Page 67 of What I Needed

I giggled before saying, “I like that element of surprise much better.”

“Oh really? I got a surprise for you. Turn around and get on your knees.”

The next morning, I woke up wrapped in River’s arms and was about ten seconds from relieving my bladder in this bed. I pushed his long, heavy body away from me and sprinted to the bathroom.

When I finished, I got a pack of toothbrushes and a fresh tube of toothpaste from under the sink, and some towels from the linen closet. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I got my phone from my purse and returned to bed.

Before I could get comfortable, River wrapped his arm around my body and brought my back to his chest. He kissed the top of my head, and seconds later, I felt his body relax against mine as he went back to sleep.

I unlocked my phone and saw that I had a text from Shakira and Donovan. I went to my thread with Shakira first because I honestly didn’t care what Donovan had to say.

Shakira:

Y’all looked real cozy at dinner. I love to see it.

Included was a link to Keeping It in the Closet. Against my better judgment, I clicked on the link. As I expected based on Shakira’s message, there was a picture of River and me at dinner last night. The caption read:

@KIITC: Ohh, it’s been a minute since we’ve seen Mr. Westmore out with this beauty. We never did find out who she was and if she was just another jump-off or his baby mama. Maybe this time, the nosy neighbors will have better luck.

The second picture was the one from our first outing, and I assumed it was attached as a reminder. I guess I was a glutton for punishment, because I went straight to the comments.

@nogoofficial: He’s a trash nigga and she’s too pretty to waste her time with him.

@mimirivi: Run away as fast as you can. Don’t you read the blogs? He ain’t him.

@maybebaby123: Y’all ain’t never seen @rivwest33 the same woman twice. She might be his one.

@uthoughtwrong: If she’s his baby mama, she hit a lick. Lucky girl.

I’d seen enough, so I swiped out of the app and replied to Shakira.

Me:

Dinner was nice, but dessert was even better.

Shakira:

Yes, friend! I love this for you.

Me:

I’ll call you later.

I went to Donovan’s thread and frowned because this man wrote an essay. I hadn’t known him long enough for him to send a message this long.

Donovan:

I really thought you were different, but it’s obvious you’re nothing more than a money chasing, attention seeking bitch like all the others.

“This nigga,” I whispered in disgust.

I’d read enough. There was no chance of me ever going out with him, whether River and I worked or not, so I blocked his number and deleted our text thread. It was only seven o’clock, so I put my phone on the bedside table and turned around to face River.

“What nigga you talking about?” River asked.

“Nobody. Go back to sleep.”

“Nah. I’m up now, but I know what will put me back to sleep.”