“Yeah.” Enzo nodded. “We may be the same in that way but still different. I know how to navigate my shit.”
“And what that say about me, nigga?” I snapped, taking offense.
“Man,” Aura let out, “is we here to talk about how you two niggas can be standoffish or help Pryce get his girl back now that she’s here?”
“Oh, shit. Dai back in town?” Tay asked, a little too excited for my liking.
“Aye, pipe the fuck down on the excitement.”
“Nigga, shut up.” He waved me off. “You know that’s family.”
“That nigga bout to beat yo’ ass bout his woman.” Jay laughed.
“Got me fucked up,” Tay said, leaning back in his chair.
“Anyway,” Enzo spoke up again. “She’s back, and I think he should let her come to him. Let it be on her terms.”
“Terrible idea,” Aura concluded. “You need to go get her. She came back for a reason. Go get her and make her stay.”
Enzo smirked. “That nigga threatened her. That’s why she’s here.”
Aura squinted. “I don’t see the problem. And since you did that, you popping up shouldn’t faze her.”
“Maannn, I’m not forcing her to talk to me.”
“That’s ass backwards as hell. Why you threaten her then?” Enzo questioned.
“Shit, cause I want her back. I gave her more than enough time when she left.”
Tay snapped his fingers, pointing at me. “I got it. Send her some flowers. Write a letter and invite her out to dinner.”
“Mutual ground,” Jay said slowly. “That’s smart. Buy her something too. Something sentimental.”
“It’s not a fix,” Enzo added. “It’s a start. Opens up the door to conversation.”
“And so does popping up and making her talk,” Aura suggested again.
“Why you encouraging this man to harass her?” Jay chuckled.
I listened as they continued to toss around ideas of how I could winmywoman back like it was a strategy meeting and not my life. Nothing they suggested stuck, and I’d already made up my mind as to how this was going to play out between me and Dai.
“Y’all done?” I spoke up. “Cause y’all irritating the fuck outta me. I’m cool on advice. I’ma do what I wanna do when I’m ready to do it.”
My phone vibrated before they could respond, and it was a welcomed distraction. It was a text from my office manager.
Brandi: We got a real disgruntled couple here refusing to pay the tow fee. The wife is threatening to call the cops, and the husband is talking about hopping the gate. She got one more time to call me out my name, and you gon’ have to fire me cause I’ma whoop her ass.
Me: Tell them the owner on the way.
Standing, I announced my exit. “I got shit to handle at the tow yard. Send me the tab for this tux once you get the number, Aura.”
“Aight. Keep us posted with Adai,” he said, dapping me up.
“No,” I replied and chucked the deuces. “Be safe. Love y’all niggas.”
Stepping outside, I checked my phone again. Scrolling to my thread with Dai, I started to text her then deleted the message. I knew what I wanted to say but thought it was best to say in person. For now, I’d settle with her being back. How long I’d be willing to do that was up in the air.
I pulledinto the lot of Sullivan Towing and parked in front of the entrance. I wanted Brandi to have a clear view of my car. I also wanted to see the couple in action before I got out. From my viewpoint, there was a Black woman at the window, pointing at the glass, and a white guy standing guard behind her. Getting out of my car, I pushed the door open and leaned against it. I subtly acknowledged Brandi with a slight nod. The guy must’ve caught on because he glanced back briefly but didn’t say anything.
