell Dio was nervous. I wasn’t sure what they were about to talk about, but a piece of me wished I couldbe a fly on the wall or even sit in and listen. However, I had enough respect for both of them to allow them this moment together.
“She’s in there. If y’all fuck, nigga, take them sheets off my bed,” I grumbled and walked past him. I watched from down the hall as he stood at the door for a few more seconds before he walked in. If I knew nothing else about Dio, I knew he loved Samara to the ends of the earth.
I left them in my room, hoping they were making up, while I decided to go chill with Phoebe. She hadn’t called or texted all day. Since she and I had been on good terms, things had been consistent, but this silent treatment shit scared me. I didn’t know how many more cutting sessions Phoebe had until it was the last one. When I pulled up to her place, I saw her car in the driveway. I hurried as fast as I could with this damn boot on my foot to make my way to her door.
I knocked and waited. When the locks clicked, she opened the door wearing my hoodie and basketball shorts. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she was high as gas.
“Hey, baby,” she said with a weak smile.
Even though I could tell she was a bit sad, a bit of relief filled me to know she was still breathing. “Sup, Einstein?” I replied as I closed the door behind me. “Yo ass high enough yet?”
She plopped on the couch. “Maybe. Why are you jealous?”
I leaned over the back of the couch as I pulled at her ponytail, leaning her head back. I planted a kiss on her lips, only for her to stick her tongue in my mouth.
“I missed you,” she mumbled in my mouth.
Pulling away, I stared at her. “Did you? You ain’t called a nigga today.”
“It wasn’t a good day is all.”
I reached out and wrapped my long arms around her waist as her arms went around my neck, giving me leverage to pick her up.
“How was your match? Y’all win and shit?” I asked as our noses pressed together.
Suddenly, she pulled her eyes away from me. Something was wrong, and I wanted her to tell me about it.
“Fuck is up with you? We need to talk about it?”
A tear rolled from her red eyes. “I-I’m not ready yet.”
I walked around and sat on the couch with her still in my arms. I let out a sharp breath because I was about to do something I didn’t think I would. I rested my head on the back of the couch as I stared at the ceiling.
