Snorting, he took a step back, placing distance between them. Braye was tall with a medium build and arms that were sculpted with muscles. His kinky hair was faded on the sides with a sharp lining. A goatee and mustache surrounded his shaded lips, and a scar decorated one of his thick brows. Cali thought he was ruggedly handsome with infinite sex appeal.
“Nah, I ain't forget but you must've forgot that you're my bitch. I shouldn’t have to come second to a nigga you claim you don't love. I’ve been patient but a nigga got motion, baby. I ain't ‘bout to wait on you forever.”
Appalled by his warning, she scoffed before folding her arms over her shapely chest.
“I’m aware of who you are, Braye. You don't need to send me no warning. Besides, that’s still my husband,” she retorted through clenched teeth.
“Man,” he drawled, turning away. “You can’t do both, Calia.”
His words caused her eyes to expand as she jumped down from the counter. “Please don't start this again.”
“Start what?” He smirked, rubbing his goatee. She hated when he did that; smiled when they were in the midst of a serious conversation.
“This.” She flared her arms in frustration. “You know it’s not that easy for me to leave my marriage. I would have to have valid reasons and even then, it’s not a guarantee that I’d be able to walk away.”
The Legacy Mafia possessed principles despite being filled with disorder and chaos. Cali’s marriage to Rio had been ordained before she had an input. Her father, Douglas, had picked him out and didn’t give her much of a say so.
Somehow, being with Rio was like putting on a TV show while she finished her chores. He served his purpose in her life, but he hadn’t captured her heart since it had been in Braye’s possession.
“It really shouldn’t be that hard, especially when you don't like that nigga.”
Cali did like Rio, but she wouldn’t correct Braye right now.
“Listen.” She walked up to him, grabbing his calloused hand. Staring into his eyes always took her to a place where she wished she could live. In his arms, she didn’t have to suffer through a marriage that she didn’t want. “You're my everything and I want you. I just have to figure out a plan that will allow me to walk away from my marriage and be with you. Can you please give me time?”
Cali wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips.
“I’m tired of sharing you, Calia.”
Braye’s facial expression displayed how annoyed he was, but he couldn’t keep up his tough exterior. Especially when Cali kissed his chin and then his neck.
“How about I make it right?” She lowered herself to her knees while gazing deeply into his eyes.
“Shit, handle that,” he urged.
Cali unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans and boxers down his hips. Instantly, Braye’s veiny manhood greeted her. She quickly wrapped her lips around it and made him forget about the ultimatum he was on the verge of giving her.
The sun peeked through the black-out curtains, blessing Irish with a sliver of vitamin D. She tossed in her bed before kicking the plushy duvet from her legs. Raising her upper body, she studied her bedroom while silently taking in the stillness. Irish loathed silence. It reminded her of how lonely she had been. The loneliness was suffocating as she continued to sinkdeeper. Irish was at the bottom of the ocean, trying her best to swim to the surface to gain some breath.
Drowning in loneliness hadn’t been fun. Irish had been battling for a while, trying her best to keep a smile on her face in an effort not to disrupt anyone else. Truthfully, Irish was tired of feeling alone. She had no one to come home to. No one to call her person. And because of her situation, Irish had no one to confide in about the matter.
Getting up, she entered the bathroom to shower and brush her teeth. Afterward, with a towel wrapped around her body, she swiped her hand in circular motions to clear up the steam that clung to the mirror. Staring at her reflection, she wondered when love would visit her. Not the regular kind that people experienced but the soul stirring kind. The love that would live deep in her bones and take several blood transfusions to flush out her system.
“Ugh,” she groaned.
Jovanis gave good love, but his adoration was strictly platonic. There were boundaries that came with his love. It had always been that way, and while Irish appreciated his efforts, he was incapable of loving her the way she truly yearned to be love. The thought of her lonely love life always put a damper in her mood, so Irish continued getting dressed so she could face another obstacle of hers.
The drive to Havenwood Housing Projects was about forty minutes. When Irish pulled into the parking spot, she looked around at all the litter scattered across the lawn.
“They don’t do shit around here,” she grumbled, getting out the car.
Charcoal smoke floated in the air, embellishing the hood with a smokey scent. Irish spotted children riding their bikes inthe parking lot while a woman who wore a bonnet, talked loudly on the phone.
Dread consumed Irish the second she took the first step. Suddenly, she felt heavy, hiking the small set of stairs. Gulping back the regret, she reached and pressed on the doorbell. Seconds passed by before the creaking from the door graced her ears. Irish released a deep breath as the screen door opened.
“Oh, it’s just you,” she mumbled.
“Hello to you too, Mama.”
