“Get the fuck out of here with that shit.”
“Excuse me?”
Just as Mahari opened his mouth to respond, Aspen emerged from the restroom. She leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded on top of her stomach. Hanging up on Lance crossed Mahari’s mind. There was no need for them to have a conversation about Aspen for several reasons, with the main one being Mahari wasn’t letting up off her anytime soon, if ever.
Two pats to his lap, and Aspen filled the space. Mahari wrapped one arm around her waist while hers went around his neck. With her head resting on top of his, Mahari couldn’t deny how Aspen felt like home. From the enticing scent to her calming aura, Aspen was it for him.
Mahari settled into Aspen’s embrace and replied to Lance, “You heard me, mane. How many times have we had this conversation? How many times have you listened to me or Justin? If you’re calling me on some type of get back with Aspen shit, we can end the conversation now. Over the years, I’ve tried to help you. I’ve tried to reason with you, but in the end, you always chose yourself over your relationship. You wanted to do what Lance wanted to do, and look where it got you. The last time I told you I was done talking about it, I meant that.”
“Damn, it’s like that?”
“Straight like that. And don’t call yourself being mad at me about anything when you had this coming. I’ve always been straight up with you, and that’s not going to change.”
The line went silent for a moment. Mahari kissed Aspen’s belly, and she pecked the top of his head. A little twinge of guilt stabbed Mahari’s heart, but the love he had for Aspen outweighed it.
Finally, Lance spoke. “Let me find out, Mahari.”
“Find out what?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, mane. If I find out you haveanythingto do with my relationship ending, it’s you and me.”
Mahari smirked. “How could I have anything to do with something you sabotaged? Let’s be real. You don’t want it with me just like you don’t want it with Justin. You know what it is, Lance.”
Three beeps indicated Lance had hung up on him. Tossing his phone to the side, Mahari glanced up at Aspen who peered down at him with questions dancing in her eyes.
“If Lance becomes a problem, let me know.”
Aspen’s nose scrunched. “What do you mean? He’s always been a thorn in my side.”
“If he reaches out to you, promise to tell me.”
“Pfft. I highly doubt he will since he didn’t seem to want to talk to me while we were together, but I promise.”
“Thank you.”
After the phone call with Lance, Mahari felt something in the pit of his stomach warning him things would get worse before they got better. Only thing was, if it came with heartbreak, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be the same again.
Days with Mahariwere always the best. No matter what they did, simple or extravagant, Aspen felt a high after being with him. It was euphoric, a feeling she never wanted to go away. If she could constantly feel it, Aspen was sure life would be a breeze.
The couple was sitting in the parking lot, listening to R&B music while enjoying some ice cream. Earlier that day, Mahari surprised Aspen with an impromptu shopping spree. She got stuff for her apartment, the girls’ room, and a few more things for her baby shower. Mahari let her go all out, so when he wasn’t paying attention, Aspen snuck and got him something with her own money. He deserved to be spoiled in the same way.
A breeze wafted through the cracked window, and Aspen welcomed it. The sun had set, giving them a view of the bright stars in the dark sky. It was a sight Aspen would never get tired of.
“If I could live outside of the city like this, I would,” Aspen announced, breaking their silence.
“You know it’ll be nothing for me to make that happen, right?”
“I know, but I want it to happen naturally. I do want to enjoy the space I have now for a few years. It’s a good spot for the girls to grow up in, but I want to be somewhere I can get away from the busy life and just chill.”
Mahari shoved his last bite of ice cream in his mouth and cleaned around his lips. “I agree. I love what I do for a living, but the shit can be too much at times. From the press to the late nights, I want to hide sometimes. That’s why I’m not always in the limelight. I get approached for opportunities all the time, but I value my peace more. Some of them are great for me while others aren’t. I’ve learned to distinguish them.”
“That’s major, Mahari. You know I’ve witnessed firsthand how the industry can swallow a person whole, so I get it. And it’s not just like that with your industry. The medical field can be hell too.”
“I believe it.”
While Aspen took pride in being in the medical field, she was also leery of certain people and opportunities. Denver had given her the rundown before she started school, and she was beyond grateful for his guidance. If she didn’t have it, she probably would’ve made some decisions that would’ve been detrimental to her path. Some of the decisions would’ve cost her, her passion, and that was the last thing she desired to happen.
“Sometimes, I wonder if I would’ve continued with my education while my daddy was sick if I would’ve been able to save him.”
