I was already in pain, so I didn’t see what harm it would do. “Uh, yeah. I’ll take the shot.”
Ten minutes later, I jumped and damn near called the doctor out of her name when it felt like that damn needle pierced my bone. That shit was more than pretty painful. I was never letting a doctor do that shit again, she could kiss my ass. Walking out to my car, the pain was worse than when I had arrived, and I was pissed. I had gone to bed perfectly normal and now, I could barely walk. In the car, I lifted my basketball shorts a bit and saw that just that fast my knee was even more swollen than it hadpreviously been. Mumbling under my breath, I frowned. My day was ruined. There was no way I could get any work done, so I might as well go get drunk.
Rheumatologist? The doctor’s words echoed in my head. If it wasn’t one thing it was another.
CHAPTER 4
ISAAC
London’s phonehad vibrated three times in the past two minutes, and I inadvertently glanced over at it. I didn’t go through her phone, and she didn’t go through mine. Despite her getting back-to-back text messages, it being anything inappropriate never crossed my mind. She was in the bathroom, and I was making sure it wasn’t her mother or someone texting with an emergency. Seeing that the text messages were coming from a contact saved as Omar, my interest was piqued for real. Maybe it was a stylist or someone from the production team.
I saw there were previous messages starting back to two weeks before, so I started at the beginning.
Omar: I see you’re married now. Congratulations! I just moved here last month. Diamond Cove is a pretty nice place.
London: Yes, it is. I love it here. And thank you so much. It’s about time for you to get married, isn’t it? I saw when your cousin posted your engagement video.
Omar: My fiancée died a month ago. We were supposed to get married in two months. When I say I’m at the lowest I’ve ever been in my life. This shit hurts so bad. I never even thought I’d get married, but I met Julia, and I changed my mind fast.
London: OMG Omar, I’m so sorry! I don’t even know what to say. That is so sad. Please know that you’re in my prayers.
Omar: I appreciate it. She had surgery and was in a lot of pain. You know these days doctors are stingy with the pain medication, so she got some from her cousin. They were supposed to be legit pills from an elderly lady, but they had Fentanyl in them. She took one, and I found her a few hours later in bed. That shit was so traumatizing.
London: Omar, I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.
He didn’t respond to her, but three days later, he sent her a text message.
Omar: Good morning. I’m sorry I’m just now responding to your message. It becomes a lot sometimes, and I just shut down. I hate it.
London: That’s perfectly understandable. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I get it, and I’m still praying for you.
Omar: Thank you.
London: Anytime!
The conversation ended there, but here it was five days later, and he had texted her earlier, telling her he had checked out some of her YouTube videos. She thanked him, and he went on to reminisce about a birthday meal she cooked him back in the day. That conversation had ended with her sending multiple laughing emoji’s. Now, here it was hours later, and he had texted her three times back-to-back.
Omar: Hey, L, what’s good? Can you tell me the best soul food spots in Diamond Cove? I know you know, lol.
Omar: I’m sure they don’t cook as good as you, but I’ll take a close second.
Omar: Or even surrounding areas. If it’s not too far away.
My jaw muscle ticked as I read over the three most recent messages. He had initially hit her up to say congratulations, but it seemed to me that he felt he had the okay to text her whenever he wanted, and that shit was not cool. He was her ex. The person that took her virginity. They didn’t have anything to be texting about. In my opinion, that shit was inappropriate.
I was about to text him back when London exited the ensuite bathroom wearing a black robe. “Somebody called me?” she asked noticing I had her phone in my hand.
“Nah, but your buddy Omar is texting you.” I was sure the bite in my tone, and the way my nostrils flared let her know that I wasn’t happy about them conversing. He was way too comfortable hitting her up. It was nine pm. Fuck this grieving nigga reaching out about soul food for?
London frowned slightly. “What did he say?”
“He’s asking about soul food recommendations. That’s what we’re doing now? We’re allowed to text our exes?”
“Are you serious right now, Issac? The man found out I lived in Diamond Cove, and he congratulated me on being married. His fiancée just died. I’m sure that man isn’t even thinking about being inappropriate. I think he just needs someone to talk to.”
“Well, he better get a therapist.” I stood up. “That nigga is trying to cry his way into some pussy. None of the most recent times that he’s texted you has he acted so traumatized or sad. He doesn’t need to be hitting you up at all. I’m about to text him back and tell him to get the fuck on.”
London’s frown deepened. “I can’t believe you. He doesn’t have to call me while he’s crying for me to know he’s grieving. Not once has he said anything even remotely close to being inappropriate. I can’t believe you’re acting like this. You know I wouldn’t cheat on you.”
