“I know,” was all he said, and that pissed me off.
“Get the fuck away from my house. I hate you, nigga.”
“Man, stop. You and I both know that shit’s a lie.”
My eye twitched, and heat flooded my face. “Don’t fucking tell me how I feel!”
“I don’t gotta tell you. I can see it,” he said, his voice so calm it was like a balm to my soul.
“See what?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“How much you still want me.”
A bitter laugh pushed out of me before I could stop it. “You are one cocky muthafucka.”
His mouth curved into that subtle smile I used to crave, the one that dug that damn dimple into his cheek and melted my heart simultaneously.
“You love me.” His tongue dragged slowly across his bottom lip, and my knees grew so weak I had to lock them.
Damn.
I hated that.
Hated that something that small could still get to me.
And for a second… it did.
I felt that old pull. The familiarity of his presence made everything else blur around him.
It pissed me off just thinking about how weak he made me feel.
I shook my head, trying to knock my brain loose for even considering. “It wasn’t enough to keep you from disappearing on me.” The words came out low, but they carried.
Booda gazed at me, his eyes clear and focused, seeming to pierce through me and see all of my thoughts and emotions. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and fear at the power he held in that one look.
“Let that shit go so we can move forward,” he said.
My head snapped back. “Let it go?” I let out a short laugh, trying hard to keep my composure. “I woke up in a hospital bed by myself, Booda. All I had was you, and you know that! I have a reason to be pissed.”
“Be pissed! I won’t take that away from you. But you know damn well if I could’ve been there, I would’ve.”
I held his gaze, searching for something to tear into.
He closed the space between us, not touching me… but close enough that I felt him.
“Knowing that doesn’t make things better,” I shot back.
“I’m not tryna make things better. I’m just tryna talk to you.”
“Talking won’t erase anything.”
“It won’t. But it’s a start. Let me mend what I broke.”
“You shouldn’t have to mend it,” I replied weakly, feeling my resolve slowly melting away.
“Some of that was outta my hands… but this right here ain’t.” He gently slid his knuckles down the side of my face before cupping my cheek. “I miss you, baby. Talk to me.”
“Don’t,” I warned, even though I didn’t move away.
