Page 17 of Certified Sin

“Reese, it’s a big day for me. Your sister can wait!” she exclaimed, and the way she said that set me off. The driver opened the back door for me to step in.

“Nah, ma. She can’t. I gotta take care of family first.”

“You said you had no problem showing me off, but when I want you to, you can’t come. Are you just making up excuses?”

“I don’t make excuses, ma. If I ain’t want to come, I would’ve just said the shit outright,” I snapped at her.

“Well, if you stand me up, I’mma be real mad at you,” she told me. “Put me first for once.”

She hung up in my face. I inhaled, then exhaled, laying my head against the back of the chair. Why do I always pick the crazy ones?

I can’t stop thinking about the lil run-in with Ronnie though. She’s a good woman and it makes no sense what Sin is doing. Seeing her in public at different events, she walked in the room with confidence. Ain’t many people doing what she is at such a young age. Watching her around Sin right now though, she ain’t the person I thought she was.

I lifted my head to see us pulling into the driveway. Before I could get one foot out the door, Raine ran down the front steps, throwing her arms around my shoulders.

“Sup, sis?” I greeted, and after a few seconds of her holding onto me, I knew something wasn’t right. “Fuck you crying for?”

“Rayna said she told you. I know you’re disappointed with me,” she muttered, with her head on my chest.

“Don’t cry. Come on.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder to walk her inside. Leading her to the table, I sat down next to her.

Cupping my hands under my chin, I watched her wipe away tears. “I was mad at you, Raine. I’m still mad at you. You know we raised you to be better than this.” She nodded, sniffing back tears. “If you gone be wildin’ in college, at least make sure these niggas wrap it up.”

“It just happened.” I heard that many times before.

“No, it didn’t. You probably ain’t plan it, but you ain’t do nothing to prevent it either. Who is the nigga?” She averted her eyes, rubbing her hand down her arm.

“Raine, answer my question.”

“It was a one-night stand, okay,” she admitted. “It was a mistake.”

I could see she was starting to shut down on me, so I let it go for now. You best believe we gone finish this conversation real soon, though.

Chapter 13

Ronnie

We were just wrappingup the last meeting when my phone rang in my purse. I was tired after going through two hours of video surveillance. It’s being used against my client in a sexual harassment allegation, so I needed to go over it with a fine-tooth comb.

I cursed under my breath at seeing my dad’s name because I know why he’s calling me. He must’ve seen the pictures of Sin and me all over the internet.

“Yes, daddy,” I answered. Rolling my eyes inward waiting for him to trip out.

“Honey, what have you gotten yourself into?” Here we go. I loved my father, but he feels he needs to control every aspect of my life. His push is the reason I graduated from college at twenty.

“I don’t know what you mean, dad.” I played innocent.

“That boy, that singer... you hanging out with those types of people, Ronnie?” I pressed the button on the elevator, waiting for it to come up.

“He’s a client, and it was only a business meeting.” That’s how it started, but it ended up being so much more.

“Baby, do you take your old man for a fool? I know a date when I see one. Have you seen the things people are saying about you online?”

I saw the comments on Facebook this morning. Most of them mentioned how I’m not Sin’s type and how they don’t know what he sees in me. I tried to pay no mind to it, but I admit some were hurtful.

“Not all of them. I don’t care what people think about me,” I defended.

“That boy is nothing but trouble with his rap music and saggy pants.” I tuned him out, stepping in once the elevator doors opened. Thankfully, I was alone.