Page 21 of What I Needed

“We did, and we got plenty more where those came from, but we still got your back if you need anything,” Boris said.

“Except a babysitter,” Jaxon added, and we all broke out in laughter.

A few hours later, I was headed to my car after practice, and my phone rang. Erissa’s name appeared on my screen, and I quickly answered.

“Wassup?”

“Can you come to the address I’m about to send you?”

“Yeah. Y’all good?”

“Yeah. We’re fine, but my ex showed up at my house, and he won’t leave. He’s already tripping about me driving an unfamiliar SUV, and I don’t want to⁠—”

“No need to explain any further. Are y’all safe?”

“Yeah. We’re inside with the doors locked. I’m sending the address now.”

I hopped in my car and started it just as the address came through. When I put it in the GPS, it said it would take twenty-five minutes to get there. I drove like a bat out of hell and made it in twelve.

I parked in the driveway behind the SUV that Erissa had been using and noticed a man leaning against the passenger side door of a car parked in front of the house. As soon as I stepped out, he pushed himself off the car and walked toward me.

“Who the fuck are—hold up? River Westmore? What the hell are you doing here?”

I didn’t bother answering him and continued to the front door of the house. After ringing the doorbell once, I knocked on the door, then announced myself.

“Erissa, it’s me.”

Seconds later, I heard the locks turning, and the door opened. She looked a little flustered, but more annoyed than anything. I pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head, something I’d never done but felt so natural.

“Oh, you fucking this nigga now? Is that why you ain’t got time for me?” the man asked angrily from behind me as I stepped inside.

“Jeremiah, please go away. We aren’t together, so who I’m fucking ain’t your business.”

She slammed the door in his face, and he continued to talk shit from outside.

“Aye, man, she’s broke as fuck with nothing going for herself. She ain’t the kinda woman you want. Hell, if her pussy wasn’t so good, I wouldn’t want shit to do with her.”

“He’s such an asshole.”

“Don’t worry about him. How are you feeling? Are you still cramping?”

She looked confused for a moment, then she smiled.

“I’m fine. Thank you for asking. Rivvy fell asleep while we waited for you, and I put her in my room in case that idiot banged on the door again. Before we leave, I need to take the trash out and bring the bins to the front.”

“I’ll do it. Point me in the right direction.”

“I got it. I don’t want him to⁠—”

“Fuck that nigga. He’s not my concern. You are. Where’s the trash?”

She didn’t argue and led me to the kitchen, where she had the trash near the side door, ready to be taken out.

“You should see the bins when you go outside. If he bothers you⁠—”

“Erissa, chill out, beautiful.”

I stopped to kiss her forehead as I walked by, and it caught her by surprise, which was exactly what I wanted. Hopefully, it distracted her enough to stop worrying about that lame-ass ex of hers.