“I don’t want to hear that shit, Islah.”
Love snatched his phone back off the island and started pacing the kitchen, running his hands over his braids while trying to calm himself down, but it wasn’t working.
“That nigga was at your job.”
“That nigga been stalking!”
“I beat that nigga’s ass, and you thought it was smart to sit down and have lunch with the nigga?”
“I was tryin’ to end it!” I yelled back. “That’s all, nothing more, nothing less.”
Love stopped pacing and looked at me.
“Did he agree to leave after talking to him over lunch?”
I shook my head. “No, but I thought if I talked to him face-to-face he would finally understand that it was nothing left for me and him.”
“That nigga understands that shit!” Love barked some more. “He just don’t give a fuck!”
I swallowed hard, because I knew he was right, while Love laughed bitterly, shaking his head.
“I got the whole city watching this nigga to protect you, and you’re out here making me look crazy.”
“That’s not fair, Love,” I responded. “I wasn’t trying to cross you or disrespect you?—”
“But you did,” Love responded low, cutting me off calmly.
That hit me hard.
He stopped yelling, wasn’t barking, but sounded disappointed.
Love let out a deep breath, stood directly across from me at the island, and placed his hands on top.
“What if somethin’ happened to you?” he asked low. “What if he snapped while you were sitting there?”
I paused for a second. “He wouldn’t have?—”
“You don’t know that, Islah. You already see that nigga moving like a nigga you don’t know, so what the fuck difference do a fuckin’ lunch make?”
The kitchen got quiet after that. The only thing that filled the space was the stove popping behind me and both of us breathing hard.
Until we heard Amir open his bedroom door and both our heads turned instantly.
Amir looked between us before focusing on Love.
“You good, Dad?” he asked carefully.
Love closed his eyes for a second and exhaled hard through his nose before nodding.
“Yeah son, me and Islah just talking.”
Amir looked at me next. I gave him a small smile to ease the tension.
“We’re good, luv.”
He stood there for another second like he was tryin’ to read the room, then nodded slow and went back in his room.
Once the door shut, Love grabbed the back of his neck.
