Page 118 of Own It

“I saw that bitch in your face, and now all of a sudden, you got a play to make? Yeah fucking right!” Tarin’s loud, boisterous voice almost blew my eardrum, even from afar.

“Man, fuck out of here! I got shit to do!”

“At least be honest and admit you’re about to fuck some random bitch you just met! According to you, you only lie when you scared of something, right, nigga?” It was silence before Tarin shouted again, “Right? So you a punk ass nigga?”

“Touch me again, Tarin, and I’m gon’ forgo all the love I got for you and go upside ya fucking head,” Josias threatened, and I could sense his seriousness even through this butt dial.

“Then stop⁠—”

“Yeah, I’m about to meet up with the bitch you saw in my face and fuck her! You happy now?”

“I fucking hate you!” Tarin’s voice was filled with sorrow, making me hang up before I mirrored her feelings in front of my date.

I was so fucking stupid running away from being at the table with a nice man to answer the call of my sorry ass baby daddy. Not only had he whisked Tarin off to Las Vegas, something I’d already been privy to but still hurt nonetheless, but he was also still sleeping around while out there. There was nothing I could do with a man like that.

Washing my hands quickly, I toweled them off then used it to open the door and strut back to the dinner table. Thankfully, Darron was still there.

“You alright?” he asked. “Some chicken came around, so I got you some.”

“Thank you.” I cheesed, genuinely. “I’m really enjoying this place and you.”

“I’m glad.” He smirked. “Means we have to do it again.”

“We do.”

I was elated that he wanted to and hadn’t been turned off by my demeanor shift at the mention of Josias. Fuck Josias.

After the date, Darron invited me back to his place, but I declined. I was too horny and didn’t want to end up fucking him on the first date like I had with Josias.

I wanted to take my time and not repeat the same mistakes. Though, the petty part of me wanted to at least get some head and butt dial Josias in the middle of it. But I knew that would do nothing but keep me roped into this toxic circus I’d been headlining with him.

EIGHT

rakim

LATER THAT NIGHT . . .

We’d just had a celebratory dinner for Ayan’s win, and thankfully, the shit wasn’t too awkward since everyone acted like they had some sense, keeping the conversation light.

Though I didn’t wanna come to Las Vegas, thinking this shit would be exhausting, I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t enjoy being laid up doing leisure activities with my woman. It was nice to get away and with yo’ person. This was some new shit for me.

I did come here to kick it with my girl and to indulge in the unlimited pussy she promised, but I also came here to tap Ayan on the fucking nose.

As much as I didn’t fuck with that nigga, I couldn’t have a muthafucka around me or walking the streets as my brother who put their hands on women. In my eyes, a nigga who sat idly by while a nigga did dirt like that was bitch-made and just as guilty. So as badly as I didn’t want to extend any grace to LaMia, who didn’t even wanna help herself, I would.

I thought about my mother and how I wished when I was a child, someone my father halfway respected or feared or even just listened to pulled his coattails about putting hands and feet on my mama. Instead, he had homies and cousins that continued on with their conversations, drinks, meals, and cigars while she screamed bloody murder in the back bedroom. As a little boy, that shit was more traumatizing than listening to the young nigga in the cell next to mine get his manhood taken.

Seeing Ayan was on the balcony having a drink, I kissed Daylin’s temple, telling her I’d be back since she was engrossed in conversation about Delicacies with one of the random women either Ayan, Josias, or Nate invited. The latter two were single, but Ayan didn’t let him being in a relationship with LaMia stop his game. Shit, she was here tonight, and he didn’t give a fuck.

He and I differed a lot, and this was just another thing I would never do. I wouldn’t waste my years, time, and seeds on a woman I had no respect for. I’d rather be single.

“Congrats,” I said, making my brother turn around and bob his head as a ‘thanks’ before putting the glass to his lips.

“Appreciate that.” He surveilled me, clearly wondering why I was even speaking to his ass, and rightfully so.

Slipping my hands into the pockets of my hoodie, I glanced over the balcony of the penthouse suite before locking eyes with him.

“I wanna holla at you about putting hands on ya girl.” I got right to it.