Chapter 7
Deshona
“Imagine me discussing with my man last night about how my tac-head cousin had the audacity to skip town like she had warrants. No text messages. No letters. No postcards. Nothing. You could be stinking somewhere, and I wouldn’t be none the wiser. Ooh, I need to hop on the highway,” Korrena rants.
I sit quietly to give my dramatic cousin time to air out her grievances. For her, I’ve disappeared without a trace, but she doesn’t understand that I’ve been here fighting for my life. When I decided to leave my hometown, I didn’t anticipate my current circumstances or the UNO reversal that had happened.
“If you shut up, I can tell you how I’m living with a bronzed six-foot, braid-hanging, swollen yet tatted chest, almond-shaped, brown-eyed gallon of temptation,” I say with my eyes heavily staring at the closed door where I’m hiding in my bedroom.
“Wait. What? What do you mean?” Korrena’s question is loud, tinged with panic and uncertainty.
I chew on my bottom lip as I try to determine how to answer Korrena. But I must have taken longer than she can handle when her next question comes out in a rush.
“Do I need to call LaKendric so we can get on the expressway? You better tell me something and fast.”
I run down what’s been happening like a drunk woman incapable of handling her liquor intake. My words come fast and spill over as I try to enlighten Korrena about my present life, while my voice remains even and low.
“Oh my. I didn’t think you would run into . . . wow. I don’t even know what to say right now. He’s fine like that?”
A frown forms, and my eyes pinch as I try to figure out how Korrena had come to that conclusion with what I had told her.
“Who said the man is fine, Korrena?”
“His abs are like steel with tattoos that make me wonder what picture he was trying to paint with each installment. His eyes hide a sadness he tries to mask with humor and sarcasm. His hair is neatly braided, and I love the design work that his stylist did with his hair.”
I grunt and groan from the dreamy and squeaky tone of Korrena’s voice as she regurgitates words I don’t recall speaking.
“Now you’re putting words in my mouth. I only told you that I have a temporary roommate who’s been a pain in my ass, and I’m not sure how long I’m gonna be able to stomach him.”
“Nectarine, orange, it’s nearly the same sentiments. You were so engrossed in running down that man’s appearance that you didn’t realize that I could hear and decipher your attraction to him.”
I grunt again before I roll my eyes hard enough for them to get stuck in their sockets. Do I find Alijah attractive? Hell yeah.
“Okay. I have a suggestion that can help you continue ignoring the feelings you’re not ready to address or admit,” Korrena says after a few beats of silence pass between us.
“What?” I grumble before I bite my bottom lip, unsure of what my cousin is about to say next.
“You’ve been cooped up in that apartment since you moved there. Go out. See what the city has to offer. Find a warm body to release the pent-up tension you’re feeling from your roommate. Hell, you might find something worth holding onto.”
Or I could find someone I’ll have to get a restraining order on.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I don’t know the men or women in this city. How can I trust their authenticity?”
“Girl, bye. Living in Columbus didn’t give you the knowledge of the people you ran into. Try another excuse. Better yet, don’t. Go out and let your hair down.”
My mind swirls as I contemplate Korrena’s suggestion. The longer I roll over the thoughts in my head, the more I agree that a night out might be the thing I need to get a break from Alijah’s temptingly aggravating tail. I’m still stuck over the fact that the man brought me lunchafterI insulted him. I don’t know if he’s the crazy one or if I am. I reach a decision and then hurry my cousin off the phone.
Then I pull up a search bar for clubs and lounges in the area. Once that’s done, I stand and go to my closet to find something that’ll have a man’s tongue hanging at first sight. Finally, I rush to the bathroom for my second shower of the day because even working from home, I ain’t about to go out smelling even a tad bit musty. After my shower is complete and I’m back in my room, I do my hair in a neat bun so it doesn't hang down my neck. Then I go through the process of doing a light beat to my face.
Once satisfied, I slip into the daring yellow sheer mesh dress that clings just right and gives me goddess energy. The plunging draped top is paired with a ruched pleated miniskirt, finished with playful tie-up details that let me control the dramaticeffect. This outfit will surely turn heads and keep heads spinning tonight. My open-toe white heels, which crisscross up my calves, are the perfect finishing touch. I’m grateful that the white polish on my toes is still holding strong. I take a second to give myself a once-over before a thought has me grabbing a small clutch to hold my phone, keys, some lip gloss, a thing of mace, and a razor blade, because Mom didn’t raise no fools.
With no other reason to delay and ready to get some alcohol in my system, I exit my bedroom. The click-clack of my heels announces my presence as Alijah’s head slowly turns toward me. Heat slams in my core when Alijah’s eyes become hooded as he takes me in from head to toe. I fight the smile that wants to break loose when Alijah’s eyes darken with lust. But his intense gaze forces me to concentrate on walking because my legs suddenly feel wobbly.
I swallow over the lump in my throat and sashay my ass to the door without a word. The minute I’m on the other side of the front door, I lean on it to catch my breath before I continue toward the elevator.
“Whew! Thank you for the confirmation, Alijah.”
My chest expands, and a wide smile slides into place as I enter the elevator a second after pushing the button to call it to my floor. Thanks to my quick thinking, my rideshare was at the curb as soon as I stepped outside. The brisk air makes my teeth chatter as I contemplate why I didn’t consider the weather when I made my outfit decision. It takes me twenty minutes, including paying the entry fee at the door, to be in the thick of things at Club Slizzy. Heavy bass rattles through my body as I strut through the sea of bodies as I head toward the bar. I plaster a smile on my face and shake my head when random hands try to stop my forward progress.
