“What?” I finally asked.
She folded her arms across her chest. “Nigga, what the hell was all of that about?”
“All of what?”
She sucked her teeth. “Don’t play with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Where in the hell did all that lovey-dovey shit come from? Whatchu been back in your room doing? WatchingThe Notebookor some shit?”
“Y’all asses needed help, so I helped. That’s it. And that’s all,” I replied, shrugging her off just as the microwave dinged with my plate of steaming hot leftovers.
My sister rolled her eyes skyward, signaling that she called bullshit on my answer. “I don’t believe that for one bit.”
“You think I care what yo’ bigheaded ass believes?”
“Mm-hmm, nigga.”
“Mm-hmm nothin’. Don’t you got a shift to get ready for?” I probed, trying to change the subject.
“Don’t worry about me. We’re talking about you and this love jones you’ve managed to get overnight.”
“Again, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I bet you don’t. But okay, keep playing dumb about it.”
“Whatever. Can I eat in peace before I need to start getting dressed? I have plans tonight.”
“Plans? What kind of plans could a nigga with no life possibly have?”
My brows creased. “I’m goin’ out to dinner with Yasmine.”
Liv’s forehead scrunched up. “Who the hell is Yasmine?”
“You remember my ex from college? I brought her home that one Thanksgiving.”
“Yeah, then y’all broke up by St. Patrick’s Day, right?” She giggled.
“So?”
“Since when did you two rekindle?”
“We ain’t rekindle; we’re just cool. That’s all.”
“So she’s not the one who’s got you walking around here sounding like Cupid shot an arrow straight up your ass?”
“Maybe she is, maybe she ain’t,” I said coolly, trying to throw her off my trail even though I already knew what was up between us.
Grabbing drinks with her was exactly the distraction I needed after everything went south with Lex at the bridal shop, so I didn’t mind seeing her again for dinner. Besides, Lex had made things clear that she was moving forward with her wedding come hell or high water, and even though I’d made itclear to Yasmine that I wasn’t looking to commit, I couldn’t help but wonder if I should’ve reconsidered.
Two days before the wedding.
Closing day had arrived. After signing my name what felt like a hundred different times on over a few dozen documents, the realtor finally handed me the keys to my brand-new home. I couldn’t help but split my face with a smile. Even though deep down, I was still licking my wounds about how things ended between Lex and me. At least I could say that a part of me felt like I could breathe a little easier after saying those vows to her. Even though I knew they’d never be real, the feelings behind them were. It was better to let her go and live the life she wanted to and be with whoever she wanted to be with, rather than force her to be on the same page with me, let alone the same book. It was best to focus on myself and my new chapter. That’s it.And that’s all.
I spent the rest of the day at the store gathering basic supplies, such as paper products, sheets, pillows, laundry detergent, and other items for the main bathroom and kitchen. Until my new furniture arrived, I would be posted up on a king-size air mattress. After pulling up to my house, I got a text from Xavier, reminding me of the time and name of the club where he’d be celebrating his birthday later.
As much as I wanted to remain in my comfort zone and do shit most people did when they moved into an empty house—layout an oversized blanket and eat pizza on the living room floor. I wasn’t in the mood to be around a bunch of drunk-ass niggas tryna holla at everything walking, but I decided to go anyway to celebrate my own victory. After all, it wasn’t every day I closed on my first home. I needed to enjoy the moment and take my victory lap.
I replied to him, and my phone dinged with a congratulations text from Yasmine. After having dinner with her, it became clear to me that no matter if Lex never wanted to be with me, I couldn’t settle for Yasmine. She was beautiful and all, but aside from talking about her job as an attorney and shamelessly flirting with me all night, she had nothing else to talk about. To me, beauty without substance was futile. So if I hadn’t made it clear to her before, I definitely made it clear then that we wouldn’t surpass the friend zone.
Later that night, around half past ten, I sauntered into the club dressed to look good but blend in simultaneously. A black satin button-down to show off the gold chain around my neck and the tattoo inked across my collarbone, and black jeans with my two-tone black and white Jordan 11 Retro Concords with the rubber outsole. I didn’t want to be the flashiest person in the room. In fact, I usually did everything I could to avoid the spotlight. But I also wasn’t goin’ to show up looking like a fuckin’ bum.
