Page 18 of Stand on That

“Bro, now who’s being dramatic?”

“I’m just saying know your worth. You get it, and I love that for you. I know everyone thinks I’m all loved out over Darius, but I still have good sense. If he starts acting up, I’m out. I’ve already been thinking he’ll be a tough act to follow because no man can come into my life after him and feed me crumbs.”

“Period.”

With a chuckle, I went back to packing my things. It was going to feel weird living anywhere else except my parents’ house, but it was time. I was officially twenty-one, and I had a man that was ready and willing to take care of me. Hell yes, I was going to keep braiding hair and stack my money. If we ever broke up, I’d be straight off my own money. I had a solid plan, and I refused to come back home with my tail tucked between my legs if things didn’t work out with me and Darius.

“You know ma and dad think as soon as you start living with Darius, you’re going to pop up pregnant.”

My nose scrunched. “No, I’m not. We’re both too busy for kids. Being with a man with money put a battery in my back. I don’t want to be put up and not work. I want to make money out the ass because I get to keep it all. Spending his money feels good but seeing my own sitting pretty in my bank account feels better. Nobody got time to be braiding hair with a baby tied to my back. And I for sure don’t want to be traveling having to drink mocktails and water because I got knocked up. Hell no. I have plenty of time for babies.”

“And us spending the summer living our best lives before we lock in?” she gave me a disappointed look like I had ruined the plans.

“Bruh, dramatic!” I exclaimed. “Bossman D Low is coming next weekend, and Darius already asked me if I wanted to get a booth. You acting like I’m going to move in with him today and be barefoot, pregnant, and housebound tomorrow.”

Lo’s eyes widened. “Bossman D Low? Hoe why didn’t you tell me? Wait, if you get a booth can I come?”

“You’re really starting to piss me off,” I sucked my teeth. “I’m waiting on him to confirm that he has it. He actually is going to get two right beside each other, so him and his friends can occupy one, and we can occupy the other. As soon as he tells me he has it, you’ll know because I’m going to send you some money to get a ‘fit. If I’m looking like money, you will be too.”

“Period!”

I wasn’t sure why everyone was acting like I was going to move in with Darius and change. He wasn’t one of those insecure niggas that wanted me hiding in the house not having fun. He was down for me living my best life because he was living his. He didn’t use money to try and control me. I knew females that were ‘put up’ and their boyfriends wouldn’t let them work. That was absolutely insane to me, but it was also none of my business. I just couldn’t wait to show people that if I did change because of being with Darius that it would be for the better and not the worst.

“You said Hailey coming over here?” Azarius asked sucking weed smoke into his lungs while I twisted his locs.

“Don’t worry about what my friend is doing,” I joked. “You always trying to act like you not checking for her.”

“Mannnnn,” he laughed. “Darius is my brother, and you’re his lady. I don’t want beef with you, and that’s what will happen if Hailey calls herself trying to do whatever it is she be doing out here with these lame ass niggas. I’m not the one.” He hit the blunt again.

“Dang my girl be out here hurting feelings like that to the point where she has a reputation? Let me find out,” I marveled. “As far as I know all she does is match energy. Nothing more nothing less. Come at her on some funny shit, and she’s going to be hilarious,” I smirked.

“Umhm,” Azarius bobbed his head. “Her ass gon’ be laughing right with her head between the washer and the dryer.”

“Boy please. Your head might be between there before hers will.”

“That’s that shit I’m talking about,” he bobbed his head again.

Darius entered the room with his grey sweats sagging slightly on his waist, and a white shirt tossed over his shoulder. In his hand was a plate of food. It was a chill Sunday. I cooked then Azarius came by the house, so I could retwist his locs. If he wasn’t there, I would have been walking around in a tank top and boy shorts, but I put on some sweats when he arrived. I had been living with Darius for a week, and I was so giddy it was pathetic. Waking up wrapped in his arms or waking up with him sliding into me from behind. Him coming in the house at night and us just smoking a blunt and talking about our day as he counted money. I was in love with all of it. The way he would lay his head in my lap when we were watching TV.

Hailey was going out with her sister later that night, and she wanted to borrow one of my purses. It wasn’t any of Darius or Azarius’ business that she was going to borrow one of my bags, so I told them she was stopping by to get me to curl her hair. Darius made it clear to me that he wasn’t trying to make the house feel like it wasn’t mine too, but he was strict about having company. I didn’t take it personal because it made sense for him to be that way with the lifestyle that he lived. So far, Lo, and Hailey were the only ones that had my address.

The app on his phone alerted Darius that someone was approaching the door. He stood up as Azarius passed me the blunt. As soon as Hailey rang the bell, Darius opened the door. “What up?” Darius bumped her fist with his as she walked in.

“Hey. Ewwww what is he doing here?” she joked when she saw Azarius.

“No need to cap Love. Seeing me has probably been the best thing to happen to you today.”

“Nigga please.” Hailey peered at the plate of food that Darius was devouring. “You cooked? Girl that smells good.”

“It’s good as fuck. Swear to God,” Darius shook his head.

“Yeah. I made plenty. You can get some. I saw a recipe for foil packs, and I been killing them joints. I did steak, potatoes, and broccoli today. Yesterday, I did salmon, potatoes, and corn.”

“You gon’ have my man ‘round here big as hell,” Azarius chuckled.

I passed the blunt to Hailey and shrugged. “It’ll be aight.”

When Hailey was done hitting the blunt, she went into the kitchen to get some food. She had inquired about Azarius a few times because he was cute, single, and getting a little money. But my girl wasn’t thirsty. He hadn’t asked for her number or tried to take her out, so she wasn’t flirting or doing the most in front of him. He wasn’t the only fish in the sea or the city. Hailey wasn’t a hoe. She didn’t sleep around, but she didn’t play with men either. The first time they played in her face, she was gone. But she’d be sure to run pockets first. She had left more than one man bitter, and it was comical as hell that she had a reputation for playing with niggas when she only matched the energy they gave. Some men were absolute bitches.