“Out here to start some trouble.”
He shook his head, lips twitching like I was a joke.
“Stay out my way.” He leaned in, voice real quiet now. “I saw the notes you been leaving on my car. There’s nous. Stop following me around my city.”
That cut deep, but I wasn’t going to let him see me bleed.
I folded my arms, smirking like I wasn’t bothered.
“Yeah, I’ma stop. I found somebody better.” I tossed my hair back. “His name’s Rivera . I heard you know him.”
Mula chuckled lowly, the sound dripping with disrespect.
“Get on, Storm. Don’t get yo’self killed fuckin’ with my opps. You think that shit cute, coming out here tryna be in my mix... that shit deadly. Stay out my way. And stay away from him.”
I tilted my head, lips curving slow.
“Aww... you jealous?” I teased. “You sexy when you mad.”
“Nah, but you are. I never should have fucked you.”
Thatbrokeme. The liquor hit, so my words came out slurred, bitter. “What does that bitch have that I don’t? Why is she so special?”
Mula looked at me hard, jaw tight.
“You been following me around. You see why. I got a son, and I got shit goin’ on that only she understands.” He stepped in close. “Now get out my face before shit get ugly. I’m giving you a pass. I’m serious... don’t die out here tryna spite me. Go back to Colorado, and don’t come back here.”
Before I could say another word, my friend, Ariel, yanked me back into the crowd.
“Bitch, you sure you wanna do this?” she hissed in my ear.
I frowned, feeling the burn in my chest, eyes still locked on Mula.
“Yeah,” I said, voice sharp. “Fuck Mula.”
Ariel just shook her head. “A’ight. Well... Rivera said we can meet him and his boy at the Sable Cove Hotel after this. Same spot you are staying at, so we’re good. Tomorrow, you start your revenge for him breaking your heart and leading you on.”
I nodded and then finished my drink.
By the time I hit the hotel with Rivera, I was gone off liquor and embarrassment. We fucked, but my head wasn’t in it. It was Mula I wanted... even when I was with someone else.
The next morning, Ariel and I snuck out early, the beach air hitting my face, making me feel cool, but I was still mad.
We ended up outside theSouthshore Terrace Apartments. That was where I had seen Mula’s car parked all night, from thetracker I put under it. The lot was quiet, and nobody was around. I stood there for a second, smiling slowly with shaking hands.
I pulled out my phone. Fifteen unread texts I sent him that same night... no reply. Fuck it. I pulled a small knife out of my bag, crouched low, andslashed all four of his tires. Then I took the blade and scratched into the hood of his car—deep, raw letters:
I’M FUCKING YOUR OPP.
I stepped back, staring at it, breathing heavily, heart pounding. Ariel was looking at me like I was crazy, but I didn’t care. Now it was time for thisYummibitchto know me.
I was just getting started.
FUCKIN MY OPP?
I wokeup to somebody damn near beating down the screen door. At first, I thought it was a drug head. One of them bold ones who ain’t got no respect, just a habit and a death wish. Ireached under the couch, gripped my piece, and slid to my feet into my Prada shoes, still halfway in a dream.
I ain’t mean to fall asleep at the trap. After the club, I was too tired to drive back to Prince Valley, so I crashed here at Southshore Terrace—where the roaches knew my name and the walls still remembered who I used to be.
