Page 14 of Stand on That

“I had to run out of town around elven this morning, and I just got back like three hours ago. The phone works both ways. You know that right? I don’t think you’ve ever called me. So, if I don’t call you, we won’t talk?”

“I don’t really call guys first unless we’re in a relationship, but you’re right. The phone does work both ways.”

Darius stared at me for so long that my clit began to throb. The tequila had my body warm while Darius’ presence had my pussy aching with desire. “Who drove tonight?”

“Me.”

He gave a curt nod. “After you drop your people off, I expect you to be at my crib right after. Don’t let me catch another nigga in your face.” He walked off, and I watched him.

I had it bad for that man, and I didn’t even care.

“Ohhh what did daddy Darius say?” Lo teased with a grin.

“I have a father, and his name isn’t Darius,” I chuckled.

“The way he’s been taking care of you, he’s your daddy now,” Hailey chimed in. “He has some fine ass friends too. Lil’ daddy in the blue shirt is kind of cute.”

Peeking over at the person Hailey was referring to, I recognized one of the guys that I had seen Darius sell dope to. He had long dreads and skin the color of peanut butter. Anytime Darius served him, he was real plain and casual but in the club, he was shining. Diamonds sparkling, and it wasn’t no middle of the mall shit.

“That’s Azarius. He spends quite a bit of money with Darius. He has money for sure.”

I gave my girl the run down on Azarius while never taking my eyes off Darius. When a tall, brown skinned chick slithered into his personal space I smirked. Hailey went from plotting on Azarius to asking me if we were beating ass. Her question made me push out a very light laugh.

“I’m not doing the most over no nigga. Only way I’m fighting is if I’m personally disrespected.”

“Period!” Lo hyped.

I was watching to see how Darius played the situation, however. He had kindly told me he better not catch any more men in my face, and the same needed to apply to him or all bets were off. I watched as he took a small step back. Nothing too crazy, but it was enough to put a satisfactory amount of distance between them. When ole girl reached out and touched Darius’ chest my nose scrunched. Hoes were thirsty as fuck.

When Darius removed her hand, I sniggered. That was pretty much all I needed to see. Had he entertained her, I wasn’t going to act up and cause a scene. I was simply going to ignore the demand he made about me coming to his home after the club. I liked Darius. I liked him a lot. But I’d never let any man no matter how fine or how paid play in my face. As long as he acted like he had some sense and treated me with respect I would do the same. We weren’t official but if I couldn’t entertain other men then he couldn’t entertain other women. My age would never be an excuse for me to act like I wasn’t raised in a house with a mama and a daddy. I was raised around love. My parents weren’t dysfunctional or toxic. The only questionable thing they did was smoke weed around us our entire lives and the only people that questioned it were people that didn’t smoke.

I was young and having fun but having fun didn’t mean playing the fool. Not for Darius or anybody else.

I watched as Bree stood in front of me her hands resting on her hips watching me with a scowl like she was waiting on a confession, apology, or something. Since I didn’t know what her issue was, I didn’t say anything. But there was only so long I was going to stand there and have a stare off with her.

“The way you kept telling me you weren’t ready for a relationship, it would be real foul if you went and got a girlfriend,” she finally expressed herself. I didn’t have a girlfriend. But it didn’t seem like she was asking me. Bree was coming at me like she knew for a fact I had done something to upset her.

“I’m not stupid. You’re a busy person, but we’ve never gone a month without linking up. There has to be someone else.”

My response was a blank stare because whether there was someone else or not, it didn’t matter. We weren’t in a relationship, and I encouraged her to date. If she chose not to that wasn’t on me.

“If there is someone else what that mean?” I asked.

Bree drew back. “What that mean?” she scoffed. “You didn’t want a relationship, cool. I was fine with us just being casual. But how are you going to replace me?”

It was my turn to frown. I was far from slow, but I was having trouble grasping what the fuck she was talking about. “Bree,” I chuckled. “Shorty.” I was trying to find the right words to say.

“We do what we do. It’s always been fun, and it’s never been serious. You made it clear from day one, that you want marriage and kids. Nah, you don’t have to get married next month, but that’s the ultimate goal and I can assure you, I’m not getting married or having kids anytime soon. I’ve told you numerous times I’d never get mad if you find the man that gives you what you want because it won’t be me. So, if I find someone else to occupy my time with why the fuck would you be mad? Why end up getting attached to me knowing I won’t give you what you want? That’s crazy as hell.”

“No what’s crazy is dealing with me for this long and expecting me not to get attached.”

I threw my hands up in exasperation. Women were crazy as hell. “So that’s my fault?” I stabbed my chest with my finger. “You chose to keep dealing with me despite everything I said, and you’re mad at me because you got attached?”

“It’s fine, Darius. I just wanted to know what it was, and you for sure made that clear. Have a very nice life.”

“You do the same.” I shook my head.

That shit tripped me out. Bree stood there as I got in my car. I had been running like crazy making money, spending time with Vani, getting more money, trying to find time to catch up on rest and now, I was getting ready for Antigua. I had too much on my plate to entertain Bree the way she wanted me to, and she was in her feelings about it.