I step on the gas and almost run into Bryant on the way into our complex. He brakes for me as I zip in front of him through the entrance. I park and take the building stairs two at a time to our second floor apartment. I don’t have time to wait on Bryant or to hear him out. We need to get on the road to New Orleans.
“Zhanna!” he yells after me, but I keep trucking toward my front door.
Zina has it open before I can push my key into the lock. Her face is stained with tears, and my heart absolutely breaks. I pull her into a hug and straighten my back. It’s time to put on my big girl panties again and take care of my baby sister.
“I packed you a bag,” she says.
“Let’s go then.”
She closes the door and as we turn for the stairs, I run into Bryant’s large chest.
“Baby, we need to talk.”
With one index finger in the air, I start counting. “One, I’m not your baby. Two, I don’t have time to talk to you or anyone else.” I walk around him and take the stairs quickly.
“Zina? What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Grandma Rose is sick. Mom said we should come home,” she replies.
“Shit,” he says. “I’ll be there after the game. Ben, too.”
My eyes roll. “Don’t bother.”
Bryant puffs his chest out. “Woman, I don’t know what the crazy bitch told you, but I’m most certainly notfucking off.” He holds an index finger in the air. “One, in hindsight, sending Charity with the pass wasn’t the smartest decision I’ve ever made. Two, you are my baby. I don’t care that you’re mad, that shit is not changing. Get it through your thick skull. Three, I haven’t touched anyone else since before the season began. I’ve told you this, but you didn’t know me well enough at that point. So let me tell you, when I say something, it’s the truth. Even when I fuck up, I’ll tell you the truth.”
We reach my car and throw our bags in the backseat. “I don’t have time for this. I have to go.”
“I’ll be there after the game. Please unblock my number.”
“Move, Bryant.”
“Tell me you heard me, Z.”
“It’s hard not to! You’re practically yelling. Now fucking move, or I’m kicking you in the dick.”
He moves after another long look. “Please unblock me.”
After I climb inside my vehicle, I turn over the ignition and drive away with Bryant staring after us.
“What happened with Charity?” Zina asks.
I give her the rundown. “I just thought he was a good guy.”
“That bitch is lying. Bryant talks about you nonstop. I swear the boy is in love with you.”
“We’ve known each other three weeks.”
“And it doesn’t change the fact that he’s practically obsessed with you.”
I try like hell not to think about him as we drive 75 minutes away. I’m grateful Zina drops any more conversation about him. I don’t want to argue with her or feel like she’s not on my side.
When we pull into the large hospital parking garage and park, Zina looks at me and touches my hand. “Ben said Charity has been looking for a rich husband since she was eighteen. She wants to land Bryant, and he’s never wanted a relationship with her. He wants one with you. I know it’s difficult to hear the things she said, but it doesn’t mean they’re true. He should have the opportunity to defend himself.”
“She just seemed so confident and…”
“Gorgeous? Doesn’t change the fact that she never made it past bed warmer status. He chose you. It also doesn’t change her bitchy personality. Bryant had an arrangement with her for a short time,before you.”
“I’m out of my depth with him,” I admit.
