He rattled off his number, then said, “Repeat it back to me.”
It took me two times to get it right.
“Aight, Bianca. I’ll be waiting for ya call,” he informed me as one of Katrelle’s friends appeared at the bar.
Feeling like I could choke someone, I had to get away from this girl. “Okay. I’ll call you.” I smiled a little as I walked away.
Unintentionally, my eyes strayed to Antonias’s table. Caught off guard by him staring at me, my eyes widened. Katrellewhispered something in his ear, then she stood and left their table. After she disappeared, I boldly headed to Antonias’s table. I didn’t care that everyone’s gazes seemed to follow me. If anyone was smart, they’d leave me the hell alone after Antonias pulled this stunt.
As I sat in the chair Katrelle previously occupied, I stared at Antonias.
“What the hell was that?”
“No congratulations?” he asked instead.
“So, you’re really about to marry her? Nine months ago, you were begging me to give you a chance.”
“And nine months ago, you told me to fuck off,” he bit back, then covered the harshness with a smile as to not draw any attention to us.
“Be serious right now, Antonias.”
“I’m very serious. I haven’t been on you since the summer. So, the fact that you’re confronting me about proposing to my lady is crazy. I’m ready for a wife, kids, and a nigga ain’t getting any younger.”
Out of everything he said, my brain picked up—“Your lady?” I chuckled indignantly. This whole situation felt like I was in a horror flick. Sure, he brought Katrelle around often. Having her on his arm was one thing. Claiming her was another. He’d never called a woman his lady before.
“Everything looks good on you, Bianca. Except jealousy, of course. Take care of that shit.” He stood and left the table, leaving me sitting there with my mouth open in embarrassment.
Glancing around, I placed a forced smile on my face and headed back to my table. Coco intercepted me. The look on her face told me that she had a few words for me.
“Not now,” I said to her. She was always team Antonias and now… Now, I’d ruined everything.
“How you just gon’ let that man marry someone else?” she hissed discreetly.
“Not now,” I reiterated and tried to walk away. Coco yanked me back and glared at me. “Alright, alright! I thought he was playing, okay. How was I supposed to know that he was serious about being with me?”
Coco’s head tilted back on her shoulders. “Uhm, your brother is Adir Bell. You really thought he was gon’ let Antonias play with you?”
Pouting a little, I shrugged. “Antonias is not scared of Adir’s crazy ass.” Shit. Antonias was about as crazy as my brother.
“Still,” Coco said. “AntoniasrespectsAdir. And honestly, that is just one reason why they get along so well.”
“Fuck,” I whined, realizing my mistake in mishandling Antonias. My chest was in my ass. “What am I gon’ do?”
“I don’t know, sis.” Coco’s eyes trained on something behind me, and I knew it wasthem.“You better do something quick.”
Feeling like I was suffocating, I left Coco and rushed to find the nearest exit. The place was on lockdown with security, but they had to give me a minute to reset my mental state.
“You can’t be out here,” security said.
“I can… I’m wit’ her,” a familiar said. Surprised to see Torro following me outside, I stopped and smiled at him. He walked up to me, and the back of his knuckles grazed my cheek.
“This smile here is much better,” he stated. “I don’t have to tell you how fuckin’ beautiful I think you are. I’m sure muhfuckas tell you that all the time.”
My smile grew a little more. “Thank you. Whatever you’re wearing smells good.”
His bright teeth flashed me briefly. “If you wanna know what I wear, you gotta call a nigga and get to know me. I’m not easy.”
I laughed with him. “Neither am I,” I replied.
