Page 94

Jody was right. There was never a real exit plan. I’d been doing this shit for almost fifteen years with no issues. I kept going, telling myself I’d stop when I hit a number that I was comfortable with. The game caught up with me before I could.

I blew out a harsh breath. My phone vibrated in my bag

“Yes, Siani.”

“Damn, the hell’s wrong with you?” she asked.

“Everything.”

“Well, today’s your lucky day,” she sang. “This heat wave is killing me and I wanna be on somebody’s beach. Tariq has a beach house in Catalina Cove. Come with me? You clearly need a change of scenery.”

Siani’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. It was Monday, so if we left within the next day or so, I could still be back for work this weekend. “Why aren’t you going with him?”

“He gotta study for the bar or some shit. Are you in?”

“Can we leave tomorrow?”

“I’ll book the tickets right now, bitch. Don’t play with me.”

“Text me with the details. I’ll see you at the airport tomorrow.”

I put my phone away. I shouldn’t be going. I should be trying to figure out how I was gonna get this nigga’s money in thirty days, but YOLO. I could end up dead for all I know.

Might as well get a tan first.

Hey. I’m heading to Florida for a few days with Siani. Text you when I’m back in the city.

Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared. Then my phone rang.

“Hi.”

“What’s in Florida?” Cardez asked tightly.

“Tariq offered his place in Catalina Cove to Siani. We’re just going for two nights.”

He hummed. “This little getaway have anything to do with whatever’s been going on with you?”

I glanced at Siani who was sitting next to me, headphones in her ears. We were already at the terminal, and our flight would be boarding in a few minutes. “It’s just a girls’ trip. Don’t make it a big deal, Dez.”

“I’m not making it a big deal. Just crazy how my girl is going on a trip and I’m only hearing about it the day you’re leaving.”

“I gotta run shit by you now?” I shifted in my seat and lowered my voice.

“Belle,” Cardez chuckled. “I don’t know what you had going on with the other niggas you dealt with, but when you’re in a relationship, you tell the person you’re with when you’re leaving town.”

“Isn’t that what I did? I texted you. You’re welcome.”

“And what if I had plans for us this week?”

“We can do them next week.”

“I was coming to see you tonight. I had shit planned. But that’s deaded now.”

The disappointment in his voice shifted something in my chest. “Dez⁠—”

“Nah you good. Do your thing. Text me when you land.”

“That’s it?”