I walked the floor, then posted up in my usual corner with a clear view of everything.
My phone stayed in my pocket.
I wasn’t worried about her texting me.
If she did, she did. If she didn’t… I’d eat that.
Halfway through the night, after dealin’ with a drunk nigga who thought he could skip out on a tab, I stepped back into my office to breathe for a second.
I pulled my phone out on reflex, just to check the time.
Two texts sat there I hadn’t seen come in.
The first was from some promoter.
The second was from her.
Melissa: We need to talk. Not argue. Talk.
My chest did that stupid tight thing.
Old me would’ve grabbed my keys right then.
Where you at? I’m on my way.
My thumbs even started to type it.
Then I stopped. Deleted it and took a breath.
Me: Aight. When and where you want to meet?
She replied quicker than I expected.
Melissa: Somewhere quiet. Not the club. Not my house.
Melissa: Let me think on it.
Me: Bet. Just tell me when you ready. I’ll be there.
I stared at the screen for a second.
No,what’s this about. No,you scarin’ me. Even though she was.
I slid the phone back in my pocket, leanin’ my head against the back of the chair.
For the first time since all this started, it felt like she was walkin’ toward me on her own.
Not ‘cause I was outside.
Not ‘cause I caught her somewhere.
‘Cause she wanted to talk.
I didn’t know what was comin’ in that conversation.
But I knew one thing for sure.
Whatever it was, I was ready to hear it without hidin’ behind my fear this time.
