Page 27 of Stand on That

The house had three bedrooms, and she lived alone, so she had turned one of the rooms into a huge closet. The house was dope and the best part about it was that, she didn’t have mortgage to pay. I didn’t know how much she made as a flight attendant, but the money I gave her each month was a very nice added bonus. I had a key to the house since there were times I might need to get in that she wasn’t home. I hadn’t had sex with her since I got with Vani, and she didn’t really trip. I respected the fact that she might have a man over sometimes, so I always checked to see if she was home before I went over.

The only thing I warned her about was watching who she let in her house because if my dope ever came up missing, after I killed whoever took it, I was going to kill her for letting them take it.

The block was jumping. Spring was in full effect, and one of the first block parties of the season was popping off in a popular neighborhood right around the corner from Zoe Land. At that point, Vani and I had been together for a year, and things were going well. My net worth had increased drastically, and I was that nigga. I had also kept my word and enrolled in college. My first three classes were paid for, and I was going to start in nine weeks.

I was posted up with Azarius and Kyle while keeping an eye out. Watching my surroundings was always going to be my first priority no matter where I was. I didn’t care if I was in church. I was watching everything and everybody. I had a red plastic cup in my hand half filled with cognac, and I had been passing a blunt back and forth with Azarius, while being on high alert.

I peeped Bree when she began to head in my direction. I had money at the crib to give her to finally pay off the car that was in her name. I hadn’t seen her in two months, and I knew she was about to give me grief. I dead ass hadn’t dealt with her since I got with Vani and even though it had been a long time, Bree’s feelings for me hadn’t diminished at all. I didn’t really understand it. How could she love someone so hard that had never loved her back? I treated her well and with respect, but that wasn’t the same as loving her.

The closer she got to me, I could tell she’d been drinking. She wasn’t sloppy, but she was concentrating way too hard on the simple task of walking. The block had been jumping for a few hours, so it was very likely that she was intoxicated. When she walked right up on me, I saw tears in her eyes, and I braced myself for the bullshit.

“I still don’t know what I did.” Her words were slightly slurred.

“What you talking about, Bree?” my tone was gentle because I didn’t want a scene, and I didn’t want people in my business. It was my hope that if I appeased her in some small way, she’d walk off without the theatrics.

“What did I do to make you choose her over me?” her voice was just above a whisper, but I heard her loud and clear.

I was sure Vani was out somewhere close by but even if she wasn’t, I didn’t need word getting back to her that I was talking to Bree. “Not here, Bree. I’ll come holla at you when I leave here. I promise,” I lied. I just wanted to get her to walk away.

“Don’t lie to me, Darius.” A tear spilled over her eyelid, and I was blown for real. A year later, shorty was still crying?!

“Lie to you for what? I wouldn’t do that.” Quickly, I reached out and swiped the tear off her cheek, and that was the worst thing a nigga ever could have done.

“I know my mother fucking eyes are playing tricks on me,” Vani stormed in my direction. “Did you just touch that bitch’s face?”

“Vani, chill, yo,” I stated sternly through gritted teeth. I reached my arm across Bree, so Vani wouldn’t hit her because I didn’t want my lady out in the streets fighting and damn sure not looking like she was fighting over me. But that was the wrong thing to do too.

“You protecting that bitch?!” Vani screeched as she pushed me. Or tried to. My solid ass didn’t budge even after she pushed me with all her might.

All eyes were on us, and that was what I didn’t want. The moment I saw someone recording me, I was gon’ toss their phone like a frisbee.

“Chill the fuck out,” I grabbed her arm. “You know I don’t do public scenes and shit. You doing too much right now.” I spoke so only she could hear me.

“Oh no, muhfucka. I’m not doing enough! It’s always this bug eyed bitch. A year later, and she’s still here.”

“That should let you know that I’m not going anywhere.” Bree stated calmly. I had to look over my shoulder because I was just as shocked as Vani.

Bree didn’t even move like that. She wasn’t the confrontational type. My dumb ass was so caught off guard by her comment that Vani was able to leap around me and start wailing on Bree’s ass. I attempted to break them up, but Vani grabbed Bree’s hair, and wouldn’t let go. She was gripping Bree’s braids so tight, her hands were turning red.

“Vani, please chill. You know the police are out here,” I begged.

As soon as I got her to let Bree go, Bree’s embarrassed ass fixed her mouth to spit on Vani. That was some nasty, disrespectful shit, so I didn’t even stop Vani from going right back to her ass for a few seconds.

“Bro,” I looked to Azarius for help, and he was laughing while Hailey watched making sure no one jumped in. “Help me, nigga.”

Bree must have been so drunk that she wasn’t feeling any of Vani’s hits. Her nose was leaking blood but anytime I got Vani off her, Bree’s lips parted to say some more dumb shit. “I’m reporting that car stolen,” she glared at me with hatred in her eyes. I had never seen Bree so angry and vindictive. The shit was blowing me.

“Fuck you mean, you gon’ report the car stolen?” I frowned. “You playing police games now?” My back was to Vani as I questioned Bree. Shit, that comment damn near hurt. That was betrayal in its deepest form, and I couldn’t believe Bree was coming like that.

“And you still talking to that bitch?!” Vani screeched. “I got something for you fuck ass nigga.”

I was getting threats from both ends, but I was most concerned about the one involving the police. I could deal with Vani at home. If Bree really reported the car stolen, and I got pulled over with the wrong shit in the car, it was a wrap for me. That wasn’t even just about drugs. I always rode with a gun, and I often carried large sums of money. I was pissed enough to do some shit that was out of my character, so I would need to calm down before I went home. Vani had pissed me off more than she ever had since I met her. I had been faithful to her ass for a whole year, and she was on the block acting an ass and causing a scene over some dumb shit. My blood was boiling.

“You know what? You can have the car. It’s yours,” I dropped my key fob in Bree’s hand. “I don’t have shit in there that I need. Enjoy that muhfucka, and you can make the payments on it too.”

Bree’s jaw slacked. Her drunk ass understood enough to know that she had fucked up. One good thing about being legit was that I would be able to get things in my own name. I hadn’t even started school yet, so going legit was a ways off, but this was just another reason for me to keep pushing.

I walked away from Bree leaving her speechless.