Dre: Yep.
Me: Bet. I’m on my way.
Dre: Say less.
Dre’Lon Stanley has been my best friend since our days in the sandbox. We have been through some shit over the years, and nothing has been able to come between the bond we’ve created. He’s my brother from another mother. I angrily swipe my face clean of the evidence of the deception I witnessed and head toward Dre’s crib. The brain is a powerful muscle as I suffer through the repeat of Monika’s actions the entire drive.
My wayward thoughts cause me to eat up the distance, and before long, I pull into my boy’s driveway. My chest rises and falls like I’ve run a marathon, which forces me to try to get myself together before I leave my ride. Hard knocks on my window cause my head to shift faster than necessary, only to see Dre standing outside my door. I exhale and exit the vehicle, my heart on my sleeve.
“Damn. Do I need to load the Beretta or help you hide the body, bro?”
“We’ll see after I’m too numb to make rational decisions. What you got stocked in the bar?”
“Aw, shit. Come on. This sounds heavy.”
Dre throws his arm around my shoulder before he leads me inside his crib and down to his mancave. It takes me no time to run down the situation I walked in on.
“I know you’re fucking lying.” A feminine squeal causes me to lift my head from the glass I’m holding in a tight grip.
Dre’s wife, Queen, stands at the threshold of the man cave with a look that would kill anything moving in her direction.
“Uh, let me handle this, Boobie,” Dre says with a smirk as Queen rolls her eyes and leaves the doorway.
Thanks to the emptiness of my stomach from not eating at the cookout, the liquor is already taking full effect in my system. Or it could be the fact that I have downed three full tumblers of dark liquor since being here. Either way, numbness makes my chest feel a little lighter. In another world, I might have been able to appreciate the opportunity to fuck three women. But in the world where my bitch ass heart is broken, all I can feel is pain and betrayal. How is this my fucking life?
Chapter 3
Deshona
“Ithink you should give Columbus one last hoorah. If you want, I can tuck in my son, then suck and fuck his daddy and meet you so I can be your wing woman.”
“Your pregnant ass can’t even make it through dinner without falling asleep. How the hell are you gonna do that and be my wing woman?” I ask before a bubble of laughter escapes my mouth at the memory of Korrena telling me about almost drowning in a bowl of zuppa not too long ago.
“Girl, I can take a nap or something.”
“Or you can pretend that I did so I don’t have to subject myself to any more torment.”
I was born and raised in this city, but even the idea of traveling down unknown roads or exploring new territory can’t stop me from the urge to run far away from here. I’ve had too many moments in Mom’s shadow and kissed far too many toads. The thought of going out and partying, even for a final time, fills my belly with dread.
“Come on. Be a good sport. One last dance. It’s only right to go out with a bang.”
I sigh heavily while I try to come up with another rebuttal. It takes me another minute or so to reach a conclusion.
“Fine. But if this backfires, just know that you’re gonna owe me big. I also don’t want your man coming for me, so I’ll do this little rendezvous without you.”
“Ooh. Deal. Hit up one of the bars downtown because it’s sure to give you everything you need for your final romp around town.”
I bite the corner of my lip as I contemplate the suggestion before I nod, despite Korrena’s inability to see my action. The downtown bars are expected to be a great time, so maybe it’ll be the perfect way to leave my fair city.
“Alright. Let me get off this phone so I can find something to wear.”
It takes another minute or so to end the call with Korrena, and then I go to my email. When I see an email from Kaiku Luxury Apartments, I damn near trip over my fingers to open the new correspondence. Kaiku was one of five apartment complexes I applied for in Kaigood, Ohio. It’s the one I wanted most, as it’s fully furnished and within fifteen minutes of Downtown Kaigood. The amenities within the complex are a full gym, pool, game room, and a walking trail that also includes a dog zone.
“Yes!” I pump my fist when I see confirmation that I can secure the apartment in Kaigood.
It’s what I needed in order to officially get the ball rolling so I can vacate Columbus without delay. I go through the motions of paying the deposit and first month’s rent, as requested within the body of the email. The lease is a temporary six-month agreement that should be perfect for me to get to know the city and determine my permanent move. Once that’s done, I exit my email and lay my phone down before I head to my closet for something to wear. Time flies by, and in no time, I’m walkingout the front door with my mind on one last hoorah in my hometown.
“One time for the birthday chick. Two times for the birthday chick,” I sing as I throw my hand up and move to the beat as I enter the lounge twenty minutes later.
